REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on the Task Force on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion’s Recommended Appointment to Current Member Vacancy
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
Chair Darius Brown resigned from the Task Force on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (Task Force) on July 31, 2021, which created one (1) member vacancy on the Task Force.
At the August 9, 2021 Task Force meeting, the Task Force directed staff to come back with the options for appointing the current member vacancy, with respect to the established eligibility list approved by the City Council (Council) at their January 12, 2021 meeting. The Council approved the Task Force’s recommendation to establish an eligibility list to fill future member vacancies, consisting of the candidates who made it to the last round voting (Innae Park, Kevin Landis, and Gustavo Rangel), that would remain active for one (1) year. The January 12, 2021 report to Council is included with this report as Attachment 1.
At the September 13, 2021 Task Force meeting, staff brought forward a report (Attachment 2) outlining the Task Force’s options to fill the current member vacancy. Staff reached out to the three applicants on the eligibility list to inquire if there was still an interest to serve on the Task Force. Two of the three applicants, Kevin Landis and Gustavo Rangel, expressed an interest to continue in the process of being re-interviewed. Innae Park withdrew her name from consideration.
The Task Force voted to invite the two available candidates on the Council-approved eligibility list to interview with the full Task Force at their October 18, 2021 special meeting. The applications for both candidates are included with this report as Attachment 3.
DISCUSSION
At the October 18, 2021 Task Force special meeting, the Task Force interviewed Kevin Landis and Gustavo Rangel. Following the interviews and deliberation, the Task Force voted to recommend that the Council appoint Gustavo Rangel to the current member vacancy.
Following Council’s appointment to the Task Force, Gustavo Rangel will take the Oath of Office with the City Clerk’s Office and will be able to participate in Task Force meetings.
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.
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
Appoint Gustavo Rangel to the current member vacancy on the Task Force on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Task Force) as recommended by the Task Force.
Staff
Reviewed by: Genevieve Yip, Staff Analyst I
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. RTC 21-1403
2. RTC 21-1193
3. Candidate Applications