City of Sunnyvale
Agenda Item
21-0230 Agenda Date: 2/25/2021
2021 COUNCIL STUDY ISSUE
NUMBER
OCM 21-02
TITLE Creation of a Human Relations Commission
BACKGROUND
Lead Department: Office of the City Manager
Support Departments: Office of the City Attorney
Sponsor(s): Councilmembers: Cisneros, Fong, Din, Melton History: 1 year ago: N/A
2 years ago: N/A
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
What precipitated this Study?
At the January 12 City Council meeting, Councilmember Cisneros sponsored a study issue related to the creation of a Human Relations Commission.
Councilmember Cisneros stated that the Human Relations Commission would focus 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.
What are the key elements of the Study?
The Study will explore the costs and benefits of creating a Human Relations Commission. The proposed Study will include the steps to create such a commission along with a recommendation of the staff resources necessary for supporting the commission. In addition, the Study would explore other municipalities that have Human Relation Commissions and identify their duties and responsibilities. Council would need to provide further direction on the types of policy issues it wanted to address. In addition, the Study would include the size of the Commission, the requirements to be a member and the term of service.
Estimated years to complete study: 1 year
FISCAL IMPACT
Cost to Conduct Study
Level of staff effort required (opportunity cost): Moderate Funding Required for Non-Budgeted Costs: $0
Funding Source: Existing operating funds
The Study would require staff time from the Office of the City Manager to review the structure and
Attachment 1
21-0230 Agenda Date: 2/25/2021
scope of human relations commissions from other municipal agencies, propose a meeting schedule and commission size along with identifying the appropriate department to provide on-going staff support to the Commission. In addition, it would require the staff support to compile the information and hold a study session with Council on the results of the Study.
Cost to Implement Study Results
Unknown. Study would include assessment of potential costs, including operating costs for staff time to support the commission.
EXPECTED CITY COUNCIL, BOARD OR COMMISSION PARTICIPATION Council-Approved Work Plan: No
Council Study Session: Yes
Reviewed by Boards/Commissions: None
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Support. This policy issue merits discussion at the 2021 Study Issues Workshop.
Nationwide and local community interest in various human relations topics, including racial equity and inclusion, have been prominent in the last year, warranting a Council discussion of this Study Issue at the 2021 Study Issues Workshop.
Prepared by: David Carnahan, City Clerk
Reviewed by: Teri Silva, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Kent Steffens, City Manager
Attachment 1