DocuSign Envelope ID: 5F71ACB2-60O8-4A9B-B608-667 4455A5686 ~'''~ ..
CITY OF SUNNYVALE Office Use Only
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS APPLICATION Date Received: 10/19/2022 Sunnyvale
The City supports its demographic diversity and encourages applicants from all groups to apply.
Voter registration verified:
On: 10/20/22
MH By:
Please print or type answers to all questions. Write N/A if not applicable.
General eligibility requirements: Sunnyvale residency. Other requirements may apply to specific boards and commissions.
For more information, contact the Office of the City Clerk via [email protected] or at 408-730-7483, TDD 408-730-7501 or visit the City website at Sunnyvale.ca.gov If you would like to apply for more than one vacancy,
place a number next to the board or commission, in order of your preference, for which you would like to apply.
Only applications for current openings will be considered at this time. Applications for future openings will be kept on file for one year. Qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview with City Council. Appointments will be made at a regular meeting of the City Council.
__ Arts Commission
__ Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission
__ Board of Building Code Appeals
__ Board of Library Trustees·
__ Heritage Preservat ion Commission·
_x_Housing and Human Services Commission
Parks and Recreation Commission·
Personnel Board"
__ Planning Commission·
__ Sustainability Commission
"Registered Sunnyvale voter
If you are applying for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission , please identify the category for which you are applying. You may apply for both if qualified .
..c::::J. Category One: Applicants must be bicyclists or pedestrians residing and registered to vote in Sunnyvale.
Cl Category Two: Applicants must have an interest in bicycle and/or pedestrian issues in the City and belong to one of the groups listed below. Sunnyvale residency is not required, but applicant must be a registered voter or legal resident.
Please check as many that apply :
.c::::J..PTA/paren t group member
.c::::J..santa Clara Unified School District/Sunnyvale School District Administration .c::::J..Neighborhood association member
Cl Sunnyvale teacher or principal
.c::::J..Person interested in Sunnyvale park and recreational activities If you are applying for the Sustainability Commission , please identify the category for which you are applying . ..c:J..Category One: Applicants shall be Sunnyvale registered voters • ..c:J..Cat egory Two: Applicants shall include members of the Sunnyvale business community", Such members need not be Sunnyvale residents.
· Sunnyvale business license holders; or designated representative of Sunnyvale businesses with 200 or more employees.
Applicant Name: Lei Helen
Last First M.I.
Current Residence ____ ,__ _____ S_u_nn~yv~ a_le ______ C_A ________ 9_4_0_86 __ _ Street City State Zip
E-mail Address:
Preferred Contact Phone Number(s):
-------------------------
1. Are you a currently-registered voter in Sunnyvale? Yes[=] When was the last time you voted? Month June [;fl Year 2022
Rev. 3/2021 J:\OCM\CityClerk\WorkingFiles\Boards & Commissions\Recruitment\Application Masters\2022\2022 Application Master.doc Attachment 3
DocuSign Envelope ID: 5F71ACB2-60O8-4A9B-B608-6674455A5686 Applicant Name ... H .... e...,le_.n ......... L_.e.._i _____ _
2. Are you currently serving or have you served on a City of Sunnyvale board or commission? No S If yes, which one? Term currently serving --------------- --------------- Term previously served
3. Prior attendance at a board or commission meeting is highly desirable. Have you attended meeting(s) of the board or commission for which you are applying? No I:=]
If yes, how many meetings have you attended?
NOTE: If you are applying for more than one board or commission, please reference the specific board or commission in your response to questions 4-7.
4. What motivated you to apply for this board or commission? I recently moved to the City of Sunnyvale and want to find a way to connect to the commun ity and get involved with the local government.
The Housing and Human Services Commission is of interest to me due to my passion to advocate for safety net services.
If I am appointed, I will ensure that all residents of Sunnyvale feel safe, secure, and a sense of community.
Prior to moving to the City of Sunnyvale , my husband and I were frantically seeking housing. My biggest worry was that my husband and I were going to be priced out of the Bay Area where we both grew up and have our immediate families.
The solution is to add housing, but in order to do this we will need more advocates serving on local commissions and boards.
As an adult, I took my childhood experience to motivate me to add to public good and support the various programs and resources I received as a child and young adult. My experiences growing up taught me the need for governments to provide community outreach, cultural awareness , and language access to society's most marginalized communities. 5, What skills or attributes can you bring to this board or commission? I will bring my experience of growing up in an immigrant working class family and my lived experience of navigating the world as a child of monolingual immigrant parents. Furthermore, I am sure my experience of over 10 years of serving in local governments , nonprofits and in the private sector will be an attribute for the Commission.
6. The primary role of a board or commission member is to provide advice to City Council on policy issues that are within the scope of that board or commiss ion. With this in mind, what steps would you take to effectively exercise this specific board or commission role?
I will prepare for each commission meeting by researching policy decisions. To effectively serve on this board, it is also important to stay aware of Sunnyvale policies and recent board actions. Furthermore, it is important to be updated with the demographics and need of the City.
Attachment 3
DocuSign Envelope ID: 5F71ACB2-60O8-4A9B-B608-6674455A5686 Applicant Name_H_e_le_n_L_e_i _____ _
7. Education: List college degrees and majors, and any relevant training or experience that demonstrates your ability to effectively serve on this board or commission.
Education and Training
? B.A. Global Studies, B.A. Asian American Studies, Minor Chinese, UCLA ? M.A. Public Affairs, UC Berkeley, Goldman School of Public Policy ? Project Management Professional, Project Management Institute ? LEED Green Assoc iate, Green Building Certification Institut ion (GBCI) Experience staffing a number of commissions and citizen advisory boards including:
1. Youth Commission , San Mateo County (Current)
2. Finance Commission, City of Los Altos
3. Mid-Market Citizen Advisory , City and County of San Francisco
4. Commission on the Status of Women, City and County of San Francisco
8. Briefly describe your current or last occupation.
I currently work for the County of San Mateo as a Budget, Policy, and Performance Management Analyst for the County Executive ' s Office. As a Budget, Policy, and Performance Management Analyst I support County Executives on various Countywide special projects with project management and analytic work. My special projects include support ing the County · s recidivism taskforce, creating Countywide training materials for Community Outreach and developing Performance Measure training materials.
Along with special project management , I also work with various County departments to provide them with guidance on County · s budget, policy, and performance measures. My current portfolio of departments includes Office of Sustainability, the Coroner ' s Office, the Sheriff · s Office, the District Attorney · s Office, and the Private Defender · s Program (San Mateo County · s contracted Public Defender services).
My current position allows me to learn more about public policy issues and challenges me to create creative solutions to solve current public problems .
9. Briefly describe what you learned by attending a meeting of the City Council, board or commission. Describe what improvements you would suggest the City consider.
I have not attended a meeting of the City Council yet. I was trying to find previous meetings to understand the current policies being considered.
In general, I wish the website was more friendly and have the previous meeting recordings available. I searched on the main website and only found the agendas and meetings for upcoming meetings but not historical information for past meetings.
I was able to find the recordings on Sunnyvale · s Youtube channel , but I believe it will be much easier for the public to find if it was listed on the website.
10. Describe your involvement in community activities, volunteer and civic organizations.
Currently, I am volunteering with my alumni association in a mentorship program, my professional public service organizations, and volunteering with a startup nonprofit organization that hosts events that bring together public and private sector partners. Due to changing my job to the Peninsula shortly before the Pandemic, my volunteering and community service has been limited . I am looking forward to getting more engaged with the City of Sunnyvale as in-person events return.
Attachment 3
DocuSign Envelope ID: 5F71ACB2-60O8-4A9B-B608-667 4455A5686 Applicant Nama-1......,e,...le __ n __ L __ e __ i _____ _
11. The City has a Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected and Appo inted Officials and an Attendance Policy (7.2.19) that appointed members are required to follow. Do you have any concerns in these two areas? If so, please describe.
No.
12. If an unplanned vacancy arises on the board(s) or commission(s) you are interested in, would you be willing to accept a temporary a,ee2intment for the remainder of the unexpired term or until a recruitment is held and Council officially fills the vacancy? -~-" _ Yes D No
IMPORTANT NOTICES- READ BEFORE SIGNING :
All information provided on this application becomes a public record after it is officially filed. This document will be published to the City website with the interview materials. Personal contact information will be redacted.
Applicants appointed to the Planning Commission, Arts Commission, Board of Building Code Appeals, Heritage Preservation Commission and Housing and Human Services Commission are required to electronically file the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700), which is a public record. A copy of this form is available in the Office of the City Clerk or by visiting www.fppc.ca .gov Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the City of Sunnyvale will make reasonable efforts to accommodate persons with qualified disabilities during the boards and commiss ion interview process. Should you require special accommodations, please contact the Office of the City Clerk at 408-730-7483 at least five days in advance of your scheduled interview.
I certify under penalty of perjury that all statements I have made on this application are true and correct. I hereby authorize the City of Sunnyvale to investigate the accuracy of this information from any person or organization , and I release the City of Sunnyvale and all persons and organizations from all claims and liabilities arising from such investigation or the supplying of information for such investigation. I acknowledge that any false statement or misrepresentation on this application or supplementary materials will be cause for refusal of appointment or immediate dismissal at any time during the period of my appointment.
Your application is not complete until it is signed and submitted to the Office of the City Clerk.
Signature of Applicant Date 10/19/202l 012012022
Applying your digital signature locks the information you entered on this application, preventing further edits.
Please return to: Office of the City Clerk, 603 All America Way, P.O. Box 3707, Sunnyvale, CA 94088-3707 or email to [email protected]
Attachment 3
DocuSign Envelope ID: 5F71ACB2-60O8-4A9B-B608-6674455A5686 Applicant Name_H_e_le_n_L_e_i _____ _
6. What factors would influence your recommendation to preserve a particular building or site? Housing and Human Services Commission
We are looking for someone who has demonstrated interest in housing and human services issues
7. Evaluate the quality and adequacy of the housing programs that serve the Sunnyvale community.
I took a look at the current map for the development projects occurring in Sunnyvvale and relative to other neighboring cities there are a lot more multifam ily home project. I would like to see more informa tion about each project to ensure that housing catering to all income levels are being built.
8. Evaluate the quality and availability of the human services programs that serve the Sunnyvale community.
I reviewed the listing of services available to the community and there is a comprehensive list of them. However , I am wondering if the Community Development Department has a unit that deals with referrals for the public for these services.
Since a lot of the programs listed are provided by providers , I am wondering how often the City refers residents to these services.
Attachment 3
&'''~ ,__,
CITY OF SUNNYVALE Office Use Only
Date Received: 10/18/22 BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS APPLICATION The City supports its demographic diversity and encourages applicants from all groups to apply.
Voter registration verified:
Sunnyvale
Please print or type answers to all quest ions. Write NIA if not applicable .
On: 10/19/22
By MH
General eligibil ity requirements: Sunnyvale residency. Other requirements may apply to specific boards and commissions.
For more information , contact the Office of the City Clerk via cityclerk@sunnyva le.ca.gov or at 408-730-7483, TDD 408-730-7501 or visit the City website at Sunnyva le.ca.gov __ Arts Commission
If you would like to apply for more than one vacancy,
place a number next to the board or commission, in order of your preference, for w hich you would like to apply.
Only applications for current openings will be considered at this time. Applications for future openings will be kept on file for one year. Qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview with City Council. Appointments will be made at a regular meeting of the City Council.
__ Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commiss ion
__ Board of Building Code Appeals
__ Board of Library Trustees·
_ 2_ Heritage Preservat ion Commission·
_ 1_ Housing and Human Services Commission
Parks and Recreation Commission·
--Personnel Board·
==Planning Commiss ion·
__ Sustainability Commission
'Registe red Sunnyvale voter
If you are applying for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission, please identify the category for which you are applying. You may apply for both if qualified .
...D.. Category One: Applicants must be bicyclists or pedestrians residing and registered to vote in Sunnyva le. c::J Category Two: Applicants must have an interest in bicycle and/or pedestr ian issues in the City and belong to one of the groups listed below. Sunnyvale residency is not required, but applicant must be a registered voter or legal resident.
Please check as many that apply:
.r:::::J..PT A/parent group membe r
c::J Santa Clara Unified School District/Sunnyva le School District Administration c::J Neighborhood association member
c::J Sunnyvale teacher or principal
.r:::::J..Person interested in Sunnyva le park and recreational activities If you are applying for the Sustainability Commission, please identify the category for which you are applying. _c::J_ Category One: Applicants shall be Sunnyva le registered voters . ...D._ Category Two: Applicants shall include members of the Sunnyva le business community'. Such members need not be Sunnyvale residents .
Applicant Name:
Current Residence
E-mail Address:
'Sunnyvale business license holders; or designated representative of Sunnyvale businesses with 200 or more employees.
Sharma
Last
Sunnyva le
Street City
Rutwari
First
CA
State
M.I.
94086
Zip
Preferred Contact Phone Number(s): _...........__ __________________ _
1. Are you a currently-registered voter in Sunnyvale? Yes When was the last time you voted? Month June Year 2022
Rev. 3/2021 J:\OCM\CityClerk\WorkingFiles\Boards & Commissions\Recruitrnent\Application Masters\2022\2022 Application Master.doc Attachment 3
Applicant Name Rutawari Sharma
2. Are you currently serving or have you served on a City of Sunnyvale board or commission? Yes If yes, which one? El Camino Real Planning and Advisory C Term currently serving (ERCPAC) Term previous ly served 2015-2017
3. Prior attendance at a board or commission meeting is highly desirable. Have you attended meeting(s) of the board or commission for which you are applying? Yes
If yes, how many meetings have you attended? 4-5
NOTE: If you are applying for more than one board or commission, please reference the specific board or commission in your response to questions 4-7.
4. What motivated you to apply for this board or commission? Housing and Human Services Commission -
Simply put, my passion for assisting the city with matters related to the well-being of its residents motivated me to apply for this commission.
I have been a resident of Sunnyvale for the past twenty-three years . As a US citizen , I feel naturally curious about the City's upcoming developments related especially to housing. I have closely seen the changes in housing, primarily due to the expansion of the tech giants in recent years . Although , as a real estate agent, I appreciate the fluctuations in home prices, it is painful to see home renters/buyers/sellers wonder about their stability. I also feel deeply concerned about housing for homeless people. We all want affordable housing and must ensure that homeless people have a roof over their heads. Also vital are Human services as they provide a safe support system to all residents, especially homeless people.
5. What skills or attributes can you bring to this board or commission? A) Housing and Human Services -
I have excellent communication written and spoken skills. I am a people's person and and fluent in four languages (three Indian and English) fluently. Due to my work as a real estate agent and a patent practitioner, I find myself surrounded by people from all walks of life.
I can bring to the board the experience of listening to people's needs and being a effective communicator/mediator between the city of Sunnyvale and its residents .
8) Heritage Preservation -
As a performing artist and an experienced artist in Indian floor drawings , I have a deep appreciation for city's culture and heritage. I can bring to the board my understanding of heritage/landmarks and my experience with inter-cultural arts f11rthP.r rP.flP.r.t I mnn hP.rit::inP. nrP.i::P.rv::itinn nnlirjP.i::
6. The primary role of a board or commission member is to provide advice to City Council on policy issues that are within the scope of that board or commission. With this in mind, what steps would you take to effectively exercise this specific board or commission role?
A) Housing and Human Services -
I would study the related policies in detail to being with. I would then study the matters related to the specific issues by attending board meetings and conducting my own research if needed. If the position requires me to conduct surveys about housing and health services , then I would do that too.
B) Heritage Preservation Services -
I would study the related policies in detail to being with. I would then study the matters related to the restoration, maintenance, and operation of heritage resources as required by the board. I would also conduct my own research if needed and provide feedback when necessary.
Attachment 3
Applicant Name______________________
7. Education: List college degrees and majors, and any relevant training or experience that demonstrates your ability to effectively serve on this board or commission.
8. Briefly describe your current or last occupation.
9. Briefly describe what you learned by attending a meeting of the City Council, board or commission. Describe what improvements you would suggest the City consider.
10. Describe your involvement in community activities, volunteer and civic organizations.
Rutawari Sharma
Degrees-
1. Master of Science in Advanced Electronics
2. Registered Patent Agent (Reg. No. #75,711)
3. Real Estate Agent (DRE No. #02007256)
Relevant Experience -
1. Currently serving as Club Administration Director of Rotary Club of Sunnyvale, a non-profit organization.
2. Previously served on El Camino Real Corridor Planning and Advisory Commission (ERCPAC) as a Board Member.
3. Served as a PTA Board Member in the capacity of a Treasurer and Auditor.
4. Experienced in studying and applying complex patent laws. fi FYm~rii:mr.Arl in r.nmm1mir.~tinn with FArlAr~I nnvArnmAnt AmnlnvAA!': ~t thA I JnitArl ~t~tAi:: P~tAnti:: ~nrl Tr~rlAm~rki::
Current occupation -
1. Patent Agent - Involved in drafting and prosecuting Electrical Engineering patent applications for small and big tech companies.
2. Realtor - Involved in helping home buyers see various properties with Redfin.
When I attended the ERCPAC board meeting, I learned the city's detailed proposed plan of the El Camino Real renovation. I actively gave feedback about changes to be made to the bike path on a particular patch.
I would suggest that the City consider improving the downtown area. As for the housing, I would strongly suggest building more affordable housing.
I started actively volunteering in the year 2008 as a Board Member of the Braly PT A. Whether it was participating in small events or being Treasurer or Auditor, I enjoyed it all.
I have now moved on to becoming a Rotarian. I am a member of the Rotary Club of Sunnyvale and Club Admin Director for the year 2022-23. We are a non-profit organization affiliated to the Rotary International, which is a humanitarian service organization that brings together business and professional leaders in order to provide community service, promote integrity, and advance goodwill, peace, and understanding in the world.
Through Rotary Club of Sunnyvale I am committed to volunteer for various projects such as feeding the homeless, providing donation for homeless shelter's furniture, and donating books to various schools.
Attachment 3
Applicant NameRuta wari Sharma
11. The City has a Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officia ls and an Attendance Policy (7.2.19) that appointed membe rs are requ ired to follow. Do you have any concerns in these two areas? If so, please descr ibe.
N/A
12. If an unplanned vacancy arises on the board(s) or comm ission(s) you are interested in, would you be willing to accept a temporary aee2intment for the rema inder of the unexpired term or until a recruitment is held and Counci l officially fills the vacancy? 12:1 Yes D No
IMPORTANT NOTICES - READ BEFORE SIGNING:
All informat ion prov ided on this application becomes a public record after it is officially filed . This document will be published to the City website with the interview mater ials. Persona l contact informat ion will be redacted.
App licants appointed to the Planning Commission, Arts Commission, Board of Building Code Appeals, Heritage Preservation Commission and Housing and Human Services Commission are requi red to electronically file the Fair Political Practices Comm ission (FPPC) Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700), which is a public record . A copy of this form is available in the Office of the City Clerk or by visiting www.fppc.ca.qov Pursuant to the Ame ricans with Disabil ities Act (ADA), the City of Sunnyva le w ill make reasonable efforts to accommodate persons with qualified disabilities during the boards and commiss ion interview process . Should you require spec ial accommodations , please contact the Office of the City Clerk at 408-730-7 483 at least five days in advance of your schedu led interv iew .
I certify under pena lty of perjury that all statements I have made on this application are true and correct. I hereby authorize the City of Sunnyva le to investigate the accuracy of this information from any person or organization, and I release the City of Sunnyva le and all persons and organizations from all claims and liabilities arising from such investigation or the supplying of information for such investigation. I acknowledge that any false statement or misrepresentat ion on this application or supplementary materials will be cause for refusal of appointment or immediate dismissal at any time during the period of my appointment.
Your application is not complete until it is signed and submitted to the Office of the City Clerk.
Signature of Applicant Rutawarl. Sharma Digitally signed by Rutawari Sharma Date: 2022.10.18 10:49:28-07' 00' Date 10/18/2022
Applying your digital signature locks the information you entered on this application, preventing further edits.
Please return to: Office of the City Clerk, 603 All America Way, P.O. Box 3707, Sunnyvale, CA 94088-3707 or email to [email protected]
Attachment 3
Applicant Name______________________
Board of Building Code Appeals
We are looking for someone who has experience in building construction matters
3. What do you think can be done to assure that the City of Sunnyvale building development standards are consistently applied?
Board of Library Trustees
We are looking for someone who has interest in Library-related issues
4. Community demographics and technology are constantly changing. What do you think are the principal issues the Sunnyvale Public Library may be addressing over the next few years?
Heritage Preservation Commission
We are looking for someone who has interest in the preservation of historic resources
5. What historical features or structures in our community do you think are at risk? What course can the City take to preserve them?
See next page for Supplemental Question No. 6 pertaining to the Heritage Preservation Commission.
Rutawari Sharma
1. Sunnyvale has a long history with NASA, Lockheed Martin, and Kodak. All these organizations have made significant contributions to the US defense. However, few people in Sunnyvale or out-of-state know about it. I think the City should put more effort into documenting a timeline of events in the history of these organizations.
2. El Camino Real - This road is so historical; however, there seems to be only one visible sign of its name near the Lawrence and El Camino intersection. This road should be highlighted with additional posts in Sunnyvale and featuring its history.
Attachment 3
Applicant Name______________________
6. What factors would influence your recommendation to preserve a particular building or site?
Housing and Human Services Commission
We are looking for someone who has demonstrated interest in housing and human services issues
7. Evaluate the quality and adequacy of the housing programs that serve the Sunnyvale community.
8. Evaluate the quality and availability of the human services programs that serve the Sunnyvale community.
Rutawari Sharma
1. The history behind the particular building/site.
2. Opportunity for people/tourists to visit it.
3. Possibility of generating revenue for the city if allowed.
Quality-
The quality of housing units in Sunnyvale needs to be improved. Currently, most of the housing units are old. Some new homes are being built, but those are not suitable for all ages. Home affordability is also a perpetual problem. There should be more affordable housing available for home renters and homeowners.
Adequacy-
There is not adequate housing in Sunnyvale. With the tech giants such as Google and Apple opening up more offices in rP.r.P.nt VP.~r~ mnrP. ~nrl mnrP. nP.nnlP. frnm nthP.r ~t~tP.~ ~nrl r.nimtriP.~ ~rP. r.nminn tn livP. in ~11nnvv~IP. HnwP.vP.r thP.
Currently, the quality of human services programs is good. The food delivery program for the elderly, grocery pick up, school backpack donations, the homeless shelter, and serving dinner to the homeless are all excellent programs.
However, workers/volunteers are scarce. A word about it needs to get to more people to attract more workers/volunteers. I came to know about it only a couple of years ago, even though I have been a resident of Sunnyvale for the past 23 years.
Attachment 3
CITY OF SUNNYVALE
&'''~ ,__, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS APPLICATION
Office Use Only
Date Received: 10/19/22
The City supports its demographic diversity and encourages applicants from all groups to apply.
Voter registration verified:
Sunnyvale
On: 10/20/22
By MH
Please print or type answers to all quest ions. Write NIA if not applicable .
General eligibil ity requi rements: Sunnyvale residency. Other requ irements may apply to specific boards and comm issions.
For more information , contact the Office of the City Clerk via cityclerk@sunnyva le.ca.gov or at 408-730-7483, TDD 408-730-7501 or visit the City website at Sunnyva le.ca .gov __ Arts Comm ission
If you would like to apply for more than one vacancy,
place a number next to the board or commission, in order of your preference, for w hich you would like to apply.
Only applications for current openings will be considered at this time. Applications for future openings will be kept on file for one year. Qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview w ith City Counci l. Appointments will be made at a regular meeting of the City Counci l.
__ Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commiss ion
__ Board of Building Code Appeals
__ Board of Library Trustees·
_ 1_ Heritage Preservat ion Comm ission·
__ Housing and Human Services Comm ission
Parks and Recreation Comm ission·
--Personnel Board·
==Planning Commiss ion·
__ Sustainability Comm ission
'Registe red Sunnyvale voter
If you are applying for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission, please identify the category for which you are applying. You may apply for both if qualified .
...D.. Category One: Applicants must be bicyclists or pedestrians resid ing and registered to vote in Sunnyva le. c::J Category Two: Applicants must have an interest in bicycle and/or pedestr ian issues in the City and belong to one of the groups listed below . Sunnyvale residency is not requ ired, but applicant must be a registe red voter or legal resident.
Please check as many that apply:
.r:::::J..PT A/parent group membe r
c::J Santa Clara Unified School District/Sunnyva le School District Administration I ✓ I Neighborhood association member
c::J Sunnyva le teacher or principal
J:ZJ_pe rson interested in Sunnyva le park and recreat ional activ ities If you are applying for the Sustainability Commission, please identify the category for which you are applying. _c::J_ Category One: Applicants shall be Sunnyva le registered voters . ...D._ Category Two: Applicants shall include members of the Sunnyva le business community'. Such members need not be Sunnyvale residents .
Applicant Name:
Current Residence
E-mail Address:
'Sunnyvale business license holders; or designated representative of Sunnyvale businesses with 200 or more employees.
Raikumar
Last
Sunn ale
Street City
Ashmita
First
CA
State
M.I.
94087
Zip
Preferred Contact Phone Numbe r(s):
--------------
1. Are you a currently-registered voter in Sunnyva le? Yes When was the last time you voted? Month November Year 2022
Rev. 3/2021 J:\OCM\CityClerk\WorkingFiles\Boards & Commissions\Recruitrnent\Application Masters\2022\2022 Application Master.doc Attachment 3
Applicant Name______________________
2. Are you currently serving or have you served on a City of Sunnyvale board or commission? _ If yes, which one? Term currently serving
Term previously served
3. Prior attendance at a board or commission meeting is highly desirable. Have you attended meeting(s) of the board or commission for which you are applying?
If yes, how many meetings have you attended?
NOTE: If you are applying for more than one board or commission, please reference the specific board or commission in your response to questions 4-7.
4. What motivated you to apply for this board or commission?
5. What skills or attributes can you bring to this board or commission?
6. The primary role of a board or commission member is to provide advice to City Council on policy issues that are within the scope of that board or commission. With this in mind, what steps would you take to effectively exercise this specific board or commission role?
No
Ashmita Rajkumar
No
Growing up in Sunnyvale as the child of immigrants and first generation American citizen, the feelings of cultural displacement were strong. Sometimes, I felt as though I was at the crossroads of two competing identities without knowing which one I truly belonged with. Sunnyvale's thriving heritage and diversity became a backbone in my cultural exploration.
I found friends from different backgrounds, became involved with activities, and explored the city at its core. Because of how integral Sunnyvale has been in the formation of my own identity, I want to be involved in the Heritage Preservation Commission.
As a recent graduate of university and new professional, I think I can bring a fresh and creative perspective. I graduated from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN but was born and raised in the Bay Area. Being a new graduate and professional in the workforce as well as a child of immigrants, I think I can bring a fresh perspective on heritage and culture. Skills I bring are organization, analytical thinking, creativity, a positive attitude, and willingness to go above and beyond.
If there was an issue at hand that needed input or advice on, I would first take steps to thoroughly understand the issue and ask questions where I needed clarification. Then, I would do research by visiting the heritage site/understanding the cultural significance and really solidifying my understanding. From there, I would consult with other commission members to see what the consensus / general opinion is and speak to people within the community who may also be able to offer a perspective. After all of this, I may prepare some documents/decks to present my findings/general advice back to the City Council. If I found a policy myself that I thought the City Council should consider, I would go through the same steps and present why I think this policy would benefit the city of Sunnyvale and its inhabitants.
Attachment 3
Applicant Name______________________
7. Education: List college degrees and majors, and any relevant training or experience that demonstrates your ability to effectively serve on this board or commission.
8. Briefly describe your current or last occupation.
9. Briefly describe what you learned by attending a meeting of the City Council, board or commission. Describe what improvements you would suggest the City consider.
10. Describe your involvement in community activities, volunteer and civic organizations.
Ashmita Rajkumar
Vanderbilt University - BS in Computer Science and Minor in Engineering Management Activities - Engineering School Ambassador, Researcher, Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, Published paper on The Effect of the Indian Social Structure on the Perception and Development of Bharatanatyam University of Pennsylvania - Deferred MS in Computer Science I am currently a technical program manager at VMware in Palo Alto. There, I focus on the remediation of security issues in products that come in from the customer side. Some of the key skills I use on a day to day basis are communication, triaging of issues, meeting with different teams, and creating pitches to explain new services.
What I've learned is that the City Council welcomes different perspectives and is always eager to improve the community of Sunnyvale's experience in their neighborhoods and area. I think the willingness to welcome opinions and criticism is truly unique and reinforces why Sunnyvale is such a wonderful place to be both within the Bay Area and on a national level. I think the only improvement I would make is to bring awareness to opportunities for involvement. When I knew I was coming back to Sunnyvale after graduation, I immediately sought out opportunities to become involved with my community, which is how I learned about the heritage preservation commission as well as the others. If I hadn't looked for that information, I may not have known about the opportunity to become involved! Something that was integral to my experience growing up in Sunnyvale was beginning a math club to tutor student at Vargas elementary school in Sunnyvale. Being able to contribute to the community and see the satisfaction on the students' faces when they solve an extremely tough problem or understand a difficult concept brought me the utmost and most genuine form of joy. This experience led me to develop a passion for engaging in meaningful ways with my community. I regularly attend events hosted by the Cherry Hill neighbors association as well to build relationships with people who live in my community and come from neighboring areas as well. Having been back, I've wanted to become involved with the city of Sunnyvale through commissions in order to forge relationships within my community and neighborhoods.
Attachment 3
Applicant NameAshmita Rajkumar
11. The City has a Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officia ls and an Attendance Policy (7.2.19) that appointed membe rs are requ ired to follow. Do you have any concerns in these two areas? If so, please descr ibe.
I do not have conce rns, I am ready to abide by the Code of Ethics and Conduct and engage fully with the commissio n.
12. If an unplanned vacancy arises on the board(s) or comm ission(s) you are interested in, would you be willing to accept a temporary aee2intment for the rema inder of the unexpired term or until a recruitment is held and Counci l officially fills the vacancy? 12:1 Yes D No
IMPORTANT NOTICES - READ BEFORE SIGNING :
All informat ion prov ided on this application becomes a public record after it is officially filed . This document will be published to the City website with the interview mater ials. Persona l contact informat ion will be redacted.
App licants appointed to the Planning Commission , Arts Commission , Board of Building Code Appeals , Heritage Preservation Commission and Housing and Human Services Commission are requi red to electronically file the Fair Political Practices Comm ission (FPPC) Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700), which is a public record . A copy of this form is available in the Office of the City Clerk or by visiting www.fppc.ca.qov Pursuant to the Ame ricans with Disabil ities Act (ADA), the City of Sunnyva le w ill make reasonable efforts to accommodate persons with qualified disabilities during the boards and commiss ion interview process . Should you require spec ial accommodations , please contact the Office of the City Clerk at 408-730-7 483 at least five days in advance of your schedu led interv iew .
I certify under pena lty of perjury that all statements I have made on this application are true and correct. I hereby authorize the City of Sunnyva le to investigate the accuracy of this information from any person or organization, and I release the City of Sunnyva le and all persons and organizations from all claims and liabilities arising from such investigation or the supplying of information for such investigation. I acknowledge that any false statement or misrepresentat ion on this application or supplementary materials will be cause for refusal of appointment or immediate dismissal at any time during the period of my appointment.
Your application is not complete until it is signed and submitted to the Office of the City Clerk.
Signature of Applicant Ash m l·ta RaJ· ku mar Digitally signed by Ashmita Rajkumar Date: 2022.10.19 14:10:42-07' 00' Date 10/19/2022
Applying your digital signature locks the information you entered on this application, preventing further edits.
Please return to: Office of the City Clerk, 603 All America Way, P.O. Box 3707, Sunnyvale , CA 94088-3707 or email to [email protected]
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Applicant Name______________________
Board of Building Code Appeals
We are looking for someone who has experience in building construction matters
3. What do you think can be done to assure that the City of Sunnyvale building development standards are consistently applied?
Board of Library Trustees
We are looking for someone who has interest in Library-related issues
4. Community demographics and technology are constantly changing. What do you think are the principal issues the Sunnyvale Public Library may be addressing over the next few years?
Heritage Preservation Commission
We are looking for someone who has interest in the preservation of historic resources
5. What historical features or structures in our community do you think are at risk? What course can the City take to preserve them?
See next page for Supplemental Question No. 6 pertaining to the Heritage Preservation Commission.
Ashmita Rajkumar
I think rather than looking at this as a physical historical feature within the community that is at risk, it is important to establish criteria for what risk looks like. For example, when looking at parks in Sunnyvale, it is not unlikely to find glass shards, remnants of drug usage, or bottles laying around which pose a threat to young children and people who may not notice these items. I think the city bringing awareness to issues within our community is the best course of action and encouraging individuals to volunteer during city clean up days would be great as well! For larger projects such as preserving the structural integrity of a landscape, allocating a budget would be helpful. I think the city could also host events around Sunnyvale with guest speakers, or people who have cultural ties to particular landscapes to shed light on the significance and share a bit about their culture with the broader community.
Attachment 3
Applicant Name______________________
6. What factors would influence your recommendation to preserve a particular building or site?
Housing and Human Services Commission
We are looking for someone who has demonstrated interest in housing and human services issues
7. Evaluate the quality and adequacy of the housing programs that serve the Sunnyvale community.
8. Evaluate the quality and availability of the human services programs that serve the Sunnyvale community.
Ashmita Rajkumar
Several different factors would influence my recommendation to preserve a particular building or site. I would look at the cultural significance of the building. The sentiment behind a landmark can be integral to its identity as a physical landscape and so I would analyze the significance of the meaning of it to the people of the community. Additionally, I would look at the costs associated with preservation. Costs are an important factor of community wide decisions, so I would ensure I've done thorough research into the costs. I would also look at the structural integrity of the site and see how much damage has been done to it. If it is in a state of needing a complete transformation, that would affect costs as opposed to something minimal like a coat of paint. I would look at accessibility of the landscape. It is important to consider how people with disabilities would be able to experience the site so I would ensure it is accessible to all (braille placards, ramps, rails, etc).
Attachment 3