City of Sunnyvale  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
Human Relations Commission  
Thursday, August 14, 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: 4 -  
Absent: 2 -  
Chair Maria Paulina Zapata  
Commissioner Claudia Camacho  
Commissioner Aaron Terry  
Commissioner Pedro Valencia Landa  
Vice Chair Nenuca Syquia  
Commissioner Esther Rosenfeld  
Vice Chair Syquia’s and Commissioner Rosenfeld’s absences are excused  
Council Liaison Chang (present)  
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS  
Maddy Chang, Sustainability Commissioner, speaking on their own behalf,  
highlighted the lack of youth input on City issues and recommended creating youth  
seats, under age 25 on all Commissions or appointing non-voting youth members.  
They emphasized the importance of youth perspectives on transportation and safety  
issues and noted that other cities have youth commissions providing legislative  
input, while Sunnyvale currently only has the Teen Advisory Committee focused on  
recreation.  
CONSENT CALENDAR  
Public Comment opened at 7:13 p.m.  
No speakers.  
Public Comment closed at 7:14 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: 4 -  
Chair Zapata  
Commissioner Camacho  
Commissioner Terry  
Commissioner Valencia Landa  
No: 0  
Absent: 2 -  
Vice Chair Syquia  
Commissioner Rosenfeld  
1.A  
25-0848  
Approve the Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes of  
July 10, 2025  
Approve the Human Relations Commission Minutes of July 10, 2025 as submitted.  
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS  
2
25-0845  
Community Needs Assessment Update  
Equity, Access, and Inclusion (EAI) Manager Fernanda Perdomo-Arciniegas  
provided the staff report, noting that monthly updates were planned as part of the  
Human Relations Commission (HRC) work plan. They reported that the process is  
close to the end of the procurement approval process and therefore are no new  
updates since the last report.  
Public Hearing opened at 7:18 p.m.  
No speakers.  
Public Hearing closed at 7:19 p.m.  
3
25-0846  
Discussion and Direction on Second Signature Event: “Voices  
of Sunnyvale”  
EAI Manager Perdomo-Arciniegas provided the staff report. They noted that at last  
month’s HRC meeting, the Commission voted to title the Second Signature Event  
“Voices of Sunnyvale.” However, they explained that the term “Voices” may be  
considered ableist, as some individuals communicate through sign language or  
other forms of expression. They encouraged the Commission to reconsider the title,  
suggesting alternatives such as “Stories of Sunnyvale,” and requested further  
direction on the Commission’s vision for the event.  
They also shared that they recently met with Commissioners from other  
Commissions who were awarded a grant inspired by the HRC’s storytelling events.  
In addition, the EAI Office will host the LGBTQ Youth Space’s Speakers Bureau  
during United Against Hate Week in October, focusing on LGBTQ stories along with  
a facilitated bystander intervention training on how to be an ally through  
role-playing.  
Chair Zapata and Commissioner Camacho shared their experiences from past HRC  
events, followed by a discussion among Commissioners on potential titles for the  
Second Signature Event.  
MOTION: Commissioner Landa moved and Commissioner Terry seconded the  
motion to change the title of the Second Signature Event from “Voices of  
Sunnyvale” to “Stories of Sunnyvale.”  
The motion carried with the following vote:  
Yes: 4 -  
Chair Zapata  
Commissioner Camacho  
Commissioner Terry  
Commissioner Valencia Landa  
No: 0  
Absent: 2 -  
Vice Chair Syquia  
Commissioner Rosenfeld  
Public Hearing opened at 8:19 p.m.  
No speakers.  
Public Hearing closed at 8:20 p.m.  
4
25-0849  
Follow-Up on Proposed Study Issue at July 10, 2025 Human  
Relations Commission Meeting  
EAI Manager Perdomo-Arciniegas reviewed the memorandum regarding the  
Proposed Study Issue at the July 10, 2025 Human Relations Commission meeting.  
Commissioner Rosenfeld had proposed a study issue under the Non-Agenda Items  
and Comments section of the agenda, suggesting the inclusion of a category for  
absences due to religious holidays in the policy manual. However, the Commission  
did not follow the Board and Commission Study Issue Sponsorship Process.  
Next steps were reviewed: Commissioner Rosenfeld is invited to submit a study  
issue form no later than August 12 for this item to be agendized for the September  
HRC meeting. Alternatively, Commissioner Rosenfeld may opt not to submit the  
form, as the topic of excused absences for religious holiday observances will be  
included in the annual joint study session between City Council and the Board and  
Commission Chairs and Vice Chairs, tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, November  
18.  
Public Hearing opened at 8:23 p.m.  
No speakers.  
Public Hearing closed at 8:24 p.m.  
5
25-0847  
Study Issue Process Review  
EAI Manager Perdomo-Arciniegas provided an overview of the Study Issues  
process and timeline. They explained that during the Ranking Process in January,  
the Commission may vote on Study Issues sponsored by Council or another  
Commission if the scope is identified as Equity, Access, and Inclusion. Staff  
reviewed the Study Issue Form and shared examples of “Above the Line” and  
“Below the Line” Study Issues, including OCM 25-01: Explore Establishing a  
Japanese American Incarceration Memorial in Sunnyvale, and LRS 25-01: Evaluate  
Expansion of City-Funded and Facilitated Events in City Parks and Facilities.  
Commissioners thanked staff for the overview. Chair Zapata asked whether a  
Commissioner who submits a Study Issue Form is expected to present the proposal  
to the Commission. Staff clarified that, once the form is received, staff will prepare a  
report outlining relevant factors (e.g., historical context, economic viability,  
community needs, and jurisdictional considerations), schedule the item for the next  
HRC meeting, and the Commission will then discuss and vote on whether to  
sponsor the submitted Study Issue.  
Public Hearing opened at 8:35 p.m.  
No speakers.  
Public Hearing closed at 8:35 p.m.  
NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS  
-Commissioner Comments  
Commissioner Camacho congratulated Chair Zapata on the role as Chair and noted  
that Chair Zapata had been accepted into a leadership program in Washington,  
D.C. Commissioner Camacho expressed gratitude for their representation of the  
Sunnyvale community and pride in their accomplishments.  
Chair Zapata thanked Commissioner Camacho and shared that the six-month  
leadership program, based in Washington, D.C., is designed to provide women with  
tools to help bridge the gap when running for office, including campaign  
management support. They also welcomed new Commissioners Terry and Landa to  
the HRC and thanked them for their commitment to building a stronger community.  
Chair Zapata announced that Sunnyvale Community Services will host a Resource  
Fair on Saturday, August 23, for McKinney-Vento unhoused students, providing  
tools to support a successful school year. They also asked staff to clarify the  
Community Grant application process. EAI Manager Perdomo-Arciniegas stated that  
applications will open in mid-September and encouraged Commissioners to check  
the City’s website for updates.  
-Staff Comments  
EAI Manager Perdomo-Arciniegas reviewed the email from City Clerk, David  
Carnahan sent to all Board, Commission, and Committee members regarding  
several upcoming Council agenda items:  
August 26, 5:30 p.m. – Evaluate the City of Sunnyvale Study Issues Process (Study  
Issue OCM 24-02)  
September 9, 6:00 p.m. – Evaluation of New Revenue Strategies to Fund New and  
Increasing Service Demands and/or Unfunded Capital Investments  
October 21, 7:00 p.m. – Evaluate the City of Sunnyvale Study Issues Process  
(Study Issue OCM 24-02)  
November 4, 6:00 p.m. – Joint Meeting of City Council with Board and Commission  
Chairs and Vice Chairs to Review and Improve Overall Effectiveness of Commission  
Meetings  
ADJOURNMENT  
Chair Zapata adjourned the meeting at 9:09 p.m.