City of Sunnyvale  
Meeting Minutes  
Human Relations Commission  
Thursday, June 12, 2025  
7:00 PM  
Online and Redwood Conference Room,  
City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale,  
CA 94086  
CALL TO ORDER  
Chair Syquia called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.  
SALUTE TO THE FLAG  
Chair Syquia led the salute to the United States flag.  
ROLL CALL  
Present: 4 -  
Chair Nenuca Syquia  
Vice Chair Venkata Siva Ramisetty  
Commissioner Claudia Camacho  
Commissioner Maria Paulina Zapata  
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Esther Rosenfeld  
Commissioner Rosenfeld’s absence is unexcused.  
Councilmember Chang (present).  
PRESENTATION  
A
25-0673  
Recognition of Service  
Council Liaison Chang expressed appreciation to Commissioner Camacho for their  
years of dedicated service and presented them with a Certificate of Appreciation.  
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS  
No speakers.  
CONSENT CALENDAR  
Public Hearing opened at 7:38 p.m.  
No speakers.  
Public Hearing closed at 7:38 p.m.  
MOTION: Vice Chair Ramisetty moved and Commissioner Zapata seconded the  
motion to approve Item 1.A.  
The motion carried with the following vote:  
Yes: 4 -  
Chair Syquia  
Vice Chair Ramisetty  
Commissioner Camacho  
Commissioner Zapata  
No: 0  
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Rosenfeld  
1.A  
25-0674  
Approve the Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes of  
May 14, 2025  
Approve the Human Relations Commission Minutes of May 14, 2025 as submitted.  
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS  
2
25-0676  
Overview of “Allies in Training: Building a Better Community”  
event and Commissioner’s report on outreach efforts.  
Equity, Access, and Inclusion (EAI) Manager Fernanda Perdomo-Arciniegas  
presented a staff report and expressed appreciation to the Commission for its efforts  
in promoting and marketing the upcoming event. It was reported that thirty  
individuals registered for the Zoom session and thirty-six for in-person attendance,  
representing the highest participation for any Human Relations Commission (HRC)  
event to date. This will also be the first HRC event offered in a hybrid format,  
bringing together a diverse audience including commissioners, board members,  
council members, community participants, and City staff, including the City Manager  
and Deputy City Manager.  
The event is intended to build allyship by deepening participants' understanding of  
privilege and identifying how that awareness can be used to support the broader  
community. Appreciation was also extended to those who participated in outreach  
efforts at the Art and Wine Festival. Commissioners were invited to share and reflect  
on their experiences.  
Chair Syquia expressed appreciation for the outreach “Allies in Training” buttons,  
which contributed to a more official and identifiable presence. Chair Syquia shared  
that many community members were engaged and asked questions, although a few  
were not interested. One common question from the public was, "What is the  
Human Relations Commission?" Chair Syquia explained that it is a newer  
commission with the goal of bringing people together. They also noted that no one  
directly questioned the term "allyship," as it appeared that the community was  
already familiar with the concept. Outreach efforts included communication with the  
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Sunnyvale, sharing information through the  
DRUM mailing list used by Bay Area Unitarian Universalist communities, and  
several posts on the NextDoor platform, including within the Refugee Resettlement  
Village group. Flyers were posted in local businesses, and additional outreach was  
conducted through Leadership Sunnyvale and personalized email messages.  
Vice Chair Ramisetty shared that their outreach experience at the Art and Wine  
Festival was similar, with generally positive engagement from community members.  
EAI Manager Perdomo-Arciniegas reviewed event logistics and explained that due  
to quorum requirements, breakout room discussions will remain open to the public,  
allowing community members to observe and participate in conversations alongside  
commissioners.  
Commissioner Camacho shared that their outreach efforts were focused on schools,  
including communication with local school principals.  
Commissioner Zapata reported sending outreach emails to Livable Sunnyvale,  
Sunnyvale Environmental Education (SEE), Sunnyvale Community Services staff  
and clients, and the Downtown Association. EAI Manager Perdomo-Arciniegas  
expressed appreciation to Commissioner Zapata for helping connect with the  
Chamber of Commerce, which allowed for additional promotion during the Art and  
Wine Festival.  
EAI Manager Perdomo-Arciniegas added that they also shared the event with  
diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practitioners in both Santa Clara County and  
San Mateo County.  
EAI Manager Perdomo-Arciniegas reminded commissioners to complete the  
pre-survey prior to the allyship training and noted that a post-survey would be  
distributed at the end of the training to assess whether the intended learning  
objectives had been achieved.  
Public Hearing opened at 7:51 p.m.  
No speakers.  
Public Hearing closed at 7:51 p.m.  
3
25-0677  
Discussion for Second Signature Event and possible action.  
EAI Manager Perdomo-Arciniegas explained that this portion of the meeting was an  
opportunity for Commissioners to discuss ideas for the next event. EAI Manager  
Perdomo-Arciniegas noted that Commissioners would lead the discussion, but that  
participation and input from the Council Liaison and the EAI Manager can also be  
provided.  
Commissioners were reminded that planning for the HRC 2026 Work Plan is  
currently underway and to keep that in mind, as the draft Work Plan will be  
presented at the July HRC meeting. Commissioners were also reminded about the  
Study Issue process and that the HRC has not submitted any Study Issues in  
previous years.  
EAI Manager Perdomo-Arciniegas encouraged Commissioners to consider past  
topics the Commission has supported, including immigration, multi-heritage families,  
bullying in schools, and other related themes, when identifying future topics for  
exploration. They also noted that the May 2026 meeting will be a special meeting to  
accommodate the City’s budget review schedule. Commissioners were also  
encouraged to consider opportunities to partner or co-host events with other  
Commissions.  
Chair Syquia expressed support for organizing another event, stating that it provides  
an opportunity for community building. Chair Syquia shared that during outreach,  
community members were asked what they would like the Commission to do, and  
many expressed interest in events that help bring people together and create new  
relationships.  
Commissioner Zapata asked if there would be a week focused on discrimination and  
hate. EAI Manager Perdomo-Arciniegas confirmed that United Against Hate Week  
will take place in October. Commissioner Zapata recommended a focus on bullying,  
with an approach that includes both parents and children.  
Commissioner Camacho supported the topic of bullying but suggested placing  
greater emphasis on social empathy. They recommended framing the conversation  
around solutions, such as what empathy looks like, how it is expressed and  
received, and recognizing that empathy can be practiced across languages and  
cultures. They added that focusing on empathy may lead to broader social  
improvements and strengthen community relationships.  
EAI Manager Perdomo-Arciniegas expressed support for the suggestion to include  
parents and encouraged Commissioners to either attend School Board meetings or  
consider inviting School Board members to a future HRC meeting to begin  
discussions about potential collaboration. EAI Manager Perdomo Arciniegas shared  
that they attend a monthly meeting with the School District and could present the  
idea at an upcoming session.  
Council Liaison asked when the two newly appointed Commissioners will begin their  
terms. EAI Manager Perdomo Arciniegas confirmed that the new Commissions will  
begin their terms in July and emphasized that this is the beginning of a broader  
conversation in which those Commissions' ideas and input will be included in future  
event planning.  
Public Hearing opened at 8:02 p.m.  
No speakers.  
Public Hearing closed at 8:02 p.m.  
STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES  
None.  
NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS  
-Commissioner Comments  
Chair Syquia provided an overview of the Conscious Capitalism Movement. They  
explained that the philosophy centers on the idea that businesses can only achieve  
long-term profitability if they are sustainable, and true sustainability requires a  
commitment to the well-being of the communities in which they operate and the  
people who work for them. This approach supports the success and growth of  
individuals regardless of their roles within the organization or where they live.  
Chair Syquia noted that the Conscious Capitalism Movement is expanding to the  
Bay Area and expressed surprise that a chapter has not yet been established in  
Silicon Valley. They encouraged Commissioners to stay informed about this  
initiative, stating that they believe it represents a valuable and meaningful cause.  
-Staff Comments  
None.  
ADJOURNMENT  
Chair Syquia adjourned the meeting at 8:04 p.m.