Form Name: Boards and Commissions Application
Unique ID: 1335276714
Applicant Information
Name Alejandra Gutierrez
Are you a Sunnyvale resident? Yes
How long have you lived in
Sunnyvale?
1 month
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
11/2024
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?
No
Have you attended meetings of
the board(s) or commission(s) for
which you are applying?
No
Board or Commission Selection
First Choice Board of Library Trustees (R)
Apply for another board or
commission?1
Yes
Second Choice Arts Commission
Apply for another board or
commission?2
Yes
Alejandra Gutierrez
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: ___________________
4/15/25
4/15/25
MH
Third Choice Parks and Recreation Commission (R)
Applicant Qualifications
What motivated you to apply for
this board or commission?
I have always been involved in the communities where I have lived. Sunnyvale is new to me, I am new to Sunnyvale. The opportunity to learn about this new city is exciting.
What skills or attributes can you
bring to this board or
commission?
Organization, flexibility, an open mind. I am a good listener and can evaluate and weigh all points of view and make an educated decision about what is best.
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?
Look at the specific issue and see all its components.
Complete a needs analysis and gather information for the study of the issue within the commission,
Consult with experts and look at past history and community trends and needs.
discuss options with the other members.
Write a concise and direct report.
Education – List college degrees,
majors and any relevant training
or experience that demonstrates
your ability to effectively serve
on this board or commission.
MA In Applied Linguistics, Monterey Institute of International Studies, Dec 1999
MA in Translation and Interpretation, Monterey Intitute of International Studies, June 1995
BA in Language and Literature, Universidad Autónoma de
Guadalajara, Mexico June 1981
Describe your involvement in
community activities, volunteer
and civic organizations.
Since my retirement in 2013 I have been employed and
participated in activities with a variety of Community Based Organization. I have worked with Pacific Clinics, School Friends Foundation, Community Health Partnership and volunteered with Latinas ContraCancer, Somos Mayfair, Community Action
Network, Veggilution, Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence, Sacred Heart Community, and many others. In every one of these organizations, my goal has been to support their vision and missions while moving forward equity for the communities we serve and improving the Social Determinants of Health within the participant members and their communities.
I have just recently developed a 100-hour training in Spanish to bring Community Health Workers together and advance their stand within the social context of Public Health. I taught, so far, this course with HRSA funds to three cohorts.
Alejandra Gutierrez
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
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?
Art is powerful and multifaceted; art is a collective form of storytelling which mirrors a community's identity, history, and values.
As part of community engagement, art -when created with input and public participation- empowers and unites a community.
As art beautifies -in particular public art-, this supports the well being of the community members as it provides an expansive space to dream, enjoy, relax, unwind.
Art can be a source of community engagement which, in turn, encourages civic engagement as it increases the sense of ownership and incivility of those who reside in a particular community.
How might the City strengthen
art programs in the community?
Art programs in the community by making them more inclusive, accessible, and sustainably supported. By developing art education, youth programs, and investing in local artists, a city creates an inclusive space.
A city that engages the community with temporary art spaces or pop-art opportunities while providing access to resources in an equitable way, will increase cross-sector collaboration. Art programs need to be community driven or -at the very least- community supported to foster engagement and reflect the cultural aspects of the community as well as their voices and needs.
Alejandra Gutierrez
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?
I'd start by engaging directly with residents-especially historically underrepresented groups-through listening sessions, surveys, and partnerships with cultural organizations. Community input should guide which stories, traditions, and art forms are elevated.
Another decision would be to create a wider definition of art which may not only be visual but literary, interactive, and perfuming.
This inclusive view would encourage a wider part of the population to engage, participate, feel a sense of community, pride and belonging thus having a more stable community. .
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?
Infrastructure modernization to include building and emergent technologies inclusion, and the inclusion of underrepresented community groups towards developing digital skills.
Our main library's infrastructure
is aging, with ongoing
maintenance issues. The 2024
library bond measure, intended
to solve those issues, failed.
What solutions do you suggest?
When a bond measure fails it is generally due to not having had the support of a community before deciding of=n creating that measure. The community needs to see the value and stand with the goals and ideas of the measure for it to "stick" and become a reality. I do not doubt on the visionary aspects of whomever proposed that bod measure, but I also -as part of a community- know that the public s already strapped for cash int heir own lives which makes it impossible for anyone to back up spending capital in something that the value is not 100% apparent. By creating library programs and for them for a couple of cycles, attracting patrons to the library, making the library a place of community pride, the next time a bond measure proposal could have better results.
Park and Recreation Commission
Alejandra Gutierrez
Community demographics are
constantly changing. What do
you think are the principal issues
the commission may be
addressing over the next two
years?
I would ensure cultural representation and equity in all aspects of life in Sunnyvale. When a city attracts residents and knows how to keep them engaged, the city prospers. When a city is just a stepping stone due to a job or position and the population is as fluid as it is in Sunnyvale, there will always be a disconnected community. Activities, physical accessibility to beautiful and enjoyable places, building trust and participation by inspiring civil engagement will most likely stop that fluidity of a city such as Sunnyvale and help it to create a more permanent based
community.
How could we improve our parks
and recreation infrastructure and
programming to better serve our
diverse community?
Offering better accessibility (such as discounted or free parking in public places for residents), enforcing parking regulations as so many of the overflow of cars for which the residents who do not have an available garage or carport park their vehicles in or near public parks, would increase the attendance tot hose areas for the residents in need of that contact with the environment, expansion activities and relaxation to improve their well-being.
Fair Political Practices Commission Statement of Economic Interests 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
Alejandra Gutierrez
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?
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 Alejandra S Gutierrez
Date Apr 15, 2025
Alejandra Gutierrez