City of Sunnyvale  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
Human Relations Commission  
Thursday, September 11, 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 7:07 p.m.  
SALUTE TO THE FLAG  
Chair Zapata led the salute to the United States flag.  
ROLL CALL  
Present: 5 - Chair Maria Paulina Zapata  
Vice Chair Nenuca Syquia  
Commissioner Esther Rosenfeld  
Commissioner Aaron Terry  
Commissioner Ariana Ziolkowski  
Absent: 2 - Commissioner Claudia Camacho  
Commissioner Pedro Valencia Landa  
Commissioner Camacho arrived at 7:48 p.m.  
Commissioner Landa’s absence is excused  
Council Liaison Chang (present)  
PRESENTATION  
25-0916  
Livable Sunnyvale Coalition Mission and Values Overview  
David Kunz, Vice Chair of Livable Sunnyvale, introduced Vice Chair Agnes Veith  
and Board Members Chuck Fraleigh, Mike Serrone, and Paulina Zapata. David  
Kunz delivered a presentation on behalf of Livable Sunnyvale.  
The presentation outlined Livable Sunnyvale’s mission: “promote a livable,  
sustainable city with affordable housing and transportation solutions for all  
members of our community through education, outreach, and advocacy.” Key  
points included the role and importance of the non-profit coalition, an overview of  
past and current advocacy efforts, and highlights of several coalition partners.  
Livable Sunnyvale stated they received grants from Santa Clara County: URJGENT  
to support the use of Wordly, an AI-powered translation and captioning software at  
their meetings, and from the Silicon Valley Community Foundation to advance  
efforts aimed at changing the narrative and perception surrounding the unhoused.  
Kunz concluded by encouraging participation through social media, volunteering, or  
attending meetings.  
Chair Zapata thanked Livable Sunnyvale for presenting and expressed pride in  
being part of the organization. Commissioner Rosenfeld asked for clarification  
regarding the Sunnyvale Housing Element 2023. Board member Mike Serrone  
explained that every 7–8 years, each city in California is required by the state to  
prepare a plan for how to accommodate housing needs. A key advocacy effort from  
Livable Sunnyvale has been to support distributing housing locations throughout  
the community rather than concentrating development in a single area.  
Vice Chair Syquia expressed appreciation for the multi-sector and multidisciplinary  
efforts highlighted in the presentation, noting that Livable Sunnyvale’s work also  
impacts community health outcomes. Emphasis was placed on how creating a  
more walkable city and reducing commuting stress can lead to improved health.  
Vice Chair Syquia observed that the slide listing coalition partners included mostly  
transportation organizations and asked if Livable Sunnyvale also partners with  
businesses, as employers have a vested interest in employees living nearby.  
Agnes Veith clarified that the organization is not currently partnering with  
businesses on transportation issues but has engaged with them regarding  
minimum wage.  
ORAL COMMUNICATION  
Tammy Qualls expressed concern for Sunnyvale resident Ulises Peña Lopez and  
requested Commission support, including asking Representative Ro Khanna to  
pledge support and visit him at Golden State Medical Center.  
Cathy Wong also expressed concern for Sunnyvale resident Ulises Peña Lopez  
and requested Commission support, including asking Representative Ro Khanna to  
pledge support and visit him at the California City Detention Center.  
Mike Serrone, Planning Commissioner, speaking on their own behalf, expressed  
concern with the naming of Columbus Day and stated it should be renamed Italian  
Americans Day.  
Samantha also expressed concern for Sunnyvale resident Ulises Peña Lopez and  
requested Commission support, including asking Representative Ro Khanna to  
pledge support and visit him at the California City Detention Center.  
Uriel Magdaleno also expressed concern for Sunnyvale resident Ulises Peña  
Lopez and requested Commission support, including asking Representative Ro  
Khanna to pledge support and visit him at the California City Detention Center.  
Anthony Shing also expressed concern for Sunnyvale resident Ulises Peña Lopez  
and requested Commission support, including asking Representative Ro Khanna to  
pledge support and visit him at the California City Detention Center.  
Aram J shared their concerns with the State of Israel.  
Aby Peña shared concerns for their husband Ulises Peña Lopez, and requested  
Commission support, including asking Representative Ro Khanna to pledge  
support and visit him at the California City Detention Center.  
Zeada B voiced their concerns for Sunnyvale resident Ulises Peña Lopez and  
requested Commission support, including asking Representative Ro Khanna to  
pledge support band visit him at the California City Detention Center.  
Alex M shared their concerns for Sunnyvale resident Ulises Peña Lopez and  
requested Commission support, including asking Representative Ro Khanna to  
pledge support and visit him at the California City Detention Center.  
Kimberly M spoke to their concerns for Sunnyvale resident Ulises Peña Lopez and  
requested Commission support, including asking Representative Ro Khanna to  
pledge support and visit him at the California City Detention Center.  
Edwin discussed their concerns for Sunnyvale resident Ulises Peña Lopez and  
requested Commission support, including asking Representative Ro Khanna to  
pledge support and visit him at the California City Detention Center.  
Darelda M shared their concerns for Sunnyvale resident Ulises Peña Lopez and  
requested Commission support, including asking Representative Ro Khanna to  
pledge support and visit him at the California City Detention Center.  
CONSENT CALENDAR  
MOTION: Commissioner Rosenfeld moved and Commissioner Terry seconded the  
motion to approve agenda item 1.A as submitted.  
The motion carried with the following vote:  
Yes: 5 - Chair Zapata  
Commissioner Camacho  
Commissioner Rosenfeld  
Commissioner Terry  
Commissioner Ziolkowski  
No: 0  
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Valencia Landa  
Abstain: 1 - Vice Chair Syquia  
25-0900  
Approve the Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes  
of August 14, 2025  
Approve the Human Relations Commission Minutes of August 14, 2025 as  
submitted.  
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS  
25-0917  
Discussion of United Against Hate Week and Planned  
Community Engagement Events  
Equity, Access, and Inclusion (EAI) Manager Fernanda Perdomo-Arciniegas  
provided the staff report, noting that United Against Hate Week will take place  
October 19–25. The EAI Office will host and collaborate on two events:  
•October 21, 3:00–5:00 p.m. – LGBTQ Youth Space’s Speakers Bureau: Sharing  
Their Stories – An LGBTQ+ Panel Dialogue (hosted by the EAI Office)  
•October 27, 7:00–8:30 p.m. – Sustainability Speaker Series: United for Disability  
and Climate Justice (in collaboration with the Sustainability Commission)  
The report highlighted that United Against Hate Week affirms the value and respect  
of all community members and the City’s core values were reviewed.  
Chair Zapata and Commissioner Rosenfeld thanked EAI Manager  
Perdomo-Arciniegas for the report.  
Public Hearing opened at 8:08 p.m.  
Dee spoke to their concerns about focusing the study issue solely on antisemitism,  
noting that it would be more appropriate to consider all forms of hate collectively.  
Gabriel communicated their support for the study issue on Jewish hatred.  
Dina S shared their concerns about focusing the study issue solely on  
antisemitism, noting that it would be more appropriate to consider all forms of hate  
collectively.  
Aram J discussed their concerns with the state of Israel.  
Public Hearing closed at 8:20 p.m.  
STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES  
25-0896  
Addressing the Surge of Jew-Hatred in Sunnyvale: A Call for a  
Community-Centered Study on Safety and Inclusion  
(Consideration of Potential Study Issue)  
EAI Manager Perdomo-Arciniegas presented the staff report, noting that the Study  
Issue on the Study Issue Process will result in changes to the current procedure,  
which is still being finalized. They referred to an email from the City Manager, Tim  
Kirby outlining the updates.  
Commissioner Rosenfeld provided comments on their reasons for submitting this  
Study Issue Proposal and explained its importance to them.  
EAI Manager Perdomo-Arciniegas added that the Community Equity Assessment  
will include this Study Issue as part of a focus group within the overall assessment.  
MOTION: Vice Chair Syquia moved, and Commissioner Rosenfeld seconded, to  
add “Addressing the Surge of Jew-Hatred in Sunnyvale: A Call for a  
Community-Centered Study on Safety and Inclusion” to the proposed Study Issue  
List.  
The motion carried with the following vote:  
Yes: 5 - Chair Zapata  
Commissioner Camacho  
Commissioner Rosenfeld  
Commissioner Terry  
Commissioner Ziolkowski  
No: 1 - Vice Chair Syquia  
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Valencia Landa  
25-0901  
Flag Raising Policy (Consideration of Potential Study Issue)  
Chair Zapata reviewed the key elements of the issue and shared their reasons for  
submitting this Study Issue Proposal.  
EAI Manager Perdomo-Arciniegas presented staff comments and noted that, under  
Council Policy 7.3.30, ceremonial flags may only be displayed through  
Council-adopted resolutions.  
Commissioner Rosenfeld asked a clarifying question regarding the intent of the  
proposal, noting that the Study Issue would examine whether Sunnyvale could  
implement a policy allowing flag-raising at specific events to recognize a  
community’s heritage or country of origin.  
Chair Zapata clarified, based on their experience, that such a policy would allow the  
flag of a country to be raised during designated events, such as commemorations  
of Colombian Independence.  
Commissioner Camacho stated that while the Study Issue is a good idea, pursuing  
it in the current political climate could be risky.  
Commissioner Ziolkowski asked whether flag-raising policies in cities similar in size  
to Sunnyvale had been researched. Chair Zapata responded that while they are  
aware of such practices in larger cities, such as San José and San Francisco,  
comparable research on cities of a similar size has not yet been conducted and  
would be included as part of this proposed Study Issue.  
MOTION: Commissioner Rosenfeld moved, and Vice Chair Syquia seconded, to  
add “Flag Raising Policy” to the proposed Study Issue List.  
The motion failed with the following vote:  
Yes: 2 - Chair Zapata  
Commissioner Rosenfeld  
No: 4 - Vice Chair Syquia  
Commissioner Camacho  
Commissioner Terry  
Commissioner Ziolkowski  
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Valencia Landa  
25-0915  
Exploring Youth Representation on City Commissions  
(Consideration of Potential Study Issue)  
Commissioner Rosenfeld provided comments on their reasons for proposing this  
Study Issue and explained its importance to them, noting that Maddy Chang  
previously presented to the Human Relations Commission in August and has also  
spoken before City Council to advocate for youth representation.  
EAI Manager Perdomo-Arciniegas presented staff comments and noted that the  
Commission had Commissioner Ramisetty previously serving however there were  
struggles with attendance as we approached graduation, finals and moving away to  
college. They also highlighted that Council will be reviewing this issue during a  
November meeting.  
MOTION: Commissioner Rosenfeld moved, and Vice Chair Syquia seconded, to  
add “Exploring Youth Representation of City Commissions” to the proposed Study  
Issue List.  
The motion failed with the following vote:  
Yes: 2 - Vice Chair Syquia  
Commissioner Rosenfeld  
No: 4 - Chair Zapata  
Commissioner Camacho  
Commissioner Terry  
Commissioner Ziolkowski  
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Valencia Landa  
25-0923  
Amend Policy Manual to Include Religious Observances as  
Excused Absences (Consideration of Potential Study Issue)  
Commissioner Rosenfeld provided comments on their reasons for submitting this  
Study Issue and explained its importance to them.  
EAI Manager Perdomo-Arciniegas presented staff comments and noted that it  
would be a good idea to review the policy to ensure it is more inclusive and does  
not penalize commissioners for faith-based practices. They also mentioned that this  
topic will be a part of an upcoming Council’s discussion.  
MOTION: Commissioner Rosenfeld moved, and Vice Chair Syquia seconded, to  
add “Amend policy Manual to Include Religious Observances as Excused  
Absences” to the proposed Study Issue List.  
The motion carried with the following vote:  
Yes: 6 - Chair Zapata  
Vice Chair Syquia  
Commissioner Camacho  
Commissioner Rosenfeld  
Commissioner Terry  
Commissioner Ziolkowski  
No: 0  
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Valencia Landa  
NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS  
-Commissioner Comments  
None.  
-Staff Comments  
EAI Manager Perdomo-Arciniegas reminded Commissioners of the upcoming State  
of the City event on Saturday, September 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and  
invited them to attend wearing the City-provided jackets.  
ADJOURNMENT  
Chair Zapata adjourned the meeting at 9:12 p.m.