Creation of a Human
Relations Commission
(
Study Issue OCM 21-02)
David Carnahan, City Clerk
March 22, 2022
2City of Sunnyvale – Human Relations Commission – March 2022 Human Relations Commission Purpose
Human Relations Commissions in Santa Clara County
Presentation Overview
Potential Policy Issues for the Commission
Existing City Policies
Questions for Councilmembers
Existing City Programs and Services
Existing State and Federal Agencies
Role of Current Boards and Commissions
Cost to Implement
3City of Sunnyvale – Human Relations Commission – March 2022 Create a Human Relations Commission focusing on
human relations matters that concern public or private
opportunities or resources in the community where a
community member is treated unfairly due to factors
such as race, gender, sexual orientation, citizenship or any other immutable characteristics or protected
status.
(1) Creation of a Human Relations Commission (Study Issue OCM 21-02).
On Jan. 12, 2021 – Councilmembers Cisneros, Fong,
Din, Melton sponsored a study issue to:
Human Relations Commission Purpose
4City of Sunnyvale – Human Relations Commission – March 2022 Santa Clara County
• Human Relations
Commission – Est. 1994
• 7 Members advise Council
• ~10 meetings per year
• Acting as a
liaison/facilitator between
City government and the
public on issues as they
relate to respect, inclusivity
and involvement.
•
Human Relations
Commission
– Est. 1969
• 5 Members advise Council
• Meets monthly
• Promotes just and fair
treatment.
• Promoted awareness of
issues and enabling
conversations that enhance
inclusion.
Mountain View Palo Alto
5City of Sunnyvale – Human Relations Commission – March 2022 San José
Santa Clara County
Eliminated Feb. 2022 in
anticipation of an Office of
Racial Equity taskforce.
• Human Services
Commission – Est. ~1986
• 13 Members advise Council
• Met monthly
• Implement the San José
Human Rights Policy and to
develop programs
promoting the fulfillment of
human rights in the City.
• Human Rights Commission
– Est. 1972
• 15 Members advise
Supervisors
• ~10 meetings per year
• Address issues that affect
the human and civil rights
of all County residents and
advocate for and take
positive action to eliminate
prejudice and
discrimination.
Santa Clara County
6City of Sunnyvale – Human Relations Commission – March 2022 • Campbell
• Cupertino
• Gilroy
• Los Altos
• Los Altos Hills
• Los Gatos
Cities Without a Human Relations Commission
Santa Clara County
• Milpitas
• Monte Sereno
• Morgan Hill
• Santa Clara
• Saratoga
7City of Sunnyvale – Human Relations Commission – March 2022 • California Department of Fair Employment and
Housing protects residents from employment,
housing and public accommodation discrimination,
and hate violence under state law.
• US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
enforces civil rights laws against workplace
discrimination.
Existing State and Federal Agencies
8City of Sunnyvale – Human Relations Commission – March 2022 • Policy Areas for Potential Recommendations to Council:
Provide a forum to address unfair treatment by the City due to factors such as race, gender, sexual orientation, citizenship or any other immutable characteristics or protected status. Hear complaints and problems relating to discrimination or unfair treatment by the City and develops policy
recommendations.
Hear complaints relating to unfair treatment by a City department.
Develops policy recommendations to ensure all residents are provided with an opportunity for full and equal participation in the affairs of City government.
Potential Policy Issues for the Commission
9City of Sunnyvale – Human Relations Commission – March 2022 • Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission
Hears community concerns regarding equitable
provision of transportation services and infrastructure. • Board of Library Trustees
Hears community concerns regarding equitable
provision of Library services.
Supported fine-free Library services.
Boards and Commissions
Role of Current Boards and Commissions
10City of Sunnyvale – Human Relations Commission – March 2022 • Housing and Human Services Commission
Hears concerns regarding housing discrimination.
Annual review and Council recommendations regarding
Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
• Parks and Recreation Commission
Hears community concerns regarding equitable
provision of City services at parks and other facilities. • Advisory Committee on Accessibility (ACA)
Advises staff regarding accessibility issues related to City services, programs and facilities.
Boards and Commissions (continued)
Role of Current Boards and Commissions
11City of Sunnyvale – Human Relations Commission – March 2022 • City funded services offered through Sunnyvale
Community Services
• Neighborhood and Community Grants
• Community Diversity Celebration planned for 2022
• Diversity and Inclusion Liaison
• Sunnyvale Employees for Equity and Diversity (SEED)
Citywide
Existing City Programs and Services
12City of Sunnyvale – Human Relations Commission – March 2022 • Sunnyvale Unity Listening Sessions
• Written translation materials prepared for targeted
community outreach
• Telephone on-demand interpretation services available • Public meeting interpretation services available with 48-hours advanced notice
• Bilingual City staff can translate: Cantonese, Farsi, Hebrew, Hindi, Korean, Japanese, Mandarin, Romanian,
Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese
Citywide (continued)
Existing City Programs and Services
13City of Sunnyvale – Human Relations Commission – March 2022 • Housing Services including affordable housing
programs.
• Supports Project Sentinel tenant and landlord
mediation services.
Community Development Department
Existing City Programs and Services
14City of Sunnyvale – Human Relations Commission – March 2022 • Public Safety Accountability
• Listos - Spanish language emergency preparedness
classes.
Department of Public Safety
Existing City Programs and Services
15City of Sunnyvale – Human Relations Commission – March 2022 • Cultural events, library and recreation programming:
Diwali celebration, Lunar New Year celebration, etc.
Hands on the Arts event
English as a Second Language (ESL) programming
• Library homebound delivery program
• Partnership with School District to operate Columbia
Neighborhood Center
Library and Recreation Services
Existing City Programs and Services
16City of Sunnyvale – Human Relations Commission – March 2022 • Council Policy Priority: Equity, Access and Inclusion • Statement on Our City Values and Public Service
• City Statement About Racial Injustice
• Resolution Denouncing Xenophobia and Anti-Asian
Sentiment
• Resolution Denouncing Anti-Asian Hate
• Resolution Commemorating LGBTQ Pride Month
Existing City Policies
17City of Sunnyvale – Human Relations Commission – March 2022 Commission Staff Support
• Research and writing of staff reports.
• Preparation, publication and distribution of meeting
agendas.
• Preparation and review of meeting minutes.
• Coordinating with Commissioners.
• Communicating with residents regarding topics under
the potential Commission’s purview.
Cost to Implement
18City of Sunnyvale – Human Relations Commission – March 2022 Personnel
• 1.0 FTE* - Equity, Access & Inclusion Manager
Position is currently term-limited for two fiscal years. Annual cost: $209,419.78
20-year cost: $5.5 million
• 1.0 FTE* - Senior Office Assistant
Annual cost: $114,040.54
20-year cost: $3.0 million
Cost to Implement
*FTE = Full Time Equivalent
19City of Sunnyvale – Human Relations Commission – March 2022 • Total Personnel Cost
Annual cost: $323,460.32
20-year cost: $8.5 million
• Others costs such as legal costs for policy analysis, etc. would be incurred depending on the work of a
potential Human Relations Commission.
Cost to Implement
20City of Sunnyvale – Human Relations Commission – March 2022 Determine consensus of majority Council for the
following:
Move forward with creation of a Human Relations
Commission: yes / no
If consensus is to move forward, identify Policy Issues and responsibilities for the Commission (in a separate study session).
If consensus is to move forward, Staff will return during the Fiscal Year 2022/23 budget review process so that
Council can consider fiscal impacts within the context of overall service needs.
Questions for Councilmembers