Form Name: Boards and Commissions Application
Unique ID: 1337999601
Applicant Information
Name Cara Kuhn
Are you a Sunnyvale resident? Yes
How long have you lived in
Sunnyvale?
6 years
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
November 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?
I watched a Board of Library Trustees meeting and I learned about how IMLS funding is used by the library and how they plan to adapt to its absence.
I liked the librarian's presentation on the digital divide and their goals on educating the public. I think I would like to hear more about their plans to educate middle school and high school age students about AI, scams, etc. There was a focus on younger children, and older adult, but not folks who have access to smartphones/ computers, but given little guidance on the dangers and/or advantages of new technology.
Have you attended meetings of
the board(s) or commission(s) for
which you are applying?
Yes
Cara Kuhn
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: ___________________
4/24/25
4/24/25
MH
How many meetings have you
attended?
1 city council meeting, 1 BLT meeting.
Board or Commission Selection
First Choice Board of Library Trustees (R)
Applicant Qualifications
What motivated you to apply for
this board or commission?
Given the state of the world, I've realized that democracy is a participation sport. I live in, and value this city, and I feel the responsibility of being a citizen to give back to my city. One of the things I value most is the library. It is the heart and soul of a community - a place where education and diversity is valued. It is a place where we can educate ourselves, come together as a community, and learn.
What skills or attributes can you
bring to this board or
commission?
I am a life long patron of the library, with a firm belief that reading is core to education. I am curious about new methods of learning, and how the library can find new ways to innovate as the heart of the community.
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?
I would determine the scope of the issue, the stakeholders affected, the constraints of the issue, the cost benefit analysis of the issue, and the various paths available to move forward on any given issue. Few decisions are clear cut, but having the pros and cons carefully thought through allows for better decision making.
Education – List college degrees,
majors and any relevant training
or experience that demonstrates
your ability to effectively serve
on this board or commission.
I have a Bachelors of Science in Communication from the University of Florida. I have a MBA from the University of South Florida. I am trained in data analytics and marketing.
Describe your involvement in
community activities, volunteer
and civic organizations.
I volunteer at my daughter's school, Fairwood Explorer
Elementary 2 hours every week. I was the co-lead volunteer for their 2025 Walk-a-thon to raise funds for field trips. I am a member Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. The goal is to reduce gun violence. I volunteer to educate folks on how to store their gun safely so children cannot access guns. In the past, I was an active member of the Santa Clara Bird Alliance.
I worked in the field trip program and was one of the docents for when the kiddos came to visit local parks.
Cara Kuhn
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
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?
I think one of the major concerns, especially in North Sunnyvale, is internet access. Internet access is such a critical aspect of life now a days, especially for students. I am curious about how the Sunnyvale Public Library, especially the new branch opening up, is going to address this issue.
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?
While the bond failed, it only missed the mark by a little. More than a majority voted for a new main branch, so the support is there. I would like to hear more discussion of funding sources. If not a bond measure, is there another set of financial tools available? What are other cities doing to build and support libraries? I would look to the success stories in other Bay Area cities to find a route for the library.
Demographic Information
Your age
Your gender
Description Area
LGBTQIA+ Identity
Race or Ethnicity (select all that
apply)
Cara Kuhn
Do you speak a language other
than English?
Household Income
Residence - Are you a
Do you live in 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 Cara Lynne Kuhn
Date Apr 24, 2025
Cara Kuhn