REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action to Conduct Applicant Interviews and Appoint Two Applicants to the Senior Advisory Commission to Serve One Partial Term Ending June 30, 2028, and One Full Term ending June 30, 2030
Report
BACKGROUND
At the February 24, 2026, City Council meeting, Council declared Two (2) vacancies due to resignations on the Senior Advisory Commission to fill one partial term ending June 30, 2028, and one full term ending June 30, 2030.
Advertising of the vacancies was done via the City's website, social media outlets and the Santa Clara Weekly. The City Clerk's Office also emailed vacancy notification to all parties listed on the email vacancy interest list.
DISCUSSION
The recruitment was open for six weeks, yielding five applications by the deadline of April 17, 2026, by 5:00 p.m. Last year a recruitment was held and was later put on hold, however there was one applicant from that recruitment who was still interested and is included in the pool of applicants for a total of six.
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 occur.
The City Clerk's Office proceeds with the recruitment/interview process with the following candidates:
1. Rachel Maria Ervin
2. Claire Fedele
3. Adila Saadat
4. Michelle Schmitz
5. Kirankumar Shinde
6. Kumar Viswanathan*
*Also applied to Cultural Commission, and Historical and Landmarks Commission
Each candidate meets the requirement of being a resident of the City of Santa Clara and have 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.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a "project" within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act...
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