4/25/24
1/23/25
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Stephen Williams
~,,~ CITY OF SUNNYVALE
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS APPLICATION
Office Use Only
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Date Received: ___ _
The City supports its demographic diversfty and encourages applicants from all groups to apply.
Voter registration verified:
Sunnyvale
On: ______ _
By:
Please print or type answers to all questions . Write N/A if not applicable .
General eligibility requirements : Sunny vale residency . Other requireme nts may apply to specific boards and commissions .
For more information , contact the Office of the City Clerk via cityclerk@sunnyvale .ca.gov or at 408-730-7483 or visit the City website at Sunnyvale .ca.gov and search "Boards and Commission" 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 which you would like to apply.
_1_ Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission
_2_ Board of Library Trustees ·
__ Heritage Preservation Commission ·
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.
__ Housing and Human Services Commission
Human Relations 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 whic h you are applying .
..[2J_ Category One: Applicants must be bicyclists or pedestrians residing in Sunnyvale . ..r:::L Category Two: Applicants must have an interest in bicycle and/or pedestrian issues in the City, reside outside Sunnyvale and belong to one of the groups listed below. Please check as many that apply:
__ Parent Teacher Associations (PTA)/parent group member __ Administ rations of schools in Sunnyvale
__ Commute coordinators for major employers within Sunnyvale __ Principals or teachers from Sunnyvale schools
If you are applying for the Human Relations Commission , please identify the category for which you are applying :
..r:::L Category One: Applicants shall be Sunnyvale residents . ..c:::J.. Category Two: Applicants shall include representatives of a nonprofit service agency that serves Sunnyvale residents . Such members need not be Sunnyvale residents .
If you are applying for the Sustainability Commission , please identify the category for which you are applying. _r:::J_ Category One: Applicants shall be Sunnyvale residents . ..r:::L Category Two: Applicants shall include members of the Sunnyvale business commun ity·. Such members need not be Sunnyvale residents.
• Sunnyvale business license holders; or designated representative of Sunnyvale businesses with 200 or more employees.
Applicant Name: William s Stephen D
Last First M.I.
Current Residenc e _l_..._ _ ____ ..:::S.:::un:..:.:n.:.1.yv..:..a:::l.:::.e _____ __:C:.:.A..:___ _______ 9=-4:....:0...:;.8.;;_9 __ _ Street City State Zip
E-mail Address : -
Preferred Contact Phone Number(s):
Rev. 3/2023
Stephen Williams
1. Are you a currently-registered voter in Sunnyvale?
Yes C?J No C:J
Applicant Name Stephen D. Williams
When was the last time you voted?
Month ..... M .... a"""'~ ..... c ..... h ____ Year 2024
2. Are you currently serving or have you served on a City of Sunnyvale board or commission? Yes r:, No [Tl
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?
Yes [7J No [:J
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? Avid runner, biker, inline skater in Sunnyvale for many years.
When running for city council several years ago, identified better bike access as a key priority. Had some ideas that still have not been implemented for problems still not resolved.
This was my web site for that run: https://sdw.st/innovatesunnyvale/ This was my bicycling proposal:
https://sdw.st/innovatesunnyvale/proposals/transportation/BicycteHighway/
5. What skills or attributes can you bring to this board or commission? Have raised several children, have grandchildren, well aware of needs of students, parents, and biking community.
Comfortable with innovation, laws & regulations, meetings, finding solutions.
I'm primarily a software engineer, but also a generalist engineer, now working on mechanical design for robots, etc.
I have designed & built products & services for many companies.
I am in the process of creating a non-profit to address a number of problems through design of a culture, organization:
BlueScholar.org
Rev. 3/2023 Page2 of 15
Stephen Williams
Applicant Name Stephen D. Williams
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?
Analyzing problems & constraints, researching relevant regulations & options, concisely describing suggested solutions.
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.
I am broadly autodidactic.
I have a MS of CompSci from American University in DC.
I have had a CISSP (certified information systems security professional) certification since 2004.
8. Briefly describe your current or last occupation.
Widely applied technologist, security professional, founded several small companies in the past.
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.
Interesting dynamics, approaches to problems & solutions, constraints, and help from liason & city staff.
The meeting was far too long. Some content could have been pre-published to better expedite.
Public suggestions were just given but not discussed, seemingly noted, or with any responsibility or process for consideration, feedback, etc. While not everything warrants that, it could be much better with a ticketing system, some kind of resolution, explanation {why something can or cannot be done, rough cost), deciding next steps explicitly, tabling for later - put on a list to handle later, etc. (Jira or Github (free) or other systems are commonly used.) Rev. 3/2023 Page 3 of 15
Stephen Williams
Applicant Name Stephen D. Williams
10. Describe your involvement in community activities, volunteer and civic organizations.
Have participated in neighborhood groups to manage priorities, including housing costs.
Ran for city council.
Investigated legality of towing arrangements with clerk 's office, fire department, etc.
Have reported maintenance issue s to the city, such as conditions dangerous for biking.
Support maker spaces, on the board of the HomeBrew Robotics Club.
11. The City has a Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials and an Attendance Policy (7.2.19). 2.G.(II) that appointed members are required to follow . Do you have any concerns in these two areas? Yes D No rn
If so, please describe .
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 appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term or until a recruitment is held and Council officially fills the vacancy?
Yes rn No D
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, 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. The Form 700 reports your economic interests and your spouse/domestic partner's eco nomic interests (if applicable). A copy of this form is available in the Office of the City Clerk or by visiting www.fppc .ca.gov/Form700 .html 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 commission interview process . Should you require special accommodations, please contact the Office of the City Clerk via cityclerk@sunnyva le.ca.gov or 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.
Complete all above fields, the Supplemental Questionnaire and Demographic Information prior to signing this document. Applying your digital signature loc s the informatio . }'. entered, preventing further edits.
Signature of Applicant -17/=:==;;::::it=-7'.u;, , ~ Date 't/4s /;u :J.f Please return to: Office of the City erk, 456 W. Olive Ave., P.O. Box 3707, Sunnyvale, CA 94088-3707 or / email to [email protected]
Rev. 3/2023 Page 4 of 15
Stephen Williams
Applicant Name Stephen D. Williams
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission
We are looking for someone who has interest in bicycle and pedestrian issues
3. Like many cities in Santa Clara County, Sunnyvale is faced with problems stemming from traffic congestion and air pollution. Suggest ways the City can improve facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians and improve education and safety programs for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians?
This is what I suggested in 2016:
- Sunnyvale Bicycle Highway
Sunnyvale consists of islands of neighborhoods which have limited transportation connection other than personal vehicle travel or very minimal & slow bus connection. A number of east I west bike trails help provide some access to downtown and other areas from certain neighborthoods, but north I south connectivity is extremely limited.
Sunnyvale and the related agency has authorized environmental studies and has been preparing to begin an upgrade to the East and West Channels. These are man-made channels, running roughly south to north, that help channel rainfall to the Bay to prevent flooding. The channels are in need of repair and upgrade to enhance their capability. The West Channel begins south of El Camino and has a nearly straight and often wide footprint all the way to the bay, reaching the Bay just northwest of Baylands Park.
There is a huge and important opportunity right now to create a "bicycle highway" on this nearly ready-made thoroughfare. In addition to expanding and improving the drainage capability of the channel, we can create a wide pedestrian & bike boulevard with safety features, solar LED lighting, etc. that can connect Baylands park all the way through downtown to at least Heritage Park. This would provide the following benefits:
1 Much more complete and safe bicycle access for all ages and abilities between all of the major areas of Sunnyvale.
2 Avoid most high traffic crossings by using lightweight, inexpensive overpasses with only a few quiet at- grade crossings. The existing overpass over 101 is nearly perfectly placed. 237 can be temporarily crossed at Java Drive or the bike overpass on Persian.
3 Feeder access would be added to quiet streets in nearby neighborhoods to provide efficient paths to other neighborhoods and downtown.
4 Pedicab service would naturally provide easy transportation for the widest range of residents, and provide a healthy job for teenagers and others.
5 Traffic could be greatly reduced.
6 Opportunity for parklets all along the bhighway, sometimes connected to neighborhood parks. 7 An extended development effort could include neighborhood parking, possibly multi-story. Along Tasman, this could include paid stadium parking on game days and long and short term neighborhood overflow parking otherwise.
8 An even more extended development effort could include a couple zones for semi-permanent micro- housing.
Suggested intersection solutions:
Rev. 3/2023
At grade: Tasman (+light), Evelyn (+light), Old San Francisco (+light) Lightweight overpasses: Wolf, Arques, Central, Kifer, Caltrain, El Camino Use existing 101 overpass.
• Temporarily use Java and Persian 237 overpasses.
Stephen Williams
Applicant Name Stephen D. Williams
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? Access by all ages to all relevant material without religious or political prohibitions.
Technology evolution: Internet, VR content, virtual job training & travel experiences Organized access & maps to information, such as a full curriculum for certain areas of knowledge, majors, careers.
Maintain lists of best books, stories, etc. for different genres & points of view.
Rev. 3/2023 Page 7 of 15
Stephen Williams
Applicant Name Stephen D. Williams
Demographic Information
** This voluntary Demographic Information is public information ** This information will help Council meet its goal of ensuring that the Human Relations Commission as well as other boards and commissions reflects the demographic diversity of Sunnyvale residents.
Age:
D Under 18
0 18-44
0 45-64
0 65+
D Prefer Not to Answer
Gender:
D Female
0 Male
D Non-binary/Non-conforming
D Transg ender
D Prefer Not to Answer
D Not Listed:
Do you identify as LGBTQIA+ :
0 Yes
□ No
D Prefer Not to Answer
Race/Ethnicity: select all that apply.
0 White
D Black/African -American
D Asian
D Hispanic-Latinx/o/a/e
D Native American/Indigenous
D Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
D Prefer Not to Answer
D Not Listed:
Do you speak a language other than English? If yes, please share Basic Spanish, Japanese, French, German Household Income:
D <$161,670 (median household income)
0 $161,670+
D Prefer Not to Answer
Are you a:
D Renter
D Homeowner
0 Both (mobile homeowner)
D Prefer Not to Answer
D Not Listed:
Do you live in a:
D Apartment/Condo
D Single Family Home
0 Mobile Home
D Prefer Not to Answer
D Not Listed:
Any other identities that you would like us to know about? Rev. 3/2023 Page 15 of 15