Loading...
CC 05-09-2023 Item No. 1 Fact Finding Report_Written CommunicationsCC 05-09-2023 #1 Fact Finding Report Written Communications From:Eric Schaefer To:City Council; Pamela Wu; City Clerk Subject:Cupertino City Council meeting May 9, 2023 agenda item 1: Barry Chang set the standard Date:Monday, May 8, 2023 1:04:01 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Council members , In 2018, then City Council member Barry Chang engaged in "councilmanic" behavior that was more egregious than any of the allegations against current council members Liang Chiao and Kitty Moore: The former City Attorney of Cupertino, Randolph Hom, filed a claim with the City for wrongful termination, which cited that he was silenced by the City over his objection to the approval of the Vallco project due to numerous violations of state law SB35. Hom's suit included complaints of explicit statements by Councilman Barry Chang, who threatened adverse action against Mr. Hom unless Hom allowed the Vallco Development proposal to be pushed through. The City settled the suit by paying a significant compensation to Hom. Barry Chang represented the council majority opinion regarding Vallco (which included Chang, Vaidhyanathan, and Sinks), and the council took no disciplinary action against Chang. If the egregious and costly behavior of Barry Chang is a standard for council disciplinary action of its own members for "councilmanic" oversight, then clearly Moore and Chiao merit no disciplinary action. City Clerk: Please include this letter as part of the written communication for the City Council meeting agenda item 1 on May 9, 2023. Thank you for your consideration. -- Eric Schaefer Cupertino resident From:Tracey Edwards To:Cupertino City Manager"s Office; City Clerk; City Council; Hung Wei; Sheila Mohan; Liang Chao; J.R. Fruen; Kitty Moore; Tracey Edwards Subject:Public comment on violations of the City of Cupertino Municipal Code and City policies, Council, May 9, Special Meeting Date:Saturday, May 6, 2023 8:47:58 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Dear Honorable Mayor Hung Wei, Vice-mayor Sheila Mohan, Councilmembers, et al, Immediately below are the remarks the League plans to make at the Council’s special session on Tuesday, May 9th. These remarks will be made on behalf of the League of Women Voters Cupertino-Sunnyvale. Sincerely Tracey Edwards Remarks My name is Tracey Edwards and I am the co-president of the League of Women Voters Cupertino-Sunnyvale. It is important to remember why we are here today: The Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury received multiple complaints concerning the behavior of the City of Cupertino councilmembers toward City staff. The complaints were serious enough that the Grand Jury undertook an investigation resulting in the report entitled “A House Divided”. Some of the Council members raised concerns about the Grand Jury investigative process and accuracy of remarks made in the Grand Jury report. In response the Council hired an outside attorney to investigate and review the conclusions in the Civil Grand Jury report. Attorney Daube, through her work, confirmed the findings of the Grand Jury. We should also remember that the Civil Grand Jury is an important County watchdog organization. As an investigative body, the Grand Jury examines complaints about the actions or performance of city, county agencies, or public officials. The Grand Jury exists to ensure that the best interests of Santa Clara county residents are being served. The City of Cupertino had the right to challenge the findings of the Grand Jury and did through their own independent investigation. The process has concluded and it is now time to take the appropriate actions to remedy the findings of the Grand Jury as confirmed by the independent investigation. Rather than complain lets applaud good governance in action. This was a process that demonstrated the most fundamental and critical tenets of good governance; accountability, leadership, integrity, stewardship, and transparency. We encourage the Council to embrace the recommendations made in the reports and turn their full attention to improving the workings of our city. These remarks are respectfully submitted by the League of Women Voters of Cupertino- Sunnyvale. Tracey Edwards H: +1 408 733 5570 M: +1 408 888 9411 tracey@edwards123.com Respect science, respect nature, respect each other.