COMMITTEE AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Santa Clara Valley Water District Youth Commission
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, Recognition of the 2026 Outgoing Santa Clara Valley Water District Youth Commission Members and Forward the Accomplishments Report to the Board for Consideration.
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; and
C. Approve forwarding the Accomplishments Report to the Board for consideration.
Body
SUMMARY:
The Santa Clara Valley Water District 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 on the commission also helps to foster greater involvement of youth in local government to inspire and develop future public policy leaders and professionals with an awareness of issues and activities relating 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 donated enhanced hygiene kits for unhoused youth, expanding the kits to include flood preparedness items such as Mylar blankets, whistles, socks, and flashlights.
2. The One Water Pitch Youth Video Competition Project Group launched a video competition, recognizing middle and high school students for creative projects promoting water conservation.
3. The Data Accessibility Project Group hosted a National River Cleanup Day site at Alviso Slough, where members conducted trash sorting activities and developed an educational flyer to promote community awareness.
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 - representing District 1 (Director Varela)
2. Aadrit Talukdar - representing District 1 (Director Varela)
3. Abigail Ha-Neul Kim - representing District 1 (Director Varela)
4. Andrew Lomio - representing District 2 (Director Ballard)
5. Alonso Jose - representing District 2 (Director Ballard)
6. Betalem (Betty) Berhanu - representing District 2 (Director Ballard)
7. Agata Bak - representing District 4 (Director Beall)
8. Aditya Shivakumar - representing District 5 (Director Hsueh)
9. David Nquyen Huynh - representing District 6 (Chair Estremera)
10. Sinit Hadgu - representing District 6 (Chair Estremera)
11. Doyoon Kim - representing District 7 (Director Eisenberg)
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IMPACT:
There are no Environmental Justice impacts associated with this item.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: 2026 Youth Commission Accomplishments Report
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER:
Manager
Rachael Gibson, 408-630-2884