City of Sunnyvale
Meeting Minutes - Final
Housing and Human Services
Commission
7:00 PM Online and Redwood Conference Room
140, City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave.,
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Monday, November 24, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Friedlander called the special meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Chair Friedlander led the salute to the United States flag.
ROLL CALL
Chair Morgan Friedlander
Vice Chair Leesa Riviere
Commissioner Scott Duncan
Commissioner Rao Shen
Commissioner Commissioner Steward
Present: 5 -
Commissioner Jim Davis
Commissioner Carol Weiss
Absent: 2 -
Commissioner Weiss and Commissioner Davis’ absence is excused.
Council Liaison Sell (present)
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Chair Friedlander opened and closed the public hearing at 7:04 p.m.
MOTION: Commissioner Duncan moved and Vice Chair Riviere seconded the motion to approve the Consent Calendar.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Attachment 3
November 24, 2025Housing and Human Services
Commission
Meeting Minutes - Final
Yes: Chair Friedlander
Vice Chair Riviere
Commissioner Duncan
Commissioner Shen
Commissioner Steward
5 -
No: 0
Absent: Commissioner Davis
Commissioner Weiss
2 -
1.A 25-1080
Approve the Housing and Human Services Commission
Meeting Minutes of October 22, 2025
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
2 25-1081 Approve the Draft 2026 Housing and Human Services Commission Annual Work Plan
Housing Officer, Amanda Sztoltz, provided the staff report and presentation. Ms.
Szoltz presented the Annual Draft Work Plan, noting recurring agenda items and several meetings listed as “To be determined (TBD),” which may be canceled if no agenda items are identified.
Chair Friedlander opened and closed the public hearing at 7:08 p.m.
Chair Friedlander asked for a motion or advocacy from the commissioners.
MOTION: Commissioner Steward moved and Vice Chair Riviere seconded the motion to approve the Draft 2026 Housing and Human Services Commission Annual Work Plan.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: Chair Friedlander
Vice Chair Riviere
Commissioner Duncan
Commissioner Shen
Commissioner Steward
5 -
No: 0
Attachment 3
November 24, 2025Housing and Human Services
Commission
Meeting Minutes - Final
Absent: Commissioner Davis
Commissioner Weiss
2 -
3 25-1067 Discussion and Possible Recommendation of One Council Priority Project Idea to the City Council
Housing Officer, Amanda Szoltz, provided an overview of the newly adopted Council Priority Projects process, which replaces the former study issue process. The process allows each board or commission to forward one idea annually for Council consideration, without staff reports or rankings, to reduce staff workload and improve efficiency.
Commissioners discussed potential ideas for consideration, including:
- Establishment of a citywide rental registry or database to improve tenant awareness of rights, landlord compliance with tenant protection ordinances, prevention of displacement, and enumeration of the City’s rental housing stock. - Storage options for individuals experiencing homelessness. - Shelter models, including non-congregate shelter programs, safe parking, and partnerships with faith-based organizations, volunteers, and educational institutions.
Housing Officer, Amanda Sztoltz, provided background on prior studies, feasibility considerations, costs, and current homelessness-related programs.
Chair Friedlander opened the public hearing 8:07 p.m.
Sunnyvale Community Services Executive Director, Marie Bernard, spoke in support of a rental registry/database as a homelessness prevention tool and emphasized the importance of tenant education, service coordination, and preparation for increasing community need.
Chair Friedlander closed the public hearing at 8:11 p.m.
Commissioners and staff provided additional clarifications and reflections related to the Council Priority Projects discussion, including:
- The importance of focusing proposals on a clearly defined core concept suitable for Council consideration.
- Recognition that the rental registry/database concept could serve as a homelessness prevention and tenant education tool.
-Clarification that prior and ongoing programs addressing homelessness, warming centers, and shelter options should be considered to avoid duplication of efforts.
Attachment 3
November 24, 2025Housing and Human Services
Commission
Meeting Minutes - Final
After a lengthy discussion, Chair Friedlander asked for a motion or advocacy from his colleagues.
MOTION: Commissioner Duncan moved and Vice Chair Rivere seconded the motion to recommend one Council Strategic Priority Project Idea:
Proposal for a study of accessible rental registry, modeled on resources available in other cities
a. to support tenants to better understand their rights. b. to support landlord compliance and education to better understand their obligations.
c. for the City to better enumerate on its rental stock.
The motion carried by the following vote:
NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS
-Commissioner Comments
Commissioner Steward asked procedural questions regarding the Dec. 2 joint meeting with the City Council, including whether the Commission would be voting or providing public comment only.
-Staff Comments
Amanda Sztoltz, Housing Officer, made the following announcements:
- confirmed details about the Dec. 2 meeting, Commissioners will be seated on the dais and the item will be a formal public hearing, during which both the Commission and City Council will be asked to consider approval of the homelessness strategy. - introduced Jocelyn Vidales, the City’s new housing specialist, noting she will be working on homelessness-related efforts, including safe parking, and will present to the Commission in the future.
- provided advance notice of a special meeting on January 6, 2026, during which the Commission will consider a substantial amendment to the HUD Action Plan to close out the WorkFirst program and review federally funded RFPs for approval.
ADJOURNMENT
Attachment 3
November 24, 2025Housing and Human Services
Commission
Meeting Minutes - Final
Chair Friedlander adjourned the meeting at 8:53 p.m.
Attachment 3