City of Sunnyvale
Meeting Minutes - Draft
Human Relations Commission
7:00 PM Online and Bay Conference Room (Room
145), City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave.,
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Thursday, December 12, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Syquia called the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m.
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Chair Syquia led the salute to the United States flag.
ROLL CALL
Chair Nenuca Syquia
Vice Chair Venkata Siva Ramisetty
Commissioner Esther Rosenfeld
Commissioner Maria Paulina Zapata
Present: 4 -
Commissioner Claudia CamachoAbsent: 1 -
Commissioner Camacho's absence is excused.
Council Liaison Sell (present).
STUDY SESSION
A 24-0613 Discussion and Consideration of Naming Ideas for New City Park at the Corn Palace Park Development
Recreation Services Manager Tracey Gott provided the staff report and presentation.
Commissioners shared their favorite names as follows:
Chair Syquia: Manzanita and Acorn
Vice Chair Ramisetty: Manzanita and Daisy
Commissioner Zapata: Manzanita, Acorn, and Diversity
Commissioner Rosenfeld: Manzanita and Acorn
Public Comment opened at 7:27 p.m.
Attachment 1
December 12, 2024Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes - Draft No speakers.
Public Comment closed at 7:27 p.m.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Public Comment opened at 7:30 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Comment closed at 7:30 p.m.
Commissioner Rosenfeld moved to modify the November 14 meeting minutes to reflect the following under Under Non-Agenda Items & Comments section:
“The event includes a multicultural panel that will address the raise in hatred against Jews and how to overcome it."
Vice Chair Ramisetty seconded the motion.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Vice Chair Ramisetty
Commissioner Rosenfeld
Commissioner Zapata
3 -
No: 0
Absent: Commissioner Camacho1 -
Abstain: Chair Syquia1 -
1.A 24-1147
Approve the Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes of November 14, 2024
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
2 24-1210 CONTINUED FROM NOVEMBER 14, 2024
Sunnyvale’s Unhoused Services Presentation
Homeless Services Manager Amanda Sztoltz's provided an overview of the Homeless Response System, the City's response efforts, and a session addressing questions and comments from the Commissioners.
Attachment 1
December 12, 2024Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes - Draft Chair Syquia proposed that, as part of future Human Relations Commission events, the Commission consider supporting the efforts coordinated by Leadership Sunnyvale in partnership with Downtown Streets Teams.
Public Hearing opened at 8:06 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Hearing closed at 8:06 p.m.
3 24-1146
Annual Review of City Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials and Opportunity to Recommend
Changes to the City Council
Equity, Access & Inclusion Manager Fernanda Perdomo Arciniegas commented on the annual review of the Code of Ethics and Conduct. Commissioners were provided an opportunity to review and make recommendations to Council. Staff makes no recommendation.
Commissioner Rosenfeld suggested that the Code of Ethics should outline specific consequences for violations. They proposed a warning for the first violation, a suspension from the next meeting for a second violation, and removal from the City Council after a third violation.
The Commission took a recess at 8:11 p.m. to allow Commissioners time to review the Code of Ethics.
The Commission reconvened at 8:16 p.m. with all Commissioners present.
Council Liaison Sell read Section C, Sanctions: Members' Behavior and Conduct, specifically the second paragraph of the Code of Ethics, which outlines the consequences for failing to adhere to proper conduct.
Commissioner Rosenfeld raised concerns that the paragraph, as currently written, lacks enforceability and clear consequences. They stressed the importance of adopting a more explicit and direct approach, where specific actions (e.g., A) result in defined outcomes (e.g., B). They recommended changing the language in the Code from discretionary to mandatory. Additionally, they suggested that ideally the Code should be evaluated comprehensively and include a clear, graduated series of consequences.
Public Hearing opened at 8:21 p.m.
Attachment 1
December 12, 2024Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes - Draft No speakers.
Public Hearing closed at 8:21 p.m.
Commissioner Rosenfeld moved to modify the Code of Ethics as follows:
“City Councilmembers who intentionally and repeatedly do not follow proper conduct SHALL be reprimanded or formally censured by the Council, lose seniority and/or committee assignments (both internal and inter-governmental) and/or have official travel restricted. Serious infractions SHALL lead to other sanctions as deemed appropriate by Council.”
Vice Chair Ramisetty seconded the motion.
Council Liaison Sell, speaking in her personal capacity, expressed her support and gratitude to the Commissioners for their efforts.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: Chair Syquia
Vice Chair Ramisetty
Commissioner Rosenfeld
Commissioner Zapata
4 -
No: 0
Absent: Commissioner Camacho1 -
STANDING ITEMS: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES
NON-AGENDA ITEMS & COMMENTS
-Commissioner Comments
None.
-Staff Comments
None.
INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS
24-0911 Annual Work Plan December 2024
Equity, Access, and Inclusion Manager Fernanda Perdomo-Arciniegas informed the Commission that they should come prepared by reviewing the agenda packet, which will include study issues that require ranking, as well as a presentation on the Santa
Attachment 1
December 12, 2024Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes - Draft Clara Rapid Response Network.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Syquia adjourned the meeting at 8:34 p.m.
Attachment 1