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Boards and Commissions

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The City has a strong tradition of community participation, one of which is through volunteer service on a board or commission. Boards and Commissions advise City Council on specific policy issues and provide a forum and opportunity for broad community input. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis; appointments are made by City Council as needed throughout the year.

You must be a resident of Sunnyvale to apply for a position on a City board or commission, unless otherwise noted.
Members serve four-year terms, unless otherwise noted.

Apply for a Board or Commission

Current vacancies:

Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (1)
Board of Building Code Appeals^* (2)
Board of Library Trustees (2)
Heritage Preservation Commission (1)
Sustainability Commission (1)

^*On November 29, 2022, the City Council directed staff to return with a Resolution to disband the Board of Building Code Appeals.

Application deadline: Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023 at 4 p.m.

Return to:

Office of the City Clerk
603 All America Way
Sunnyvale 94086

Or: submit application by email

Boards and Commissions Details

Select the appropriate section below for more information about individual City boards and commissions, including description, membership, contact information and meeting times and locations.

Meeting Details, Agendas, Minutes and Audio/Video — for all Boards and Commissions
Subscribe to Public Meetings Calendar

Arts Commission

Purpose

The commission advises City Council regarding the development and promotion of arts programs and activities.

Origin

Council Policy 7.2.19 - Boards and Commissions

Contact

Email Arts Commission Members

Staff Liaison

Trenton Hill
Recreation Services Manager
Department of Library and Recreation Services
408-730-7378

Composition

Five Council-appointed members.

Qualifications

Demonstrated interest in visual, performing or literary arts and in the art programs of the City.

Members

Dawna Eskridge, Chair
Term Expires 2025

Kathryn Filley
Term Expires 2024

Molly Kauffman
Term Expires 2026

Winnie Lam, Vice Chair
Term Expires 2025

Agnes Veith
Term Expires 2023

Meetings

7 p.m., third Wednesday of each month in the Laurel Room located at the Senior Center at the Sunnyvale Community Center, 550 E. Remington Drive.

Commission Work Plans and Relevant Policies

Work Plans

Study Issues

LCS 20-01

Council Policies

Additional Information

Sunnyvale Public Art Programs

Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission

Purpose

The commission advises City Council on bicycle and pedestrian issues.

Origin

Council Policy 7.2.19 - Boards and Commissions

Contact

Email Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Members

Staff Liaison

Lillian Tsang
Principal Transportation Engineer
Department of Public Works
408-730-7556

Composition

Seven council-appointed members chosen from two categories:

Category 1
Members representing bicyclists and pedestrians who live in Sunnyvale.

Category 2
Up-to-two members who live outside Sunnyvale and representing parent groups, school administrators, teachers, commute coordinators for major employers in the city.

Qualifications

Interest in bicycle and pedestrian issues.

Members

Bryce Beagle, Vice Chair
Category One
Term Expires 2026

Alex Bonne
Category One
Term Expires 2025

Arwen Davé
Category One
Term Expires 2025

Daniel Hafeman
Category One
Term Expires 2023

Elizabeth Mehlman, Chair
Category One
Term Expires 2026

Timothy Oey
Category One
Term Expires 2024

Vacant
Category One/Two
Term Expires 2024

Meetings

6:30 p.m., third Thursday of each month in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave.

Commission Work Plans and Relevant Policies

Work Plans

Study Issues

Relevant Documents

Board of Building Code Appeals

On November 29, 2022, the City Council directed staff to return with a Resolution to disband the Board of Building Code Appeals.

Purpose

The board has final decision-making authority in all appeals related to building construction, including interpretation of building codes.

Contact

Email Board of Building Code Appeals Members

Staff Liaison

Suzanne Park
Chief Building Official
Community Development Department
408-730-7455

Composition

Five Council-appointed members

Qualifications

Experience in building construction matters

Members

Rahul Jain, Vice Chair
Term Expires 2023

Gregory McNutt, Chair
Term Expires 2024

Yonghong Shen
Term Expires 2025

Vacant
Term Expires 2023

Vacant
Term Expires 2026

Meetings

Meetings are held only when necessary at 6 p.m., the third Wednesday of the month in the West Conference Room, City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave.

Board of Library Trustees

Purpose

The board provides advises Council regarding Library-related issues.

Origin

Charter Sections 1013 and 1014

Contact

Email Board of Library Trustees Members

Staff Liaison

Steve Sloan
Superintendent of Libraries
Department of Library and Recreation Services
408-730-2768

Composition

Five Council-appointed members

Qualifications

Interest in Library-related issues
Registered Sunnyvale voter

Members

Kathy Boelter
Term Expires 2026

Mark Isaak, Vice Chair
Term Expires 2023

Rahul Jain
Term Expires 2024

Andrew Ma
Term Expires 2024

Sharlene Wang, Chair
Term Expires 2025

Meetings

7 p.m. on the first Monday of each month in the Library Program Room, 665 W. Olive Ave.

Board Work Plans and Relevant Policies

Work Plans

Study Issues

Council Policy

6.2.1 Library — Goals and Policies

Heritage Preservation Commission

Purpose

The commission advises City Council and has certain decision-making authority on the restoration, maintenance and operation of heritage resources throughout the City.

Origin

Charter Sections 1015 and 1016

Contact

Email Heritage Preservation Commission Members

Staff Liaison

George Schroeder
Senior Planner
Community Development Department, Planning Division
408-730-7440

Composition

Seven Council-appointed members

Qualifications

Interest in the preservation of historic resources
Registered Sunnyvale voter

Members

Jenny Bratton
Term Expires 2023

Steve Caroompas
Term Expires 2024

Dawn Hopkins
Term Expires 2023

Sarosh Patel, Vice Chair
Term Expires 2024

Ashmita Rajkumar
Term Expires 2026

Pamela Sharma, Chair
Term Expires 2025

Vacant
Term Expires 2026

Meetings

7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every other month (and on the first Wednesday of alternate months when needed) in the West Conference Room at City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave.

Additional Information

Heritage Preservation Commission Public Hearing Process and Schedule

Commission Work Plans and Relevant Policies

Work Plans

Study Issues

Council Policies

6.3.2 Neighborhood Characteristics of the Taaffe-Frances Heritage Neighborhood

Relevant Documents

Housing and Human Services Commission

Purpose

The commission advises City Council on programs, policies, and other issues regarding housing and human services.

Origin

Council Policy 7.2.19 - Boards and Commissions

Contact

Email Housing and Human Services Commission Members

Staff Liaison

Jenny Carloni
Housing Officer
Department of Community Development, Housing Division
408-730-7465

Composition

Seven Council-appointed members

Qualifications

Demonstrated interest in housing or human services issues

Members

Jim Davis
Term Expires 2026

Scott Duncan
Term Expires 2024

Sue Harrison
Term Expires 2023

Ken Hiremath
Term Expires 2025

Helen Lei
Term Expires 2026

Leesa Riviere, Vice Chair
Term Expires 2025

Elinor Stetson, Chair
Term Expires 2024

Meetings

7 p.m., on the fourth Wednesday each month in the West Conference Room at City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave.

Commission Work Plans and Relevant Policies

Work Plans

Study Issues

Council Policies

Relevant Documents

Human Relations Commission

On Nov. 29, 2022, the City Council created a Human Relations Commission (view Resolution No. 1159-22). As a next step, the Council Subcommittee on Boards and Commissions will draft a work plan. The City anticipates recruitment of Commission members in spring 2023.

Purpose

The Commission will advise Council on matters related to equity, access, inclusion, justice and belonging.

Staff Liaison

Fernanda Perdomo-Arciniegas, MPA (she/her/ella)
Equity, Access, and Inclusion Manager
Office of the City Manager
408-730-7915

Composition

Council will appoint five members from two categories:

Category 1
Sunnyvale residents.

Category 2
Up to one representative of a nonprofit service agency that serves Sunnyvale residents. This representative does not need to be a resident.

Qualifications

Interest in promoting regular, civil, and authentic engagement with diverse groups of residents.
Interest in advising Council on increasing accessibility and transparency of local government policies, programs and services.

Meetings

Meetings will be held at 7 p.m., second Thursday of each month in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave.

Parks and Recreation Commission

Purpose

The commission advises City Council in matters and services pertaining to parks, open space, playgrounds, entertainment and other cultural and recreational activities.

Origin

Charter Sections 1011 and 1012

Contact

Email Parks and Recreation Commission Members

Staff Liaison

Damon Sparacino
Superintendent of Recreation Services
Department of Library and Recreation Services
408-730-7342

Composition

Five Council-appointed members

Qualifications

Interest in open space and recreational activities
Registered Sunnyvale voter

Members

Daniel Bremond
Term Expires 2024

Gregory Dibb, Vice Chair
Term Expires 2023

Prakash Giri, Chair
Term Expires 2023

David Kesting
Term Expires 2025

Dona Mason
Term Expires 2026

Meetings

7 p.m., second Wednesday of each month in the Laurel Room at the Senior Center at the Sunnyvale Community Center, 550 E. Remington Drive.

Commission Work Plans and Relevant Policies

Work Plans

Study Issues

Council Policies

Personnel Board

Purpose

The board advises City Council and the City Manager in matters pertaining to personnel administration.

Origin

Charter Sections 1007 and 1008

Contact

Email Personnel Board Members

Staff Liaison

Tina Murphy
Director of Human Resources
Human Resources Department
408-730-7490

Composition

Five members: three Council-appointed seats, two employee-nominated seats

Qualifications

Cannot be a current or former City employee
Cannot be public official or current candidate
Cannot be an employee of a public agency
Cannot have a spouse, household member or family members employed by the city in a position that has the right to have a disciplinary matter heard before the Personnel Board
Registered Sunnyvale voter

Members

Marc Ketzel (council-nominated)
Term Expires 2023

Richard Lesher (council-nominated)
Term Expires 2025

Deepali Lugani (employee-nominated)
Term Expires 2026

Barbara Schmidt (council-nominated), Vice Chair
Term Expires 2023

Patti Selan (employee-nominated), Chair
Term Expires 2024

Meetings

5 p.m., the third Monday of each month as necessary in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave.

Board Relevant Documents

Planning Commission

Purpose

The commission advises City Council and has some decision-making authority on land use and development.

Origin

Charter Sections 1009 and 1010

Contact

Email Planning Commission Members

Staff Liaison

Shaunn Mendrin
Principal Planner
Community Development Department, Planning Division
408-730-7440

Composition

Seven Council-appointed members

Qualifications

Registered Sunnyvale voter

Members

Daniel Howard
Term Expires 2024

John Howe
Term Expires 2024

Nathan Iglesias, Vice Chair
Term Expires 2023

Martin Pyne, Chair
Term Expires 2025

Michael Serrone
Term Expires 2026

Neela Shukla
Term Expires 2026

Carol Weiss
Term Expires 2023

Meetings

7 p.m., the second and fourth Monday of each month in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave.

Additional Information

How to Make a Presentation at a Planning Commission Meeting

Commission Work Plans and Relevant Policies

Work Plans

Study Issues

Council Policy

General Plan

Sustainability Commission

Purpose

The commission advises City Council to provide expertise on major policy areas related to the environmental sustainability goals of the Climate Action Plan (called the Climate Action Playbook) and General Plan.

Origin

Council Policy 7.2.19 - Boards and Commissions

Contact

Email Sustainability Commission Members

Staff Liaison

Madeline Khair
Environmental Engineering Coordinator
Environmental Services Department
408-730-7798

Composition

Seven Council-appointed members chosen from two categories:

Category 1
Live in Sunnyvale

Category 2
Members of the Sunnyvale business community who do not have to be registered Sunnyvale voters

Qualifications

Demonstrated interest in environmental sustainability issues.

Members

Douglas Kunz, Vice Chair
Category One
Term Expires 2026

Jeffery Nabhan
Category Two
Term Expires 2026

Kristina Pistone
Category One
Term Expires 2025

Tonya Veitch
Category One
Term Expires 2024

Justin Wang
Category One
Term Expires 2025

Kristel Wickham, Chair
Category One
Term Expires 2024

Vacant
Category One/Two
Term Expires 2023

Meetings

7 p.m., on the third Monday of each month in the West Conference Room at City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave. If the third Monday is a City-observed holiday, the meeting will be on the third Tuesday of the month.