1 CITY COUNCILMEMBER REPORT
Meeting: February 19, 2026
Reporting Councilmember: Mayor Kitty Moore
Report Dates: 1/26/26 to 2/9/26
Item Date, Title, and Description:
January 26, 2026. Audit Committee Meeting. The Audit Committee received the OPEB and Pension Section 115 Trust Performance Report for Q2 and received the Q2 Treasurer’s Investment Report. The change in balances since 2022 was discussed with a focus on LAIF and investment strategies along with the new cash management policy in effect. The Committee had a robust discussion on the OPEB and Section 115 Trust Investment Policy and whether to include environmental investment policy language (Environmental and Social Governance, ESG) and whether to add Global Infrastructure as a new investment category. It was noted that the environmental (ESG) investments could be in conflict with Global Infrastructure investments. For example, in reducing fossil fuel investments from an environmental (ESG) policy, Global Infrastructure
could include expansion of fossil fuel production, use, or transport. The Committee received the Internal
Audit and Fraud, Waste and Abuse update and the
proposed Audit Committee Workplan, requesting the
addition of budget auditing.
Per the Brown Act, trips must be reported at the next
Regular Meeting. This trip information was provided
in Written Communications for the Feb. 3, 2026
meeting. The following is that trip report:
January 27, 2026. Travel to the 94
th U.S. Conference of
Mayors in Washington. D.C. View from plane:
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2 January 28, 2026. Jogged very early to the Mall in about 16F temperatures in the snow to snap some photos before the agenda started.
Note: Many of these sessions live-streamed on C-SPAN.
Attended “Opening Plenary Session” followed by Breakout Session: “Mayors Water Council” regarding water and wastewater issues including PFAS and funding reductions particularly in a partisan way regarding infrastructure. “How Cities are shaping Global Affairs” with Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser as Moderator, regarding international partnerships. Participated in televised Press Conference.
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3 “Plenary Lunch” with multiple speakers including Dr. Frank Luntz regarding the Words that Work. Special guest students from West
Point joined us at our table. They had traveled 5 hours to be a part of the conference and visit D.C.
“The State of Federal Housing Legislation” had some
concerning legislation with a carrot and stick approach to cities to take away their CDBG funding.
“AI Powered Cities” breakout session with an AI
overview which included Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.
“Mayors-Only Session: Keeping Mayors Safe” followed
by an “Opening Reception” where a representative from Keep America Beautiful shared their grant opportunities.
January 29, 2026. “Mayors and Business Leaders Plenary Session”, a combined session. One of the
highlights of this session was an
appearance by FIFA President
Giovanni Infantino along with the
World Cup Trophy. The Fifa President
informed us that this year’s World Cup
will be the largest sporting event in
world history. He was presented with a
shirt signed by all of the Mayors and
President Infantino gave a FIFA World
Cup Soccer Ball to the U.S. Council of
Mayors President David Holt.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey was a
surprise speaker who came to speak about
Minneapolis and ICE, receiving two standing
ovations and making national news. There was a
large press conference outside of the conference
room afterwards for him.
Break-out session: “Generosity and Leadership in Times of Crisis” shared information about disaster relief and GoFundme campaigns. World Central Kitchen, which has supported many disaster relief efforts, has been an early aid
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4 effort in disasters and has helped teach how to scale up food providers. Mayors from Baltimore, MD and Asheville, NC shared their experiences and offered advice on disaster preparedness.
“America 250” session discussed ways to join in the national semiquincentennial celebration. Several activities for July 4th were presented along with reading the Declaration of Independence and September 11, 25 years later, tribute. We were asked to video an America 250 reflections spot which will be compiled and shared with the cities.
“Healthy and Sustainable Cities”plenary lunch. This had several speakers and some awards from the beverage council. There was a surprise visit from Mayor Frey of Minneapolis who received two standing ovations and had a large press conference afterwards.
Breakout Session: “Cities and and Universities: Building Partnerships for Innovation and Workforce Readiness” This session had an emphasis on university research and how the focus has changed under the current administration.
“Mayors Game Changer – Transforming Cities in Sports and Entertainment” This lively meeting shared information on how cities can become sports and entertainment hubs. Oklahoma City’s rowing
center was highlighted as an example of a transformation of a river which was usually dry, into a rowing and sports complex. The river was dammed to create a long and
narrow reservoir suitable for rowing and facilities were built around it. Arshay Cooper, Author of “A Most
Beautiful Thing” who grew up in a rugged part of
Chicago, and became Captain of the first All-black high school rowing team and now helps youth out through
rowing, spoke about his history and autographed copies of his book.
“Welcome to Washington, D.C. Reception” at the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore. Hosted by the Honorable Lui Tuck Yew, Singapore’s Ambassador to the United States.
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5 After a slightly difficult bus ride due to
heavy snow, we were greeted at the embassy
and provided Singaporean hors d’oeuvres,
music provided by two students of the New
England Conservatory, and two lively
dragons came in and one ate a head of
lettuce hanging from the ceiling from a red
rope. The hosts spoke, along with D.C. Mayor Bowers, and Council of Mayors President Holt thanking and welcoming everyone.
Images inside the Singapore Embassy:
January 30, 2026. “Honoring Leadership in the Arts Plenary Session” This was an awards ceremony for local leadership in the arts which have helped seniors suffering Parkinson’s, inmates; pediatric awards for bringing the arts to hospitalized children, wounded soldiers and veterans, and how doctors are now prescribing arts as part of therapy.
• Arts are a $1.2 Trillion economic activity
• 5% of US GDP
• 5.6 M jobs
• For every $1 invested in the arts there is a $9 return
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6 • The NEA budget was restored
• 76% of Americans believe arts are important to them
“Current Issues Relating to FEMA and Disaster Management”. This session was livestreamed on C-SPAN. The session covered an update on the FEMA Review Council: 1) Changed the threshhold for per capita index, 2) Change the cost share, currently at 75%, pushing more costs to states, 3)Block grant proposal to help streamline reimbursements, 4) potential privitization of National Flood Insurance, 5) How to close out prior disaster because some are 10-20 years old and are still on the books, could have a settlement agreement, 6) Future Mitigation Funding. 3 “Wildcards” are 1) parametric insurance such as wind speed, flood level, or earthquake size could trigger an auto payout for instance, 2) Reconsider deductible model with possibly incentives, and 3) Category changes such as public buildings which may not be funded by the Feds. This will be an iterative process.
The return on investment for mitigations is great, for every $1 spent there is an $11 savings in disaster repair costs. Meaning mitigating a home prior to a disaster saves money when a flood or fire strikes.
Next, the discussion moved to the Fix FEMA Act which has 6 elements: 1) elevate it to a Cabinet-level agency, 2) States should play a larger role, including cost share, expend their own funds for mitigations, 3) Permitting reform so that mitigations are not problemmatic, 4) align survivor’s expectations. Have a common application process, 5) Mitigation for resilience. Consider formula-based grants and pre- approved lists, and 6) Transparency in regulatory reform. It is recommended to fix the current progrm rather than wait for an overhaul.
“Energy Certainty in American Cities” This was another session which mentioned data centers. The example city was Mesa, AZ. The distance that battery storage may be from a residential area under new safety and battery standards, which are unlike the batteries at the Moss Landing fires of 2025, is 1000.’ Other potential microgrid power sources mentioned besides solar included fuel cells and nuclear.
The U.S. Conference of Mayors Energy Policy Resolutions are due in May for the Annual Conference and energy is a priority.
“Closing Plenary Lunch” This session focussed on housing issues. Former President Bill Clinton provided closing remarks via recorded message which again centered on ICE in Minneapolis.
This session ended with the adjournment of the Council.
Return Travel January 30, 2026.
January 31, 2026. 2026 Silicon Valley Lunar New Year Together & Night Market in Santa Clara. Two-day festival with multiple local elected officials who wished City Council Mayor Moore Report
7 everyone a Happy Year of the Horse, and participated in a parade behind the dragons.
February 2, 2026. Agenda look-ahead meeting. These ongoing meetings review agenda balancing and ordering items.
February 2, 2026. Attended 3rd week of Mandarin and Taiwanese culture class by Silicon Valley Chinese School.
February 2, 2026. SOTC pre-meeting. Chinese New Year Photo.
February 2, 2026. Sheriff’s Contract Ad-hoc Committee Meeting.
February 3, 2026. Special and Regular Meeting of the Cupertino City Council.
February 5, 2026. Check in with Staff.
February 5, 2026. CUSD State of the District. CUSD Superintendent Stacy Yao provided an update on the school district which importantly included that the district is now Basic Aid, which means that their funding has significantly increased, is based off property taxes and that adding more students does not increase their funding as in prior funding methodologies. The district is putting Measure Z funds to work maintaining school facilities. Additionally, the Superintendent acknowledged the need to cut staffing due to the declined enrollment.
February 6, 2026. Meeting with offsite consultant for the Council Retreat.
February 6, 2026. Attended the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce LAC meeting with guest speaker Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens. This was the first in-person LAC since 2020 and was well-attended.
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8 February 9, 2026. Agenda review.
February 9, 2026. Mandarin language class: Lunar New Year phrases and customs.
February 9, 2026. Sheriff’s Contract Ad-hoc Committee Meeting. Ongoing meetings to discuss the Sheriff-proposed 36% contract hike to the Sheriff’s Contract.