REPORT TO TASK FORCE ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
SUBJECT
Title
Interviews for Appointment to Current Task Force on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Member Vacancy
Report
BACKGROUND
On June 7, 2021, Chair Darius Brown submitted a letter of resignation from the Task Force, effective July 31, 2021, which created one (1) member vacancy on the Task Force on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Task Force).
At the August 9, 2021 Task Force on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Task Force) meeting, the Task Force directed staff to come back with options for filling the current vacancy, with respect to established eligibility list approved by the City Council (Council) at their January 12, 2021 meeting.
At the September 13, 2021 Task Force meeting, staff brought forward a report outlining the Task Force’s options to fill the current member vacancy (Attachment 1). The Task Force voted to invite the two available candidates on the Council-approved eligibility list to interview for the current vacancy. This is consistent with the Council’s process of inviting candidates back to interview for vacancies. Staff has invited the two available candidates on the Council-approved eligibility list, Kevin Landis and Gustavo Rangel, to interview with the full Task Force at their October 18, 2021 special meeting.
DISCUSSION
Consistent with the interviews conducted to fill the three (3) initial vacancies on the Task Force in December 2020, the Task Force will use the approved voting guidelines (Attachment 2) and questions (Attachment 3) for the interview and selection process.
The Task Force will interview the following applicants on the Council-approved eligibility list:
1. Kevin Landis
2. Gustavo Rangel
The applications for both candidates are included with this report as Attachment 4.
Each candidate has met the requirement of being a qualified elector of the City of Santa Clara and was confirmed by the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters Office.
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 a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the preparation of this report other than administrative staff time.
COORDINATION
This report was coordinated with the City Attorney's Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Task Force on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 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> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Recommend the appointment of one (1) candidate to fill the current member vacancy on the Task Force on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion be forwarded to the full City Council for consideration.
Staff
Reviewed by: Genevieve Yip, Staff Analyst I
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. RTC 21-1193
2. Voting Guidelines
3. Interview Questions
4. Candidate Applications