REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action to Conduct Applicant Interviews and Appoint One Applicant to the Parks and Recreation Commission to Serve One Full Term Ending June 30, 2029
Report
BACKGROUND
At the March 11, 2025, City Council meeting, Council declared one vacancy on the Parks and Recreation Commission for one full term ending June 30, 2029.
Advertising of the vacancy was done via the City’s website, and social media outlets. The City Clerk’s Office also emailed vacancy notification to all parties listed on the email vacancy interest list.
DISCUSSION
The City Clerk’s Office held a recruitment for six weeks and received eleven (11) applications by the March 25, 2025, 5:00 p.m. application deadline. There was one (1) applicant who has withdrawn from the process. There were two (2) that did not satisfy the requirement of being a qualified elector of the City of Santa Clara pursuant to City Charter Section 1008, leaving a total of eight (8) applicants.
A past practice has been that upon appointment to fill a vacancy, the City Council may choose to establish an eligibility list with an applicant(s) of their choice for six months should a vacancy arise.
The City Clerk’s Office proceeds with the recruitment/interview process with the following candidates:
1. Anarug Dixit
2. Vamsi Gunda*
3. Monique Hovery-Coate
4. David M. Kertes**
5. Daniel L. Little
6. Edward A. Souza
7. Aseem Vaid
8. Kaushal Varshney***
*Has also applied to Historical and Landmarks Commission
**David Kertes currently serves on the Salary Setting Commission for a term ending 12/28
***Has also applied Historical and Landmarks Commission
Each applicant met the requirement of being a qualified elector of the City verified by the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters Office, and a resident of the City of Santa Clara and have each submitted proof of residency.
Attached are the voting guidelines (Attachment 2) for the appointment of Boards and Commissions members, which outline the process for conducting interviews. The City Attorney’s Office has provided a Conflict Review for each applicant (To be distributed as Supplemental Material).
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(a) as it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no additional cost to the City other than administrative staff time and expense.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. Appoint one Applicant to the Parks and Recreation Commission to Serve One Full Term Ending June 30, 2029; and
2. Establish an Eligibility List for Six Months should a Vacancy Occur
Staff
Reviewed by: Nora Pimentel, Assistant City Clerk
Approved by: Jovan D. Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Applications
2. Voting Guidelines