The Sunnyvale City Council on Sept. 30 reinstated Jim Davis to the Housing and Human Services Commission after hearing an appeal over a clerks’ declaration that his seat was vacant due to two unexcused absences during the 12‑month period from July 2024 through June 2025.

Background

City policy 7.2.19 says that when an appointed board or commission member’s unexcused absences exceed 25% over a 12‑month period the city clerk shall declare the seat vacant; the city clerk declared Davis’s seat vacant on Aug. 25, 2025 and Davis filed an appeal on Aug. 26.

Public comment and council discussion

Davis told council he regretted the missed meetings, said one absence was an inadvertent scheduling mistake and the other was caused when an agenda email landed in his spam folder; he apologized and said he wished to continue serving. Several council members, including the council liaison who had served with Davis, said he brought useful experience to the commission and that he had attended special meetings; they expressed confidence he would participate reliably going forward.

Vote

Vice Mayor Sall moved to accept the appeal and reinstate Commissioner Davis; Council Member Srinivasan seconded. The motion passed 5–0 (Council Members Mellinger and Lay absent). Davis will resume his commission service through the end of the appointment term as specified in the city’s appointment schedule.

Why it matters: The action restored a commission appointment after a procedural vacancy notice and shows how council can exercise discretion in applying attendance policy when an appellant presents mitigating circumstances.