REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on the Task Force on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion’s Recommended Appointments to the Task Force Vacancies
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
At the July 14, 2020 City Council (Council) meeting, the Council expressed support for engaging in a local community dialogue on a Santa Clara Plan to address the four (4) components outlined in former President Obama’s “Commit to Action” Initiative (Initiative) and delegated authority to Mayor Lisa M. Gillmor and Police Chief Pat Nikolai to establish an Ad Hoc Committee in support of the Initiative.
At the September 29, 2020 Council meeting, the Council approved the Ad Hoc Committee’s recommendation to establish a community-based, seven-member Task Force on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Task Force) to support the development of a Santa Clara Plan to address the four (4) components of the “Commit to Action” Initiative and achieve equality for historically disenfranchised communities in the City of Santa Clara (City). The Council also approved the Ad Hoc Committee’s recommended appointments to the Task Force upon its establishment: Darius Brown, Neil Datar, Andrew Knaack, and Diana Zamora-Marroquin. The September 29, 2020 report to Council is included with this report as Attachment 1.
The inaugural Task Force members were charged with interviewing and recommending community members to the Council for appointment to the Task Force’s remaining three (3) seats. Staff posted the application packet on the Task Force website for two (2) weeks and promoted the recruitment process on the City’s social media platforms.
At the December 2, 2020 Special Task Force meeting, the Task Force approved voting and selection guidelines (Attachment 2) and interview questions (Attachment 3). The Task Force granted interviews to 31 applicants, three (3) of whom withdrew from consideration. The Task Force conducted interviews over a two-day period on December 9 and 16, 2020.
DISCUSSION
At the December 16, 2020 Special Task Force meeting, the Task Force voted to recommend that the Council appoint the following individuals to the remaining Task Force vacancies:
1. Joyce Davis
2. Mark Gilley
3. Dorothy Ma
Following Council’s appointment to the Task Force, the new members will take the Oath of Office with the City Clerk’s Office and will be able to participate in Task Force meetings.
The Task Force also approved establishing an eligibility list with the applicants who made it to the last round of voting, but were not selected: Innae Park, Kevin Landis, and Gustavo Rangel. Upon Council approval, the established eligibility list will be active for a period of one year, and will be used in the event a vacancy occurs.
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(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the City other than administrative staff time.
COORDINATION
This report was coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office and City Clerk’s Office.
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 <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov>.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. Appoint Joyce Davis, Mark Gilley, and Dorothy Ma to the three (3) vacancies on the Task Force on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Task Force) as recommended by the inaugural Task Force members; and
2. Approve establishment of an eligibility list with Innae Park, Kevin Landis, and Gustavo Rangel that will be active for one (1) year and used in the event a Task Force vacancy occurs.
Staff
Reviewed by: Nadine Nader, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. RTC 20-875
2. Task Force Voting and Selection Guidelines
3. Task Force Interview Questions