Form Name: Boards and Commissions Application
Unique ID: 1337713128
Applicant Information
Name Manisha Anarkat
Are you a Sunnyvale resident? Yes
How long have you lived in
Sunnyvale?
15+
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
Email
Phone
Are you currently a registered
voter in Sunnyvale?
Yes
When was the last time you
voted? Month/Year
Nov 2024
Have you ever served on a City of
Sunnyvale board or commission?
No
Have you attended a meeting of
the City Council, or a board or
commission?
Yes
Briefly describe what you learned
by watching or attending a
meeting of the City Council,
board or commission. What
improvements would you
suggest?
Attending a meeting provided valuable insights into local governance. I observed effective discussions, transparency, and community engagement. It would be helpful to enhance public outreach through social media campaigns or town halls,
streamlining meeting processes, and providing clearer
communication through detailed meeting materials.
Have you attended meetings of
the board(s) or commission(s) for
which you are applying?
No
Board or Commission Selection
First Choice Housing and Human Services Commission
Manisha Anarkat
Office Use Only
Date Received:
__________
Voter registration
verified:
Office Use Only
Date Received: __________
Voter registration verified:
On: ___________________
By: ___________________
Date Received:
Voter registration verified:
On:
By: ___________________
4/23/25
4/24/25
MH
Apply for another board or
commission?1
Yes
Second Choice Planning Commission (R)
Apply for another board or
commission?2
Yes
Third Choice Arts Commission
Apply for another board or
commission?3
Yes
Fourth Choice Personnel Board (R)
Apply for another board or
commission?4
Yes
Fifth Choice Parks and Recreation Commission (R)
Applicant Qualifications
Manisha Anarkat
What motivated you to apply for
this board or commission?
I am motivated to apply for this board and commission position because I am passionate about contributing to the betterment of our community.
over the past 20+ years, I have been volunteering at various non-profit organizations, including FUHS Foundations in Sunnyvale. With a strong interest in volunteering and community services, I believe my skills and experience make me an ideal candidate to provide valuable insights and perspectives. I am eager to collaborate with like-minded individuals, drive positive change, and help shape policies that benefit our community.
Key Drivers:
1. Desire to make a meaningful impact:
I want to leverage my expertise to address pressing community issues.
2. Commitment to public service:
I am dedicated to serving the community and ensuring that its needs are represented.
3. Opportunity for collaboration and learning:
I look forward to working with diverse stakeholders, sharing ideas, and gaining new insights.
By joining this board or commission, I aim to contribute to drive positive change and make a positive impact in our community.
What skills or attributes can you
bring to this board or
commission?
I am a CPA, Chartered Accountant and have been volunteering with various non-profit organizations.
As a board member of the FUHS Foundation for over 5 years, I have had the opportunity to contribute in various roles and bring a range of skills, including:
* Analytical and critical thinking
* Effective communication
* Collaboration and teamwork
* Problem-solving and adaptability
* Strong commitment to public service
I am confident that my skills and experience will enable me to contribute to informed decision-making and positively impact the community.
Manisha Anarkat
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?
As a board or commission member, I would take the following steps to provide informed advice to City Council:
Stay Informed: Regularly review meeting materials, agenda items, and supporting documents to understand key issues and policies.
Conduct Research: Gather relevant data, best practices, and expert opinions to inform my advice and recommendations.
Engage with Stakeholders: Listen to community members, city staff, and other stakeholders to gain diverse perspectives and insights.
Analyze and Evaluate: Critically assess policy options, considering potential impacts, benefits, and drawbacks.
Collaborate with Fellow Members: Work collaboratively with board/commission members to share knowledge, discuss issues, and build consensus.
Provide Clear and Concise Advice: Offer well-reasoned, actionable recommendations to City Council, supported by evidence and data.
By following these steps, I am confident that I can effectively exercise my role and provide valuable advice to City Council, ultimately contributing to informed decision-making and positive outcomes for our community.
Education – List college degrees,
majors and any relevant training
or experience that demonstrates
your ability to effectively serve
on this board or commission.
Education & Certifications:
1. CPA, with active license in California
2. Chartered Accountant of India
3. B.S with major in Accounting and Audit
Describe your involvement in
community activities, volunteer
and civic organizations.
I enjoy volunteering, have been contributing to community with passion over 25 years. To list a few:
1. InAtalent organization
2. FUHS Foundation
3. Institute of Internal Auditors- Northern California East Bay chapter
4. ISACA Silicon Valley Chapter
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
Manisha Anarkat
Are you willing to accept a
temporary appointment for the
remainder of an unexpired term?
Yes
Board or Commission-Specific Questions
Arts Commission
What role do you think public art
plays in a city?
I believe that Public art plays a powerful role in shaping a city's identity. It sparks conversation, reflects the community's culture and history, and brings people together. It can transform everyday spaces into places of meaning and creativity, making the city feel more alive and inclusive. Public art also encourages civic pride and supports local artists, adding depth and character to urban life.
For kids, it's especially impactful-nurturing their imagination, helping them connect with their surroundings, and showing them that creativity has a place in public life.
How might the City strengthen
art programs in the community?
I personally enjoy and love the Art Fair-I like to bring my parents and kids to have fun and enjoy various art forms and activities.
It's a special way for different generations to connect through creativity. To strengthen art programs in the community, the city can build on these experiences by investing in more accessible events, supporting local artists, and integrating art into public spaces and schools.
By making art a visible and interactive part of daily life, the city can foster a deeper appreciation for culture and inspire creativity across all ages.
Manisha Anarkat
The Sunnyvale Public Art
collection includes sculptures and
other physical art. As an Arts
Commissioner, how would you
prioritize the inclusion of visual,
literary, interactive and
performing arts to embody the
cultures of our diverse
community?
As someone who values the power of art to connect and inspire, I believe it's important that our Public Art collection reflects the full spectrum of our community's diversity. While the existing sculptures and physical art provide a strong foundation, I would prioritize expanding to include visual, literary, interactive, and performing arts that represent the many cultures, stories, and traditions in Sunnyvale.
This means creating opportunities for artists across
disciplines-whether it's a muralist, a spoken word poet, a musician, or a digital artist-to contribute to public spaces.
Interactive and performance-based art can bring people together in real time, while literary and visual arts can help preserve and celebrate heritage. By embracing all forms of artistic expression, we ensure that every resident sees themselves reflected in the cultural fabric of our city.
Housing and Human Services Commission
Evaluate the quality and
adequacy of the housing
programs that serve the
Sunnyvale community.
Sunnyvale has taken important steps to address housing needs through programs that support affordable housing development, rental assistance, and inclusionary housing policies. However, as housing costs continue to rise, the demand still outpaces the supply.
Many middle- and low-income families, seniors, and essential workers continue to face challenges in finding stable, affordable housing.
While the existing programs provide a good starting point, there's room to expand and enhance efforts-especially in terms of outreach, speed of development, and accessibility of services.
Evaluate the quality and
availability of the human services
programs that serve the
Sunnyvale community.
I am proud of our Sunnyvale city.
Sunnyvale offers a range of human services, from food access to mental health resources and youth support. These services are valuable and have a positive impact on residents' well-being.
However, awareness and accessibility remain challenges for some community members-especially non-English speaking households or those unfamiliar with navigating public services. Continued investment in community partnerships, culturally competent outreach, and multilingual resources can help ensure these programs truly reach and uplift all those who need them.
Manisha Anarkat
Share your thoughts on how the
City might better improve
housing affordability, prevent
displacement and serve our
unhoused residents.
I believe that to improve housing affordability and prevent displacement, the City can focus on a multi-pronged approach:
fast-tracking affordable housing projects, incentivizing accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and strengthening tenant protections.
It's also crucial to preserve existing affordable units and support programs that stabilize at-risk households. To better serve unhoused residents, expanding access to temporary shelter, mental health services, and pathways to permanent supportive housing is key. Collaborating with nonprofit partners, faith-based organizations, and county resources can build a stronger safety net and a more compassionate approach to addressing
homelessness.
Description Area View Unhoused Community Support
Have you read Unhoused
Community Support?
No
Park and Recreation Commission
Community demographics are
constantly changing. What do
you think are the principal issues
the commission may be
addressing over the next two
years?
As Sunnyvale's demographics continue to evolve, the commission will likely focus on ensuring that city services, programs, and spaces reflect the needs of a more diverse and multigenerational population. Key issues may include expanding affordable housing, enhancing language access, and promoting equity in community engagement. There may also be a growing need to support mental health resources, youth development programs, and inclusive arts and cultural representation. The commission will play an important role in helping the city adapt thoughtfully to demographic shifts while preserving a sense of community belonging for all residents.
How could we improve our parks
and recreation infrastructure and
programming to better serve our
diverse community?
To better serve our diverse community, we can enhance parks and recreation by designing spaces that are culturally inclusive, accessible, and intergenerational. This means offering
programming in multiple languages, increasing shaded seating and ADA-friendly paths, and creating more spaces for community gatherings and cultural celebrations. Expanding after-school and weekend programs that reflect the interests of different age groups and cultures can strengthen community ties. Listening to residents through regular outreach and feedback loops is key to making sure these improvements truly reflect community voices and needs.
Manisha Anarkat
Personnel Board
I hold a public office or
employment
No
I am a candidate for another
public office or position.
No
I am a former City employee. No
I have a spouse, household
member or designated relative
(your or your spouse’s parent,
stepparent, grandparent, child,
sister, brother, niece, nephew,
uncle or aunt) employed by the
City of Sunnyvale in a position
with the right to hear a
disciplinary matter before the
Personnel Board.
No
Describe your experience and
responsibilities in the
administration of employee
discipline.
In my leadership roles, I've approached employee discipline with a focus on fairness, clarity, and constructive outcomes. I ensure expectations are well communicated, and when issues arise, I follow a structured and documented process-beginning with informal coaching and progressing, if necessary, to formal action in alignment with company policy and legal guidelines. My role has always included listening to the employee's perspective, identifying root causes, and focusing on solutions that support improvement rather than punitive outcomes. Transparency and respect are key to maintaining trust throughout the process.
Describe your experience and
responsibilities in the
administration of employee
grievances.
I have managed employee grievances by creating safe channels for open dialogue and resolving concerns at the earliest stage possible. My approach involves active listening, fact-finding, and ensuring all parties are treated respectfully and equitably. I've worked closely with HR to facilitate fair resolutions while maintaining confidentiality and legal compliance. Whether the concern is interpersonal or systemic, I believe grievances present an opportunity to improve policies, team dynamics, and
workplace culture.
Planning Commission
Manisha Anarkat
Sunnyvale has limited vacant
land for new development. This
could increase pressure for
redevelopment of existing
developed areas. How can
Planning respond to this
situation?
Planning can respond by encouraging smart, sustainable
redevelopment that maximizes land use while preserving
community character. This includes supporting mixed-use developments, infill projects, and transit-oriented design to reduce sprawl and increase accessibility. Community engagement will be essential to ensure that redevelopment addresses real needs-such as affordable housing, green space, and economic opportunity-while respecting the scale and identity of
neighborhoods. Incentivizing adaptive reuse and sustainable building practices can also help meet demand without
compromising environmental goals.
Planning Commissioners are
often asked to consider social,
economic and environmental
issues when reviewing proposals.
How do we achieve a balanced
community?
Achieving a balanced community requires a holistic, people-first approach to planning. This means weighing short-term benefits against long-term impacts and ensuring equity is at the core of every decision.
We must ask: Does this development enhance access to housing? Does it promote walkability and environmental sustainability? Does it uplift all community members, including historically underserved groups?
Through transparent processes, data-informed decisions, and diverse community input, we can strike a balance that supports a thriving, inclusive, and resilient Sunnyvale.
What do you see as the greatest
land use challenges facing the
City? How do you propose
addressing them?
One of the greatest land use challenges is balancing growth with livability-particularly as housing demand rises and space becomes more limited. Sunnyvale must navigate pressures to densify without losing the character and quality of life that residents value.
Addressing this requires updated zoning that supports thoughtful density, creative use of underutilized spaces, and infrastructure improvements that keep pace with growth.
Public engagement, environmental stewardship, and
cross-department collaboration will be key to meeting this challenge in a way that benefits both current and future residents.
Description Area View the Housing Element
Have you read the Housing
Element?
No
Fair Political Practices Commission Statement of Economic Interests Manisha Anarkat
Description Area If you are appointed to the Arts Commission, Heritage Preservation Commission, Housing and Human Services
Commission or the Planning Commission, you must electronically file the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700), which will be a public
record.Statement of Economic Interests - Form 700Understanding of Filing Requirement I understand and agree that if I’m appointed to the Arts Commission, Heritage Preservation Commission, Housing and Human Services Commission or
Planning Commission I must electronically file the Fair Political Practices Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700). This form reports my economic interests and those of my spouse or domestic partner, if applicable. I understand this will be a public record.
Radio Button Yes
Demographic Information
Your age
Your gender
Description Area
LGBTQIA+ Identity
Race or Ethnicity (select all that
apply)
Do you speak a language other
than English?
Which languages?
Household Income
Residence - Are you a
Do you live in a
Do you have any other identities*
you would like to share with us?
Manisha Anarkat
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 Manisha Anarkat
Date Apr 23, 2025
Manisha Anarkat