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, August 14, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Zapata called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Chair Zapata led the salute to the United States flag.
ROLL CALL
Chair Maria Paulina Zapata
Commissioner Claudia Camacho
Commissioner Aaron Terry
Commissioner Pedro Valencia Landa
Present: 4 -
Vice Chair Nenuca Syquia
Commissioner Esther Rosenfeld
Absent: 2 -
Vice Chair Syquia’s and Commissioner Rosenfeld’s absences are excused Council Liaison Chang (present)
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Maddy Chang, Sustainability Commissioner, speaking on their own behalf, highlighted the lack of youth input on City issues and recommended creating youth seats, under age 25 on all Commissions or appointing non-voting youth members.
They emphasized the importance of youth perspectives on transportation and safety issues and noted that other cities have youth commissions providing legislative input, while Sunnyvale currently only has the Teen Advisory Committee focused on recreation.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Public Comment opened at 7:13 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Comment closed at 7:14 p.m.
Attachment 2
August 14, 2025Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes - Final MOTION: Commissioner Landa moved and Commissioner Terry seconded the motion to approve agenda item 1.A as submitted.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Chair Zapata
Commissioner Camacho
Commissioner Terry
Commissioner Valencia Landa
4 -
No: 0
Absent: Vice Chair Syquia
Commissioner Rosenfeld
2 -
1.A 25-0848
Approve the Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes of July 10, 2025
Approve the Human Relations Commission Minutes of July 10, 2025 as submitted.
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
2 25-0845 Community Needs Assessment Update
Equity, Access, and Inclusion (EAI) Manager Fernanda Perdomo-Arciniegas provided the staff report, noting that monthly updates were planned as part of the Human Relations Commission (HRC) work plan. They reported that the process is close to the end of the procurement approval process and therefore are no new updates since the last report.
Public Hearing opened at 7:18 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Hearing closed at 7:19 p.m.
3 25-0846
Discussion and Direction on Second Signature Event: “Voices of Sunnyvale”
EAI Manager Perdomo-Arciniegas provided the staff report. They noted that at last month’s HRC meeting, the Commission voted to title the Second Signature Event “Voices of Sunnyvale.” However, they explained that the term “Voices” may be considered ableist, as some individuals communicate through sign language or other forms of expression. They encouraged the Commission to reconsider the title, suggesting alternatives such as “Stories of Sunnyvale,” and requested further
Attachment 2
August 14, 2025Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes - Final direction on the Commission’s vision for the event.
They also shared that they recently met with Commissioners from other Commissions who were awarded a grant inspired by the HRC’s storytelling events.
In addition, the EAI Office will host the LGBTQ Youth Space’s Speakers Bureau during United Against Hate Week in October, focusing on LGBTQ stories along with a facilitated bystander intervention training on how to be an ally through role-playing.
Chair Zapata and Commissioner Camacho shared their experiences from past HRC events, followed by a discussion among Commissioners on potential titles for the Second Signature Event.
MOTION: Commissioner Landa moved and Commissioner Terry seconded the motion to change the title of the Second Signature Event from “Voices of Sunnyvale” to “Stories of Sunnyvale.”
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Chair Zapata
Commissioner Camacho
Commissioner Terry
Commissioner Valencia Landa
4 -
No: 0
Absent: Vice Chair Syquia
Commissioner Rosenfeld
2 -
Public Hearing opened at 8:19 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Hearing closed at 8:20 p.m.
4 25-0849
Follow-Up on Proposed Study Issue at July 10, 2025 Human Relations Commission Meeting
EAI Manager Perdomo-Arciniegas reviewed the memorandum regarding the Proposed Study Issue at the July 10, 2025 Human Relations Commission meeting.
Commissioner Rosenfeld had proposed a study issue under the Non-Agenda Items and Comments section of the agenda, suggesting the inclusion of a category for absences due to religious holidays in the policy manual. However, the Commission did not follow the Board and Commission Study Issue Sponsorship Process.
Attachment 2
August 14, 2025Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes - Final Next steps were reviewed: Commissioner Rosenfeld is invited to submit a study issue form no later than August 12 for this item to be agendized for the September HRC meeting. Alternatively, Commissioner Rosenfeld may opt not to submit the form, as the topic of excused absences for religious holiday observances will be included in the annual joint study session between City Council and the Board and Commission Chairs and Vice Chairs, tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, November
18. Public Hearing opened at 8:23 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Hearing closed at 8:24 p.m.
5 25-0847
Study Issue Process Review
EAI Manager Perdomo-Arciniegas provided an overview of the Study Issues process and timeline. They explained that during the Ranking Process in January, the Commission may vote on Study Issues sponsored by Council or another Commission if the scope is identified as Equity, Access, and Inclusion. Staff reviewed the Study Issue Form and shared examples of “Above the Line” and “Below the Line” Study Issues, including OCM 25-01: Explore Establishing a Japanese American Incarceration Memorial in Sunnyvale, and LRS 25-01: Evaluate Expansion of City-Funded and Facilitated Events in City Parks and Facilities.
Commissioners thanked staff for the overview. Chair Zapata asked whether a Commissioner who submits a Study Issue Form is expected to present the proposal to the Commission. Staff clarified that, once the form is received, staff will prepare a report outlining relevant factors (e.g., historical context, economic viability, community needs, and jurisdictional considerations), schedule the item for the next HRC meeting, and the Commission will then discuss and vote on whether to sponsor the submitted Study Issue.
Public Hearing opened at 8:35 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Hearing closed at 8:35 p.m.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS
-Commissioner Comments
Commissioner Camacho congratulated Chair Zapata on the role as Chair and noted that Chair Zapata had been accepted into a leadership program in Washington,
Attachment 2
August 14, 2025Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes - Final D.C. Commissioner Camacho expressed gratitude for their representation of the Sunnyvale community and pride in their accomplishments.
Chair Zapata thanked Commissioner Camacho and shared that the six-month leadership program, based in Washington, D.C., is designed to provide women with tools to help bridge the gap when running for office, including campaign management support. They also welcomed new Commissioners Terry and Landa to the HRC and thanked them for their commitment to building a stronger community.
Chair Zapata announced that Sunnyvale Community Services will host a Resource Fair on Saturday, August 23, for McKinney-Vento unhoused students, providing tools to support a successful school year. They also asked staff to clarify the Community Grant application process. EAI Manager Perdomo-Arciniegas stated that applications will open in mid-September and encouraged Commissioners to check the City’s website for updates.
-Staff Comments
EAI Manager Perdomo-Arciniegas reviewed the email from City Clerk, David Carnahan sent to all Board, Commission, and Committee members regarding several upcoming Council agenda items:
August 26, 5:30 p.m. – Evaluate the City of Sunnyvale Study Issues Process (Study Issue OCM 24-02)
September 9, 6:00 p.m. – Evaluation of New Revenue Strategies to Fund New and Increasing Service Demands and/or Unfunded Capital Investments October 21, 7:00 p.m. – Evaluate the City of Sunnyvale Study Issues Process (Study Issue OCM 24-02)
November 4, 6:00 p.m. – Joint Meeting of City Council with Board and Commission Chairs and Vice Chairs to Review and Improve Overall Effectiveness of Commission Meetings
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Zapata adjourned the meeting at 9:09 p.m.
Attachment 2