BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Government Code § 84308 Applies: Yes ☐ No ☒
(If “YES” Complete Attachment A - Gov. Code § 84308)
SUBJECT:
Title
Receive the Santa Clara Valley Water District Youth Commission’s Accomplishments Report and Recognition of the 2026 Outgoing Santa Clara Valley Water District Youth Commission Members.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
A. Receive and accept the Santa Clara Valley Water District Youth Commission’s Accomplishments Report; and
B. Acknowledge and recognize the 2026 outgoing Santa Clara Valley Water District Youth Commission Members.
Body
SUMMARY:
The Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) Youth Commission (Youth Commission) was established to assist the Santa Clara Valley Water Board of Directors with public policy, education, outreach, and all matters impacting the Santa Clara County youth and Valley Water. Participation in the Youth Commission also helps foster greater youth involvement in local government, inspiring and developing future public policy leaders and professionals with an awareness of issues and activities related to water supply, conservation, flood protection, and stream stewardship.
The Board’s Advisory Committees report annually to the Board on their accomplishments of the preceding year. This item conveys the Youth Commission’s accomplishments for the 2026 school year and provides the opportunity for the Board to acknowledge and recognize the outgoing eleven (11) Youth Commission members who graduated as part of the Class of 2026 and will no longer be eligible to participate on the Commission after August 2026.
Highlights from the Youth Commission’s accomplishments this year include:
1. The Creekside Community Care Initiative Project Group assembled and distributed enhanced hygiene kits to unhoused youth, including new items such as Mylar blankets, whistles, socks, and flashlights.
2. The One Water Pitch Youth Video Competition Project Group held its first video competition and awarded prizes to both middle and high school students on water conservation.
3. The Data Accessibility Project Group hosted a National River Cleanup Day site in Alviso, where they sorted and categorized trash collected by volunteers and developed an informational flyer.
The following Youth Commissioners graduated this year and were recognized and presented with their Certificates of Recognition and Appreciation at the May 20, 2026 Youth Commission meeting by Board representatives, Valley Water staff, and fellow Youth Commissioners:
1. Ishaan Mandala - District 1 (Director Varela)
2. Aadrit Talukdar - District 1 (Director Varela)
3. Abigail Ha-Neul Kim - District 1 (Director Varela)
4. Andrew Lomio - District 2 (Director Ballard)
5. Alonso Jose - District 2 (Director Ballard)
6. Betalem (Betty) Berhanu - District 2 (Director Ballard)
7. Agata Bak - District 4 (Director Beall)
8. Aditya Shivakumar - District 5 (Director Hsueh)
9. David Nquyen Huynh - District 6 (Chair Estremera)
10. Sinit Hadgu - District 6 (Chair Estremera)
11. Doyoon Kim - District 7 (Director Eisenberg)
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IMPACT:
There is no environmental justice impact associated with this action.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact associated with this item.
CEQA:
The recommended action does not constitute a project under CEQA because it does not have a potential for resulting in direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: 2026 YC Accomplishments Report
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER:
Manager
Wendy Ho, 408-630-3874