Sustainability Commission
Regular MeetingSunnyvale, CA · October 16, 2023
Minutes
City of Sunnyvale
Meeting Minutes
Sustainability Commission
Monday, October 16, 2023 7:00 PM Online and Bay Conference Room (Room
145), City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave.,
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kunz called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. in the Bay Conference Room
(Room 145) at City Hall.
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Chair Kunz led the salute to the flag.
ROLL CALL
Present: 7 - Chair Douglas Kunz
Vice Chair Tonya Veitch
Commissioner Kathryn Besser
Commissioner Bobbykin Makwana
Commissioner Jeffery Nabhan
Commissioner Kristina Pistone
Commissioner Kristel Wickham
Council Liaison – Councilmember Melton (absent)
Chair Kunz, Vice Chair Veitch, and Commissioners all present.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Jessica Salanas, commented that the United States military-industrial complex is
one of the largest systems contributing to the climate crisis. Ms. Salanas asked that
the City protect climate refugees by supporting businesses that are investing in
regenerative technologies and also asked that the City not support weapons
manufacturers in Sunnyvale.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1 23-0975 Approve the Sustainability Commission Meeting Minutes of
September 18, 2023
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Sustainability Commission Meeting Minutes October 16, 2023
Commissioner Nabhan moved, and Commissioner Makwana seconded, a motion to
approve the consent calendar.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: 6 - Chair Kunz
Vice Chair Veitch
Commissioner Besser
Commissioner Makwana
Commissioner Nabhan
Commissioner Pistone
No: 0
Abstain: 1 - Commissioner Wickham
Commissioner Wickham abstained as she was not present at the September 18,
2023 meeting.
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
2 23-0976 Review 2024 Draft Annual Work Plan
The Commission discussed and added various items to the Draft 2024 Work Plan.
The Commission will review the Draft Work Plan at the November meeting with the
intention of finalizing the plan at that meeting. Staff will coordinate with other
departments to determine any additional items that need to be added to the Work
Plan.
3 23-1008 Recommendation to the Council Subcommittee on Board and
Commission Effectiveness
The Commission provided comments, questions and recommendations for the Chair
and Vice Chair to bring to the Council Subcommittee in November to improve on
Board and Commission Effectiveness.
STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES
4 23-0977 Climate and Environmental Impacts and Potential Regulatory
Actions for Living vs. Artificial Turf (potential Study Issue)
Commissioners asked questions about the potential Study Issue and Madeline
Khair, Environmental Programs Manager, provided answers. Commissioner
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Sustainability Commission Meeting Minutes October 16, 2023
Wickham provided a brief summary of the potential Study Issue along with her and
Commissioner Pistone’s rationale for submitting it. Ms. Khair summarized the staff
response.
The Commission recommended that the Study Issue should include studying the
environmental implications of artificial turf on residential property as well as include
water saving alternatives for public and private properties.
Chair Kunz opened Public Comment at 8:45 p.m.
Mary Brunkhorst, member of Sunnyvale Urban Forest Advocates, provided
information on the negative environmental, health and safety impacts of artificial turf.
Ms. Brunkhorst requested the Commission sponsor this potential Study Issue.
Carrie Levin provided information on artificial turf impacts on a global scale, and
how artificial turf exposes the environment and people to dangerous chemicals and
increases the heat island effect in cities. Ms. Levin requested the Commission
sponsor this potential Study Issue.
Andrea Wald urged the Commission to sponsor this potential Study Issue.
Courtney Jansen, resident of Lakewood Village, spoke on the environmental, health
and safety concerns over the possible decision to install artificial turf at Lakewood
Park. Ms. Jansen requested the Commission sponsor this potential Study Issue.
Chair Kunz closed Public Comment at 8:55 p.m.
Commissioners commented on the potential Study Issue and recommended
revisions to ensure, if sponsored, staff will perform a comprehensive analysis.
MOTION: Commissioner Makwana moved, and Commissioner Besser seconded, a
motion to propose the Study Issue with two amendments: (1) expand the scope so
that what is studied is artificial turf impacts for commercial and residential use and to
(2) provide alternative water conservation solutions for residential property.
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Commissioner Pistone introduced a friendly amendment
to change the Study Issue title to, “Use of Artificial Turf versus Living
Groundcovers.”
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Sustainability Commission Meeting Minutes October 16, 2023
Commissioner Makwana and Commissioner Besser accepted the friendly
amendment.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: 7 - Chair Kunz
Vice Chair Veitch
Commissioner Besser
Commissioner Makwana
Commissioner Nabhan
Commissioner Pistone
Commissioner Wickham
No: 0
5 23-0986 Evaluate Adopting Transit-Supportive Policies for Sunnyvale
(potential Study Issue)
Commissioners asked questions about the potential Study Issue and Shaunn
Mendrin, Planning Officer, and Ms. Khair provided answers. Chair Kunz provided a
summary of the potential Study Issue along with his rationale for submitting it. Mr.
Mendrin and Ms. Khair summarized the staff response.
Chair Kunz opened Public Comment at 10:04 p.m.
Matt Asunclon, is supportive of this Study Issue and would like to see transit options
in Sunnyvale become more efficient. Mr. Asunclon also provided information on pilot
studies to reduce vehicle miles traveled.
Chair Kunz closed Public Comment at 10:06 p.m.
Commissioners asked questions about the potential Study Issue and Mr. Mendrin
and Ms. Khair provided answers.
MOTION: Commissioner Wickham moved, and Commissioner Besser seconded, a
motion to propose this Study Issue.
The motion carried by the following vote:
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Sustainability Commission Meeting Minutes October 16, 2023
Yes: 7 - Chair Kunz
Vice Chair Veitch
Commissioner Besser
Commissioner Makwana
Commissioner Nabhan
Commissioner Pistone
Commissioner Wickham
No: 0
The Commission discussed the proposed Study Issue, 23-1008 Climate and
Environmental Impacts and Potential Regulatory Actions for Living vs. Artificial Turf,
for sponsorship.
MOTION: Commissioner Makwana moved, and Commissioner Pistone seconded, a
motion to sponsor this Study Issue.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: 7 - Chair Kunz
Vice Chair Veitch
Commissioner Besser
Commissioner Makwana
Commissioner Nabhan
Commissioner Pistone
Commissioner Wickham
No: 0
The Commission discussed the proposed Study Issue, 23-0986 Evaluate Adopting
Transit-Supportive Policies for Sunnyvale for sponsorship.
MOTION: Commissioner Nabhan moved, and Vice Chair Veitch seconded, a motion
to sponsor this Study Issue.
The motion carried by the following vote:
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Sustainability Commission Meeting Minutes October 16, 2023
Yes: 7 - Chair Kunz
Vice Chair Veitch
Commissioner Besser
Commissioner Makwana
Commissioner Nabhan
Commissioner Pistone
Commissioner Wickham
No: 0
NON-AGENDA ITEMS & COMMENTS
-Commissioner Comments
Commissioner Pistone shared a podcast she’s been listening to called, How to Save
a Planet. Commissioner Pistone also shared a paper from Yale’s Center for Climate
Communication that focused on wildfire smoke and indoor air quality.
Commissioner Wickham noted that her home was featured in the SVCE All-Electric
Home Tour event that took place on October 14. A total of 56 people toured her
home. Commissioner Wickham announced she had her gas meter removed before
the tour and mentioned the permitting process for a water retrofit was easy through
the City’s permitting process.
Chair Kunz encouraged Commissioners to watch the recording of the City Council
study session on October 10 where staff presented the draft Game Plan 2028 and
amendments to the Climate Action Playbook (CAP) targets. Chair Kunz mentioned
the City Council was supportive of amending the CAP’s 2050 carbon neutrality
target to align with the State’s new target of reducing emissions 85% by 2045.
-Staff Comments
Ms. Raby reported on upcoming events, provided community workshop information
for draft Game Plan 2028, and provided the location to find more draft Game Plan
2028 information on the City’s website.
INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS
23-0978 Updated Annual Work Plan October 2023
23-1002 Returning Study Issues 2023
ADJOURNMENT
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Sustainability Commission Meeting Minutes October 16, 2023
The meeting was adjourned at 10:39 p.m.
City of Sunnyvale Page 7
Agenda
City of Sunnyvale
Notice and Agenda
Sustainability Commission
Monday, October 16, 2023 7:00 PM Online and Bay Conference Room (Room
145), City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave.,
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Meeting Online Link: https://sunnyvale-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/87351330039
Public Participation
• In-person participation: You may provide public comment by filling out a speaker
card (optional) and giving it to the Recording Officer.
• Online participation: You may provide audio public comment by connecting to
the meeting online or by telephone. Use the Raise Hand feature to request to
speak (*9 on a telephone):
Meeting online link: https://sunnyvale-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/95835903911
Meeting call-in telephone number: 833-548-0282 | Meeting ID: 958 3590 3911
(*9 to request to speak | *6 to unmute/mute)
• Watch the Sustainability Commission meeting at:
http://youtube.com/SunnyvaleMeetings
• Submit written comments to the Sustainability Commission no later than 4 hours
prior to the meeting start to sustainabilitycommission@sunnyvale.ca.gov or by
mail to: City Clerk, 456 W. Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94086
• Review recordings of this meeting and past meetings at
https://sunnyvaleca.legistar.com/calendar.aspx or
http://youtube.com/SunnyvaleMeetings
Accessibility/Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Notice
Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you need special
assistance to provide public comment, or for other special assistance; please
contact the City at least 48 hours prior to the meeting to enable the City to make
reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. ADA contact:
City of Sunnyvale Page 1 Printed on 10/13/2023
Sustainability Commission Notice and Agenda October 16, 2023
Christina Raby may be reached at 408-730-7742 or craby@sunnyvale.ca.gov (28
CFR 35.160 (b) (1)).
CALL TO ORDER
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
ROLL CALL
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
This category provides an opportunity for members of the public to address the
Sustainability Commission on items not listed on the agenda and is limited to 15
minutes (may be extended or continued after the public hearings/general business
section of the agenda at the discretion of the Chair) with a maximum of up to three
minutes per speaker. Please note the Brown Act (Open Meeting Law) does not
allow the Sustainability Commission to take action on an item not listed on the
agenda. If you wish to address the Sustainability Commission, please refer to the
notice at the beginning of this agenda. Individuals are limited to one appearance
during this section.
CONSENT CALENDAR
All matters listed on the consent calendar are considered to be routine and will be
acted upon by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items. If
a member of the public would like a consent calendar item pulled and discussed
separately, please refer to the notice at the beginning of this agenda.
1 23-0975 Approve the Sustainability Commission Meeting Minutes of
September 18, 2023
Recommendation: Approve the Sustainability Commission Minutes of September
18, 2023, as submitted.
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
If you wish to speak to a public hearing/general business item, please refer to
notice at the beginning of this agenda. Each speaker is limited to a maximum of
three minutes.
2 23-0976 Review 2024 Draft Annual Work Plan
3 23-1008 Recommendation to the Council Subcommittee on Board and
Commission Effectiveness
City of Sunnyvale Page 2 Printed on 10/13/2023
Sustainability Commission Notice and Agenda October 16, 2023
STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES
4 23-0977 Climate and Environmental Impacts and Potential Regulatory
Actions for Living vs. Artificial Turf (potential Study Issue)
5 23-0986 Evaluate Adopting Transit-Supportive Policies for Sunnyvale
(potential Study Issue)
NON-AGENDA ITEMS & COMMENTS
-Commissioner Comments
-Staff Comments
INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS
23-0978 Updated Annual Work Plan October 2023
23-1002 Returning Study Issues 2023
ADJOURNMENT
Notice to the Public:
Any agenda related writings or documents distributed to members of this meeting
body regarding any item on this agenda will be made available for public
inspection in the originating department or can be accessed through the Office of
the City Clerk located at 456 W. Olive Avenue, during normal business hours and
in the Bay Conference Room on the evening of the Sustainability Commission
Meeting, pursuant to Government Code §54957.5.
Agenda information is available by contacting Christina Raby at 408-730-7742 or
craby@sunnyvale.ca.gov. Agendas and associated reports are also available 72
hours before the meeting on the City’s website at sunnyvale.ca.gov and during
normal business hours at the NOVA Workforce Services reception desk located on
the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue.
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