Arts and Culture Advisory Board

City of Elko Arts and Culture Advisory Board 4:30 PM, Wednesday, January 7, 2026 Elko City Hall, Council Chambers, 1751 College Avenue, Elko, NV 89801 I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL Present: Mica Johnson, ACAB Chairperson Sharon Owen, ACAB Vice Chairperson Casey Bennett, ACAB Secretary Amy Drost, ACAB Member Marissa Lostra, Councilwoman City Staff Present: Annette Robinson, City Clerk Nichole Stephens, City Clerk Technician II Dale Johnson, Utilities Director III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IV. COMMENTS BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC Vice Chair Sharon Owen called for public comment and did not receive a response. V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES V.A. Approval of Minutes for the December 3, 2025, Regular Session ** A motion was made by Secretary Bennett, seconded by Member Drost to approve the minutes for December 3, 2025. ** Councilmember Marissa Lostra abstained since she was not at the last meeting. The motion Passed. (4-0) VI. PRESENTATION January 7, 2026 Arts and Culture | Minutes Page 1 of 4  VI.A. Update from Michelle Cromwell at the ECVA on the Mural Walk Passport, and matters related thereto. INFORMATION ONLY, NON-ACTION ITEM Mica Johnson left 4:32 p.m. Mica Johnson returned 4:33 p.m. Michelle Cromwell and Safrin Morin from the Elko Convention & Visitors Authority presented an overview of their newly launched digital passport program, first used during recent holiday events. A copy of the presentation is in the minutes packet. The system is web based, uses geofencing for check-ins, awards points redeemable for prizes, and is intended to promote local businesses, cultural sites, and community events. They proposed expanding the program to include Elko murals, public art boots, and local museums. Ms. Cromwell noted that many recently added murals are not yet documented online. She currently has three mural tour routes (A, B, and C) and will email these to Assistant City Manager Dale Johnson for review. The passport can be updated in phases as additional information becomes available. Secretary Bennett discussed coordination with Travel Nevada and potentially the Elko Arts Foundation to obtain additional mural information. Members noted that this project aligns with ongoing work to update the arts and culture sections of the City’s strategic plan, including cultural asset mapping. ECVA indicated strong early community interest, with more than 40 users participating in their soft launch pilot. They expressed interest in continued collaboration with the Board and welcomed ideas for future passport themes. The Board was supportive of the partnership and thanked ECVA for the presentation. VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS VII.A. Update on the Semiquincentennial Agreement between Great Basin College and City of Elko, and matters related thereto. INFORMATION ONLY, NON-ACTION ITEM Assistant City Manager Johnson reported that the Semiquincentennial Agreement had been approved by the City Council and forwarded to Great Basin College, and staff would verify whether the finalized version had been returned. City Clerk Annette Robinson confirmed she would check on the status. Vice Chair Owen expressed appreciation that the project is progressing and noted her excitement about the update. January 7, 2026 Arts and Culture | Minutes Page 2 of 4  VII.B. Review, discussion, and possible action concerning an additional Semiquincentennial Art Project Award for the corridor and proposed funding source, and matters related thereto. FOR POSSIBLE ACTION Councilmember Lostra reported that the local chamber unanimously approved allocation of $10,000 toward the second Semi quincentennial art project for the pedestal on the opposite side of Sixth Street. The chamber requested that the City provide additional funding information for display plaques describing the artwork, artist, and potential sponsorship opportunities. Vice Chair Owen asked about location, it was noted that the project is intended for one of the two pedestal areas along Sixth Street, with exact placement still to be determined. Councilmember Lostra shared that the chamber is enthusiastic about supporting a permanent downtown art installation, viewing it as a strong use of Downtown Business Association funds. ** A motion was made by Councilmember Lostra, seconded by Secretary Bennett to approve direct staff to draft an agreement with the artist for the second Semiquincentennial art project to award per design for the corridor and the propose spending will come from the Elko Chamber of Commerce with the potential funding for the addition of the reader board. The motion passed unanimously. (5-0) VIII. REPORTS Secretary Bennett reported that the Elko Community Concert Association will host a Pink Floyd tribute band at the Elko High School Performing Arts Building on January 24, 2026. • Tickets: $25 • Start time: 6:30 PM • Event features: Surround sound, laser show, disco ball, and 1970s style production. Bennett also noted that the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering will take place at the end of the month at multiple venues, including the E Center, the Performing Arts Building, and the Western Folklife Center. Member Amy Drost added that a student art show associated with the Cowboy Poetry Gathering will be held at the Western Folklife Center in the G3 Theater. She had no additional reports. Councilmember Lostra also had no additional reports. Vice Chair Owen reminded the board that volunteers are still needed, encouraging anyone with available time and energy to help, noting that it is a fun experience. January 7, 2026 Arts and Culture | Minutes Page 3 of 4  IX. SCHEDULE THE NEXT MEETING ** A motion was made by Secretary Bennett, seconded by Member Drost to approve to schedule the Art and Cultural Advisory Board Meeting for Wednesday, April 8th at 4:30 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. (5-0) X. COMMENTS BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC Vice Chair Owen reminded the Board about the opportunity to review the strategic plan provided by Assistant City Manager Johnson. She noted difficulty viewing others’ comments due to sharing settings. Member Drost confirmed she received and read the plan but had trouble adding her comments online. The Board agreed to include review of the strategic plan as an agenda item for the April meeting to gather member input and stay aligned with their established timeline. Chair Mica Johnson suggested adding an informational item to begin planning for Arts and Humanities Month in October, noting the event is approaching quickly. Vice Chair Owen, agreed. The Board also discussed the call to artists planned for February for an award to be presented in October. Vice Chair Sharon asked whether action was required, but City Manager Johnson clarified that the schedule was already approved at the previous meeting, so no additional action was needed. Councilmember Lostra confirmed that a preliminary schedule had been developed for the upcoming Mayoral Art Awards, with activities intended to begin in early spring. Secretary Bennett shared that he created a logo for the arts awards that can be used by recipients and will share it with the group. Chair Johnson called for final public comment and did not receive a response from the public. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:57 p.m. Mica Johnson, Chairperson Casey Bennett, Secretary January 7, 2026 Arts and Culture | Minutes Page 4 of 4