CITY COU
NCILMEMBER REPORT
Meeting: May 7, 2024
Reporting Councilmember: Vice Mayor J.R. Fruen
Report Dates: 4/9/24 to 4/29/24
Event Date, Title, and Description:
Event 1. April 10, 2024 – Staff Briefing Regarding 6th RHNA Cycle Housing Element – I met staff to discuss the state of the Housing Element. The timing proved auspicious as the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) had just issued a letter finding the city’s draft Housing Element compliant contingent on adoption and rezoning.
The meeting was a useful predicate for my April 15 meeting with our reviewer from HCD.
Event 2. April 11, 2024 – Cities Association of Santa Clara County JPA Legislative Action Committee Meeting – I attended this meeting in my capacity as Cupertino’s representative to the CASCC LAC. We discussed multiple positions on four specific bills and forwarded recommendations along to the Board for their consideration. The LAC will continue its deliberation on bill positions at its May 9 meeting.
Event 3. April 13, 2024 – San Jose Westgate Transportation Planning Focus Group – The SJSU Department of Urban and Regional Planning, in coordination with the office of San Jose Vice Mayor Rosemary Kamei hosted a focus group session for local electeds and staff to examine challenges posed in a roughly one mile radius centered on the intersection of Prospect Road and Lawrence Expressway. Participants included San Jose Vice Mayor Rosemary Kamei, Campbell Union High School District Trustee James Kim, Campbell City Councilmember Anne Bybee, Saratoga Mayor Yan Zhao, Saratoga Vice Mayor Belal Aftab, Cupertino Councilmember Hung Wei, myself, and representatives of public works or transportation departments (or their equivalent) from San Jose, Cupertino, and the County of Santa Clara.
Event 4. April 14, 2024 – Meeting with Advocates Opposed to Artificial Turf – I met with Andrea Wald and resident Steven Hill about the environmental dangers created by artificial 1 City Council Councilmember Report
2 turf with specific emphasis on PFAS contamination. The meeting was productive and illuminating.
Event 5. April 15, 2024 – Meeting with California Department of Housing and Community Development – At my request, our Housing Element reviewer, Jose Juaregui, and his supervisor, Melinda Coy, met with me to discuss the city’s most recent Housing Element
iteration. Among other items, they emphasized that the document should not be changed unless such changes make it “more ambitious” and that Strategy HE 1‐3‐6 would require Cupertino to revisit and loosen its R‐2 zoning standards.
Event 6. April 20, 2024 – Cupertino
Earth & Arbor Day – Along with the rest of the City
Council, I participated in our Earth and Arbor Day activities at Library Field. In addition to honoring our tree maintenance staff, we also helped to plant a new oak tree in Wilson Park.
Overall, the event was very well attended. This year’s food trucks were better positioned and helped support collective reuse of cups.
Event 7. April 20, 2024 – Citizens for Better Community Gala – TI attended this annual charity event in Fremont as a guest. CBC supports a variety of good works in the East and South Bay.
At this year’s gala, they awarded numerous grants in support of organizations like Youth4Good.
Event 8. April 22, 2024 – Reception of Student delegation from Copertino Sister City – Together with the entire City Council, I joined the city’s welcome reception for a delegation of students from our
oldest sister city, Copertino, Italy. The visit included a presentation and tour from the city manager and staff for which I helped interpret.
Event 9. April 23, 2024 – Induction Cooking Demonstration with Chef Martin Yan – Together with Mayor Mohan, and Councilmembers Wei and Moore, I attended a demonstration of
induction cooktop food preparation presented by celebrity chef Martin Yan. The event was put together by Silicon Valley Clean Energy and San Jose Clean Energy. The presentation was well‐ attended and well‐received.
Event 10. April 26, 2024 – Meeting with BSA Scout Regarding School Enrollment – I met with
BSA Scout Thejas who asked questions about school enrollment and how the city and school district can stem school enrollment declines.
Event 11. April 26, 2024 – Silicon Valley Chinese School 50 th Anniversary Celebration –
Along with a number of elected and appointed officials in the West Valley, I joined the Silicon Valley Chinese School for its celebration of its 50th Anniversary at the campus of Lynbrook City Council Councilmember Report
3 High School. On behalf of Mayor Mohan and the City Council, I presented them with a Certificate of Recognition in honor of the occasion.
Event 21. April 27, 2024 – Cupertino Cherry Blossom Festival – Together with Mayor Mohan, and Councilmembers Moore and Wei, I attended the ceremonial opening of the Cupertino
Cherry Blossom Festival. The ceremony included comments from the Consul General of Japan, awards to Virgil and Trish Klein for their years of volunteerism in support of the Cupertino‐ Toyokawa Sister City Association (the organizer of the event), in addition to comments offered by the Mayor, and representatives of Congressman Ro Khanna’s office and Assemblymember Evan Low’s office, among others. Overall, it was a joyful and well‐attended event.