1 CITY COUNCILMEMBER REPORT
Meeting: April 16, 2024
Reporting Councilmember: Mayor Sheila Mohan
Report Dates: 3/26/24 to 4/8/24
Item Date, Title, and Description:
3/26/24: Met with representatives of the Age Friendly Cupertino Group to discuss their concerns including housing for care staff for seniors, transportation for seniors, affordable housing, senior-friendly housing at all income levels, and demographics of Cupertino in the next few years.
3/27/24: Attended the West Valley Mayors and Managers meeting. Mayors and City Managers from Campbell, Los Gatos, Monta Sereno and Saratoga discussed the housing element status in each city, housing laws update, and the challenges posed by requirements of the Housing Elements. The West Valley cities, except Campbell, are all awaiting certification from HCD.
3/27/24: Together with Councilmembers Wei and Moore, I attended the Lehigh Annual Meeting moderated by County Supervisor Joe Simitian and hosted by the City of Cupertino.
The topic of discussion was the future of the Lehigh Cement Plant and Quarry site. A panel representing several oversight agencies answered questions from community members.
Supervisor Simitian reiterated the commitment to permanently close the cement plant, and end quarrying activity. Restoration of the site is expected to take many years, but it will happen.
3/28/24: To celebrate Read Across America, a national program to encourage children to read, I read “Green City” by DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan to 3rd graders from Stevens Creek Elementary School. The children’s book featured characters who secretly planted seeds along the very tiny and very urban sidewalk and watched a green city come to life. Deputy Sheriff Patel, the resource officer for the school, coordinated the reading session.
City Council Councilmember Report
2 3/28/24: Interviewed with Samhita Kashyap, a student of Monta Vista High School, about the possibility of the City extending the hours of operation of the SV Hopper to enable students who take public transportation to attend after-school activities.
3/29/24: Enjoyed a lunch at the lovely Parkside restaurant in Los Gatos, hosted by Councilmember Maria Ristow. This was a group of women elected officials, past and present, who shared their experiences in public service and the joys and challenges they encountered along the way.
3/29/24: Together with Sunnyvale Mayor Larry Klein and Vice Mayor Murali Srinivasan, I performed the ribbon-cutting for Kovai, a South Indian restaurant which opened on De Anza Blvd. The restaurant is located in San Jose, but only a few feet from Cupertino, and specializes in South Indian delicacies such as dosa and idli.
3/30/24: Braved some initially inclement weather to participate in the Big Bunny 5K fun run. The 3.1-mile race through the streets of Cupertino started and finished at the Civic Center Plaza. Approximately 500 participants attended. Councilmember Kitty Moore and I distributed medals to winners in several categories. Kudos to Councilmember Moore for finishing in the top three in her category.
4/2/24: Participated in a zoom meeting with representatives of Kimco to discuss their plans for a hotel in the Cupertino Village. This was in preparation for the 4/3/24 Council agenda on which this item appeared.
4/3/24: Attended a meeting with a Cupertino resident, an advocate for the bird safe and dark skies ordinance to be included in all discussions pertaining to new developments in the City.
4/5/24: I was the guest speaker at the Chamber of Commerce Legislative Action Committee meeting, and my remarks focused on recent developments in the city and recent actions approved by the City Council to enhance economic development activities and welcome small businesses.
4/5/24: I attended the Spring for Education, a fund raiser for the FUHSD Foundation. A well-attended event which featured performances by high school students, a catered dinner and a very successful silent auction.
4/7/24: The Chamber of Commerce organized a fun-filled Holi celebration in Memorial Park. A large number of members of the public celebrated the arrival of Spring by tossing City Council Councilmember Report
3 colors, dancing to the lively music, and enjoying food at the food trucks. Together with Vice Mayor Fruen and other elected officials, I made a few remarks welcoming the crowd.
4/8/24: I hosted the monthly Chai and Chat with the Mayor at Starbucks inside Target. A group of about 15 attended and asked questions ranging from pickle ball courts to stray cats to pavement repairs.