April 25, 2022 Council Appointments Review Committee

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[00:00:00] Member Lucas Ramirez: Agenda items. Uh, Is there a member of the public who would like to provide uh, input on a matter not on the agenda? Uh, see none will proceed to item 5 discussion on procedure in questions. The committee will review the interview questions for the downtown committee, performing arts committee, senior advisory committee, and human relations commission, uh, status there, uh, presentation or anything you'd like to start with.

[00:00:33] Wanda (Staff): I like to go ahead and start. I've asked each applicant to join the meeting at 5 PM today. So that the meeting flows instead of pausing at a specific time for interview. Uh, we just received an application from Marina Keith, who will be interviewing for one of the 2 vacancies on downtown property owner, and a representative of a business in a downtown category of the downtown committee. Um, each applicant will be in the waiting room until their interview. Um, do you want to follow the order of names on the interview schedule, and for those committees with 2 applicants. Do you want to interview them in a group or individually, and if so, how much time? We can go over those questions now to start off with. Um,

[00:01:22] Member Lucas Ramirez: well, I think so, so you, you asked some questions that I thought were, were helpful maybe to give us a sense of how many questions you want to have. Um, committee member hits. Do you have a preference for individual interviews or group interviews? Gosh,

[00:01:40] Member Alison Hicks: I would probably do individual interviews. I'm not, you know, there are things I feel strongly about. I don't. this one I don't feel that strongly about, but I would probably do individual. Um, I'm open to persuasion. I uh, I was also happy with the questions. I'm also open to changes, but I didn't have any. I was, you know, happy with the mess they were.

[00:02:06] Member Lucas Ramirez: I'm pretty happy

[00:02:07] Member Alison Hicks: with the problem. Oh. You first. My only question was who was going to ask the questions. We've done it. I have never been on this committee before in other committees. We've had one person ask the questions. I'd be, you know, if that's, um, You know, it ends up being tiresome for you, I would be willing to ask some of them, you can arrange it, whatever works best for you.

[00:02:37] Member Lucas Ramirez: I appreciate that. We didn't take public comment. Let me go back really quickly. Is there, uh, any, uh, member of the public who would like to speak on the procedure? The non, uh sorry for the interruption. Um, so I was thinking, uh, and you know, also open to persuasion. Um, doing group interviews and then reducing the number of questions, uh primarily because if, if I'm not mistaken, we have the same number of applicants as seats available or sometimes fewer applicants and seats available, right? Um, so, I, I, I don't want to presume, but I feel like there's a pretty good chance that we have a good crop of applicants and um, it's gonna be a little bit easier for us. Um, than it would be if we had more applicants than seats. Um, so uh, I was thinking just do a group interview. I'm happy to read all the questions just to, you know, get through it as quickly as possible. Um, and I was thinking um, maybe we can reduce the number of questions just so, uh, we can, uh, proceed to the meeting as expeditiously as possible. Okay,

[00:03:58] Member Alison Hicks: that sounds great. And um, I, if I, if I may, mayor, maybe I'll just, okay, I think it, I agree. It can be pretty informal. I just want to get more of a sense of who the applicants are and maybe I can ask a follow-up question if appropriate. Um,

[00:04:18] Member Lucas Ramirez: that sounds pretty good. Um, I don't really have strong feelings about the questions themselves. were there any questions that you would like to make sure that we ask? Um.

[00:04:31] Member Alison Hicks: I like, you know, let's see. I like why do you serve? I like their, for each one had a specific question that was like, um, I'm looking at the downtown committee. What do you, a little specific to the committee. you know, what do you think of the down of downtown Mountain View? How would you improve it? How would you balance business and community interest? Maybe one wire doing this and one more specific to that uh, committee. So

[00:05:03] Member Lucas Ramirez: for the downtown committee, the 1st 2 questions. I

[00:05:09] Member Alison Hicks: guess, yes, that's what I'm saying. Okay,

[00:05:12] Member Lucas Ramirez: that sounds good to me. Um, and then for performing arts, uh, the 1st question, um, and then. Um. What do you think, number 2 as well? Yeah. You

[00:05:33] Member Alison Hicks: know, or if you think the 1st one is to, if you don't like the 1st one, the 3rd question. Um, about priorities, that's. You know, I want to hear their own motivations and then how they specifically connect with the committee's work. And maybe priorities, something along that mix.

[00:05:57] Member Lucas Ramirez: Okay, that sounds good to me. So I'm thinking one and 3 then for performing arts. Okay. Um, and then senior advisory. I'm liking one and two. Okay, that's fine. All right. Let's see if we can finish this work before 6 o'clock. Excuse me.

[00:06:21] Wanda (Staff): Trevor Ramirez, there are questions on the, The other page too, regarding human relations commission.

[00:06:27] Member Lucas Ramirez: Oh, my apologies. Uh, and then, uh, city, uh, you want to speak to this?

[00:06:38] Unknown Speaker: I just wanted to double check and see how much time you wanted to allocate to each person to answer each question. Um,

[00:06:48] Member Lucas Ramirez: what do you think, 3 minutes for questions? If we're only asking 2 questions. 3 minutes probably.

[00:06:55] Unknown Speaker: Three minutes. Okay. And then you're wanting to interview the applicants for each committee together. Correct? Yeah. Okay. Perfect.

[00:07:07] Member Lucas Ramirez: So for the Human Relations Commission, the 1st question would be the, uh, why do you want to serve, um, And then I'm, I like, um, For human relations 4 or 5 You have a preference or both?

[00:07:28] Member Alison Hicks: You know what? I don't think I have that one in front of me, so can you read what they are, 4 and 5? Uh,

[00:07:34] Member Lucas Ramirez: the 4th question is, what do you think the job of the human relations commission should be? And the 5th question is, what do you think should be the priority for the commission in the coming few years? Hmm. Um.

[00:07:52] Member Alison Hicks: Yeah, I, I almost want to just ask those too instead of why do you want to? You know, why, why do you want to do it? I assume somebody wants to do it because they, okay, so you're done with that. Great. All right.

[00:08:08] Member Lucas Ramirez: So I think those so it, uh, for downtown committee, one and 2 performing arts committee, one and three. Senior advisory, one and 2 And human relations 4 and 5. Sounds good. Um, anything else? Um, Wanda, we're header that we discuss. Sure,

[00:08:35] Wanda (Staff): what order would you like to go in as suggested on the interview schedule or? Did you want to switch it around?

[00:08:45] Member Lucas Ramirez: Um, the interview schedule sounds good to me. So we'll start with the downtown committee, then performing arts, then senior advisory, and then human relations. That sounds good. Thank you. You

[00:08:56] Unknown Speaker: ready? I will let that you, uh, okay. Welcome, David.

[00:09:21] Member Lucas Ramirez: And welcome, Arena. Thank you for flying to serve on the downtown committee. Um, so we're going to ask uh, each of you 2 questions. Um, and then uh, committee member Hicks may have a follow-up question for each of you, um, and then, um, we'll continue with all of the remaining interviews, and then deliberate and, uh, make recommendations to the council at the, uh, end of the interview schedule. Um, so, uh, I'm gonna go ahead and ask each of you the 1st question and then in reverse order. Um, I'll ask each of you the 2nd question. So the 1st question is, and we'll start with you, David. Why do you want to serve or continue serving on the downtown committee? Okay,

[00:10:15] David: um let's see. How much time do I have for the answer? Three minutes. 3 minutes? Um, all right, um, Go back a little bit further, like back. I grew up in Cupertino, and uh, my aunt, uh, owned uh, the plum garden, and used to go go there back in when I was in my teenage years. Um, Moundry is a very different place back then. And, um, From there, uh, the revitalization project was huge, uh, really transformed downtown. I thought that was excellent. I went to college. Um, and then at the time my my family built out 230 Bryant Street, uh, the complex out here. And then I bought here in 2006 and have been living here since 2006. Um, used to commute in the city, so we'd walk down Castro, take the Caltrain back and forth every day. And saw, you know, the improvements in downtown. Um, living here and going out into the downtown uh, since 2006. I got to meet a number of the different business owners who were there. Um, my kid was 18 months when he, we moved here. He's 17 now. And so, you know, lots of great memories of downtown. I think in the last couple years, through COVID in particular, Um, a lot of vitality seems to have left or I shouldn't say left. Um, I've seen other downtowns. Uh, you know, Redwood Cities, uh, I think, you know, it's got some nice things going on. Um, And, you know, I think there's so much potential for, uh, downtown Mountain View, especially with the Googles and the LinkedIn's and everybody that commutes through the city, works, uh, works in the city. And, um, I think if there's, and I retired from tech to 2017. I have some time on my hands. I generally walk Castro at least once a day. Um, just to, you know, go buy some groceries at Ava's. And I think there's a lot of things that are important to me as a resident living here. Um, important, I think, for businesses to succeed here. Um, and Met with, um, just a lot of great people. I was on the phone actually with Kira. from the chamber, just before this, uh, talking about like, well, what kinds of things to, you know, does the chamber do, what, in the auspices of the DBA, and also with residents. So, um, attended the DBA meeting, got to meet John Lang. Um, had a great conversation with uh, Wanda when I stopped by the downtown. And so I've got time and I really, really care about how Mountain View turns this corner and sort of becomes, you know, I take a weird pride in the old school story of how Mountain View downtown and Sunnyvale downtown, like, were kind of competing entities in a sense. And, and, and, Mountain Gew did quite well. Sunnyvale town center didn't quite work out so well. Um, but I think Sunnyvale is actually revitalized quite well. Um, a lot of that. That's okay. All right. Anyway.

[00:13:29] Member Lucas Ramirez: Thank you very much. Marina, why do you want to serve on the downtown committee? Sorry, you're you're muted. Here we go. Can you hear me now? Yeah.

[00:13:48] Marina Keith: Okay, so I come from like 2 perspectives. One is uh, I'm a resident, um, also close to downtown on Shoreline. Uh, where my property is at my house, and then secondly, I own a business in downtown, the Monte Carlo, and I've been, you know, we've been running my family and I've been running it for the last 18 years, and we've been through, you know, thick and thin with the downtown, basically. And I think that, um, I have great relationships with many business owners in downtown, and I kind of, you know, we hear, I hear a lot of frustration on their, from their part, um, and um, also part of the, I take regular, uh, participation meetings, well, with the DBA, and it's now currently being held at the Monte Carlos, since Opal, unfortunately, Sarah, um, uh, I guess sold her business. And so we took kind of that role to host the DBA meetings and just kind of be, you know, again, part of the community. And I think what COVID did is like for me personally, I actually got to know way more people through COVID than before, because I think there was like this, you know, combined, um, tragedy that hit everybody and that we all kind of, okay, let's pull together, let's see what we can do. And, um, through a lot of collaboration, a lot of things have been moved and done in downtown. And I think there is so much more that can be done. And I think that, you know, not only uh, comparing ourselves to other cities, but also to world cities, where this downtown can be something really special, where it can attract a lot of, you know, surrounding uh, residents, not only Maui residents, but primarily even give this to the Mountain View residents, give them a space where they can enjoy. Come out with their families, enjoy festivities, enjoy, you know, different seasons, Christmas, Easter, you know, different holidays that we can, you know, as a community, read, and it's an eclectic community, and I think we can cater to all of them. And the more we can cater, the more lively it will be. And um, and I want to be part of that. I really want to contribute what I can with my experience to this and I think it can get amazing, it can be an amazing place to even continue living here. Fantastic.

[00:16:04] Member Lucas Ramirez: Thank you. Um, and then, um, I'll start with you, Marina, for the 2nd question and then turn to David. Um, the next question is, uh, a multi part question, so feel free to focus on the elements that, um, is, uh, our greatest interest to you. What do you think of downtown Mountain View? How would you improve it? How would you balance the interests of businesses with those of the community? So, um, currently,

[00:16:31] Marina Keith: you know, I think downtown looks like a little bit of a tent city. Um, I think it's more scary than not inviting. I think that the downtown, the businesses, once given an opportunity to maybe in, now that the whole pedestrian mall is going to be developed in the next few years. Uh, in the meantime, I think businesses need something more immediate to kind of uh, it may be invest into their uh, outdoors as well as, you know, so they can uh, uh, uh, Enlarge their current capacity. Um, I think that by giving some Not necessarily, you know, complex guidelines, but something that it's 1st safe, you know, for everybody involved, like for patrons coming in, uh, accessible to everybody. Uh, let's say allowing, uh, let's say restaurants or businesses creating their own little patios. based on the guidelines that the city provides, in order to expand and make it much more pleasant, to dine outside. Uh, possibly even allow for live music to be, um, To be presented on Castro Street on a regular basis, maybe from an hour to a particular time frame, where, you know, they don't necessarily need to have permits, but just come, as long as you're within this time frame, you can, you know, perform, which I think will bring a lot of, a lot of people enjoy music. A lot. I mean, there is a few that are probably, you know, outliers, but I think, you know, there is a lot of people who do enjoy music and by allowing, and we have great street performers, like they're, they're ICM every, you know, every time they're there, they perform right in front of my place. So it's, um, I enjoy them very much. So I think that, you know, not necessarily making, you know, I wouldn't say, calling criminals because they're performing, uh, without permits, but I think that the city can allow some space for that. Um, and what was the other part of it? Sure, which one? What I addressed? For future. As far as businesses go, you know, before this whole COVID hit, the biggest issue was shutting down Castro Street. A lot of businesses were against it because they feared that the city access to the city from 101 will be impaired and therefore their business will be impacted negatively. I think this COVID kind of gave the city an opportunity to really uh, uh, test the waters and how this may work. A lot of people have already, um, uh, got used to the coming to downtown on the reverse detour manner. I think better signage can be done on, on, uh, 101 off of Shoreline Bridge, you know, come here. It's, you know, signage, like something like that, where it says downtown Mountain View this way, on both sides, you know, coming south or north. And I think that may improve or make it easier for people to come downtown. Um, and now I think that um, uh, the city needs to kind of fly with the whole, take this opportunity and really run with it as soon as possible to create this downtown pedestrian mall. and really make it, you know, add a few, uh, All

[00:19:40] Member Lucas Ramirez: right, no worries. Thank you. And uh, David, would you like me to repeat the question or yeah? Actually, that would, uh,

[00:19:47] David: what do I think of downtown and ideas for the future? Uh,

[00:19:52] Member Lucas Ramirez: how would you improve it? And how would you balance the interests of businesses with those of the community? Okay, um, let

[00:19:59] David: me start with the 2nd part first. Um, the 1st time I really engaged with the city council was when the Steins, uh, Steins beer garden, I guess, was going putting was being put in across the street from where I lived. Um, I actually thought the conversation was a good, a rich one and uh, balanced things out pretty well, um, for the most part. I've gotten to know Ted Kim, the owner, and they've been a great neighbor. Also, gone to know Monte Carlo. They've been a great neighbor also. And being a resident here, it's been, you know, there is, there are things, there, there is noise. There are balances to be struck and not easy ones. Um, noise is a big one. But I think that, um, But I think that, When the residents of downtown really discover what is there, and it gets back to the kind of the 1st question, which is, what do I think of downtown? I used to go buy downtown. New, new people. Um, but for the most part, walked by it and didn't really appreciate all that was there. Um, You know, I, I, I, Echo, what Marina said about the, the music. It's quite good. Um, talked to Paul, I guess, from the art store and he has ideas on art that I think would be great. So, um, for me, I worked in tech for many years. And working, I was at semantic uh, over at uh, Ellis in Middlefield. And having this richness, this, I'll call it a gem, like, people don't know it exists. And I think there's a few things that are kind of initially off putting, so near term, you know, like pressure wash the sidewalks, I think the cleanup work that was done recently really helps. Um, uh, midterm, I think that, The World Mountain View, California, you know, is waking up from this nightmare of COVID. And people want to get out. They want to feel safe. They want to have a good time. They want to dance again, sing again, eat again, and do all these things. And so I think there's a lot of opportunities to kind of jointly develop certain things that can help, you know, win-win. The businesses, the residents, also visitors, workers from out of town. Um, I think that there is so much potential. And I, from the businesses that I know, they really want to make it happen. So, question is, how do we coordinate all the different pieces? Permitting is one big one. You know, how do we how do we streamline that? So, for Ted, if he wants to host a wedding party with someone with a microphone, he doesn't have to go file a condition to use permit for fear of bothering me. I don't really care. And I live less than a 100 yards from the garden. So, things like that, like, I'm learning a lot, I guess, as I go and there's a ton, I know there's a ton, I don't know, but I think engaging on something like downtown. Oh, that's their time. Will help. you. Excellent.

[00:23:07] Member Lucas Ramirez: Thank you both very much. Committee member Hicks, any follow-up questions for?

[00:23:12] Member Alison Hicks: Yeah, I was just gonna... Oh. What's that?

[00:23:17] Member Lucas Ramirez: Oh, for the policy, I think we have to, unless you're following up on a very specific answer. I think the policy requires that we ask the same question of both applicants.

[00:23:27] Member Alison Hicks: Okay. Um, I was gonna ask a question from the uh, questionnaire form. Do you think that that, do you think that's something I can do per the policy? I am new on this committee. Okay. Nope. Uh, so Mr. Lynn, I saw that your uh, application form mentioned uh, that you'd done some communication on next door and had started a vital mountain view. Can you give a few details about that? Um,

[00:23:58] David: what are the 1st thing I had done was I was walking uh, every day I'll walk downtown. And I was just taking pictures of, um, taking pictures of the 1st at night. I was taking pictures of the great restaurants, people sitting out, fire, people having fun. And it's like, yay, life is coming back to mountain view. And there was a tremendous response on next door. Usually next door is about stolen catalytic converters and lost pets. I mean, and but sorry. Anyway, there's a lot of resonance, I think, with, uh, people who kind of, really kind of like that. I also posted about, hey, going to La Fiesta. And a surprising number of people posted positive things about La Fiesta. I forgot about that place. Um, and then I also posted a series of about 12 photos of the closed storefronts, including Petite 4, level 5, including the ones that have been closed forever, like China delight, I think. Um, and then it was kind of like, This is why downtown needs our help, our being the residents of old Mountain View. Um, and got a lot of response there. And so from there, um, what do you call it? Next door suggested I open up a group. And so opened up a group that's for interested residents to just share ideas and talk about things. I posted a couple things there about the recent ADA lawsuit changes that came through. Post an article about from 2007 about the tale of 2 cities between Mountain View and Sunnyvale. Um, posted more photos, um, pictures at night of the Das Beerhouse Garden, um, outside and people enjoying themselves and some of the new restaurants that are kind of like the dumpling places that have come online. And what I'm finding is that there's just this ground swell of interest. Now, as far as, like, specific tactical ideas on how to take some of these comments and turn them into actionable plans, that was where I started, uh, I guess I talked, you know, I had a meeting before with Kira on the Chamber of Commerce. Uh, I don't know if she's on this call, um, about, Okay, well, what can the chamber do, uh, to publicize events, smaller things, not like art and wine size events, but just, you know, little ideas on maybe it's a dinner and dancing night or a dinner and singing night or something like that. Like, how does that work even? So, that's what I was referring to? Um, I was very surprised at the degree of response. And the depth of response. Max Hauser. Uh, engaged uh, with me a lot in a very positive way. Um, and so. Yeah, does that the answer will...

[00:26:47] Member Alison Hicks: That does cover it. Thank you very much. Um, Mayor, would you like me to ask Ms. Keith the question as well? What,

[00:26:56] Member Lucas Ramirez: so, I, I, the, to clarify, if, if we're asking a, um, a question that isn't, Clarification of a response provided by one candidate, then it has to be asked of both applicants, but I think your question was specific to a response provided by Mr. Lynn. Um so. I think, I think, you've, you've done a good job clarifying your response. Um, anything else? No,

[00:27:24] Member Alison Hicks: I thought both applicants gave very comprehensive answers. I could ask much more, but I know we have many other applicants, so. I

[00:27:34] Member Lucas Ramirez: and I agree. Well done, both of you. Thank you again for applying. Uh, so we'll finish the uh, interviews for the other committees and then we'll uh, conduct the deliberations um, at the conclusion. Um, so thank you very much. Uh, we're gonna move on now to the performing arts, Mr. Lin, did you want to say something really quickly? I

[00:27:52] David: wait online or do I wait? Or do I log off and then you guys contact me?

[00:28:01] Member Lucas Ramirez: Any clerk, do you have a preference? No,

[00:28:03] Unknown Speaker: you're welcome to stay and hear the rest of the proceedings? It's up to you, whatever you'd like to do. Thanks.

[00:28:12] Member Lucas Ramirez: Oh, and uh, city clerk, I I just got a message from uh, Jill Rakesbra, one of the applicants. She says she's having trouble connecting. I don't know if that means she's in the waiting room or if she's having trouble with the Zoom, but.

[00:28:25] Unknown Speaker: She was on earlier and his since dropped off, but if she comes back, we'll, we'll get her in when uh. Her group.

[00:28:32] Member Lucas Ramirez: Okay, um, thank you. Uh, so we're now moving to the performing arts uh, committee, uh, Li Ling Al, and John McAllister are the 2 applicants. Thank you very much for applying and uh for joining us for interviews. Um, I'm going to ask each of you a question, um, and uh, we'll start, um, with, uh, Lee Lang, um, and then for the 2nd question, we'll start with John. Um, committee member Hicks will ask any follow up questions and then, um, we will continue with the remaining interviews, uh, conduct the deliberations and make a recommendation to the city council about the appointments for all committees, um, after all of the interviews have been done. Um, so with that, I'll go ahead and ask the 1st question. Um. Thank you very much for joining us. Why do you want to serve on the performing arts committee?

[00:29:35] Li Ling Al: Hi, um I've always been interested. Can you hear me? I'm just wanted to check. Great, okay. I've got a lot of interest in the performing arts. I'm a performer myself and um I, because we love the ability to give back to the community.

[00:29:55] Member Lucas Ramirez: Oh, and I should clarify, you have 3 minutes to respond. So if there's anything else you'd like to share. Yeah, you don't have to. Sorry, go ahead. Oh, you do not have to use all of your time if you do not wish to.

[00:30:09] Li Ling Al: Yeah, uh, I, I guess I'm very passionate about the performing arts. It's something that has meant a lot to me in my life and um, given me the ability to express myself further and it's something that I'm just passionate about allowing other people to feel this sense of connection through uh performing or experiencing other people performing. Thank you very much. And Mr. McAllister. Why do you want to serve on the performing arts committee?

[00:30:38] John McAlister: Well, you mean, you want me to give up my life over here in Hawaii, the more beautiful breeze? Uh, Mayor, you probably know the original response to that question. But, uh, I don't know if it's worth my mile. But, You know, uh, I enjoy the, uh, performing arts. In fact, this Saturday, no, Friday, I'm going to go to the Bankhead, Livermore Bankhead Theater, watch the group called the Rat Pack. And then on Saturday, I go to San Francisco, to the current, to watch Harry Potter. I've always enjoyed the performing arts. I support them. I think it's the performing arts center is a great asset to the city. And I like to see it fully utilized.

[00:31:24] Member Lucas Ramirez: Very good. Thank you. And then we'll start the 2nd question with you, John, and then, um, uh, Li Ling will respond. Uh, so John, what? Sorry, heard the train, I think. What do you think? Um, do you need me to repeat the question?

[00:31:52] John McAlister: Sorry. No, I just heard, the train horn, or is that somebody blanking you out for a reason, so I don't know.

[00:32:01] Member Lucas Ramirez: Oh, um, let's all mute ourselves while, um, uh, the, uh, Each applicant response if that's okay. Uh, so why, uh, what do you think should be the priorities for the committee in the coming few years?

[00:32:17] John McAlister: Well, if I was to the, well, if their work plan in order, I mean, it's been, their last meeting as a board was back in, uh, November, and they haven't met this whole year. So, Their work plan was for Fiscal year, 2018 through 2019. So I think that's one of the 1st things that they knew to get in order so that they have a roadmap to go so that we can act as an advisory capacity to the city. on the performing arts.

[00:32:50] Member Lucas Ramirez: Very good. Thank you. And Ms. Al, what do you think should be the priorities for the committee in the coming few years?

[00:33:00] Li Ling Al: Hello, sorry. I had to, can you hear me now? Great. Apologies, I had to mute myself. I'm out and about and I'm actually in Livermore right now, so that's a lot of fun. But yeah, so that was a train going past. um Yeah, uh could you repeat the question? I'm so sorry.

[00:33:17] Member Lucas Ramirez: No worries. What do you think should be the priorities for the committee in the coming few years?

[00:33:24] Li Ling Al: I think um everyone has had a lot of time away from the performing arts. It's been a very difficult time, especially for performers, um and I, I think it's, A huge investment into the community and the public to make them feel safe again to come back to the theatre and come back to the performing arts. Uh, watch shows. So I think it's vitally important to not only reattract the base that it originally had, but to reach out to further communities.

[00:33:59] Member Lucas Ramirez: Excellent. Thank you. Committee member hits. Do you have any follow-up questions for the applicant?

[00:34:05] Member Alison Hicks: I do not have any follow-up questions at this time. Thank you.

[00:34:10] Member Lucas Ramirez: Thank you. Well, thank you both for joining us. We're going to move on to the senior advisory committee interviews. You're welcome to stay, um, and listen, and then, um, at the again, at the end of the, uh, interview, uh, schedule will begin the delive- deliberations and make recommendations to the will council, so thank you again. And uh, we'll now move on to the next 2 uh applicants. Uh Yishendra. Sinha and Elna Times. Uh, we welcome um, we will uh, ask uh, a couple of questions. Um, you will have 3 minutes to respond, and then, um, uh, committee member Hicks will ask any follow-up questions. Um, and then as you may have heard, um, we'll continue on to the last, um, set of interviews for the human relations commission, um, you are welcome to remain and listen to the deliberations after that. Uh, so we'll go ahead and start with uh, the 1st candidate, uh, E Shindra, for the 1st question and then Elma, um, we'll have you answer the 2nd question 1st so we'll reverse order. Uh, Yishandra. Uh the 1st question is, uh why do you want to serve on the senior advisory committee? and you're you're muted. Uh, if if you are speaking, we cannot hear you. You're still muted. Maybe while we wait, um, we'll start with you, Elma, if that's okay. Fine. Um, so we'll start with Elna and then we'll reverse for the 2nd question. So, uh, Elma, uh, why do you want to serve on the senior advisory committee?

[00:36:31] Elna: Well, let's start with the fact that I founded this group over 10 years ago. Served as its 1st chair. Um, stayed through term x 2 expert, 2 term expirations. In other words, I termed out about 2 years ago. And um, I believe that 2 years is the length of time, uh, between, uh, reappointment, and that's what I'd like to do. I have a doctorate. And um, Healthcare, uh, with a specialty in seniors in Alzheimer's. Um, I have been a 10 year member of the Santa Clara County senior care commission, am still on it. I was a member of the advisory council for source wise, was on that until about 4 months ago. Um, I have done a tremendous amount of research on just seniors and aging. I produced for, Probably 6 years, the Mountain View, um, the state of Mountain View Seniors report. Um, I gather they decided to only go every other year after I left. Um, and I've been a senior advocate for many causes in the Bay, in Mountain View for years and years and years. Does that suffice?

[00:37:51] Member Lucas Ramirez: Yes, it does. Thank you very much. Uh, Yishandra, um, if you are, uh, hopefully you've, uh, addressed the microphone. Why do you want to serve on the senior advisory committee? We, we, unfortunately, still can't hear you. Uh, we, we can't hear you. Are you able to call in perhaps? City clerk, maybe we can send him um, a telephone number? That's okay. Um, okay, uh, so Elna, let's go ahead and ask you the 2nd question while we wait. Um. What do you think should be the priorities for the committee in the coming few years?

[00:38:50] Elna: Number one, the biggest problem has been the death rate from COVID among seniors. Um, mountain view is no exception to that. Um, the study that I initiate initiated for the source wise advisory council 2 years ago. discovered that there were, um, about 33 or 35% of the people who were dying from COVID in Santa Clara County. Um, were, uh, were seniors, and that, uh, or at least, excuse me, we're coming from nursing homes. And the nursing homes, um, included the nursing home statistics included both residents and staff members. Through that research, we discovered that there was, um, a serious problem with, um, hygiene and uh, infection control within the nursing homes, where, of course, the most vulnerable of the seniors were, were, um, confined. Um, That got addressed by the, uh, the legislature who appointed a, Um, and funded a committee of nurses to travel around the state visiting every nursing home. And unfortunately, that program ran into the problem of the great resignation. In other words, nurses where we were resigning from the profession too fast for them to fill that. So the problem remains. Um, we have um, a few nursing homes in um, in Mountain View. Um, they have public records as does every nursing home in the county. And their record is okay. Um, I would like to have us um, look at that information and decide whether in fact, Um, it's worth us paying attention to the nursing homes in Mountain View. We should also pay attention to the assisted living facilities because those were, um, not tracked as diligently as the nursing homes. That's my preference. Um, I should add that I am writing a book on nursing home reform, and that's just one of my special interests right now, beyond that. Mountain View seniors, um, like most seniors in the state have gotten pretty much ignored by social things. They have not been able to get into the senior center. They've not been able to participate in the activities that they used to be able to do. We have not been able to get any further action on the senior friendly city initiatives that the Mountain View put together just before the pandemic struck. And there are a whole lot of other kinds of things. In other words, Mountain View seniors. Who represent, I believe it's about 15% of the mountain view population. Um, need a little help in reconnecting to the social things that help them stay healthy. So that's my 1st priority.

[00:41:49] Member Lucas Ramirez: Very good. Thank you very much. We can hear you now. Yeah.

[00:41:57] Yishandra: We can make that mistake. To to begin with. I must thank you all for having given me an opportunity to attend this meeting. And Furthermore, I have been doing a lot of volunteer work. Since the time in this country. And it has been, there's a lot of scope. For seniors, especially, even in Mountain View. And my my heart goes out to people, and I see them on the streets, and I see a lot of homeless people. And then I find, That a lot of effort to the government is making you all are doing a fantastic job. You are aware of this situation. But even then, much is required. When I live in, in Alameda County city called Fremont. I came out with a proposal for housing popular people. And it was accepted. I gave them these because I have, having volunteeredly worked in India. I was associated with Consulting, getting houses made for low income people. With that in background, and also here, where would they score? So they score retired executives. Where I was able to help the industry. And people who are in small business people. I have a lot of compassion for people. With limited means. Poor, old, and I have been regular visitor, to the senior center here in Mountain View. There's a lot of information. As a matter of fact, information is restricted to certain areas. A member of the senior advisory. Sorry, I'm a member of the Santa Clara family. Health plan. Consumer command. I work is a volunteer in Fremont with many organizations. Including volance against women. Friendly visitors program. Food for, and for children, writing letters and all. And it was a great education for me. I mean, uh, I 1st came to the United States in 1998. And I've been living here since 2006. It's every game. So I feel that I have still got energy, though, I'm senior, you know, but still, I've got energy and will desire to do, and desire, and help, elevate the sufferings of the people. So I thought when I saw the ad, one day when I came to your Mount View office. I was happy. I said I must apply. And I must thank your staff, who are very kind, very positive. So I wrote an application, and today, when I heard. I was really sorry for the mess up today that you could not hear me, and I could see everyone else, and the 1st floor, and I was real down and out, you know, as if, as in cricket, they say clean gold, you know. So I look out and a partner had to work with you all. And I wish to congratulate you. You really conducted this meeting beautifully well. To the point.

[00:45:18] Member Lucas Ramirez: Thank you very much for applying, and no work at all. Technical errors happened to all of us, so we're glad that you were able to uh to participate in the interview. Um, the, the 2nd question uh, is, what do you think should be the priority is for the senior advisory committee in the coming few years? Uh,

[00:45:38] Yishandra: very uh, very good question. Because you see, you can give a plan wise, yearly plan, 5 year plan, 10 year plan, and long term plan. Now, at the moment, what's happening here? During rain, hot weather, when I see people on the street, people, begging for arms, you know, so that they can have a square meal. Though, there are organizations who are doing here a job, but we must think instead of 8 to accommodate them so that they'll reduce crime to a great extent. And also what we'll have is, the self-respect, self-esteem of an individual should be maintained. You cannot, we should not, in this, uh, project, United States, the top country today. Everyone looks towards United States. Everyone says that's the country, it country of opportunities, you know. And here we feel the people suffering, old, young, women saying we have children to feed and there's no food for them. Our my heart goes out bleeding me. And that's what I said with this time, we focused on this. We have a plan. Okay, we consider so many houses this year. Next year so much, and funding, et cetera. There's no death of government land here. And only thing is, there's a will required. We did a lot of work in Fremont. So I think we can also do it. That's my submission.

[00:47:04] Member Lucas Ramirez: Thank you very much. Community member Hicks, any follow-up questions?

[00:47:08] Member Alison Hicks: I do not have follow-up questions. Thank you.

[00:47:13] Member Lucas Ramirez: Thank you, and thank you, Elna, and Yishandra, for uh, applying and uh, joining us for the interview. Uh, you are welcome to remain. We got uh one um, uh, committee left, the relations commission, and then we'll deliberate and make a reputation. Sorry,

[00:47:29] Yishandra: sorry, can I, yes. I did a course. Community ambassadors program. Visited nursing homes, old age homes. I even came going to old age homes, and I feel when I talk to them, There's a cheer on the face of the people who live there. Loneliness is one thing which is scary. And we all young people or who can walk around and do, must go and interact with them. It takes off a lot of pressure, you know. That's what I feel personally.

[00:48:00] Member Lucas Ramirez: Thank you for the for the addition. Uh, so we'll go ahead and uh, close the interview for the senior advisory committee. Um, thank you again. Uh, is uh, Jill uh, in the waiting room? It is not, okay. Um. We've attempted that call for a few times. Uh, let's go ahead and do that. She, she had mentioned in her interview that, uh, sorry, in her email that, um, she, um, I guess was having some difficulty, so, um, we

[00:48:35] Unknown Speaker: have called her a few times, but it just goes to voicemail.

[00:48:39] Member Lucas Ramirez: Okay, you've you've attempted to reach out. Okay, never mind. All right. Um, well then, uh, we don't have in interview for the human relations commission, so let's go ahead and proceed to, um, the next, um, Uh, item, which is deliberation or discussion on recommendations, the committee will discuss recommendations for the downtown committee, performing arts committee and senior advisory committee. Uh, mini member picks, um, would you like to?

[00:49:14] Member Alison Hicks: So, I was impressed with all the candidates, and I believe that we have, uh, that the number of openings exceeds the number of applicants. So I think we do not have to make a very difficult decision. Am I wrong?

[00:49:34] Elna: I believe there's only one opening on this in your advisory committee. Oh, is that true? Let me see. Not true? No.

[00:49:44] Wanda (Staff): There are, there's more than one. Yeah, that's a charm. Sorry. Uh,

[00:49:55] Member Lucas Ramirez: so, um, Yeah, if we wanted to recommend all of the candidates, we would need to make a motion to do so, is that, is that right? Um do we have to read any language into the record or is it simple to say that we recommend all the candidates to have applied? Um,

[00:50:17] Wanda (Staff): regarding the performing arts committee, there are um, to vacancies, for unexpired terms ending December 31st, 2024, and there's one term ending December, 31st, 2022. Excuse me, there are 2 expired terms ending December 31st, 2022. And one expired term ending December 31st, 2024. Um, okay,

[00:50:50] Member Lucas Ramirez: so we will have to make...

[00:50:54] Member Alison Hicks: Well, you pondered that. I was going to tell you that I made contact with Joe Ragstrong. Sorry. Oh,

[00:51:00] Member Lucas Ramirez: okay. And is she is she gonna join for the interview? Um,

[00:51:06] Member Alison Hicks: I am still trying to figure that out. Okay. No

[00:51:10] Member Lucas Ramirez: worries. Um, if she happens to join before we conclude the meeting, um, happy to continue with that interview. Um. All right. So, um, I don't really have a strong preference for, uh, who should, uh, here the seat, uh, on the performing arts committee, uh, that ends, uh, the, with the term that ends in 2024. Um. You make a case either way, uh, committee member Hicks, do you have a strong feeling uh, one way or the other?

[00:51:44] Member Alison Hicks: I, I don't know, maybe we should have asked them earlier, which, um, Which, uh, I think would just roll the dice.

[00:51:55] Member Lucas Ramirez: All right. Well, um, unless I'm mistaken. Um, uh, Ms. Ow is not a Mountain View resident. She's eligible to serve, but is not as great as Mountain Beach. Okay. But just, if that's uh, a, you know, a factor as, as worthy as any to, to wait a candidacy. Um, I'll go, uh, if it's okay. Committee member Hicks. I go ahead and make a motion, um, to, or I'll move to recommend all of the candidates who have applied, and then for the performing arts committee, John McAllister, um, will have the term that ends in 2024 and then Leling out, would have one of the terms. That um expires in 2022.

[00:52:40] Member Alison Hicks: And the person would, they would be available to reapply at that point, I assume, for a 2nd term. That's just to make that clear.

[00:52:51] Member Lucas Ramirez: Um, and the only other question that we would have to ask is, uh, since Jill Rikshaw did not interview or hasn't yet joined, she's joining? Do you see her?

[00:53:01] Member Alison Hicks: She just popped in. Oh, is she on? Oh, then

[00:53:06] Member Lucas Ramirez: I'll stop texting her. Okay. All right, so let's, let's, um, pause the deliberation, we'll go and complete the interview, and then we'll return, and then we'll just amend the, the motion must even. Jill, thank you very much for uh, your patience for uh, applying for uh, the human relations commission. Um, you are the only applicant for one seat. We do have a couple of questions and then committee member Hicks uh may ask a follow up or 2 um and then once we've concluded the interview, um we'll continue with the deliberations. You'll have 3 minutes to respond to each question. Awesome. Um, 3 minutes. So you, uh, no, no, needs use all of the time. Um, the 1st question is, uh, what do you think the job of the human relations commission should be? Um.

[00:54:02] Jill: I think that it. Could have as big a scope as it needs to in terms of supporting the rights and needs of all the citizens of Mountain View. So it doesn't specifically mean our Latino residents, um, it could be Russian, it could be Chinese, it could be people with special needs or disabilities. I mean, it really, and it could be just you or me. I mean, everybody has the same right. Um, I, you know. I I've dealt with police violence here in this town. And, um, You might think it would only happen with People of color, but it affects a lot of us. So, I think, um, the Human Rights Commission really is here to support making, you know, like I put in my application, Mountain View, a community for all, and really finding a way to support that, um, making sure everyone feels welcome and part of the community. Thank you.

[00:55:16] Member Lucas Ramirez: The next question is, what do you think should be the priorities for the commission in the coming few years? Um,

[00:55:26] Jill: It's hard for me to say because I don't, I mean, I'm really excited for the housing survey that just came out. Um, I'm really interested to see what, um, the, you know, what people are experiencing in terms of, um, not just bad landlords, but all kinds of, you know, housing discrimination, which could mean a whole lot of different things for different people. Um, I also think that it's just important to stay really open to, um, whatever's happening in town that might be affecting people in different populations and not necessarily you know, creating a priority list and sticking to that, but more. continuously evaluating um, where their challenges and where the city could provide support.

[00:56:32] Member Lucas Ramirez: Excellent. Thank you. Committee member Hicks, any follow-up questions?

[00:56:37] Member Alison Hicks: Do not have any follow-up questions. Thank you.

[00:56:42] Jill: Sorry, I was in the garden. I didn't get all dressed up for you guys, but

[00:56:46] Member Lucas Ramirez: Of course, it's okay. Um, so we'll go ahead. so that concludes the interviews. We do have a motion on the floor. Um, we'll go ahead and add you into it, Jill. It's a recommended candidate. Yeah, uh human relations commission. Uh we do need a 2nd. That's okay.

[00:57:09] Member Alison Hicks: Uh, I 2nd your motion.

[00:57:12] Member Lucas Ramirez: Thank you. Um, city clerk, um, is the motion clear? Anything I should reiterate or include?

[00:57:23] Unknown Speaker: No, just confirming that John McAllister will be appointed to the 2024 ending term for performing arts.

[00:57:32] Member Lucas Ramirez: Okay. I think we're good. Fantastic.

[00:57:36] Member Lucas Ramirez: Thank you. Bye.

[00:57:39] Unknown Speaker: You wanted to, uh, do you want a roll call? If that's okay. One document.

[00:57:49] Wanda (Staff): You're on mute, Wanda.

[00:57:54] Wanda (Staff): Maybe member Hicks?

[00:57:56] Member Alison Hicks: Yes.

[00:57:57] Wanda (Staff): Sure, Ramirez?

[00:57:59] Member Lucas Ramirez: Yes.

[00:58:03] Unknown Speaker: Thank you. The motion pass.

[00:58:07] Member Lucas Ramirez: Fantastic. Thank you. Thank you, everybody, again for participating for blind, um, and uh, the, the full city council will, uh, consider the recommendation. Um, I'm guessing in a month or so, um, that's, uh, we'll we'll probably let everybody know once that's on the, uh, the, uh, the council agenda.

[00:58:29] Member Alison Hicks: Yeah, I'd like to thank everybody who's still on too. I I learned a lot from your interviews and and I'm looking forward to your serving.

[00:58:38] Member Lucas Ramirez: Likewise, terrific candidates. We will now move on to item 8 committee staff comments, questions, and committee reports. No action will be taken on any questions raised by the committee at this time. Are there any questions or reports?

[00:58:53] Member Alison Hicks: No questions or reports?

[00:58:56] Member Lucas Ramirez: Neither do I. Um, and staff, anything before we, okay. Fantastic. So then uh, we will adjourn the meeting at 6:01 PM. Thanks again, everybody, and have a good evening.

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