February 26, 2025
Liang Chao, Mayor of Cupertino
Elected to City Council in 2018 and re -elected in 2022 Program
Pay Attention so you
might win a Cupertino
swag in the Trivia Game
6:30 PM Doors Open and Reception Begins
7:00 PM Pledge of Allegiance - Dennis
Whittaker
7:02 PM Recognize Honorable Guests
7:05 PM Mayor’s Initiatives
7:30 PM Partner Thank You & Recognition
7:35 PM Mayor’s Speech - 2025 Priorities and
Challenges
8:05 PM County Sheriff’s Office
8:10 PM County Fire Department
8:15 PM Best Wishes to Cupertino
8:20 PM Trivia Game
8:30 PM Public Comment
Join as Partners or Volunteers!
Mayor’s Initiatives
2025 Mayor’s Initiative
Cupertino
Stories
- Submit your stories
- Interview others and
submit stories
- Convert oral histories to
story entries
- Create videos from
submitted stories
- Submit articles to be
featured on website
CupertinoStories.org
Cupertino’s 70th Anniversary
October 10th, 2025
On September 27, 1955, voters approved the
incorporation of the city of Cupertino (225 voted "yes" and 183 voted "no") — 51.3% of the 438 votes.
Cupertino officially became Santa Clara County's 13th
city on October 10, 1955.
Cupertino Improvement
Assn., 1954
EXAMPLES OF CUPERTINO STORIES
Bubba the Bubb Road Bear
Bubba the Bubb Road Bear is a 1965 pine
tree. Its owner, Sarah Kopy, didn't want to
remove its stump because the sidewalk in that
area is uneven, and posed a hazard for
pedestrians.
Ms Sarah came up with an idea: why not carve
a bear from the stump? She hired a tree carver
from Humboldt, Glenn Severson.
Bubba puts a smile on everyone's face.
Neighbors have donated scarves and other
decorations for him. He is a true Cupertinian,
celebrating everything from Chinese New Year
(complete with a dragon), Valentine’s Day, St.
Patrick’s Day, Easter, Cinco de Mayo,
Juneteenth, the last day of school, spring,
summer, back-to-school season, Halloween,
Diwali, and, of course, Christmas. Bubba has
many fans.
If you have an event you'd like to celebrate,
consider leaving a note and/or a decoration for
Ms. Sarah. She may accommodate your
request if time and health permit. We thank Ms.
Sarah for all her efforts in decorating Bubba.
EXAMPLES OF CUPERTINO STORIES
George Chong - Cupertino Little League
The Cupertino Little League has been a community
institution since 1962. It relies on countless hours of volunteer time from residents like George Chong to
bring the sport of baseball to hundreds of children and teens each year. Chong, the current Board President,
originally became involved in the Little League
because he was so grateful to the other parents who
coached selflessly for his own son.
Now, Chong oversees all of the league's many teams,
including T-Ball, Minor, Majors, Juniors and Seniors
Leagues, and a Challengers division for those who
are physically and mentally challenged. The league is
an all-volunteer army with many families volunteering
to coach, organize fundraising, and all the logistics
needed for a season. Cupertino Little League
continues to bring together local families and students each year, building a true community that supports
one another.
The first Cupertino Library was housed in the Cupertino Store at the northeast corner of Stevens Creek Road and Saratoga- Mountain View Road (now De Anza Boulevard).
EXAMPLES OF CUPERTINO STORIES
Cupertino Library History
This library after
the Loma Prieta
earthquake.
- Discover interesting
people,
organizations,
businesses
- Capture memories
from those who
turned an agriculture
town into a high tech
hub.
Partners
Historic Society,
Library Foundation,
TV Productions,
Rotary Club,
Ding Ding TV,
…MORE TO COME…
Cupertino
Stories
Join Us
if you are interested in
capturing histories together
with us.
Cupertino
Art Faire
May 24 from 1pm to
4pm
Partnering with AAPI
Multicultural Festival
Dance at the
Plaza - without
Borders
April 12 from 3pm to
5pm (tentative)
- More community
dance events to
come…
Thanks to
Volunteer Organizers
Join Us
if you are interested in
creating fun events with us.
Partner Thank You and
Recognition
Special Thanks to Our Partners
EVENT PROMOTION
CUPERTINO STORIES
FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS MUSIC
Bay Area Youth
Music Group
DONORS
Thanks to
the City Staff and
Volunteer Coordinators
Liang Chao,
Mayor of
Cupertino
Representing only myself
February 26, 2025
Assistant Professor,
Iowa State
University
Technical
University of
Munich, Germany
Princeton University Computer Science,
Ph.D.
From STEM to Politics
Cadence Palladium Emulator:
processors to emulate processors
https://www.prnewswire.com/news -releases/cadence -ushers-in-new-era-of-datacenter - class-emulation-with-palladium -z1-enterprise-emulation-platform-300178157.html JITx (Just in Time for
Everything)
- software defined
electronics for circuit
board design
Making Public Policy
► Transparency
► Not elite nor special interest
► True Community Engagement
► Provide background and data
► Consider Diverse Viewpoints
► Fiscally Conservative
► Instrument of the Public
Elected to City Council in Nov. 2018,
re-elected in 2022. Term ends in 2026.
From School Volunteers
to Attending Every Council
Meeting in 2015
16,000 students
= 100% Capacity
Ideal: 14,400 =
90% Capacity
13,700 students
= 85% Capacity
=> Basic Aids?
Overcrowded
CUSD Enrollment Peaked in 2014
Vallco Shopping Mall => Office Park?!
16% Mall?
Retail+Entertmt+Civic
34% Housing 50% Office Space
2,000,000 SF=
10,000 workers
Main Street:
Retail:Office=1:2
Santana Row:
Retail:Office = 10:1
Hills at Vallco:
Retail:Office = 1:3
115 feet, 9 stories
Retail+Dining=400K SF
Entertainmt=210K SF
Civic = 15K SF
Total = 625K SF
© 2015 BetterCupertino.org, Paid for by Cupertino Residents for Sensible Zoning Action Committee, P.O. Box 1132, Cupertino, FPPC#1376003
Cupertino is Divided…?
Those concerned about 20 or 50 units
down the street…
Those concerned about the impact of
over 2 million sq.ft. of office
(accommodating 10,000 workers) plus
over 2400 units of housing.
► Responsible Developments adhere closely to the city's general plan and local laws. ► They proactively engage with the neighborhood,
► Sincerely listening to feedback
► Adjust their projects to address concerns.
► Rather than taking shortcuts to maximize profits
► They take pride in delivering products that truly meet the community's needs.
Common Ground: Responsible Developments
Cupertino Village Hotel: Approved 2019
- DA amended in 2023
► Lot Size: 1.46 net acres
► Type: Hotel (185 rooms)
► Zoning: P(CG,Res)
► To demolish two (2) commercial
buildings (13,429 sq. ft.) (The Duke of
Edinburgh)
► To construct a hotel with 185 rooms
De Anza Hotel: Approved in 2020
- DA amended in 2023
► Lot Size: 1.29 net acres
► Type: Hotel (155 rooms)
► Zoning: CG-rg
► to demolish an 8,323 sq. ft. commercial
building (Goodwill Tire Store)
► construct a hotel with 155 rooms
► with exceptions to height, and setbacks.
Westport (Oak Shopping): Approved 2020
► Lot Size: 8.1 acres
► Zoning: P(CG,Res)
► to demolish the existing 71,250 sq. ft. of
commercial buildings and
► construct 267 residential units and
► ~20,000 square feet of commercial space
► The 267 units include
► 88 Rowhouse/Townhouses,
► 48 are senior-independent living below -
market-rate units
► 131 are senior licensed assisted living units
► (27 memory care units - not counted
towards the 267 units)
Alan Row: Approved 2022
- 22540 Stevens Creek Blvd (Bateh Brother liquor)
► Lot size: 0.63 acres (0.78 acres gross lot
area)
► Zoning: P(CG)
► Demolition a liquor store (? sqft?)
► Construct 9 units, including one ADU
► 8 new 4-bedroom, 4-bath for-sale homes
► one low-income 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath
for-sale home.
► Allowed 15 du/acre. Proposed: 11.5
du/acre
Canyon Crossing: Approved 2022
- 10625 S. Foothill Blvd
► Lot size: 0.63 acres (0.78 acres gross lot area)
► Zoning: P(CG)
► Demolition a strip mall (? sqft?)
► Construct 18 units plus retail:
► 5 single-family homes, 8 townhomes, and 5 apartments
► a 4,536-square-foot commercial building
► Underground parking
Decision
Making
What’s dear to my
heart when I make
decisions
➢ Follow the law. Avoid exceptions
○ Westport - retail space
➢ Address residents’ concerns
○ Regnart Creek Trail
➢ Increase benefits to the community
○ two hotel projects
➢ Save costs when possible
○ McClellan Community Garden
➢ Invest in gaps in services
○ Silicon Valley Hopper
○ Senior aging in place
City Council in 2025
Upcoming Challenges
Monthly Chat
with Mayor
Contact me:
Liang Chao
[email protected]
➢ Monthly Chat with Mayor
○ Second Monday at 5pm
○ Rotate to different cafes, restaurants and
businesses
○ This year so far…
■ Holder’s Country Inn (January)
■ Avachi Biryani House (February)
■ Duan Chun Zhen Noodle House (March)
○ Welcome suggestions!
➢ Virtual Chat with Mayor
○ December 20 - Hosted by Theresa
○ Welcome to host one!
Proclamations
& Certificates
Current process in 2025
➢ Proclamations at City Council meetings
○ awareness of special months/weeks
○ recognition of organizations with consistent
contributions to Cupertino
➢ Proclamations to organizations so far:
○ Kids Fun Festival (since 2010) by Taiwanese Cultural
and Sports Association (TSCA)
○ Shin Shin Educational Foundation
○ Odd Fellows Cupertino Lodge (70 years)
○ West Valley Community Services
○ Welcome suggestions!
➢ Certificates - recognition, congratulations, awards,
honors etc.
○ https://cupertino.gov/councilmeetingrequest(10-day
processing time
FY 2025-27 Work Program Prioritization
► Top 10 lists from each councilmember
► March 3 Council Workshop : Council to rank items and select top 20 ► Example of proposed items:
► Enhance Senior Services: aging in place, senior commission ► Economic Development Strategies: business revitalization, tax revenue enhancement, etc. ► Public Safety: block leader program, license plate reader ► Urban Forest, Tree Planting
► Fiscal Health: Investment policy, cashflow analysis, etc. ► Permit streamlining
► Community Engagement: notification for developments, art in-lieu fee policy ► Transportation: LOS-TDM accountability, bus stops, hopper feasibility, etc.
Upcoming in Next Few Months
- subject to Council approval
► Revise Council Procedures Manual
► Re-enact Economic Development Committee
► Re-enact Legislative Review Committee
► Renovate the City Hall and the City Hall Annex (with EOC) ► Clarify Roles of Planning Commission, Audit Committee, Environmental Review Committee
Representing only myself
Losing Heart of the City to Townhomes
► Multiple sites with proposed townhomes: Pizza sites, United Furniture site, the Panera Bread area
► Building 20 units/acre, even though zoned 30 or 40 units/acre in the Housing Element
► We would not meet RHNA requirement and we are losing the Heart of the City to have a stretch of walkable commercial areas. ► What we could do?
Representing only myself
CHALLENGES
Losing Sales Tax Revenue
► Result CDTFA Audit - reduction of $10-20 million dollars in sales tax revenue
► Losing more sales tax as each commercial site is converted to housing
► Structural deficit of $10 millions in the foreseeable future Representing only myself
CHALLENGES
Losing Impact Fees thur Legal
Challenges
► Development Impact Fees are adopted through the Nexus Study to support infrastructure expenses
► Cupertino’s Impact Fees represent only a fraction of actual infrastructure costs
► A $70 million fee waiver for the Vallco SB 35 project. More might request fee waivers…
► Should taxpayers bear the burden of waived impact fees? Representing only myself
CHALLENGES
Losing Impact Fees thur Legal
Challenges
► Development Impact Fees are adopted through the Nexus Study to support infrastructure expenses.
► Cupertino’s Impact Fees represent only a fraction of actual infrastructure costs.
► A $70 million fee waiver for the Vallco SB 35 project. More might request fee waivers…
► Should taxpayers bear the burden of waived impact fees? Representing only myself
CHALLENGES
Fiscal Accountability - high cash/cash
equivalent balance
► $50-60M was placed in cash/cash equivalent
► After adjustments, continued to keep $20M in cash/cash equivalent
► Other cities keep about $1-4 millions in cash/cash equivalent ► Revised Investment Policy does not address this issue Representing only myself
CHALLENGES
Priorities: Capital
Projects versus
Service
Reductions?
Representing only myself
2020-21
Actuals
2023-24
Actuals
2011-12
Actuals
CIP Actuals
from OpenGov
CHALLENGES
CIP Project Funding and
Implementation Review
► Council often approves multiple million funding with only one paragraph of description. Then, contract for construction without ever seeing the design options
► Multiple options with different cost parameters should be provided to allow the Council to make decisions
► Best cost-effective option
► Decisions must be made with transparency and accountability
CHALLENGES
Representing only myself
Apologies
Equitable access to city events is a high priority
for me, but …
Due to a reduction of video team staffing from 4 to 3, it is not possible to support livestreaming from Quinlan Cupertino Room.
Due to a misunderstanding, I did not grasp that livestreaming would not be offered for the State of the City Address, if Quinlan is chosen as the location.
And I did not realize that both the 2023 and 2024 State of the City Addresses held at Quinlan Center was accessible through livestreaming. But not this year due to the staffing shortage I apologize.
Cupertino,
Heart of Silicon Valley
Small but Mighty
Liang Chao
[email protected]
Thank you
for allowing me to serve you!
County Sheriff’s Office
City of Cupertino
State of the City
SANTA CLARA COUNTY
OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF
COUNTYSHERIFF.SCCGOV.ORG
TOPICS
▪ AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READERS
▪ COMMERCIAL BURGLARIES
▪ WEST VALLEY VIDEO
AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READERS (ALPRs)
CITY OF SARATOGA
2022
• 6 stolen vehicles located/recovered
• 3 stolen license plates located/recovered
• 1 missing person case, provided assisted in location
• 3 suspects arrested
• 2 investigative leads
• 1 wanted vehicle located
• 1 warrant served
2023
• 13 stolen vehicles located/recovered
• 8 stolen license plates located/recovered
• 1 missing person case, provided assisted in location
• 24 suspects arrested
• 19 warrants served
2024
• 11 stolen vehicles located/recovered
• 9 stolen plates located/recovered
• 17 suspects arrested
• 8 warrants served
• 1 wanted vehicle located (involved in hit-and-run)
TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
2022
• 2 stolen vehicles located/recovered
• 2 stolen license plates located/recovered
• 1 missing person case, provided assisted in location
• 7 suspects arrested
• 2 investigative leads
• 3 wanted vehicles located
2023
• 3 stolen vehicles located/recovered
• 3 stolen license plates located/recovered
• 2 missing person cases, provided assisted in location • 3 suspects arrested
• 2 investigative leads
• 1 wanted vehicle located
2024
• 2 stolen vehicles located/recovered
• 2 stolen plates located/recovered
• 2 suspects arrested
• 1 investigative lead
➢ Carjacking
➢ Loaded Firearm
➢ Robbery
➢ Assault with Deadly
Weapon
➢ V ehicle Theft
➢ Mail Theft
➢ Identity Theft
➢ Burglary Tools
➢ Possession of Stolen
Property
➢ Reckless Evading
➢ Resisting Arrest
➢ Narcotics
➢ Hit and Run
➢ DUI
ALPR Arrest Case Highlight
Sheriff’s Case# 24-113-0082
On April 22nd, at approximately 8:16 a.m., deputies
responded to an automated license plate reader
notification for a stolen vehicle on Saratoga Avenue
at Highway 85. An investigation revealed the vehicle
was stolen from Santa Cruz and was still outstanding.
Deputies located and stopped the vehicle a short time
later. The suspect driver was wearing body armor at
the time of the stop and was also in possession of
loaded firearms, including a short barrel rifle without a serial number, and loaded high-capacity magazines.
The suspect initially refused to provide identifying
information or answer any questions, but ultimately
cooperated and admitted to having criminal history in
Canada. Further investigation revealed the suspect
had outstanding warrants in Canada, in addition to
prior arrests there for robbery and weapons related
charges.
The suspect was arrested and booked into Main Jail.
COMMERCIAL BURGLARIES
114
82 95
109
80 0
20 40
60 80
100
120
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
THANK YOU!
Sheriff’s Office West Valley
Substation
1601 S. De Anza Boulevard Suite
148
Cupertino, CA 95014
Administrative Offices
408-868-6600
Non-Emergency
408-299-2311
Emergency
9-1-1 or Text 9-1-1
County Fire Department
CITY OF CUPERTINO UPDATE
FEBRUARY 26, 2025
INSIDE SANTA CLARA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT
YOUTUBE.COM
CITY OF CUPERTINO
FIRE STATIONS
• Cupertino Fire Station: Engine 71 and Truck 71
• Seven Springs Fire Station: Engine 72 and HazMat 72
• Monta Vista Fire Station: Engine 77
UNIQUE HAZARDS
• Wildland interface areas
• High-rise buildings and ongoing development projects
• Hotels, Main Street Cupertino, Apple campus, and De Anza College
2024 INCIDENT SNAPSHOT Cupertino (71) 2,282
Seven Springs (72) 441
Monta Vista (77) 1,505
City Total 4,228
0 500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
Campbell Cupertino Los Gatos Saratoga Los Altos Unicorporated Los Altos Hills Monte Sereno Other 2024 Incidents by City/T own Jurisdiction
CFAI
Reaccreditation
Work in 2025
COMMUNITY EDUCATION
2025 EVENTS & CLASSES
• Adult Safety – May 14
• Safe Sitter – June 16
• CERT Academy – October 7
REQUEST A PROGRAM OR SERVICE
• County Fire offers many complimentary and low -cost fire and life safety courses
• Community members may request a program or service online:
www.sccfd.org
• Topics include career presentations, community events, evacuation/fire drills, station tours, and training in CPR, disaster preparedness, wildfire preparedness, and more
EMERGENCY ALERTS & WARNINGS: ALERTSCC
Register at AlertSCC.org
• AlertSCC is the official alert and warning system in Santa Clara County
• Community members are urged to register
• Alerts are delivered by zip code and based on user preference (phone, text, email)
EMERGENCY ALERTS & WARNINGS: GENASYS
Visit Protect.Genasys.com
• Genasys provides timely and
accurate evacuation-related
information specific to geographic
regions
• Cities are divided in zones
• Visit the website (or app) to view
evacuation orders, warnings, or other
safety-related advisements
GENASYS (continued)
• Search by address to
determine your
evacuation zone
• Click on zone for status
and detailed information
GENASYS (continued)
• Example of an
Evacuation Order
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
NEW APPARATUS
• Engine 77 in 2025
FLEET REPLCEMENT VEHICLES
• 7 Hybrid Ford F-150 Trucks
• 2 Ford Rangers
FIRE STATION
• Monta Vista Station repaired due to flood
NOTABLE EVENTS
• On January 27, 2025, crews from the
Cupertino station responded to a cardiac
arrest call. With the help of bystander CPR
and quick actions by our crews, the patient
was successfully resuscitated and was
awake and alert during transport
• HazMat 72 out of Seven Springs station
responded to several Hazardous Materials
events including:
• Chemical leak in Cupertino
• Rail car leak in San Benito County
NOTABLE EVENTS
Two engines from Cupertino fire
stations were deployed to the Los
Angeles fires – the most devastating
wildfires in the history of California
• E371 Deployment XSC2323 to the
Eaton Fire
• E77 Deployment XSC2301A to the
Palisades Fire
THANK YOU
Suwanna Kerdkaew, Fire Chief
Santa Clara County Fire Department
408.378.4010
[email protected]
From Campaigning to Governing
Birthday Wishes for Cupertino
Use Technology for Good
Respect Those Who You Disagree….
► You disagree on one or two or three issues, but you likely agree on 100 other issues. ► e.g. Cupertino Via => Silicon Valley Hopper
► Don’t assume the worst about others. Assume Positive Intent. ► e.g. They opposed 20-story Vallco project => They must be against ALL development.
► Don’t use the most extreme voice to define a group => Stereotype => Discrimination => Hatred. Treat each person as an individual with an open mind.
You’ll Find Something in Common with EVERYONE!
1.Embrace Those Who Are Different.
2.Appreciate Diverse Viewpoints.
3.Celebrate Our Common Ground:
Our Love for Cupertino.
Birthday Wishes for
the 70th Anniversary of Cupertino
2025 Mayor’s Initiative
Cupertino
Image borrowed from LA County : https://civilandhumanrights.lacity.gov/news/united -against-hate-week-2021 Poem
Assume not the worst, but positive intent,
For a single opposition to a grand project
Is not a rejection of progress,
But a call for a better, balanced vision.
Let extreme voices fade
Into the soft glow of understanding—
Each individual, a story untold,
Each perspective, a treasure to behold.
Find the common ground,
In the shared dreams and hopes we hold—
For in every heart lies a familiar tune,
Waiting to unite us all.
In a world where voices differ,
Where one note contrasts another,
Remember, it's just a part—
Not the whole song of our spirits.
You may disagree on a verse or two,
Yet harmonies abound in the rest—
A hundred shared chords waiting
To be discovered in conversation.
Like Cupertino Via and Silicon Valley Hopper,
Paths diverge and then intertwine;
Each step, each stance,
A rhythm in the dance of dialogue.
Respect Those Who You Disagree….
Trivial Game
For the State of the City Address or
Cupertino Stories
Name one partner mentioned
before
Special Thanks to Our Partners
EVENT PROMOTION
CUPERTINO STORIES
FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS MUSIC
Bay Area Youth
Music Group
DONORS
Which Year Cupertino was
incorporated?
1955
Which Year Cupertino was
incorporated?
How many people voted when
Cupertino was incorporated?
438 total
How many people voted when
Cupertino was incorporated?
How many people voted yes
when Cupertino was
incorporated?
51.3% of the 438 votes = 255 votes
How many people voted yes
when Cupertino was
incorporated?
Name one responsible
development project
mentioned before
Westport, Alan Row, Canyon Crossing,
Cupertino Village Hotel, De Anza Hotel
Name one responsible
development project
mentioned before
Which website to submit your
Cupertino Stories?
CupertinoStories.org
Which website to submit your
Cupertino Stories?
Liang Chao
[email protected]
Thank You!