City of Sunnyvale
Meeting Minutes - Final
Human Relations Commission
7:00 PM Online and Redwood Conference Room,
City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale,
CA 94086
Thursday, July 10, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
Commissioner Camacho called the meeting to order at 7:12 p.m.
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Commissioner Camacho led the salute to the United States flag.
ROLL CALL
Commissioner Claudia Camacho
Commissioner Esther Rosenfeld
Commissioner Aaron Terry
Commissioner Pedro Valencia Landa
Present: 4 -
Vice Chair Nenuca Syquia
Chair Maria Paulina Zapata
Absent: 2 -
Chair Syquia’s and Commissioner Zapata’s absences are excused.
Council Liaison Chang (present)
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
No speakers.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Public Comment opened at 7:25 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Comment closed at 7:25 p.m.
MOTION: Commissioner Rosenfeld moved and Commissioner Landa seconded the motion to approve agenda item 1.A as submitted.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Attachment 1
July 10, 2025Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes - Final Yes: Commissioner Camacho
Commissioner Rosenfeld
Commissioner Terry
Commissioner Valencia Landa
4 -
No: 0
Absent: Vice Chair Syquia
Chair Zapata
2 -
1.A 25-0763
Approve the Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes of June 12, 2025
Approve the Human Relations Commission Minutes of June 12, 2025 as submitted.
MOTION: Commissioner Rosenfeld moved and Commissioner Landa seconded the motion to reconsider agenda item 1.A.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Commissioner Camacho
Commissioner Rosenfeld
Commissioner Terry
Commissioner Valencia Landa
4 -
No: 0
Absent: Vice Chair Syquia
Chair Zapata
2 -
MOTION: Commissioner Rosenfeld moved and Commissioner Terry seconded the motion to approve agenda item 1.A as submitted.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Commissioner Camacho
Commissioner Terry
Commissioner Valencia Landa
3 -
No: 0
Absent: Vice Chair Syquia
Chair Zapata
2 -
Abstain: Commissioner Rosenfeld1 -
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
Attachment 1
July 10, 2025Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes - Final 2 25-0758 Debrief on First Signature Event: “Allies in Training: Building a Better Community”
Equity, Access and Inclusion (EAI) Manager Fernanda Perdomo-Arciniegas provided the staff report and presentation. EAI Manager Perdomo-Arciniegas thanked the Human Relations Commission for their attendance and participation.The presentation included an overview of pre- and post-survey results from the recent Allyship Training, which had over 40 attendees. The majority of participants rated their overall experience as excellent and expressed they were very likely to take action to support equity and inclusion within their communities.
Survey results also showed increased participant understanding of key concepts such as allyship, privilege, implicit bias, and social systems. The survey further identified interest in future trainings on topics such as the experiences of unhoused individuals, immigrant experiences, economic mobility, and other EAI-related topics.
Commissioners provided comments and questions:
Commissioner Rosenfeld asked whether this year’s training was a condensed version and if the format encouraged greater participation.
EAI Manager Perdomo-Arciniegas clarified that last year’s training was a more extensive two-day session with deeper exploration of the CLAIM model and more applied examples. This year’s session, provided by Service Never Sleeps, was a condensed three-hour, beginner-level training. This year, the training was offered in a hybrid format, compared to the fully virtual model used previously. Despite the challenges of scheduling during work hours, there was strong engagement and increased participation due to enhanced outreach efforts, including utility bill inserts.
While virtual formats offer convenience, in-person components fostered better interaction and connection among attendees. Attendance grew from 27 participants last year to 40 this year, with 60 individuals registered. The diverse demographics ranged from young children to older adults.
Commissioner Landa shared that they appreciated the training and were pleased that attendees planned to continue these important conversations in their personal lives. They inquired about the number of post-survey responses and whether the learning outcomes were the same as last year.
Staff reported that 14 post-survey responses were collected. The learning outcomes differed from last year’s survey, as the training addressed more advanced content,
Attachment 1
July 10, 2025Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes - Final while this year’s focused on foundational concepts.
Commissioner Camacho expressed appreciation for the Commission’s role in hosting the training, noting that it addressed important human relations issues that are often avoided. The presenter created a space for dialogue around challenging topics, such as race, privilege, and empathy toward others.
Public Hearing opened at 8:00 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Hearing closed at 8:00 p.m.
3 25-0760
Discussion and Possible Action for Second Signature Event EAI Manager Perdomo-Arciniegas reminded Commissioners about United Against Hate Week taking place in October and encouraged them to consider areas they would like to explore for the next Signature Event, based on their experiences.
Commissioners were invited to discuss potential themes for the upcoming event.
Commissioner Rosenfeld shared that they enjoyed the immigrant storytelling event hosted by the Commission last year and expressed interest in seeing it return with broader outreach and promotion. They also suggested the possibility of highlighting stories from unhoused immigrants. They also mentioned the possibility of collaboration with the Arts Commission.
Commissioner Camacho noted that while immigration is an important topic in the community, they would prefer the event to focus on a common theme that resonates more broadly with all community members.
Commissioner Landa agreed with the storytelling format and proposed using a broader umbrella theme that encompasses diverse life experiences, rather than focusing solely on immigration.
The Commission took a recess at 8:20 p.m. and reconvened at 8:25 p.m. with all Commissioners present.
MOTION: Commissioner Rosenfeld moved to approve Second Signature Event similar to the Immigrant Storytelling event that took place last year.
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Commissioner Landa offered a friendly amendment to approve Second Signature Storytelling event that focuses on diversity as a whole
Attachment 1
July 10, 2025Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes - Final with a component of focus groups.
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Commissioner Terry offered a friendly amendment to approve Second Signature event with the event name: Voices of Sunnyvale.
RESTATED MOTION: Commissioner Rosenfeld moved and Commissioner Terry seconded the motion to approve Second Signature event named Voices of Sunnyvale focusing on storytelling within Sunnyvale's diverse community.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Commissioner Camacho
Commissioner Rosenfeld
Commissioner Terry
Commissioner Valencia Landa
4 -
No: 0
Absent: Vice Chair Syquia
Chair Zapata
2 -
4 25-0761
Community Needs Assessment Update
EAI Manager Perdomo-Arciniegas provided a staff report, noting that the Community Equity Assessment has received clarity from City Council regarding the direction and scope of the project. With this guidance, conversations are now underway with the selected consulting firm to review the timeline and services to be provided. As the process moves forward, the Commission was assured they will receive regular updates, and their participation will be essential to the success of the assessment.
Public Hearing opened at 8:35 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Hearing closed at 8:35 p.m.
5 25-0759
Selection of Chair and Vice Chair
Public Hearing opened at 8:36 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Hearing closed at 8:36 p.m.
EAI Manager Perdomo-Arciniegas provided an overview of the selection process and announced that Commissioners Zapata and Chair Syquia notified staff that they accept nominations for Chair and Vice Chair.
Attachment 1
July 10, 2025Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes - Final Commissioner Camacho opened nominations for Chair for Human Relations Commission.
Commissioner Camacho nominated Commissioner Zapata.
No further nominations were presented.
Vote on nomination of Commissioner Zapata for Chair:
Yes: Commissioner Camacho
Commissioner Rosenfeld
Commissioner Terry
Commissioner Valencia Landa
4 -
No: 0
Absent: Vice Chair Syquia
Chair Zapata
2 -
Nominations were opened for Vice Chair to the Human Relations Commission.
Commissioner Camacho nominated Chair Syquia.
No further nominations were presented.
Vote on nomination of Chair Syquia for Vice Chair:
Yes: Commissioner Camacho
Commissioner Rosenfeld
Commissioner Terry
Commissioner Valencia Landa
4 -
No: 0
Absent: Vice Chair Syquia
Chair Zapata
2 -
STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES
None.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS
-Commissioner Comments
Attachment 1
July 10, 2025Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes - Final Commissioner Rosenfeld proposed a Study Issue for the Policy Manual to include a category for absences due to religious holidays. Commissioner Rosenfeld emphasized that religious holidays should not be deducted from personal time and recommended the City consider a more inclusive policy for such absences.
Commissioner Landa co-sponsor Study Issue.
-Staff Comments
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Camacho adjourned the meeting at 8:52 p.m.
Attachment 1