REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Accept the Community Equity Assessment and Findings on Community Access, Belonging, and Equity Gaps
Report
REPORT IN BRIEF
The Community Equity Assessment (CEA) is the City’s first assessment of how residents experience City services, programs, amenities, and community life. The assessment establishes a baseline for understanding where the City is serving residents well and where opportunities exist to improve equitable access, inclusion, and belonging. The assessment examined barriers to accessing City services, residents’ sense of connection and belonging, and differences in how residents experience City programs and services across neighborhoods and demographic groups. The findings are intended to help inform future planning, service delivery, and community engagement.
To complete the assessment, staff engaged 540 residents and community stakeholders through a statistically representative survey, demographic and geographic analysis, informational interviews, focus groups, community conversations, and public forums. The engagement process included residents who are often underrepresented in traditional public participation, including youth, older adults, people with disabilities, immigrants, lower-income residents, and residents whose primary language is not English.
Overall, the response was overwhelmingly positive. Residents described Sunnyvale as a safe, diverse, and welcoming community with high-quality parks, libraries, public safety services, and responsive local government. At the same time, the assessment identified opportunities to improve equitable access to City services and strengthen community connection for some residents, particularly residents living in ZIP codes 94085 and 94089, Latine residents, people with disabilities, immigrants, lower-income households, and residents without a bachelor's degree.
Based on these findings, the assessment identifies opportunities to improve access to City services, strengthen community engagement and belonging, expand culturally responsive programming, and enhance multilingual communication and language access.
The purpose of this report is to present the assessment findings and seek Council’s acceptance of the CEA and its findings. Staff intends to use the assessment findings as the foundation for developing the City’s first Equity Implementation Plan, that would build on existing successful practices to establish high-level priorities, implementation strategies, and performance measures that can be used to enhance City programs, services, and decision-making. The long-term success of this effort will depend on the City’s ability to build on existing community trust and develop new relationships through transparent decision-making, meaningful engagement, and demonstrating that community input helps inform City actions.
BACKGROUND
In 2021, the City Council established Equity, Access, and Inclusion (EAI) as a Council priority and formed the Sunnyvale Employees for Equity and Diversity (SEED) Team. In 2022, the City created the EAI Office to coordinate and advance EAI efforts across the organization. In 2023, the EAI Manager position was made permanent, demonstrating the City's long-term commitment to this work.
Also in 2023, the City Council established the Human Relations Commission (now the Human Relations Committee) to foster community dialogue, promote inclusion, strengthen relationships among Sunnyvale's diverse communities, and serve as a bridge between the City and the community.
The City Council approved conducting a CEA (Attachment 2) in 2024 to better understand how residents experience City services, programs, amenities, and community life; identify barriers to access; and inform future City policies, programs, and investments.
The CEA builds on previous community engagement efforts, including the citywide National Community Survey (Attachment 1), conducted every two years and most recently in 2025. While the National Community Survey measures overall resident satisfaction, it did not examine differences in resident experiences across neighborhoods or demographic groups. The CEA expands on that work by exploring how access to City services and opportunities varies by race and ethnicity, income, language, disability status, geography, age, educational attainment, and other demographic characteristics.
The City hired MIG, Inc. to conduct the assessment, with EVITARUS serving as its survey research partner for the statistically representative resident survey. The project officially began in late 2025. To allow for broader community engagement and more meaningful participation, the timeline was expanded from eight months to twelve months.
In early 2025, the City Council adopted its updated Strategic Goals for July 2025-June 2027, including: a responsive, transparent, and efficient government; an accessible, engaged, and welcoming community; a sustainable city that advances climate action and active transportation; a model to prevent homelessness, prioritize new housing, and support the unhoused community; and a City that invests in modern public infrastructure. The CEA directly supports these goals by identifying opportunities to improve access to City services and strengthening community engagement.
At the June 16, 2026, study session (RTC 26-0418), staff presented the methodology used to gather community input and preliminary recommendations focused on improving access to City services, strengthening language access, expanding youth programming, and increasing community engagement. Council provided feedback on the preliminary recommendations
EXISTING POLICY
Council Policy 7.2.1 - Community Engagement Goals and Policies provides the overarching policy framework for inclusive community engagement that underpins the CEA.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Receiving the Community Equity Assessment and providing direction to staff is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 because it does not commit the City to a specific course of action that may result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. Any future projects resulting from implementation of the assessment recommendations will undergo appropriate environmental review as required by CEQA.
DISCUSSION
The Community Equity Assessment (CEA) provides an evaluation of how diverse groups of residents experience City services, programs, amenities, and community life. The assessment was designed to better understand barriers to access, identify opportunities to improve equitable outcomes, and establish a baseline to measure progress over time.
To complete the assessment, the City used multiple sources of information, including a statistically representative survey of 400 residents (Attachment 2, Appendix C), demographic and geographic analysis, interviews, focus groups, community conversations, and public forums. 540 residents and community stakeholders participated in the process. To encourage broad participation, the City sought to reduce barriers to participation by providing interpretation services, childcare, food, and multiple meeting locations and times throughout the community engagement process (Attachment 3). Together, these efforts helped ensured that the assessment reflected the perspectives of residents from a wide range of backgrounds, neighborhoods, and life experiences.
The assessment included a Community Equity Profile and an equity mapping analysis to better understand Sunnyvale's demographic characteristics and provide context for the community feedback received during the engagement process. Sunnyvale is one of California's most diverse communities, with residents representing a wide range of cultures, languages, and backgrounds. More than half of residents speak a language other than English at home, and nearly 57 percent of households are renters.
The equity mapping analysis examined twelve community indicators, including language, income, disability, educational attainment, housing cost burden, transportation, and park access, to identify where multiple community characteristics overlap geographically. Rather than only identifying deficiencies, the analysis also provides context for amplifying community assets where targeted outreach, partnerships, and future investments may have the greatest impact.
Residents consistently described Sunnyvale as a community where people from different cultures and backgrounds feel welcome and where public amenities contribute to a high quality of life. These findings reinforce the City's strong foundation and demonstrate that residents value the services and programs the City already provides.
At the same time, the assessment found opportunities to improve how some residents access City services and experience connection within the community. Although the findings addressed many individual issues, they consistently aligned around two overarching themes that form the basis for the proposed next steps discussed later in this report.
Theme 1: Improving Access to City Services
The assessment found that while many residents successfully access City services and programs, access is not experienced equally across the community. Differences in language, disability, income, neighborhood, age, race and ethnicity, and familiarity with local government influence how residents receive information, navigate City processes, and participate in programs and services. Although many residents reported positive experiences, others identified barriers that make it more difficult to fully benefit from City services.
One of the most consistent findings was that City information does not reach all residents equally. While many residents rely on the City's website, newsletters, and other official communications, others receive information through schools, community organizations, neighborhood groups, faith-based organizations, family members, and trusted community leaders. Residents identified opportunities to improve multilingual communication, increase awareness of available programs, simplify information about City services, and expand outreach through trusted community partners.
The assessment also identified differences in access among specific populations. Spanish-speaking and Latine residents, residents with disabilities, immigrants, lower-income households, and residents living in the northern portion of Sunnyvale reported greater difficulty accessing certain City services and community resources. Residents identified opportunities to improve access to housing and tenant information, transportation options, recreational programs, and employment resources.
Geography also influenced residents' experiences. Participants from northern Sunnyvale described fewer neighborhood-serving amenities, more limited retail and grocery options, reduced walkability, and greater transportation and housing challenges than residents in other areas of the City. Many participants expressed concern that residential growth has outpaced the supporting services and infrastructure needed to serve these neighborhoods.
The assessment also highlighted the unique experiences of several community groups. Youth expressed interest in expanded evening recreation opportunities, gathering spaces, transportation options, and employment opportunities. Residents with disabilities identified opportunities to continue improving sidewalks, pedestrian infrastructure, accessible parking, and inclusive programming. Immigrant, Latine, East Asian, Southeast Asian, and South Asian residents emphasized the importance of multilingual information, assistance navigating City services, and greater understanding of how local government works.
Overall, these findings suggest opportunities to strengthen how residents access City services by expanding multilingual communication, improving outreach, reducing barriers to participation, and continuing investments that make City programs, facilities, and services more accessible and responsive to Sunnyvale's diverse community.
Theme 2: Strengthening Community Connection and Belonging
The assessment found that most residents view Sunnyvale as a welcoming community and feel proud of its diversity. However, residents' sense of connection and belonging varies across neighborhoods and demographic groups. Residents living in the northern portion of the city, newer residents, residents with disabilities, Latine residents, some Asian residents, and those who felt their perspectives were not reflected in City decision-making reported feeling less connected to their community.
Across the assessment, residents expressed a desire for stronger relationships with the City and more opportunities to participate in civic life. Participants emphasized the importance of multilingual engagement, culturally responsive outreach, greater representation in City communications, earlier opportunities to provide input on City decisions, and stronger partnerships with trusted community organizations.
Residents also expressed interest in expanding opportunities that celebrate Sunnyvale's diversity and foster community connection. Suggestions included additional cultural celebrations, neighborhood events, civic education and leadership development opportunities, orientation programs for new residents, and additional opportunities for residents to connect with one another and participate in local government.
Overall, the findings indicate that strengthening community connection is not solely about increasing participation in City meetings. It is also about creating meaningful opportunities for residents to build relationships, understand how local government works, see themselves reflected in City programs and communications, and feel that their voices are heard and valued.
Communitywide Challenges
In addition to the two themes, the assessment identified several regional issues that affect residents throughout Sunnyvale. Housing affordability, the rising cost of living, transportation, traffic safety, homelessness, and public infrastructure were consistently identified as the community's most significant concerns. Many of these challenges extend beyond the City's authority and require continued collaboration with regional agencies, community-based organizations, school districts, and other public partners. However, the findings also demonstrate that the City can help mitigate barriers by continuing to consider equity, accessibility, and community engagement when planning programs, services, and future investments.
Next Steps
Staff intends to use the CEA, the City’s equity work over the past several years, and MIG’s recommendations as the foundation for developing an Equity Implementation Plan (Plan). As part of the assessment, MIG recommended a guiding principle and a high-level implementation framework to help translate the assessment findings into future action. Staff will build on those recommendations by developing the Equity Implementation Plan collaboratively with City departments. Rather than adopting a standalone framework, the Plan will provide a practical roadmap to guide how the City delivers services, engages residents, and incorporates equity considerations into existing decision-making processes.
The City has already made significant progress in advancing equity, access, and inclusion, and many of the opportunities identified in the assessment are already being addressed through existing programs, policies, and initiatives. In developing an Implementation Plan, staff would begin by inventorying current efforts across departments to better understand what is working, identify gaps and opportunities, and build on existing successes rather than create duplicative efforts.
The Plan is not intended to function as a stand-alone initiative or launch expansive new City services. Rather, it will provide a long-term operational framework to help departments better understand community needs, reduce barriers to access, and support the most effective and inclusive design, delivery, and evaluation of City services.
The assessment reinforces that advancing equity is a complex, long-term effort. Residents do not experience City services in the same way, and the factors that influence access and participation often overlap. There is no single solution. Developing the Plan will require collaboration across departments to determine the most effective and sustainable approaches while balancing operational priorities, available resources, and community needs.
As part of the assessment, MIG recommended a guiding principle to help establish a common foundation for future implementation. Staff refined the proposed language to better capture the City's intent while maintaining the underlying concepts recommended by MIG. Staff intends to use the following guiding principle as the starting point for developing the Plan:
Guiding Principle: In support of providing all residents with the opportunity to achieve the same outcomes, everyone should be able to access City services, participate in City programs, and engage in City business. Because communities experience different barriers in accessing City services, programs, and engagement, the City will tailor its strategies and investments to address those differences while maintaining a common vision and shared goals for the entire community.
MIG also identified potential focus areas-including community partnerships, communications, interagency partnerships, and data and accountability-that could help inform development of the Plan. Rather than creating separate initiatives, staff recommends incorporating these focus areas into the operational framework below as the Plan is developed.
Subject to further development and interdepartmental engagement, and building on the assessment findings, and MIG’s recommendations, the Equity Implementation Plan could be organized around four operational goals that align with the City's Council Strategic Priorities:
1. Improve Equitable Access to City Services - Improve access to City programs, services, information, facilities, and community resources by reducing barriers that may limit residents' ability to participate fully in community life.
2. Strengthen Community Trust and Belonging - Foster meaningful relationships with residents, expand opportunities for participation, and ensure residents feel heard, valued, and connected to their community.
3. Leverage Data to Embed Equity into City Decision-Making - Strengthen how the City collects and uses data to inform decision-making and incorporate community input into planning, prioritizing, policy development, capital projects, and service delivery to support informed and transparent decisions.
4. Strengthen Organizational Capacity and Accountability - Build the City's long-term capacity to institutionalize and sustain this work across the City over time through staff development, cross-department collaboration, performance measures, public reporting, community feedback, and ongoing evaluation of the Plan.
The assessment suggests that improving equitable outcomes is less about creating new programs and more about continuously improving how the City communicates, engages residents, designs services, and delivers programs. The Plan will provide staff with a practical plan for making those improvements over time while remaining flexible enough to respond to changing community needs.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with receiving this report. Implementation of future recommendations may require additional staffing, operational resources, or capital investments. Any funding requests will be brought forward through the City's annual budget process or future Reports to Council, as appropriate.
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.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Accept the Community Equity Assessment and Findings on Community Access, Belonging, and Equity Gaps.
2. Other Council Direction.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Alternative 1: Accept the Community Equity Assessment and Findings on Community Access, Belonging, and Equity Gaps.
JUSTIFICATION FOR RECOMMENDATION
The CEA will provide a foundation for the development of a Citywide Equity Implementation Plan. The Plan would not function as a separate City initiative. Instead, it would provide a consistent approach for integrating equity, access, accessibility, and belonging into existing City planning, service delivery, community engagement, capital improvement planning, and decision-making.
Embedding an equity review framework into existing City processes will help ensure that equity, accessibility, language access, and meaningful community engagement become standard components of project planning and service delivery rather than being considered after decisions have been made.
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 $500 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
An “X” 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
___ Contract under $50,000 or non-fiscal
___ Contract between public agencies
_X_ General policy and legislative actions
* "Competitively bid" means a contract that must be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Prepared by: Fernanda Perdomo-Arciniegas, Equity, Access, and Inclusion Manager
Reviewed by: Michelle Perera, Director of Library & Recreation Services
Reviewed by: Connie Verceles, Assistant City Manager
Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Tim Kirby, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. National Community Survey
2. Community Equity Assessment Report
3. Community Equity Assessment Marketing and Communication Materials