Santa Clara County board adopts proclamations, honors educator Bob Nunez and county employees

The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors reconvened at 4 p.m. and voted to approve the meeting agenda, then adopted proclamations and presented awards during the session.

The board approved the agenda by voice vote, with Supervisors recorded as voting in favor: "Supervisor Abe Kogan? Aye. Supervisor Jung? Yes. Supervisor Ellenberg? Yes. Vice President Arenas? Yes. President Lee? Aye," producing a 5-0 tally. The motion to approve the items was moved and seconded; the transcript records the second as "Adanath," and no further roll-call for that motion was provided in the record.

The board adopted a proclamation declaring February 2025 as African American History Month in Santa Clara County. President Lee read the proclamation, noting the federal recognition of the month dating to 1976 when President Gerald Ford urged Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans." Lee said the county will continue to "celebrate the legacy of Black Americans and proudly proclaim February 2025 as African American history month."

The board also presented a proclamation recognizing February 4 as Saka Nakodar Day, introduced by Vice President Sylvia Arenas. Arenas said the proclamation remembers four unarmed Sikh students — Ravinder Singh, Balbir Singh, Jomon Singh and Harinder (Harminder) Singh — killed on Feb. 4, 1986, during a peaceful procession in Punjab, India. In remarks delivered to the board, a family member and speaker identified in the transcript as Dr. Harinder Singh recounted the events and aftermath, including a judicial commission report filed Oct. 31, 1986, and a claim in the record that part two of that report is missing from state files. He described efforts by family members to seek inquiries and said California's State Assembly has recognized Feb. 4 as Saka Nakodar Day. "We still remember, and we will continue to fight," the speaker said in the chamber.

The board presented a commendation to Bob Nunez for his career advocating for educational and social equity. The proclamation text read that Nunez has served in roles including NWCP president, assistant superintendent at the Riverside County Office of Education, chief human resources officer and superintendent of the East Side Union High School District, and as a Milpitas Unified School District governing board member and city council member. Nunez, accepting the recognition, said he would be retiring to spend time with family: "I told everyone that, when Victor, Jeff, and Cindy left, so would I. They've left, now it's my turn to spend time with my grandchildren, my children, and my wife." (Direct quotes are taken from the meeting transcript.)

County Executive James Willing led presentation of the county's Employee Excellence Awards for February 2025, calling employees from multiple departments to the dais. Recipients and the roles read into the record included: Carly Flores, program manager 3, Valley Health Plan; Charles Rios, forensic pathology technician, Office of the Medical Examiner; Gladys Arriaga, associate pretrial services officer, Office of Pretrial Services; Sergeant Thomas Crevillo, Sheriff’s Office (recognized for actions during a fire at Elmwood Correctional Facility on Oct. 7, 2024); Scott (last name not specified in the transcript), technology services staff supporting behavioral health billing systems; Han (Connie) Nguyen, supervising account clerk, Financial Management Services; Eileen Tighe, pharmacist with the regional inpatient pharmacy; and Dahlia Castro, supervising health services representative. Willing and President Lee presented certificates and photos; the transcript records the board joining recipients for a group photo.

No formal public hearings or votes on ordinances, contracts or budget items are recorded in the provided transcript excerpt beyond the agenda approval and the adoption/presentation of proclamations and awards. The meeting was adjourned with a notice that the board would reconvene the next day.