1 CITY COUNCILMEMBER REPORT
Meeting: December 3, 2024
Reporting Councilmember: Mayor Sheila Mohan
Report Dates: 11/5/24 to 11/25/24
Item Date, Title, and Description:
11/8/24 to 11/14/24: Visit to Bhubaneswar as part of the Cupertino-Bhubaneswar sister City initiative.
• Reception by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation where the Cupertino team consisting of City Manager Wu, Sister-City organizers Mahesh Pakkala, Reena Rao and me were warmly received by the Mayor of Bhubaneswar and her city team. The discussion focused on how to strengthen ties between our two cities, including student exchange, cultural exchanges and business ventures in our city. City Manager made a presentation showcasing Cupertino’s unique features.
• Dinner with the Mayor, her staff, commissioners, and other city officials – this was a more informal gathering where we discussed how we can learn from each other and what information we can provide them in the field of sustainability and climate action. • The Sister City Initiative and the Bhubaneswar Chamber of Commerce held a roundtable discussion on culture, arts, tourism, technology know-how, medical tourism and small businesses. The event was well attended by Bhubaneswar’s business leaders attended who displayed genuine curiosity and interest in knowing about Cupertino and its business climate. There was particular interest in bringing groups of business executives to Cupertino and participating with US businesses in the exchange of ideas and business practices.
• Visited a large private school which has expressed interest in a student exchange visit to Cupertino next Spring. Preliminary groundwork has already been done with our school superintendents and school officials
11/16/24: Attended the City’s CREST Awards and events. A well-attended event of commissioners, awardees, community groups and residents. I welcomed the group, Council
City Council Councilmember Report
2 members gave out awards, and outgoing and incoming Commissioners were recognized for their public service.