CITY COUNCILMEMBER REPORT Meeting: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 Reporting Councilmember : Mayor Liang Chao Report Dates : 6/11/25 to 7/8/25 ● Last Activity Report in the June 17, 2025 Council Meeting Agenda Section 1: Announcement - Message from the Mayor : ❖ Mayor’s Initiatives and other updates: ➢ Cupertino Stories : You are welcome to email entries to [email protected]. ■ Thank you to Cupertino Science Technology University (CSTU) for managing the project.
They
have
developed
tools
to
convert
audio/video
stories
to
text.
■ The website will be redesigned soon to accept story submissions. ❖ Monthly Chat with Mayor Community Meetings: These meetings will be generally held on the second
Monday
at
5pm
each
month,
but
it
might
be
moved
to
other
Mondays
if
needed.
The
location
will
rotate
so
that
we
cover
different
businesses
each
month.
➢ The last Mayor’s Chat was held at Thai Bangkok Cuisine on June 9th at the Stanley Square, across from
the
U.S.
Post
Office.
We
had
the
monthly
chat
in
a
packed
room
with
Acting
City
Manager
Tina
Kapoor
while
we
enjoyed
samples
of
Thai
appetizers.
➢ The next Monthly Chat with the Mayor will be held on Monday July 14th at 5pm. The location at La
Pizzeria,
10088
N
Wolfe
Rd
Ste
120
Cupertino,
CA
95014
(At
the
Wolfe
Road
side
of
the
Nineteen800
Plaza,
by
the
Vallco
Parkway)
1 ❖ Process to Request Certificate of Recognition or Commendation: ➢ To ensure such requests are handled as smoothly and efficiently as possible, the City Manager’s Office
has
implemented
a
dedicated
process.
➢ We kindly ask that you complete the following form, which will allow Mayor Chao to present a certificate of recognition: https://cupertino.gov/councilmeetingrequest ❖ Proclamations at Council meetings : This year, I plan to follow a tradition upheld by some former Cupertino
mayors
and
other
mayors
in
recognizing
organizations
or
individuals
with
proclamations
during
Council
meetings.
My
goal
is
to
honor
those
who
have
made
consistent
and/or
significant
contributions
to
Cupertino,
with
an
emphasis
on
those
who
are
less
well-known.
If
you
have
any
suggestions,
please
feel
free
to
me
at
Proclamations for contributions will generally be presented at the second Council meeting of each month, while
the
first
meeting
will
continue
to
recognize
special
observances
(e.g.,
awareness
months
or
weeks)
as
before.
You
are
also
welcome
to
submit
suggestions
for
these
recognitions.
Section 2: Committee Assignment
2025-06-12 Attended the Quarterly Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara Mayors and City Managers Meeting
at
the
Sunnyvale
City
Hall
2025-05-21 Attended the Monthly West Valley Mayors and City Managers Meeting at Jake’s in Saratoga
- The meeting is attended by mayors and city managers of Campbell, Saratoga, Los Gatos and Cupertino. - The CEO of VTA gave a presentation and we asked questions. We have invited the CEO to give a presentation
at
a
future
City
Council
meeting.
2 2025-06-25 Santa Clara County Recycle and Waste Reduction Committee Regular Meeting ● Received an overview on SB 54: The Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging ProducerResponsibility Act
from
staff
and
how
the
new
law
will
impact
local
jurisdictions
● Receive a presentation on the Recycling and Waste Reduction Commission’s Reuse and Recycling Outreach
Services
provided
by
the
San
Jose
Conservation
Corps
● Received an update from staff on the status of the following components of the Recycling And Waste Reduction
Commission
workplan/budget.
Section 3: Activities by Date (Date, Title, and Description): NOTE: ● This list does not include internal meetings with staff only, such as prep sessions or meetings with the City Manager. ● This list includes activities 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 of a City Councilmember. ● Due to my work schedule, I have cut down on the event attendance for ceremonial purposes, especially those I have attended
almost
every
year
in
the
past.
Instead,
I
focus
more
of
my
time
on
constituent
services.
2025-06-12 Attended the Council Governance workshop by Kevin Duggan, hosted by Cal Cities Peninsula
Division,
at
the
Sunnyvale
City
Hall
2025-06-13 Grand Opening of the Jollyman Park All-Inclusive Playground ● The Dream band from the Friends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN) played before and during
the
ceremony
with
great
tunes
for
dancing.
● The staff and consultant design teams spoke and were recognized for their contribution. The donors,
such
as
PG&E
were
recognized.
● Many children were excited to explore the various features. 2025-06-14 Attended the Dilli Haat Festival at the Memorial Park, organized by WomenNow - The festival has many booths and great stage performances. - A highlight is the Sari parade and the Sari show, where many groups of community members put on their Sari
and
performed
at
the
Amphitheater.
2025-06-18 Attended the 34th Korean War Veterans Appreciation Banquet at the Quinlan Center,
organized
by
the
Silicon
Valley
Korean
American
Senior
Citizens
League
- Many American soldiers went to Korea to fight the war. Due to their efforts, the Koreans in the South Korea
are
able
to
thrive
in
a
democratic
country.
Many
Koran
veterans
were
still
missing
.
- About 15 Korean War veterans were recognized at the event. 2025-06-21 Attended a community meeting at the Sunnyvale Hindu Temple with Assemblymember Patrick
Ahrens
and
Sunnyvale
Councilemember
Murali
Srinivasan
- We first toured the Hindu Temple and got blessings from them. - Then, a presentation was given about the attacks on Hindu Temples around the U.S. and concerns were expressed
about
a
state
bill,
which
might
stigmatize
Hindus
in
the
U.S.
due
to
historic
stereotypes.
2025-06-22 Attended the Award Ceremony of the Cricket Academy at the Library Field - It was great to see many kids getting recognized with awards. - Some teams came from other states and stayed for 4 days to participate in the tournament. 3 2025-06-23 Attended a meeting with Block Leaders and CERT/CARE/ARM volunteers to find out the current
state
of
the
program
- About 30 long-time volunteers in the Block Leader, Neighborhood Watch and CERT program attended.
They
shared
comments
on
what
might
help
improve
the
program..
2025-06-26 Attended Business Women Luncheon, now hosted by the Chamber of Commerce at the Community
Hall
- Doron Noyman, VP of Development and Community Relations at KeyPoint Credit Union, gave a presentation
on
the
Art
of
Networking.
Then,
the
audience
asked
questions.
KeyPoint
Credit
Union
also
sponsored
the
lunch.
2025-06-27 Attended a meeting with SummarHill on their plan to develop the Staples/Pizza Hut site - The project will be on the upcoming 7/1 agenda. This is the third meeting with them. They have met with representatives
from
the
Scofield
neighborhood.
They
have
adjusted
their
design
to
move
one
foot
away
from
the
fence,
bordering
the
Scofield
neighborhood.
2025-06-27 Attended the Inaugural meeting of the Small Builders’ Association at the Community Hall - The Community Hall was packed. The association brings together local builders, and other service providers,
such
as
interior
designers
so
they
can
help
each
other
to
grow.
- “To celebrate our launch, we’re offering FREE lifetime SBA memberships to builders, contractors, vendors, and
more”
(https://www.sbabayarea.org/)
2025-06-28 Attended the Cupertino Amateur Radio Emergency Services (CARES) Field Day, at Memorial
Park
- The CARES volunteers use radio to communicate with other operators in other cities or states. - There does not seem to be sufficient signage to bring community members to visit the Field Day to learn about
what
they
do.
2025-06-28 Attended the Summer Afternoon of Bollywood Beats and Dances at the Saratoga Community
Center
- A dynamic live band with great music for dancing. 2025-07-04 Attended the Flag Raising for the Independence Day at the Veterans’ Memorial in Memorial
Park
- The entire Council attended the Independence Day ceremony. Flag Raising was performed by Troop 688. - In my Independence Day remarks, I reflected on the enduring ideals of equality, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that have defined the United States since 1776. She honored the generations of Americans who have
defended
those
freedoms,
especially
the
veterans
commemorated
at
the
memorial.
Emphasizing
Cupertino’s
strength
in
its
diversity
and
unity,
she
expressed
gratitude
to
the
city
staff,
volunteers,
and
public
safety
teams
who
made
the
day’s
festivities
possible.
With
fireworks
returning
by
popular
demand
and
a
new
“Dine-Out
for
the
4th”
campaign
supporting
local
restaurants,
the
Mayor
called
on
the
community
to
celebrate
not
only
the
nation’s
founding
but
also
the
connections
that
make
Cupertino
strong
and
hopeful
for
the
future.
- The Council joined the children’s parade around the park and then the live concert at the Amphitheater. - I visited the pancake breakfast by the Optimist Club and thanked the volunteers there. - The field games were popular with young kids. - Many residents were looking forward to the fireworks at night and were wondering whether it is cancelled like
in
San
Jose
due
to
the
warehouse
fire.
4 Section 4: Information of Interest to My Constituents: (updated on 4/8) ● Builders’ Remedy (BR) Projects (Status of Projects) ★ BR Projects with incomplete application status ( pursuant to Government Code Section 65941.1.) ● 20739 Scofield (one block from Faria Elementary School, zoned R1-10): The project will replace one single-family home with 20-unit, 5 story, condominium
on
15,004
sqft
(0.34
acre)
lot
● Vista Heights (near entrance of Linda Vista Park) : The vacant site, zoned RHS, will build 33 units (8 condominiums and 25 single family homes on vacant
hillside
property
of
86.1 acres.
● Upland Way (11841 Upland Way, zoned RHS-70) : 6 single family homes, including 2 affordable units, on vacant hillside property of 1.56 acres with average
slopes
greater
than
30%
★ Other active BR projects: ○ Dividend Homes (20085 & 20111 Stevens Creek Blvd) , to the east of the Fire Station, on 2.6 acres, zoned R4 and commercial mixed use. The project will replace two existing office buildings
with
57 for-sale
townhomes.,
including
12 affordable
units.
○ Dividend Homes (20045 & 20065 Stevens Creek Blvd), to the east of the Fire Station, on 1.77 acres, zoned commercial mixed use. The project will replace existing office buildings with
32 for-sale
townhomes.,
including
6 affordable
units.
★ Relevant News on the determination of incompleteness for BR projects: ○ “Los Gatos Files Declaratory Relief Action to Resolve Land Use Uncertainty” (Press Release from the City of Los Gatos) ■ “That section [Gov. Code 65941.1] provides that applicants for land use approvals have
90 days
after
an
initial
180-day
deadline
to
submit
any
missing
information
needed
to
complete
a
formal
application
for
a
so-called
“builder’s
remedy”
housing
project.
That
section
further
stipulates
that
if
the
missing
information
is
not
submitted
“within
the
90-day
period,
then
the
preliminary
application
shall
expire
and
have
no
further
force
or
effect.”
■ “In an apparently conflicting reading, in letters dated August 30, 2024 and February
12,
2025,
the
California
Department
of
Housing
and
Community
Development
(HCD)
stated
its
view
that
there
is
not
just
one
90-day
period
but
that
successive
90-day
periods
can
run
indefinitely
.
By
filing
this
lawsuit,
the
Town
is
acting
in
good
faith
so
that
it
will
know
how
to
comply
with
the
law
and
ensure
it
can
continue
to
serve
its
residents
and
property
owners,
while
lawfully
processing
land
use
applications.”
★ Other docs: ○ The July 25, 2024 info memo, titled “Scofield Drive SB330 Preliminary Application pursuant to Builder’s Remedy”, has information about proposed BR projects and their review process. ● Other Residential Projects - complete applications submitted, not yet approved: ○ Pizza Hut/Staples/ Fontana's (20770, 20830, 20840, & 20850 Stevens Creek Blvd). adjacent to the Cupertino Crossroads Shopping Center): on 2.97 acres, zoned commercial mixed use. The project will
replace
existing
retail
stores
with
59 townhome
condominium
units
across
eight,
three-story
buildings
○ United Furniture (10065 & 10075 Stevens Creek Blvd, across from Vallco) , on 2.72 acres, zoned 5 commercial mixed use. The project will replace existing retail stores with 55 townhome condominium
units,
with
10 ADUs,
three-story
buildings
○ Stevens Office Center (20813, 20823, 20883 and 20807 Stevens Creek Blvd) , on 6.93 acres, zoned commercial mixed use. The project will replace two office buildings and one retail building with 122
for-sale
units
(66
small-lot
single
family
and
56 townhomes),
including
24 affordable
units
○ 20865 McClellan Rd: on 0.99 acres, zoned R3TH. The project will replace one single-family home with 27 townhomes, including 4 affordable units, in three-story buildings ○ Evulich Court (10857, 10867, 10877 & 10887 Linda Vista Dr): on 2.53 acres, zoned R3TH. The project will replace 4 single-family homes with 51 townhomes, including 11 affordable units ● Other Residential Projects - SB 330 preliminary application submitted, but not complete applications:
○ Wolfe Road Housing Project (10333 N. Wolfe Road) : 250-300 total units across the 5-acre property. It will be 100% rental apartments. The affordable housing will benefit those making 80% or
less
of
the
area
median
income
(AMI).
■ a full report on our Listening Phase at this link. ■ February 12 Community Co-Creation Event at Collins Elementary School ● Other Residential Projects - Revision of already approved projects: ○ Westport Senior Assisted Living Housing (revision submitted): The developer Related has submitted
a
revision
to
add
more
units,
reduce
retail
space,
remove
the
underground
garage
and
request
a
waiver
of
Parkland
dedication
Fee.
It
is
going
to
the
Planning
Commission
in
May
■ Previous approval in 2021 and 2024: Westport (21267 Stevens Creek Blvd) ○ Marina Plaza (10145 N. De Anza Blvd, 10118 Bandley Dr.), on 5.1 acres, zoned commercial and mixed use: The project will add more units, slightly reduce retail space, deliver over smaller for-sale
starter
homes
under
1500
sq.
ft.
and
an
outdoor
amphitheater.
■ Previous approval in 2022L Marina Plaza.
● License Plate Reader Camera - City-operated or personal ones ★ The Council has adopted the Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Camera program (Resolution 24-094) in order to alert the police when a license plate with previous record is detected. Some cameras are placed at major roads entering Cupertnio. ★ The residents or businesses can connect your home or business surveillance camera with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office. The registration form is at the bottom of this page. Section 5: Information Access Useful to My Constituents (not updated):
1. Information Memo posted on the City website: City Council Informational Memos are now available on the City website. The information can be accessed from the City website at cupertino.org/memos and the City Council page. You can also find the page by entering search terms “info memos” at the top of the website. ★ Anyone may use the eNotification signup to receive informational memo updates by email.
★ The info memos are now hosted in the digital archive as all other city records. ★ Click “+” to zoom in. ★ On a laptop:
6 ○ To open the document as PDF, click on the Print icon and then click on “Download &
Print”.
The
downloaded
will
appear
in
a
new
tab
for
viewing.
○ This does not work on Safari browser on an iPhone. ★ To copy and paste text, you must open it as PDF and then copy & paste from there. New memos posted, since last report: ● No new info memos published since February 28 ● Recordings of Commission Meetings: Starting in June, commission meetings will be recorded for viewing later, although no teleconferencing
to
allow
remote
participation.
- Find the recordings here under each commission.
4. How to Search an agenda item: A community member showed me a way to search for items on the past city meetings: ● Go to this page: https://cupertino.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx ○ Make sure that “Calendar” is selected from the top row of tabs and the “List View” is
selected
from
the
bottom
row
of
tabs.
○ Enter the search term, such as “investment report”. Choose the year or select “All Years”
7