1 CITY COUNCIL ACTIVITY REPORT*
Meeting: Tuesday, March 19, 2024
+for the “Councilmember Reports” agenda item under the “COUNCIL REPORTS AND COMMENTS” section
Reporting Councilmember: Councilmember Liang Chao
Report Activity Dates: 2/27/24 to 3/09/24
Section 1: Events Attended (Date, Title, and Description):
(This list does not include internal meetings with staff only, such as prep sessions or meetings with the City Manager.)
2023‐03‐01 Meeting with FUHSD Superintendent Graham Clark on the transition to trustee‐area elections.
‐ I summarize community concerns on the rush to transition and requested FUHSD to consider alternatives (My presentation)
2024‐03‐02 Invited to attend the film screening of the newly released documentary “Killing America” ‐ This film follows how Sequoia Union High School District and San Francisco United School District eliminated advanced classes and merit‐based admissions. ‐ It starts out with unbelievable concerning antisemitic remarks on social media and antisemitic actions in schools.
2024‐03‐08 Attended webinar on Discussion About Funding Opportunities for Recreation Services ‐ Presentation outlines that each client of San Andreas Regional Center with an IPP (Individual Program Plan) qualities for funding for up to 6 hours of “social recreational activities”, which include art, dance, sport, YMCA or small group activities to promote socialization. ‐ This is one of the monthly webinars for families to get information and ask quesitons,
Section 3: Committee Assignment
2024‐02‐28 Santa Clara County Recycling and Waste Reduction Committee (RWRC) ‐ appointed by Cities Association to represent the north county cities
2 ‐ Informative presentation on Household Hazardous Waste Program and the National Stewardship Action Council on Medication and Needle Extended Producer Responsibility (More resources)
‐ SCC medication disposal – find a location
‐ SCC needle safe disposal: Sharps – find a location
‐ There was interest to learn more about the high cost recycling Marine Flares and the proposed bill SB 1066.
‐ Appointed nonprofit organization members for the Technical Advisory Committees
Section 2: Other Activities to Serve the Community:
(This list includes other activities I have spent time on to “represent the community I am elected to serve”, “to respond to community needs and complaints,” and “to communicate policies and programs to residents,” among other responsibilities.) NOTE: In the past, for this agenda item, each Councilmember reports their activities on the dias and also makes any comments/announcements they feel are important for the community to know. Thus, I am continuing that tradition here.
1. Update on License Plate Reader Program
○ A few residents who experienced recent break‐ins have requested the installation of license plate reader cameras. These cameras would alert the police if any suspicious vehicles with a record are detected.
○ At the recommendation of the Public Safety Commission, the Council has put the program on the FY 2022‐23 Work Program. The Council continued this program on the two‐year FY23‐25 Work program. But this program is one of the many programs proposed for reduction during the January 17, 2024 Council meeting.
○ The Q4 FY 2022‐23 update indicates that outreach should be completed by August 2023 and a proposal should be on the Council agenda by the end of September 2023. But currently the staff is just developing an outreach plan.
2. Update on the gate closure of the former Regnart Elementary School. ‐ A resident commented at a Council meeting that the gate to the field of the former Regnart Elementary School was closed. As a result, the nearby residents cannot use the school field after school hours as parks.
‐ I have reached out to Superintendent Stacy Yao of CUSD to confirm that the gates should be open. Stacy said there should be a sign with a contact number in case the gates are closed.
3. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocations and expenditures ‐ During the registration for the National League of Cities conference, March 11‐13, one question from the questionnaire for attendees is about ARPA funds and how they are spent or budgeted. Thus, I collected some information from the City and the County. ‐ The City received $9,694,773 in ARPA funds. The funds were used to offset revenue losses, such as TOT, which dropped significantly during Covid.
‐ The County allocation for ARPA was $374.4 million in one‐time funds. Here is the latest report (and the 8th report since August 2021) to the County Board of Supervisors on the ARPA allocation and expenditures.
4. Cupertino Budget Discussions:
3 ‐ The proposed service level reduction was discussed on the January 17 Council agenda to collect Council feedback.
‐ The next step in the budget discussion is CIP (Capital Improvement Project), which should be on the March 19 Council agenda.
‐ A roadmap of what’s upcoming is in the Feb. 6 Staff Presentation for the Fee Study Agenda Item:
‐ The first of two Community Workshops on Budget was held on Thursday 2/29. (Find the presentation and the video here)
5. Housing Element Update:
‐ I have submitted an agenda request to have a study session on the current HE draft before the final adoption, as the Council should not be expected to rubber stamp such the set of extensive and important legislative documents with many new policies and commitments to be adopted all in one meeting. Aa part of a review of the TBD (to‐be‐determined) agenda requests, at the March 5 Council Meeting, the staff indicated that there will be a study session, but no dates or even approximate dates could be shared at this time,
6. FUHSD By‐Trustee‐Area Election in November 2024
‐ After the community provided feedback and submitted maps, some maps were presented by the Consultants to the CTAD Committee on March 11, who will choose 3‐5 maps to recommend to the FUHSD Board. The community can provide feedback on the recommended maps before the March 20 Board meeting.
‐ Upcoming meetings:
‐ Wednesday, March 20, 2024 (6 p.m.) ‐ likely to finalize the maps ‐ April 24, 2024 (6 p.m.) ‐ likely final adoption of the resolution ‐ There is serious concern of potential closure of Lynbrook High, Cupertino High or Monta Vista High among the parent communities, given that there is a strong advocacy effort to reopen the Sunnyvale High School. FUHSD has explained that the district continues to invest in infrastructure for those three schools in Cupertino and West San Jose and the cost of reopening Sunnyvale High would be at least $0.5 million dollars. To ensure that any school closure decision is not made on a divided 2‐3 split votes, I have urged the FUHSD Board to adopt a Board Policy that requires a supermajority vote for any school closure,
(Last Activity Report in the March 5, 2024 Council Meeting Agenda.)