Form Name:
Unique ID:
Boards and Commissions Applicat ion
1452101731
Paul Davis
Applicant Information
Name
Are you a Sunnyvale resident?
How long have you lived in
Sunnyvale?
Description Area
Current Main Residence
Email
Phone
Description Area
on __ _
..,. __ M_H _
Paul Dav is
Yes
22 years
Residence Notice:Unless otherwise noted , your principal place of residence must be in Sunnyvale . You must live in Sunnyvale at the time of appo intment and at all times during serv ice on a board or comm ission.
Employment NoticeCity of Sunnyvale emp loyees may not serve on a board or comm ission.
I am a current City of Sunnyvale No
employee.
Have you ever served on a City of No
Sunnyvale board or commission?
Have you attended a meeting of Yes
the City Council, or a board or
commission?
Briefly describe what you learned I have attended (remote ly) meetings of the Sustainability by watching or attending a
meeting of the City Council,
board or commission. What
improvements would you
suggest?
Have you attended meetings of
the board(s) or commission(s) for
which you are applying?
How many meetings have you
attended?
Committee , Parks and Recreat ion Committee, and Library Board of Trustees . What I've seen is a regu lar yearly cadence to the reports from groups or departments with separate work products taken up by member s of the board. I can 't think of any suggestions for improvements to what I have seen .
Yes
about 10 total
Board or Commission Selection
First Choice Board of Library Trustees (R)
Applicant Qualifications
What motivated you to apply for
this board or commission?
I am a lifelong library user, from childhood through the present day. I love the Sunnyvale Library, the variety of resources it makes available, and am looking forward to celebrating the opening of the new branch library. Two years ago I just assumed the library bond measure would pass and didn't think much about making an effort to participate in ensuring it would be successful.
Since then, I've become more interested in civic participation at the local level and have had discussions with commission members about becoming a member and the responsibilities it entails. I feel the time is right for me to step forward and participate more actively in areas that most interest me.
What skills or attributes can you
bring to this board or
commission?
Beyond my education and career in high-tech and the
organization and analysis skills that go along with it, I am curious and a continuous learner. I pursue challenges with an open mind and love to bring new ideas to problems.
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?
Increase my participation in City Council meetings and
communicate directly with members of the Council starting with my own.
Education – List college degrees,
majors and any relevant training
or experience that demonstrates
your ability to effectively serve
on this board or commission.
I don't have any specific education in Library Science. My educational background is a BS in Physics and an MS in Electrical Engineering. I have been a technology, business, and marketing professional for over 30 years and have served in management and executive roles at multiple companies.
Describe your involvement in
community activities, volunteer
and civic organizations.
I have been a blood donor for over 25 years and done some seasonal volunteering at Sunnyvale Community Services..
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.
Paul Davis
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?
Changes in technology and community demographics are not new. Over the years I have already seen how the material available in the library has changed with the changing
demography. However, budget and space limitations mean it will be impossible to accommodate all the potential areas of cultural interest, especially among smaller minority communities.
The challenge will be to include these groups in the larger community while also supporting areas of cultural interest. There is no perfect answer here.
Likewise, technology will continue to advance and the library is a crucial resource for those without access to technology. There will always be those looking to upgrade to the latest and greatest, especially here in Silicon Valley, but there will always be budget limitations and more technology is not always the answer.
Providing a balance between the needs of the greater community and access to specific new and innovative technologies will always be a challenge.
In short, the library is a resource for and a reflection of the community. Members of the Library Board of Trustees must always bear that in mind.
Paul Davis
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?
I was disappointed by the failure of the bond measure but not surprised. While I would have loved to see the bond measure get approved, I understand the concerns about the cost of the new library coming on the heels of a new branch library and the city hall construction. I see two areas that both require attention.
First, getting priority on the most urgent maintenance issues, because even if a new library bond does get approved in the future it will be years before the building is ready. The second area of focus would be looking at the scope of the new building.
Again, coming on the heels of a new branch library I can see how some people questioned the size of the building (especially when compared to the new city hall). Maybe this has already been looked at, but most people think of a library as just a place for borrowing books. Expanding how the library is talked about, emphasizing the other valuable services and community building activities that are part of the library might increase the support.
Maybe "library" is only part of the name you that goes on the outside of the building.
Voter Registration Requirement
Description Area If you are a applying for the Board of Library Trustee, Heritage Preservation Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Personnel Board or the Planning Commission, you must be a registered voter in Sunnyvale.
Are you currently a registered
voter in Sunnyvale?
Yes
When was the last time you
voted? Month/Year
November 2024
Your Agreement
Paul Davis
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 Paul M Davis
Date Apr 14, 2026
Paul Davis