REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Separation from the Heritage Preservation Commission
Report
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
This report is to inform the Council of the following separation from a City commission.
Parthiv Rawal, who was appointed to a term on the Heritage Preservation Commission on August 27, 2024, and scheduled to serve a term to expire June 30, 2028, has exceeded the percentage of unexcused absences from regular Heritage Preservation Commission meetings over the last twelve months. Rawal’s reported attendance included one unexcused absence out of the two regular Heritage Preservation Commission meetings (50%) held July 2025 through June 2026.
Council Policy 7.2.19 Boards and Commissions, Section 2, Subdivision G states that when a Board or Commission Member’s unexcused absence percentage over a 12-month period exceeds 25%, the City Clerk shall declare the seat vacant. The City Clerk declared this seat vacant on July 20, 2026. This declaration of vacancy may be appealed to the City Council. At this time the City has not received indication an appeal will be submitted.
If an appeal is not received, the Heritage Preservation Commission vacancy will be promoted with the recruitment process for November 2026 appointments. The application deadline for this recruitment is October 29, 2026, at 4:00 p.m., with interviews on November 9, 2026, and appointments on November 17, 2026.
There are no other Board and Commission vacancies at this time.
EXISTING POLICY
Council Policy 7.2.19 Boards and Commissions
Administrative Policy, Chapter 1, General Management, Article 15 Boards and Commissions
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental, organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Public Library and in the Department of Public Safety Lobby. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the City Hall reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
Levine Act
LEVINE ACT
The Levine Act (Gov. Code Section 84308) prohibits city officials from participating in certain decisions regarding licenses, permits, and other entitlements for use if the official has received a campaign contribution of more than $250 from a party, participant, or agent of a party or participant in the previous 12 months. The Levine Act is intended to prevent financial influence on decisions that affect specific, identifiable persons or participants. For more information see the Fair Political Practices Commission website: www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/pay-to-play-limits-and-prohibitions.html
A check or “Y” in the checklist below indicates that the action being considered falls under a Levine Act category or exemption:
SUBJECT TO THE LEVINE ACT
___ Land development entitlements
___ Other permit, license, or entitlement for use
___ Contract or franchise
EXEMPT FROM THE LEVINE ACT
___ Competitively bid contract
___ Labor or personal employment contract
_X_ General policy and legislative actions
Staff
Prepared by: David Carnahan, City Clerk
Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Tim Kirby, City Manager