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, March 12, 2026
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Zapata called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Chair Zapata led the salute to the United States flag.
ROLL CALL
Chair Maria Paulina Zapata
Vice Chair Nenuca Syquia
Commissioner Claudia Camacho
Commissioner Joshua Charnota
Commissioner Aaron Terry
Commissioner Ariana Ziolkowski
Present: 6 -
Commissioner Pedro Valencia LandaAbsent: 1 -
Vice Chair Syquia arrived at 7:13 p.m.
Commissioner Landa's absence is excused.
Council Liasion Mehlinger (present)
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
STUDY SESSION
A 26-0369 Stories of Sunnyvale: Commissioner 1, Commissioner 2, Commissioner 3 and Commissioner 4 Storytelling
Commissioners Terry, Camacho, Landa, and Chair Zapata shared personal stories as part of the “Stories of Sunnyvale” initiative.
The presentations highlighted themes such as identity, community experiences,
Attachment 1
March 12, 2026Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes - Final professional background, lived experiences and resilience.
Commissioners engaged in discussion and reflection following the presentations.
The Commission expressed appreciation for the opportunity to learn more about each Commissioner’s background and perspectives.
Public Comment opened at 7:54 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Comment closed at 7:54 p.m.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Public Comment opened at 7:55 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Comment closed at 7:55 p.m.
MOTION: Vice Chair Syquia 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
Vice Chair Syquia
Commissioner Camacho
Commissioner Charnota
Commissioner Terry
Commissioner Ziolkowski
6 -
No: 0
Absent: Commissioner Valencia Landa1 -
1.A 26-0368
Approve the Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes of December 11, 2025
Approve the Human Relations Commission Minutes of December 11, 2025 as submitted.
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
2 26-0371 LGBTQ+ Awareness Allyship SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression) 101 Training
Discussion
Attachment 1
March 12, 2026Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes - Final EAI (Equity, Access, & Inclusion) Manager Fernanda Perdomo Arciniegas provided the staff report and shared that a SOGIE 101 allyship training will be held on March 17 at the Sunnyvale Library in partnership with LGBTQ Wellness. The training will introduce LGBTQ+ identities and focus on building allyship skills, including topics such as gender, intersectionality, pronoun usage, and inclusive practices. Staff also reviewed outreach efforts and encouraged Commissioners to share information to increase community participation.
Chair Zapata asked about accessibility, including translation services and the availability of childcare support.
Public Comment opened at 8:03 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Comment closed at 8:03 p.m.
3 26-0372
Transgender Day of Visibility Flag Raising Ceremony Event Discussion
EAI Manager Perdomo Arciniegas provided the staff report and noted that the upcoming Transgender Flag Raising Ceremony on Tuesday, March 31, 8:15–9:00 a.m. at City Hall will celebrate transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive individuals. The event will feature remarks from local leaders and provide an opportunity for the community to show support and solidarity.
Public Comment opened at 8:07 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Comment closed at 8:07 p.m.
4 26-0388
Community Needs Assessment Update
EAI Manager Perdomo Arciniegas provided the staff report and shared updates on the Community Needs Assessment, including outreach and engagement efforts, community engagement strategies, the project timeline and next steps, and opportunities for Commission input.
Deputy City Manager Connie Verceles clarified that the assessment involves broad community engagement, with 400 surveys being collected across all districts to ensure statistical validity.
Commissioner’s comments and questions:
-Concern that religious groups may not be included
Attachment 1
March 12, 2026Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes - Final -Questions about the number of community forums, varying dates and times, and forum capacity
-Question about age requirements for participation
-Suggestion to consider inviting the unhoused community Staff Responses:
-Staff are meeting with various groups to gather perspectives. Religious communities will be invited to forums open to all, rather than as focused groups. -Informational interviews have been conducted with community leaders. Two community forums will be held, and public comment will also be allowed at Council hearings. Dates and times will vary; childcare and snacks will be provided.
Locations are centrally located and accessible by public transit. -There is no strict age requirement; elementary-age youth are expected to attend with a parent or guardian.
-Staff have coordinated with the unhoused community team, which is conducting a survey. Relevant data will be used in the assessment to avoid overburdening participants.
Public Comment opened at 8:40 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Comment closed at 8:41 p.m.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS
-Commissioner Comments
Vice Chair Syquia shared that their neighborhood association is planning a small block party in August or September, where residents will share a neighborhood resource map, including information on fruit trees, generators, tools, and other additional resources.
Chair Zapata expressed gratitude to fellow Commissioners and thanked the Commission for sharing their stories.
-Staff Comments
Deputy City Manager Verceles encouraged Vice Chair Syquia to share their neighborhood block party plan and best practices at the quarterly Neighborhood Associations meeting.
EAI Manager Perdomo Arciniegas shared updates on the City’s grant programs, board and commission applications, and upcoming community events, including the
Attachment 1
March 12, 2026Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes - Final Earth Day Festival and 4th of July Celebration.
Council Liaison Mehlinger noted that on February 26, the City Council held a Council Priority Project workshop to review projects moving forward. These items will be further reviewed during the Budget Workshop in May as part of staff work.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Zapata adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m.
Attachment 1