REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution Dissolving the Human Relations Commission
Report
BACKGROUND
The Sunnyvale Human Relations Commission (HRC) was established following Study Issue OCM 21-02, sponsored by Councilmember Alysa Cisneros and co-sponsored by Councilmembers Fong, Din, and Melton. The proposal sought to create an advisory body to address human relations issues, including discrimination and unequal access to opportunities based on characteristics such as race, gender, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or other protected factors.
On November 29, 2022, the City Council established the HRC through Resolution No. 1159-22. The HRC was initially composed of five members appointed by the Council, serving up to two four-year terms, and tasked with advising on policies related to diversity, equity, access, inclusion, justice, and belonging, as well as promoting engagement among Sunnyvale’s diverse communities.
The HRC held its first meeting on July 13, 2023, following a recruitment process intended to reflect the City’s demographic diversity. Early efforts included training in belonging, allyship, inclusion, and social justice, community partner presentations, and public events focused on dialogue, inclusion, and community engagement.
In 2024, the Council expanded the HRC from five to seven members and approved funding for community engagement activities, addressing issues such as immigrant experiences, multi-heritage identity, and community belonging. The HRC hosted an LGBTQ+ Listening Forum in collaboration with regional partners and continued Intergroup Dialogue (IGD) training, including sessions on recognizing and addressing microaggressions.
In 2025, the HRC expanded its community engagement efforts through larger-scale events and outreach. It hosted its first signature event, “Allies in Training: Building a Better Community,” which achieved the highest attendance to date and received positive participant feedback. The HRC also initiated “Stories of Sunnyvale,” a storytelling effort highlighting diverse community experiences. Additional activities included participation in United Against Hate Week programming and ongoing engagement with community partners.
The 2026 work plan emphasizes community engagement and storytelling, including implementation of the “Stories of Sunnyvale” initiative, LGBTQ+ awareness activities, accessibility-related updates, and presentations from community partners.
Since its establishment, the HRC has strengthened community awareness and dialogue on equity, access, and inclusion. It has helped elevate language access, contributing to the expanded use of real-time translation services (Wordly) across commission and City Council meetings, as well as community presentations. The HRC has also increased participation from diverse groups, including immigrants, English language learners, youth, single parents, members of the Jewish community, and veterans.
EXISTING POLICY
Council Policy 7.2.19 (Boards and Commissions)
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Dissolving a commission is not a “project” pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment (CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5)).
DISCUSSION
The HRC has served as a valuable forum for community dialogue on equity, access, and inclusion. However, several structural and operational factors have limited its ability to consistently function as an advisory body to the City Council.
Challenges in meeting quorum requirements have, at times, constrained the HRC’s ability to conduct official business and advance its work plan priorities. These challenges are not attributable to a single issue but reflect broader operational constraints in how the HRC operates. Additionally, Brown Act requirements, while essential for transparency, limit opportunities for informal collaboration, which makes coordination, event planning, and initiative development more complex.
The HRC has been effective in broadening participation and elevating diverse community perspectives. At the same time, many commissioners are new to the formal commission process and require time to become familiar with City procedures and advisory roles. This has, at times, affected the pace of work plan development and implementation.
The HRC’s scope is focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion and does not include the authority to address individual complaints or conduct formal policy reviews unless directed by the City Council. As a result, its work has primarily focused on community engagement, education, and awareness-building efforts.
These activities require significant planning and coordination. Due to the public meeting requirements, much of the logistical support has been provided by the Equity, Access, and Inclusion (EAI) Office. Supporting the HRC also requires a significant investment in staff time and resources, including meeting preparation, Brown Act compliance, translation of agendas and presentations, and coordination of engagement activities.
Given these factors, maintaining a formal commission structure is not the most effective model to support the type of work being performed.
Staff met with HRC commissioners to discuss these challenges and the proposed path forward. Commissioners were informed that dissolving the HRC does not diminish the importance or impact of their work. On the contrary, transitioning to a more flexible staff advisory model is intended to build on this foundation to enable deeper engagement, more consistent participation, and overall impact in the community. All HRC commissioners supported dissolving the HRC and allowing the HRC work to be advanced by a committee that would work with staff to continue and expand work started by the HRC.
If Council elects to dissolve the HRC, the City Manager intends to establish a staff advisory committee designed to advance similar objectives from an operational perspective. The advisory committee will maintain the focus on advancing equity, access, and inclusion, and be structured similarly to the Advisory Committee on Accessibility, Age-Friendly Advisory Committee, Columbia Neighborhood Center Community Advisory Committee and Teen Advisory Committee.
In comparison to formal boards and committees, advisory groups provide greater flexibility in participation, support more consistent engagement, enable more effective collaboration between members and staff, and enable both staff and members to focus more directly on community-centered work to effectively advance equity, access, and inclusion efforts. This approach aligns with the City’s existing advisory committee models while maintaining a focus on advancing equity, access, and inclusion, ensuring the City can continue to effectively engage with and respond to community needs. The City Manager will establish the staff advisory committee pursuant to his delegated authority to manage City operations.
The proposed effective date for dissolving the HRC is April 10, 2026, prior to the application deadline for boards and commissions and to allow the HRC to hold a final meeting on April 9, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT
Transitioning to an advisory committee model is not expected to increase costs, and funding for equity, access, and inclusion initiatives would continue consistent with current budget allocations while allowing for more efficient use of staff resources.
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.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution Dissolving the Human Relations Commission (HRC).
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.
Staff
Prepared by: Fernanda Perdomo Arciniegas, Equity, Access and Inclusion Manager
Reviewed by: Connie Verceles, Deputy City Manager
Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Tim Kirby, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution to Dissolve the HRC