CC - 5-19-2026
#1
Study Session: Health and
Safety Element Update
Presentation
CITY OF CUPERTINO
HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT UPDATE
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
May 19, 2026
Agenda
1. Introductions
2. Health and Safety Element
Overview
3. Key Updates
4. PC Study Session
5. Evacuation Study
6. Next Steps
7. Questions and Discussion
City Council Study Session | May 19, 2026 3 Introductions
City of Cupertino
Luke Connolly, Assistant Director of Community Development Piu Ghosh, Planning Manager
PlaceWorks, Consultant
Eli Krispi, Interim Project Manager
Tammy L. Seale, Principal (Zoom)
Fehr & Peers, Transportation Consultant
Daniel Rubins, Senior Associate
Franziska Church, Principal
HEALTH AND SAFETY
ELEMENT OVERVIEW
City Council Study Session | May 19, 2026 5 What is a Safety Element?
Mandatory part of a General Plan.
Identifies hazards of concern and
related risks to the community.
Sets policies to help increase
resilience to natural disasters and
other hazards.
Current element adopted in 2014.
City Council Study Session | May 19, 2026 6 Health and Safety Element Update
Required after Housing Element
update to ensure compliance
with current State law.
Addresses new statutory
requirements and hazards, such
as climate change, wildfire, and
extreme heat.
Incorporates Santa Clara County
Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard
Mitigation Plan Update.
Enhances eligibility for FEMA
funding.
Health
and
Safety
Element
Emergency
Operations
Plan
Santa Clara
County
Community
Wildfire
Protection
Plan
Multi-
Jurisdictional
Hazard
Mitigation
Plan
Climate
Action Plan
2.0 Short-term,
focused plan with
implementation
actions
Details the City’s approach
for emergency response and
recoveryNet-zero GHG
emission roadmap;
informs climate
resilience policies
Reduces fire hazards
through increased
information,
education, and
recommendations
City Council Study Session | May 19, 2026 7 Changes to State Law
SB 1241, adopted in 2012
(Govt. Code § 65302(g)(3))
• Update wildfire sections.
• Identify responsible agencies.
• Minimize risks for new buildings
and essential facilities.
SB 379, adopted in 2015
(Govt. Code § 65302(g)(4))
•Prepare climate change
vulnerability assessment.
•Develop goals, policies, and
actions to increase adaptation and
resilience.
AB 2140 (Govt. Code §
65302.6)
•Enables incorporation of local
hazard mitigation plan (LHMP) into
a General Plan’s Safety Element.
AB 2684, adopted in 2024
(Govt. Code § 65302.01)
•Requires Safety Element update to
address extreme heat upon next
General Plan element update on or
after January 1, 2028.
• Requires ongoing review to identify
new information on extreme heat
hazards.
SB 99, adopted in 2019
(Govt. Code § 65302(g)(5))
•Identify evacuation-constrained
residential areas.
AB 747, adopted in 2019 and
AB 1409, adopted in 2021
(Govt. Code § 65302.15)
•Identify evacuation route capacity,
safety, viability and evacuation
locations.
•Evaluate evacuation under multiple
hazard scenarios.
KEY UPDATES
City Council Study Session | May 19, 2026 9 Overview of Updates to Safety Element
Updated and refined hazard sections, policies, and actions to align with State law and best practices.
Aligned wildfire standards with updated State law and CAL FIRE mapping. Enhanced floodplain and critical facility protection standards. Expanded climate adaptation and resilience policies based on revised Vulnerability Assessment.
Reinforced infrastructure resilience and continuity planning. Added new evacuation access and route management policies, based on findings from the 2025 Evacuation Route Capacity Assessment and Residential Constrained Parcel Analysis.
City Council Study Session | May 19, 2026 10 Emergency Preparedness & Infrastructure Resilience
Expanded emergency communications policies.
Multilingual alert systems emphasized.
Strengthened regional coordination.
Strengthened evacuation communication and coordination protocols.
Reinforced resilience of critical municipal infrastructure systems. Recognized Public Safety Power Shutoffs as an ongoing hazard risk.
City Council Study Session | May 19, 2026 11 Wildfire Hazard Mapping & Risk Reduction
Incorporated updated CAL FIRE Fire
Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) mapping for
Local and State Responsibility Areas.
Replaced the prior Wildland-Urban
Interface Fire Area (WUIFA) mapping
framework with the adopted LRA FHSZ
designations.
Revised and added wildfire risk reduction
policies to align with State law, consistent
with CAL FIRE’s standard
recommendations.
City Council Study Session | May 19, 2026 12 Wildfire Risk Reduction Policies
Existing Development
Strengthened defensible space and vegetation
management requirements (Public Resources
Code §4291 and Government Code §51182).
Roadway repair and maintenance to meet
current fire safety and evacuation standards
(California Building Code Part 7).
Fuel break and emergency access route
maintenance coordinated with CAL FIRE and
Santa Clara County Fire Department.
Discouraged electric security gates that
impede emergency access.
Recovery and redevelopment standards
following major fire events to reduce future
risk.
New Development
Early Fire Department review and response
time evaluation.
Ignition-resistant construction and Class A
roofing (California Building Code Part 7).
Fire Protection Plans required for new projects
(California Building Code Part 7).
Multiple ingress/egress and emergency access
standards (California Building Code Part 7).
Water service extensions and fire flow
verification prior to approval.
Restrictions on subdivisions and density
increases in High and Very High FHSZs.
City Council Study Session | May 19, 2026 13 Seismic & Geologic Hazards
Updated landslide and steep slope hazard
discussion and mapping for clarity and
consistency with current data.
Refined discussion of cascading impacts from
seismic events to better reflect potential
hazard interactions.
Clarified discussion of potential infrastructure
disruption affecting emergency access during
seismic events.
Clarified existing geotechnical review
requirements for new development to align
with current City and State regulations.
Clarified limitations on grading on steep
slopes consistent with existing City standards.
City Council Study Session | May 19, 2026 14 Hazardous Waste & Materials
Updated regulatory references to reflect current State and County oversight requirements.
Reinforced environmental site assessment requirements. Maintained stringent risk reduction measures for development near known hazardous materials sites.
Strengthened commitment to coordinate with regulatory agencies for ongoing cleanup and monitoring activities.
City Council Study Session | May 19, 2026 15 Flood & Inundation Hazards
Updated FEMA floodplain mapping.
Clarified dam failure and inundation
areas.
Identified critical infrastructure and
essential facilities in flood-prone areas.
Strengthened standards for new
development and redevelopment in
flood-prone areas, while existing uses
must meet federal and State
requirements.
Reinforced coordination with flood
control agencies.
City Council Study Session | May 19, 2026 16 Climate Vulnerability Assessment Integration
Integrated SB 379 Vulnerability Assessment.
Flooding, extreme heat, wildfire identified as highest risk. Identified vulnerable populations and critical infrastructure. Added adaptation and resilience strategies.
Climate considerations integrated across hazard sections. Added policies and implementation strategies to expand emergency preparedness outreach, education, and support for vulnerable populations.
City Council Study Session | May 19, 2026 17 Development Standards
Mentions if the requirements apply to new development, redevelopment, or both, consistent with State wildfire planning requirements (Gov. Code §65302(g); SB 1241).
Identifies risk reduction strategies for existing neighborhoods where many State building standards apply primarily to new development. Specifies policy triggers (e.g., subdivision size, change of use, site modification thresholds) to clarify when State and local fire safety requirements apply. Improves transparency and predictability in development review. Supports consistent implementation aligned with State wildfire safety and evacuation planning requirements (SB 99; AB 747; PRC §4290–4291; CBC Chapter 7A).
City Council Study Session | May 19, 2026 18 Noise Element
Part of the Health and Safety Element, but not part of the comprehensive update.
Minor updates were made to ensure consistency with current municipal requirements.
Revisions reflect input from the Planning Commission and Public Safety Commission during the 2025 study sessions.
Added implementation strategies to guide review of new noise-generating uses, including public and private recreational activities near residential areas. Added consideration of restrictions on quarry truck operations during designated quiet hours.
PLANNING COMMISSION
STUDY SESSION
City Council Study Session | May 19, 2026 20 Planning Commission Study Session
Study Session to review Public Draft on March 9, 2026. Comments received from Commissioners and public
Commission directed staff to:
Incorporate additional supply-side evacuation strategies from the evacuation study (e.g., contra-flow, phased evacuation, system improvements).
Strengthen heat-related policies (HS-9) by incorporating key findings and strategies from the 2026 State Heat Action Plan, including emergency alerts, improved services, building standards, and nature- based solutions.
City Council Study Session | May 19, 2026 21 Planning Commissioner Comments
Provide greater clarity on how wildfire and evacuation standards apply. Add emergency management and operations as a pillar in the Looking Forward section (p. 50).
Expand emergency communication and add more information about Block Leader program.
Add language about maintaining and improving the City’s FEMA Community Rating System score.
Consider incorporating federal EPA standards for hazardous materials. Consider establishing objective noise standards for truck traffic. Clarify standards for law enforcement emergency response. Clarify shade requirements for parking lots and commercial development.
City Council Study Session | May 19, 2026 22 Public Comments
Consider designating additional evacuation routes and provide clearer standards around evacuations.
Make information about evacuations more accessible.
Increase the wildfire resilience of new development and incorporate the most recent wildfire hazard mapping.
Retrofit City properties to better protect against earthquakes. Include objective noise standards, policies for freeway noise mitigation, and a noise contour map.
EVACUATION STUDY
Why the City Conducted this Study?
State Requirements
AB 747 and AB 1409:
Identify evacuation route capacity,
safety, viability and evacuation
locations.
Evaluate evacuation under multiple
hazard scenarios.
Planning-Level Assessment
Provides a planning-level
understanding of evacuation route
capacity
This study is not an evacuation
operations plan
Evaluates the evacuation route
network under wildfire and
compounding hazard scenarios
Cupertino Evacuation Route Assessment
Study Intent
Identify evacuation route capacity
bottlenecks
Support updates to the General Plan
Safety Element and emergency
planning documents
Inform future policy and investment
decisions
How the Analysis was Conducted
Cupertino Evacuation Route Assessment
Planning-level evaluation of evacuation demand, routing, and roadway capacity Scenario Summary
Cupertino Evacuation Route Assessment
Wildfire
Scenario Description Vehicle
Demand
Scenario A
(Wildfire)
Fall 2:00 PM
School In-Session
All Roads Open
7,900 vehicles evacuating
(residents, employees, students, and
visitors)
Scenario B
(Wildfire + Earthquake)
Summer 6:00 AM
School not in Session
McClellan Closure at Club House
Lane
8,720 vehicles evacuating
(residents, and some employees)
Scenario C
(Wildfire + Earthquake)
Scenario A with roadway closures on
Stevens Creek at SR 85 including SB
SR 85 ramps
Same as Scenario A
What was Found: Key Results
Evacuation Demand
Approximately 7,900 to
8,700 vehicle, depending
on scenario
All Scenarios
Most hillside evacuation
routes exceed one-hour
clearing capacity near the
evacuation area
Each primary evacuation
route includes at least one
segment that becomes
capacity-constrained under
one or more evacuation
scenarios
Major bottlenecks occur at
and west of SR 85 and I-
280
Cupertino Evacuation Route Assessment
Most Constrained
Streets providing access to
freeway gateways:
• Foothill Boulevard
• Stevens Creek
Boulevard
• McClellan Road
Short Distances
Evacuation routes are
generally less than 2.5
miles
More than One Hazard Increases Risk
Scenario C
Approximately 7,900
vehicles evacuating early
afternoon
Closure of Stevens Creek
and SR 85 ramps
Like scenario A, higher
volume to capacity ratios
on evacuation routes
Effect of Closure
Evacuation demand is
redirected onto routes that
are already over capacity,
intensifying congestion and
delay
Major bottlenecks occur at
and west of SR 85 and I-
280
Cupertino Evacuation Route Assessment
Intensified Existing
Constraints
Streets providing access to
freeway gateways:
• Foothill Boulevard
• McClellan Road
• De Anza Boulevard
Short Distances
Evacuation routes are
generally less than 2.5
miles
What this means for the City
Existing
Foundation
Unified multi-jurisdiction
emergency coordination
Battery-backed traffic
signals on evacuation
routes
Established emergency
communication protocols
Supply-Side
Strategies
Targeted, flexible,
emergency oriented
capacity improvements
Traffic control during
evacuation
Faster clearance of
roadway closures
Cupertino Evacuation Route Assessment
Demand-Side
Strategies
Carpooling and vehicle
reduction strategies
Phased evacuation
approaches
Information-Side
Strategies
Early hazard detection
Real-time traffic
management
Community preparedness
Evacuation outcomes depend on coordination, operations, and behavior – not roadway widening alone.
NEXT STEPS
City Council Study Session | May 19, 2026 31 Next Steps
Public Review
Incorporate feedback
from Planning
Commission, City
Council, and the
public.
CAL FIRE Review
Submit draft for
mandatory 90-day
review prior to public
hearings.
CEQA
Conduct
environmental
review.
Public Hearings
Planning Commission
and City Council
public hearings
anticipated in Fall
2026.
WE ARE
HERE
City Council Study Session | May 19, 2026 32 Recommended action
Receive the presentation and provide input on the
Public Draft of the Health and Safety Element.
QUESTIONS?
CC - 5-19-2026
#10
Treasurer's Investment
Report for Quarter
ending March 31, 2026
Presentation
May 19, 2026
Fiscal Year 2025 -26
Third Quarter Financial Report
FY 2025-26 Third Quarter Update
Proposed Third Quarter Budget
Adjustments
Budget Roadmap
Agenda
FY 2025-26 Third Quarter Update
General Fund
FY 2025-26 Amended Budget – All Funds
($ in Millions)
FY 2025-26
Adopted
Budget
FY 2025-26
Amended
Budget as of
Sept. 30, 2025
FY 2025-26
Amended
Budget as of
Dec. 31, 2025
FY 2025-26
Amended
Budget as of
Mar. 31, 2026
Revenues $97.2 $134.3 $134.6 $134.6
Expenditures $99.2 $135.4 $137.7 $138.4
Estimated use
of Fund
Balance
($2.0) ($1.1) ($3.2) ($3.9)
FY 2025-26 Amended Budget – General Fund
($ in Millions)
Fund Balance in General Fund ($ in millions)
Includes unrealized revenues from The Rise approximately, $10.7 million
Proposed Third Quarter
Budget Adjustments
Fund Revenue Expense Fund Balance
(use of)
General $372,500 $518,696 ($146,196)
Enterprise - $7,488 ($7,488)
Total All
Funds
$372,500 $526,184 ($153,684)
Budget Requests by Fund
Proposed Third Quarter Budget Adjustments
• Senior Assistant City Attorney Salary Alignment
• One-time cost of $15,696
• Ongoing costs of approximately $31,391
Staffing
• As of March 31, 2026, the City Manager’s
Discretionary Fund was used for Property Appraisal
Services for 10480 Finch Avenue at a cost of $9,850
City Manager Discretionary Fund
Next Steps and Recommendations
Roadmap to FY 2026-27 Budget Adoption and Balancing
Last Updated 5.12.2026
1. Accept the City Manager’s Third Quarter Financial
Report for Fiscal Year 2025-26
2. Adopt Resolution No. 26-XXX approving Budget
Modification No. 2526-XXX, increasing
appropriations by $526,184 and increasing
estimated revenues by $372,500
3. Adopt Resolution No. 26-XXX amending the
Unrepresented Employees’ Compensation
Program to incorporate revised salary schedule
Recommendations
Questions?
CC - 5-19-2026
#18
Public Hearing to receive
report on City of Cupertino
Vacancies, Recruitment,
and Retention Efforts
Presentation
AB2561 Vacancy Rates Public
Hearing
CITY OF CUPERTINO
City Council Meeting May 19, 2026
AB 2561 requires that, on an annual basis, public agencies assess and address vacancy rates as well as:
1. Track job vacancies;
2. Present information on the status of the vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts at least once per fiscal year; and
3. Identify any policies, procedures, and recruitment activities that may present obstacles in hiring.
4. Additional Obligations May Apply if the Vacancy Rate in a Bargaining Unit Exceeds 20%.
Assembly Bill (AB) 2561
City of Cupertino Bargaining Units
Bargaining Unit Represented Classifications
Operating Engineers Local
No. 3 Union, AFL-CIO (OE3)
Maintenance positions
Cupertino Employees
Association/IFPTE Local 21
(CEA)
Professional, paraprofessional,
technical, clerical positions
Unrepresented Employees Management, Confidential
positions
Budgeted Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)
Full-Time (Excludes Part-Time staff)
New Hires and Promotions
29 27
20 22
16 38
19 14
20 25
7 6
14 13
6 8
15 9
6 13
2 0
5 10
15 20
25 30
35 40
45 50
FY
16-17
FY
17-18
FY
18-19
FY
19-20
FY
20-21
FY
21-22
FY
22-23
FY
23-24
FY
24-25
FY
25-26
New Hire Promotion Transfer
Vacancy Rates by Dept. (as of 4/15/26)
Department Total FTE Vacant FTE Vacancy Rate
City Manager’s Office 23 3 13%
City Attorney’s Office 3 1 33%
Administrative Services 16 4 25%
Community Development 34 1 2.9%
Innovation & Technology 15 1 6.7%
Parks and Recreation 30 0 0%
Public Works 89 2 2.2%
Total 210 12 5.8%
Vacancy Rates by Bargaining Unit
Bargaining Unit Budgeted FTE Filled FTE Vacancy Rate
Operating Engineers
Local No. 3 Union, AFL-
CIO (OE3)
54 53 1.85%
Cupertino Employees
Association/IFPTE Local
21 (CEA)
72 69 4.17%
Unrepresented/
Appointed Employees
84 76 9.5%
Recruitment Processes
Recommendation and Alternatives
Staff Recommendation
Accept Vacancy Report and Conduct Public Hearing
CC - 5-19-2026
#21
Authorization to execute
BMR Housing Administration
Contract
Presentation
Nicky Vu, Senior Housing Coordinator
May 19, 2026
Below Market Rate (BMR)
Administration Agreement
Background
● The City requires that housing
developments provide a percentage of
units to be affordable (inclusionary
housing program)
● These units are jointly administered by a
single entity to ensure compliance and
centralize the program to a single waitlist
● RISE Housing is the City’s current BMR
Administrator. Their contract expires June
2026.
Request for Proposals (RFP)
November 3, 2025 – Open for responses
December 3, 2025 – Closed
● 3 proposals
December 2025 – Staff Evaluations
● 2 proposals
January 2026 – Interviews
● 1 proposal
March 2026 – Housing Commission Update
May 2026 – City Council authorize execution
of agreement
Evaluation Criteria
● Firm and Project Team Qualifications
● Work Plan Approach
● California/Bay Area Integration
● Pricing/Costs
Program Priorities
● Expiration of 95 out of 119 rental units in the
portfolio due to 30 year sunset
● Negotiation of final leases, support to tenants
for reapplication process, landlord
compliance, general support services
● RISE Housing showed the strongest
understanding of and preparation of work
expectations and had complete multiyear
proposal
Housing Commission Direction
● March 26 staff presentation
● Generally in agreement with staff decision, but
asked that staff consider proposed innovative
process improvements from best practices in
other jurisdictions
● Staff to explore the possibility of enacting
these improvements through final negotiations
with RISE Housing
.
Final Negotiations
● Reduce costs by charging price of BMR
homeowner resale as an admin fee to sellers in
the program
● Requires separate Council action to
approve a new fee
● Reduce wait times by utilizing the Bay Area
Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA) Doorways
portal for centralized listings
● Requires separate Council action to
move to year-round waitlist, requires
adding work item: purge list
.
RISE Housing Proposal
● 3 year contract
● FY26-27, FY 27-28, FY 28-29
● Approximately $160,000 per year
● 3 person team
● General Admin, Purchase Program, Rental
Program
.
General Fund Appropriation
● Aligned with City Council direction of April 15,
2025 Housing funding awards
● Prioritize BMR Affordable Housing Fund (BMR
AHF) for available new construction of
affordable housing projects
● Reprogram administration services through
General Fund
.
Motion
● Authorize the City Manager to execute the
agreement with RISE Housing, Inc for Below
Market Rate Administration services for FY26-29
and appropriate $470,650 from the General
Fund.
.