Form Name: Boards and Commissions Application
Unique ID: 1308228129
Applicant Information
Name Winnie Lam
Are you a Sunnyvale resident? Yes
Description Area Residence Notice:Unless otherwise noted, your principal place of residence must be in Sunnyvale. You must live in Sunnyvale at the time of appointment and at all times during service on a board or commission.
Current Main Residence
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Email
Phone
Are you currently a registered voter in
Sunnyvale?
Yes
When was the last time you voted?
Month/Year
11/2024
Have you ever served on a City of
Sunnyvale board or commission?
Yes
Check all that apply Currently serving
Name of board or commission currently
serving
Arts Commission
Have you attended a meeting of the City
Council, or a board or commission?
Yes
Winnie Lam
-
Briefly describe what you learned by
attending a meeting of the City Council,
board or commission. What
improvements would you suggest?
My learnings:
- City of Sunnyvale puts forth a genuine amount of time and effort to gather input from the community. City Staff is responsive and respectful to comments from Commissioners and the public.
- No one single individual can unilaterally dictate policy changes. There is a well thought out process to evaluate Study Issues, in order to prioritize the issues of utmost benefit to the community.
My improvement suggestions:
- Council and Commission meetings can sometimes run very long, well into the late night. I've attended Council meetings that run until midnight. At that point, Council members are probably tired and less productive. The public would also not be able to participate as effectively. If there is a lengthy agenda and the meeting is expected to run for more than 3 hours, we could consider specifying the maximum amount of time allowed for each agenda topic.
Have you attended meetings of the
board(s) or commission(s) for which
you are applying?
Yes
How many meetings have you
attended?
I've attended over 40 meetings. This is the result of having served on the City of Sunnyvale's Arts Commission since June 2021. This includes Special Joint meetings between the Arts Commission, Board of Library Trustees, and the Parks and Recreation Commission. Further, I've also represented my neighborhood in Murphy Park by speaking about traffic safety issues at the Sunnyvale City Council meeting in July 2024, along with several of my neighbors.
Board or Commission Selection
First Choice Board of Library Trustees (R)
Apply for another board or
commission?1
Yes
Second Choice Sustainability Commission
Applicant Qualifications
Winnie Lam
What motivated you to apply for this
board or commission?
I've been leading community art projects at the Sunnyvale Library with Staff for over 4 years. The most notable project is the Gingerbread Village, which has become an annual tradition since 2021. The community, including many kids, filled up the guest book with over 50 pages of heartwarming comments, expressing their gratitude for the makers of the Gingerbread Village.
I'd like to expand my contribution to the Library and the community beyond the arts.
Through the Sunnyvale Library ballot Measure E, we heard a lot of valuable feedback from the community about their vision for how the Library can serve them even better. While Measure E did not pass, I would like to work with Staff and other Library Trustees about how we can address the community's vision for the Library, such as additional space and programming for kids and teens. This can potentially be achieved through fundraising, budgeting from the City, or other means.
Winnie Lam
What skills or attributes can you bring
to this board or commission?
1. Community outreach
- I've demonstrated a track record in engaging with the community to create art projects that Library patrons appreciate. These community participants include schools, such as Sunnyvale Middle School, Wilcox High School, Kings Academy, and Santa Clara High School. Community participants also include makers from local non-profits, such as Fabmo and Cake4Kids.
2. Sustainability & community engagement
- Sustainability is a key value for Sunnyvale, as demonstrated by Sunnyvale building the first Platinum LEED certified City Hall in the country.
I incorporate Sustainability as a core theme in the community art projects that I launched at the Library over the past few years. For reference, I've been working as a Sustainability professional for my day job for 13 years. - For example, I led the community to make a Spaceship to celebrate the Library's Space Camp event. The Spaceship was made from 300 egg cartons donated by the community, and painted through a community workshop at the Library.
- For the Library's Summer Reading Program in 2024, I led the community to create an 8 feet wide Hot air balloon mural, made from recycled bubble mailers (e.g. from Amazon deliveries) donated by the community.
3. Diversity & community engagement
- Sunnyvale has a highly diverse population. In the community art projects that I've led at the Sunnyvale Library, we incorporate diversity as a core value as well. For example, I partnered with the group "Pink Brushes" to make community art. "Pink Brushes" is a group who met at the Sunnyvale Library for English as a Second Language purposes. In addition, I created artwork to celebrate the Library's Asian Night Market event in the summer of 2024.
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 the board or
commission. What steps would you take
to effectively exercise this specific
board or commission role?
1. Channel input from Sunnyvale residents.
- I will continue to engage with the community and channel input from Sunnyvale residents. I will broaden the scope of my engagement well beyond art, since the Library serves the community across a variety of needs for kids, teens, adults and seniors.
2. Learn from Library Boards & Commissions in nearby cities. - There are Board of Library Trustees and Commissions in nearby cities, such as Mountain View and San Jose. I will seek to learn what worked well in these communities, and partner with City of Sunnyvale Staff and Council to evaluate what may be a fit for Sunnyvale.
Winnie Lam
Education – List college degrees,
majors and any relevant training or
experience that demonstrates your
ability to effectively serve on this board
or commission.
Bachelor of Science, Systems Design Engineering at the University of Waterloo in Canada.
- Received Distinguished Alumni Award in 2019 "in recognition of an exemplary career, dedication to sustainability and service to community". - Received National Engineering Entrance Scholarship and Sir Sandford Fleming Medal for academic excellence.
Masters of Science, Energy Policy & Climate at The Johns Hopkins University.
- Served as alumni advisor in 2020, for a graduate student's capstone thesis research on renewable energy.
Describe your involvement in
community activities, volunteer and
civic organizations.
1. City of Sunnyvale Arts Commission.
- I have been serving on the Arts Commission since 2021.
2. City of Sunnyvale - Dept of Public Safety (DPS).
- I completed community art projects for the Halloween Pet Parade in 2024 and the Tree Lighting Celebration in 2024. Specifically, I decorated Officer Montgomery's motorbike, which kicked off the Halloween Pet Parade. I also created a custom made holiday wreath for the DPS fire truck, which transported Santa for the Tree Lighting Celebration.
3. Humane Society Silicon Valley
- I have been involved with the local non profit Humane Society Silicon Valley for over 10 years. As an Ambassador for Humane Society, I have recruited dozens of volunteers for special events, and ran annual fundraisers for them that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations.
4. Boards & Councils
- In addition to local organizations, I serve on the following Boards and Councils:
- World Wildlife Fund (international non profit). National Council member.
June 2017 to Present.
- Stanford University. Bits and Watts initiative of the Precourt Institute.
Advisory Council member. Jan 2019 to Sep 2019.
- University of Waterloo, United College. Board of Governor. Oct 2022 - Present.
Description Area 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 related to the
above code and policy?
No
Winnie Lam
Are you willing to accept a temporary
appointment for the remainder of an
unexpired term?
Yes
Board or Commission-Specific Questions
Board of Library Trustees
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?
1. Close the digital divide.
Technology has powered tremendous innovation in Silicon Valley. At the same time, technology is not equally accessible to everyone. The Library already offers Maker Services and lends Tech equipment to Patrons. If I join the Board of Library Trustees, I would identify ways to further close the digital divide.
2. Foster community and human connection through face-to-face interactions.
While technology has made our lives better in many ways, it has also contributed to more isolation. The 19th and 21st US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy stated that "loneliness is more widespread than other major health issues in the U.S today. Our epidemic of loneliness and isolation is a major public health concern".
(Source:
https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/sg-social-connection-general.pdf ) Sunnyvale Public Library is a magical place that brings people together across all age groups, ethnicities and demographics. Thus, the Library can generate highly positive impact in alleviating isolation and fostering a sense of togetherness, through its wide-reaching in-person community programs.
Sustainability Commission
Category One: I’m a Sunnyvale resident. Yes
Category Two: I’m a Sunnyvale
business community member.*
No
Winnie Lam
Sustainability is a new and emerging
concern in many communities. What do
you think are the primary sustainability
policy issues this commission will be
addressing over the next few years?
Policy #1: Transportation emissions
- Transportation contributes to 46% of Sunnyvale's Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and is the largest contributor category. (Source:
https://sunnyvaleclimateaction.org/scoreboard). The Policy priority shall focus on approaches to reduce transportation emissions. This can be in the form of building Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure. Another method can be to allow permitting for higher density housing to be located in close proximity to where people work, while simultaneously building public transit infrastructure to support the increase in residential density. Thus, the Sustainability and Planning are closely intertwined.
Policy #2: Commercial / Industrial emissions from gas usage - Commercial and industrial emissions from gas usage contributes to 21% of Sunnyvale's Greenhouse Gas Emissions. We can enact policies to incentivize businesses to reduce their gas usage. One method can be providing rebates to businesses that install heat pumps and remove their gas heating infrastructure.
Sustainability is a new and emerging
concern in many communities. What do
you think are the primary sustainability
policy issues this commission will be
addressing over the next few years?
Policy #1: Transportation emissions
- Transportation contributes to 46% of Sunnyvale's Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and is the largest contributor category. (Source:
https://sunnyvaleclimateaction.org/scoreboard). The Policy priority shall focus on approaches to reduce transportation emissions. This can be in the form of building Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure. Another method can be to allow permitting for higher density housing to be located in close proximity to where people work, while simultaneously building public transit infrastructure to support the increase in residential density. Thus, the Sustainability and Planning are closely intertwined.
Policy #2: Commercial / Industrial emissions from gas usage - Commercial and industrial emissions from gas usage contributes to 21% of Sunnyvale's Greenhouse Gas Emissions. We can enact policies to incentivize businesses to reduce their gas usage. One method can be providing rebates to businesses that install heat pumps and remove their gas heating infrastructure.
Demographic Information
Your age 45-64
Your gender Female
Description Area LGBTQIA+ Identity (LGBTQIA+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and the “+” is an all-inclusive way to include additional terms used to describe one’s gender, romantic, and sexual identities for those who do not identify with heterosexuality or the gender binary.)
Winnie Lam
LGBTQIA+ Identity No, I am not part of the LGBTQIA+ community Race or Ethnicity (select all that apply) Asian
Do you speak a language other than
English?
No
Household Income Over $161,670
Residence - Are you a Homeowner
Do you live in a Single Family Home
Do you have any other identities* you
would like to share with us?
n/a
Your Agreement
Description Area IMPORTANT NOTICE – READ BEFORE SIGNING:By selecting both “Yes” and “Submit Form” below I am adding my digital signature to this application. I am also agreeing with the following statements:All statements I have made on this application are true and correct.I authorize the City of Sunnyvale (City) to investigate the accuracy of this information.I release the City from all claims and liabilities arising from such investigation.I acknowledge that any false statement on this application will be grounds for the City to deny my appointment. A false statement discovered later, will be grounds to dismiss me from my appointment at any time.I acknowledge that any false statement on this application could lead to criminal charges.
Charges could fall under California Penal Code, Section 115 or other applicable law.
I agree Yes
Your full name Winnie Lam
Date Jan 23, 2025
Winnie Lam