City of Sunnyvale  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
Human Relations Commission  
Thursday, November 13, 2025  
7:00 PM  
Online and Redwood Conference Room,  
City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale,  
CA 94086  
CALL TO ORDER  
Chair Zapata called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.  
SALUTE TO THE FLAG  
Chair Zapata led the salute to the United States flag.  
ROLL CALL  
Present: 6 -  
Chair Maria Paulina Zapata  
Vice Chair Nenuca Syquia  
Commissioner Claudia Camacho  
Commissioner Aaron Terry  
Commissioner Pedro Valencia Landa  
Commissioner Ariana Ziolkowski  
Commissioner Camacho arrived at 7:08 p.m.  
Council Liaison Chang (present)  
PRESENTATION  
A
25-1029  
Alzheimer’s Association Organization Mission and Services  
Overview  
Daniela Fowler, Community Outreach Specialist, provided a presentation on behalf  
of Alzheimer's Association. The presentation covered key facts and figures related  
to Alzheimer’s disease in the United States, along with an overview of populations at  
elevated risk for developing Alzheimer’s. The presentation also outlined the  
distinctions between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Ten warning signs of  
Alzheimer’s and the importance of early detection were reviewed. The presentation  
highlighted the Brain Health Recipe, which includes Physical Exercise, Cognitive  
Exercise, Nutrition, and Health Monitoring. In addition, ten healthy brain habits were  
discussed, with emphasis on the value of engaging in activities that can be  
controlled, rather than uncontrollable factors such as age, sex, or race. The  
presentation concluded with an overview of available services, including the 24/7  
Helpline, free education and support programs, and TrialMatch referrals.  
Fundraising events such as the Walk to End Alzheimer’s and Do What You Love to  
End ALZ were also highlighted.  
The Commission thanked Daniela for the presentation and for raising awareness  
about Alzheimer’s disease and its relevance to the community. The Commission  
asked several follow-up questions regarding office location, services available to  
Sunnyvale residents, and the appropriate time to seek testing for Alzheimer’s  
disease. Daniela explained that the home office for the Northern California and  
Northern Nevada region is located at 2290 N. First Street in San Jose. Additional  
chapters operate throughout the country, and the Commission was encouraged to  
use the organization’s website to locate nearby offices. They also clarified that the  
mission of the Alzheimer’s Association is to provide education and support to  
community members. Community members were advised to consult a medical  
professional if experiencing symptoms or health concerns. Testing can be  
conducted at any age, although certain factors such as persistent migraines or  
involvement in sports with frequent head trauma were highlighted as valid reasons  
to pursue evaluation.  
Commissioner Camacho arrived at 7:08 p.m.  
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS  
None.  
CONSENT CALENDAR  
Public Comment opened at 7:45 p.m.  
No speakers.  
Public Comment closed at 7:45 p.m.  
MOTION: Commissioner Landa moved and Commissioner Terry seconded the  
motion to approve agenda item 1.A as submitted.  
The motion carried with the following vote:  
Yes: 6 -  
Chair Zapata  
Vice Chair Syquia  
Commissioner Camacho  
Commissioner Terry  
Commissioner Valencia Landa  
Commissioner Ziolkowski  
No: 0  
1.A  
25-1028  
Approve the Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes of  
October 9, 2025  
Approve the Human Relations Commission Minutes of October 9, 2025 as  
submitted.  
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS  
2
25-0850  
Approve 2026 Annual Work Plan  
EAI (Equity, Access, & Inclusion) Manager Fernanda Perdomo Arciniegas provided  
the staff report and noted that updates were made based on the discussion held at  
the previous meeting. The revised schedule moves the Community Presentation –  
Leadership Sunnyvale to July and places the NovaWorks presentation in October.  
In addition, a Community Presentation – Community Leaders has been added to the  
September 10 meeting.  
Public Comment opened at 7:50 p.m.  
No speakers.  
Public Comment closed at 7:50 p.m.  
MOTION: Commissioner Terry moved and Commissioner Landa seconded the  
motion to approve the Annual Work Plan.  
The motion carried with the following vote:  
Yes: 6 -  
Chair Zapata  
Vice Chair Syquia  
Commissioner Camacho  
Commissioner Terry  
Commissioner Valencia Landa  
Commissioner Ziolkowski  
No: 0  
3
25-1030  
Community Needs Assessment Update  
EAI Manager Perdomo Arciniegas presented the staff report and noted that  
meetings are occurring twice per month and that few changes have occurred since  
the last update. EAI Manager Perdomo Arciniegas reported that discussions  
regarding the survey sample size are underway, with plans to finalize the sample  
and provide an update in January. EVITARUS was identified as the third-party firm  
that will conduct the representative survey. They also stated that informational  
interviews remain under consideration and that a draft list is currently being  
reviewed. The Commission was reminded that the contract timeline has been  
extended from eight months to twelve months.  
Vice Chair Syquia requested clarification regarding the budget and asked whether  
EVITARUS will be responsible for developing a data strategy or conducting a full  
quantitative analysis. Vice Chair Syquia also emphasized the importance of  
obtaining a truly representative population, noting concerns about avoiding  
self-selected responses that do not reflect the broader community. Additional  
questions were raised about how a representative sample will be ensured and how  
the data will be analyzed to confirm equitable representation rather than simply  
maximizing the number of responses. They also asked whether a contingency plan  
exists in the event the survey results are determined to be non-representative,  
including the possibility of conducting an additional round of surveying. A request  
was also made to document non-responses, recognizing that non-response itself  
carries meaning.  
EAI Manager Perdomo Arciniegas stated that the exact percentage of the budget  
allocated for this work is not yet confirmed but is expected to be no more than 10  
percent. They noted that this component is an additional service included in the  
contract and is more extensive than conducting focus groups or community  
conversations alone. They explained that the representative survey is planned for a  
sample size of 400 registered voters. Consideration is being given to expanding the  
survey to include all Sunnyvale residents, although this option carries significantly  
higher costs due to the increased sample size. They also clarified that project  
communications have been conducted with MIG (Moore, Iacofano Goltsman Inc.),  
and that EVITARUS is the third-party firm working directly with MIG. Conversations  
with MIG have confirmed that EVITARUS has successfully completed similar  
surveys in larger cities, including Los Angeles. They also acknowledged and agreed  
with Vice Chair Syquia regarding the importance of ensuring a truly representative  
survey, noting that this priority has been and will continue to be incorporated into  
ongoing discussions with MIG and throughout the development of the  
representative survey.  
Public Comment opened at 8:10 p.m.  
No speakers.  
Public Comment closed at 8:10 p.m.  
4
25-1041  
Discussion and Possible Recommendation of One Priority  
Project Idea to the City Council  
EAI Manager Perdomo Arciniegas presented the staff report and reviewed the  
presentation on submitting one Priority Project Idea to the City Council. They stated  
that the Council approved the new Council Priority Projects Process Policy 7.3.26,  
which establishes a more structured method for identifying, prioritizing, and  
implementing new Council Priority Projects. This policy replaces the former Study  
Issues Process. The Council also modified Policy 7.2.19 regarding Board and  
Commission input. They reviewed the timeline for the new Council Priority Projects  
Process and clarified that each Board and Commission may, by majority vote,  
advance only one idea for Council consideration. They further clarified that Boards  
and Commissions will no longer submit a form, nor will staff prepare a staff  
recommendation. They confirmed that consultants analyzed the former Study Issues  
Process and found that, although many Study Issues were submitted, very few were  
ultimately adopted. As a result, the process consumed significant staff and  
Commission time. To streamline the approach and use resources more effectively,  
the new process was determined to be the most strategic solution.  
They noted that participation by Boards and Commissions is optional. If the  
Commission chooses to participate, discussion would take place in November, with  
this year's deadline extended to December. They also reviewed the format of the  
discussion and walked through the information posted on the City’s website. They  
encouraged Commissioners to attend the Council Priority Projects Workshop in  
February, during which the Council identifies proposals that move forward for staff  
analysis. Commissioners were reminded that they may attend as members of the  
public to advocate for an idea. They also reviewed the email sent by City Manager,  
Tim Kirby to all Board and Commission members. Finally, they reminded the  
Commission of the two Study Issues that had previously received a majority vote  
before the Study Issues Process was replaced.  
The Commission took a recess at 8:25 p.m. and resumed at 8:32 p.m. with all  
Commissioners present.  
EAI Manager Perdomo Arciniegas noted that, because two ideas have already  
received a majority vote, the Commission could review those ideas and hold a  
discussion that also allows additional ideas to be presented. To give  
Commissioners time to consider any new proposals, they suggested placing this  
item on the agenda again in December.  
Chair Zapata asked for clarification regarding whether Commissioners could submit  
ideas by email and have those ideas added to a list. Staff explained that the  
previous process involved maintaining a list; however, under the new process, staff  
will no longer create or add items to such a list. New ideas will instead be  
introduced and discussed during the Commission meeting.  
Commissioner Ziolkowski shared an idea for establishing a rental registry in the  
City, noting concerns related to renter issues and suggesting that requiring  
landlords to register rental properties would allow the City to track rent increases  
over time. They indicated a preference to discuss this idea in greater detail at the  
December meeting. EAI Manager Perdomo Arciniegas noted that the concept may  
fall within Housing-related matters but acknowledged the equity considerations  
involved. Commissioner Ziolkowski also observed that, because the two previously  
identified items have already been discussed, it may be more effective to table new  
ideas to allow Commissioners time to prepare proposals in a more detailed format,  
such as a written report or presentation. EAI Manager Perdomo Arciniegas clarified  
that staff would not be preparing materials but could provide input or answer  
questions related to existing initiatives to help avoid duplication of efforts. They also  
stated that they would seek additional clarification regarding the new process.  
Commissioner Ziolkowski then withdrew the idea, noting that they would conduct  
further research and consider proposing it the following year.  
Commissioner Camacho noted that cultural events could receive additional support  
from the City. They referenced last year’s Ibero-American event, explaining that it  
was challenging for community members to organize and suggesting that increased  
City support could encourage more cultural events in the future. EAI Manager  
Perdomo Arciniegas explained that the City does provide financial support for  
cultural events representing Sunnyvale’s diverse communities through the  
Community Grants program. Although the grant funds are limited, they  
acknowledged the value of supporting new cultural events and the potential  
community benefit such support could provide.  
Commissioner Terry suggested using ranked-choice voting to increase efficiency.  
EAI Manager Perdomo Arciniegas explained that, based on their understanding of  
the new process, the Commission would engage in discussion on each idea and  
then take a final vote, with each Commissioner casting only one vote. Council  
Liaison Chang clarified that the goal is for the Commission to move forward one  
idea. The original expectation was that the Commission would choose between the  
two previously identified ideas; however, with new ideas now being introduced, the  
question is whether Commissioners feel prepared to make a decision at the next  
meeting when comparing newly introduced ideas to those already under  
consideration.  
Commissioner Landa asked whether Commissioners could discuss their ideas  
under non-agenda items throughout the year. Staff clarified that the discussion is  
scheduled to take place at the November meeting, as outlined in the Work Plan.  
Chair Zapata noted that the City of San Francisco allows non-citizens to vote for  
school board trustees and asked whether the City could explore a similar idea. EAI  
Manager Perdomo Arciniegas responded that the City of San José has implemented  
resident voting and that this idea could be an idea added for consideration.  
The Commission agreed that additional time was needed to research their ideas  
and opted to bring the discussion back at the December meeting. Council Liaison  
Chang noted that the two items previously on the list were proposed by former  
Commissioner Rosenfeld, who is no longer serving on the Commission, and  
therefore would not be able to speak to the details of those proposals.  
Public Comment opened at 9:01 p.m.  
No speakers.  
Public Comment closed at 9:01 p.m.  
NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS  
-Commissioner Comments  
None.  
-Staff Comments  
Council Liaison Chang reminded the Commission about the upcoming Joint meeting  
of the City Council with Board/Commission Chairs and Vice Chairs on Tuesday,  
November 18 at 5:30 p.m., which will focus on analyzing and reviewing the overall  
effectiveness of Commission meetings. They also noted that the City Council will be  
making an appointment to fill the vacancy on the Human Relations Commission.  
ADJOURNMENT  
Chair Zapata adjourned the meeting at 9:03 p.m.