The Vallejo Arts & Culture Commission voted 6–0 on Oct. 27 to form an ad hoc subcommittee to finalize a two‑year work plan and recommended budget priorities for fiscal years 2026–27.

The action, recorded by Chair Wise as moved by Chair Wise and seconded by Commissioner Schaeffer, establishes a subcommittee of no more than three commissioners; Chair Wise named Vice Chair Vidor and Commissioner Schaeffer as the volunteer members. The motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters: commissioners said a focused subcommittee will allow the panel to consolidate prior proposals, assign line items for budget requests and develop a phased plan that separates short‑term tasks (brochures, marketing, tabling) from larger efforts (artist registry, regranting program, long‑term funding policy).

Commissioners reviewed proposals submitted in advance by Commissioner Thorson and Vice Chair Vidor. Those submissions called for partnering with local nonprofits and the Greater Vallejo Recreation District on public art and cultural events, creating paid youth mural programs and mural services for businesses, developing an online database of local artists, and seeking both short‑term and long‑term funding mechanisms for arts programming. Vice Chair Vidor’s packet specifically requested “200,000 from general funds for regranting program” and a matching‑fund policy to encourage outside fundraising.

Commissioner Hernandez and others discussed structuring any regranting money into multiple rounds rather than a single lump sum. Hernandez said the commission should “make sure that artists will always be eligible” and suggested splitting the $200,000 so individual artists and nonprofits each have access to funds. Commissioners agreed the ad hoc should recommend a line‑item budget and funding split for council consideration.

Commissioners also debated marketing and outreach items. Commissioner Hernandez presented a cost estimate for an initial set of materials that totaled $964.87 for 2,000 printed brochures, a rubber stamp and carbon‑copy donation forms; he urged that such digital and print marketing appear as explicit line items in the work plan. Commissioner Allen urged the commission to “not use AI on this brochure about the arts” and recommended contracting living artists for design and production work.

The commission agreed to a two‑year work plan horizon so staff and the ad hoc can phase projects and consolidate prior work. Chair Wise asked commissioners to send any additional comments to staff by the following Monday so the ad hoc receives all proposals. The commission also discussed potential sources of funds, including prior ARPA‑originated programs and city budget processes, and noted that some ARPA‑style revolving loan funds in the county are structured as loans rather than grants.

Votes at a glance
- Motion to approve agenda: moved by Commissioner Allen, seconded by Vice Chair Vidor; recorded 6–0 in favor.
- Motion to approve minutes (Sept. 22, 2025): moved by Commissioner Hernandez; outcome recorded as passed 5–0 with 1 abstention (Chair Wise abstained because she was not present at the Sept. 22 meeting).
- Motion to form a work‑plan ad hoc subcommittee (no more than 3 commissioners): moved (recorded) by Chair Wise, seconded by Commissioner Schaeffer; passed 6–0. Appointed volunteers: Chair Wise, Vice Chair Vidor and Commissioner Schaeffer.

What commissioners said (selected quotes)
- “The way that it was written, it will not touch general funds. And that’s why it’s a good plan to bring forward,” Vice Chair Vidor said of the long‑term funding draft that emphasizes public‑private partnerships and other revenue builders.
- “Can we… agree that we’re not going to use AI on this brochure about the arts?” Commissioner Allen asked, urging the commission to hire living artists for design work.

Next steps: the ad hoc subcommittee will receive written comments from commissioners, develop a line‑item two‑year work plan and recommend specific budget ask(s) to the full commission and council. Chair Wise asked commissioners to submit comments by the Monday following Oct. 27 so the ad hoc can review them prior to the next meeting.