P&R 03-06-2025
CITY OF CUPERTINO
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
10185 N Stelling Rd, Quinlan Conference Room
Thursday, March 6, 2025
7:00 PM
APPROVED MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chair Bono called the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting to order at 7:06
p.m. in the Quinlan Community Center Conference Room, 10185 N Stelling Rd.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners present: Claudio Bono, Carol Stanek, Gopal Kumarappan, Sheela
Sreekanth
Commissioners absent: Seema Swamy
Staff present: Sonya Lee, Jessica Suntay, Jacinta Liang
Guest speakers: None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Subject: February 6, 2025 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
Recommended Action: Review and approve the February 6, 2025 Parks and Recreation
Commission meeting minutes.
Commissioner Kumarappan motioned to approve the February 6, 2025 Parks and
Recreation Commission meeting minutes as submitted. Commissioner Stanek seconded.
Motion carried with 3 yes (Kumarappan, Stanek, Bono), 1 abstain (Sreekanth), and 1
absent (Swamy).
POSTPONEMENTS
None
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Michael Yukelson, Cupertino resident, supported permanent pickleball striping on
tennis court number one at Memorial Park.
Lalitha Maruvada, Cupertino resident, thanked the Commissioners for their support
with the McClellan Ranch community gardens.
San Rao, Cupertino resident, expressed concerns regarding the Sports Center including
gate repairs, availability of resident tennis court reservations, and non-resident access.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Written communications were emailed to the Commission and are included for the
record.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
2. Subject: Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Community Funding Grant Applications and Program
Evaluation Process
Recommended Action: Review the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Community Funding Grant
Applications and Program Evaluation Process
Written communications for this item were emailed to the Commission and are
included for the record.
Sonya Lee, Recreation Manager, introduced Jacinta Liang, Management Analyst, to
present on the item.
Management Analyst Liang requested that Commissioners make it known for complete
transparency if they are affiliated with any of the applicant organizations. Vice Chair
Bono is affiliated with the Rotary Club of Cupertino.
Management Analyst Liang presented an overview of the community funding item and
moved into the applicant presentations and clarifying questions from Commissioners.
Each organization was given three minutes to present, and Commissioners asked the
applicants clarifying questions.
1.) iTalented for their iSpark Program. Representatives from the organization presented
and Commissioners asked clarifying questions:
• Commissioner Sreekanth requested clarification on whether or not iSpark was
open to all or only underrepresented and underdeveloped communities.
iTalented clarified that iSpark is open to all.
• Commissioner Kumarappan requested clarification on the number of kids who
have benefited thus far through the program. iTalented clarified an estimated 500
through iSpark.
• Commissioner Kumarappan requested clarification on the number of registration
requests and criteria for selection. iTalented clarified they release all forms at the
same time and try to match the appropriate course to the applicant.
• Commissioner Kumarappan requested clarification on underprivileged
verification. iTalented clarified that iSpark is a separate program.
• Commissioner Stanek requested clarification on whether or not the grant
application was only for iSpark. iTalented clarified yes, only for iSpark.
• Commissioner Stanek requested clarification on whether or not iSpark was only
open to Cupertino residents. iTalented clarified not necessarily.
• Commissioner Stanek requested clarification on whether the program was online
or in-person. iTalented clarified that their programs are currently all online but
they’re looking to bring them in-person somewhere in Cupertino.
• Commissioner Stanek requested clarification on the estimated number of
potential students served if the program was in-person and total number of
classes. iTalented clarified 10 to 20 per class size with one instructor. Clarified if
they received $900 they could approximately bring four to five classes in-person
out of the nine to 12 classes they are hoping to run.
• Vice Chair Bono requested clarification on an estimated percentage of Cupertino
residents being served out of 10. iTalented clarified around seven to eight.
2.) Remember the ToothFairy for their Dental Treatment Program. Representatives from
the organization presented and Commissioners asked clarifying questions:
• Commissioner Sreekanth requested clarification on whether or not the coverage
for 20 kids was for the year. Remember the ToothFairy clarified the program
starts in May and they are hoping to first help 20 kids until proven success and
then apply for additional funds to help more after that.
• Commissioner Kumarappan requested clarification on the verification list for
those who qualify as low-income. Remember the ToothFairy clarified that they
are working through the specific details.
• Commissioner Kumarappan requested clarification on the dental clinic partners.
Remember the ToothFairy clarified that they have nine different dental
partnerships including the India Health Center, Healing California, and Valley
Health Center.
• Commissioner Kumarappan requested clarification on whether or not it is a one-
time dental check and brush distribution. Remember the ToothFairy clarified
they plan to monitor them after the treatment and help them find solutions like
bi-yearly cleaning programs.
• Commissioner Kumarappan requested clarification on the expansion of the
program. Remember the ToothFairy clarified that they plan to expand across the
world.
• Commissioner Stanek requested clarification on whether or not they would be
able to use the funds still if it wasn’t available until after the start of the fiscal
year in July [after the proposed program start date]. Remember the ToothFairy
clarified that they would utilize their current funds to cover costs until they
received the grant, and at that point use [the awarded funds] in future months.
• Vice Chair Bono requested clarification on whether or not all 20 kids being
served are Cupertino residents. Remember the ToothFairy clarified yes.
3.) Active Circle for their All Inclusive Family Picnic. Representatives from the
organization presented and Commissioners asked clarifying questions:
• Commissioner Sreekanth requested clarification on the specifics of the $2,000
funding request and time duration. Active Circle clarified the funds would be
used to improve their all-inclusive picnics, specifically getting indoor spaces,
enhanced activities, and food catering. Added that they hope to continue the
picnics over the next couple of years.
• Commissioner Sreekanth requested clarification on whether or not the kids are
all from Cupertino. Active Circle clarified 50% Cupertino, 25% Sunnyvale, and
25% Santa Clara.
• Commissioner Kumarappan requested clarification on the selection criteria.
Active Circle clarified that their events are open to everyone through RSVP.
• Commissioner Kumarappan requested clarification on frequency of the events.
Active Circle clarified they try to have bi-monthly events.
• Commissioner Kumarappan requested clarification on the main objective of the
picnics. Active Circle clarified that their mission is to bring diverse community
families together and integrate them with general society.
• Commissioner Kumarappan requested clarification on the partnerships they
have with other organizations. Active Circle clarified they have a lot of different
events such as mental health webinar sessions that they partner with
corporations on.
• Commissioner Stanek requested clarification on whether or not they are a fully
student run organization. Active Circle clarified yes.
4.) Via Rehabilitation Services for their STEAM and Outdoor Education at Camp Via
West. Representatives from the organization presented and Commissioners asked
clarifying questions:
• Commissioner Sreekanth requested clarification on the location. Via
Rehabilitation Services clarified all over Cupertino.
• Commissioner Stanek requested clarification on the fee schedule. Via
Rehabilitation clarified that the camp is free for children and adults with
developmental disabilities recognized by the state.
• Commissioner Kumarappan requested clarification on the eight Cupertino
residents out of 362 total individuals. Via Rehabilitation clarified the camp is
open to all and they hope to attract more Cupertino residents in the future.
• Vice Chair Bono requested clarification on whether or not the Camp was located
in Cupertino and a breakdown of where the participants come from. Via
Rehabilitation clarified that the camp is in Cupertino and open to everyone in the
Bay Area, not just those in Cupertino. Clarified that 43% are from Santa Clara
County, and all over the Bay Area and beyond.
5.) ElderAid for their Background Verification Integration and Support. Representatives
from the organization presented and Commissioners asked clarifying questions:
• Commissioner Kumarappan requested clarification on the outsourcing. ElderAid
clarified that the app development and maintenance is outsourced.
• Commissioner Kumarappan requested clarification on whether or not the app
only serves Cupertino. ElderAid clarified that the beta program focuses on
Cupertino, Sunnyvale, and Santa Clara.
• Commissioner Sreekanth requested clarification on background verification
integration. ElderAid clarified that the integration is through Sterling Volunteers
here in the U.S.
• Vice Chair Bono requested clarification on an estimated percentage of Cupertino
residents being served. ElderAid clarified that out of 60 already helped, 38 were
Cupertino residents.
6.) Innovart Foundation for their Head and Heart: Mental Health Matters.
Representatives from the organization presented and Commissioners asked clarifying
questions:
• Commissioner Kumarappan requested clarification on when the organization
started and the number of people served thus far. Innovart Foundation clarified
that the organization started in 2014 and has served thousands of people both in
Cupertino and China.
• Commissioner Kumarappan requested clarification on the resource fair. Innovart
Foundation clarified the resource fair is once a year for one to two days locally.
• Commissioner Kumarappan requested clarification on the partnership with the
San Jose Public Library. Innovart Foundation clarified that they partnered with
the Calabazas Library only during the pandemic.
• Commissioner Stanek requested clarification on whether or not the resource fair
was in-person and expected attendance. Innovart Foundation clarified the
resource fair is two parts both physical [in-person] and on zoom through
breakout rooms. Clarified that expected attendance is an estimated 5,000 people
per day with 1,000 to 2,000 in-person.
• Commissioner Stanek requested clarification on whether or not the eight
workshops were online or in-person and estimated attendance. Innovart
Foundation clarified in-person and estimated 40 people per workshop.
• Vice Chair Bono requested clarification on expected reach for Cupertino
residents. Innovart Foundation clarified the target for the resource fair is 10,000
Cupertino residents.
• Commissioner Sreekanth requested clarification on how they identify the
participants. Innovart Foundation clarified that they use google form registration
and it is open to all.
7.) Asian American Parents Association for their AAPI Multicultural Festival.
Representatives from the organization presented and Commissioners asked clarifying
questions:
• Commissioner Sreekanth requested clarification on the total funding request as
the application states $4,000 and the presentation listed $4,500. Management
Analyst Liang clarified that it is the [$4,000] amount submitted in the application.
• Commissioner Kumarappan requested clarification on the funding for the CUSD
teachers. Asian American Parents Association clarified that they have a teacher
mini-grant.
• Commissioner Kumarappan requested clarification on the $2,000 minimum
funding amount. Asian American Parents Association clarified they will have to
look for additional sponsors to cover any funds not awarded.
• Commissioner Stanek requested clarification on why the number of attendees
decreased from 2023 to 2024. Asian American Parents Association clarified [in
2024] there was another community event the same day, along with a heat wave.
8.) Rotary Club of Cupertino for their Thanksgiving Meal Sharing Program.
Representatives from the organization presented and Commissioners asked clarifying
questions:
• Commissioner Sreekanth requested clarification on how they identify the
families being served and if they are the same every year. Rotary Club of
Cupertino clarified that the families are identified by their partner, West Valley
Community Services, and that it is possible some families are repeats.
• Commissioner Stanek requested clarification on whether the meals are pre-
prepared by Safeway and they are just purchasing a certain number of the meals.
Rotary Club of Cupertino clarified yes.
• Commissioner Kumarappan requested clarification on the $4,000 funding
request for materials and equipment. Rotary Club of Cupertino clarified that the
funding is for the purchase of the meals.
• Vice Chair Bono requested clarification on an estimated percentage of Cupertino
residents potentially being served by the grant. Rotary Club of Cupertino
clarified an estimated 50%.
9.) AINAK for their Eyecare and Eyeglasses Program. Representatives from the
organization presented and Commissioners asked clarifying questions:
• Commissioner Kumarappan requested clarification on the line item breakdown
of the funds listed in the application as it doesn’t add up to the $5,000 funding
request. AINAK clarified that they weren’t sure what happened, but that the
$5,000 funding request is what they are asking for.
• Commissioner Kumarappan requested clarification on the 15 Cupertino residents
served. AINAK clarified that they based the number off last year, but an
estimated 50 Cupertino residents have been served through the program since
January of this year.
10.) No Time to Waste for their 5/1000 Feed the Need Program. Representatives from
the organization were not present at the meeting. Management Analyst Liang added
that a summary of their application can be found in the presentations attachment.
11.) Special Olympics Northern California for their 2025 Cupertino Bowling Team
Program. Representatives from the organization presented and Commissioners asked
clarifying questions:
• Commissioner Sreekanth requested clarification on whether or not they have
recurring games or tournaments for the participants. Special Olympics Northern
California clarified that the participants usually play two games after practices.
• Commissioner Kumarappan requested clarification whether or not they organize
a similar program in other areas. Special Olympics Northern California clarified
that they operate in other cities and partner with four bowling sites in Santa
Clara County.
• Commissioner Kumarappan requested clarification on the 12 Cupertino residents
and how they are selected. Special Olympics Northern California clarified that
the program is open to all, and 12 is the number of current Cupertino residents
registered. Added that the program is still open for more.
• Commissioner Kumarappan requested clarification on the 92 total participants.
Special Olympics Northern California clarified that there are 92 total
participants, including athletes and coaches, participating in solely the Cupertino
bowling team program.
• Vice Chair Bono requested clarification on whether or not the funding request is
for marketing. Special Olympics Northern California clarified the funding
request is for services only, not marketing.
12.) Friends of Deer Hollow Farm for their Tule House Shelter. Representatives from the
organization presented and Commissioners asked clarifying questions:
• Commissioner Stanek requested clarification on who is building the structure.
Friends of Deer Hollow Farm clarified staff.
• Commissioner Kumarappan requested clarification on the structure. Friends of
Deer Hollow Farm clarified that the proposed structure is a shelter that would
cover The Tule House so that they do not need to re-build it every year.
13.) Chinese American Coalition for Compassionate Care (CACCC) for their Suicide
Prevention Program. Representatives from the organization presented and
Commissioners asked clarifying questions:
• Commissioner Sreekanth requested clarification on whether or not they have
mental health experts. CACCC clarified that they have a former Psychology
Faculty Professor from San Jose State.
• Commissioner Kumarappan requested clarification on whether or not the
Suicide Prevention Program was just starting this year. CACCC clarified that
they just started the program, and with the $5,000 mini-grant from Santa Clara
County they have began training with the Santa Clara County Behavioral Health
Services Department.
• Vice Chair Bono requested clarification on an estimated number of Cupertino
residents. CACCC clarified about 30 to 40 trained volunteers in total, and from
that 10 Cupertino residents.
14.) Cupertino Symphonic Band for their Music, Equipment, Scanner, Band Shirts, and
Venue Rental. Representatives from the organization presented and Commissioners
asked clarifying questions:
• Commissioner Sreekanth requested clarification on the CUSD Elementary School
performance and whether or not it was open to all children. Cupertino
Symphonic Band clarified that performance was for West Valley Elementary
School.
• Commissioner Kumarappan requested clarification on the number of
[performances] throughout the year. Cupertino Symphonic Band clarified that
they have an estimated seven concerts annually including three at the Quinlan
Community Center, one at the Sunnyvale Community Center, a Veteran’s
Concert, and one at the [Memorial Park] Amphitheatre.
• Commissioner Kumarappan requested clarification on whether the funding
request was for the entire year, across all [performances]. Cupertino Symphonic
Band clarified yes.
15.) West Valley Community Services for their Gift of Hope Program. Representatives
from the organization presented and Commissioners asked clarifying questions:
• Commissioner Kumarappan requested clarification as the line item breakdown
of the funds is listed as $1,000 in the application, and it doesn’t add up to the
$10,000 funding request. West Valley Community Services clarified $10,000.
• Commissioner Kumarappan requested clarification on the 350 Cupertino
residents being served. West Valley Community Services clarified that last year
they served an overall estimated total of 1,500 and from that 350 were Cupertino
residents.
Management Analyst Liang reviewed the eligibility and evaluation process for the
April 3 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting.
STAFF AND COMMISSION REPORTS
Recreation Manager Lee presented the Liaison’s update as submitted.
Commissioner Stanek reported on a weekly group at Linda Vista Park who operate
remote control trucks.
FUTURE AGENDA SETTING
None
ADJOURNMENT
Vice Chair Bono adjourned the meeting at 9:29 p.m. to the April 3, 2025 meeting at 7:00
p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by,
Jessica Suntay, Administrative Assistant
Parks and Recreation Department
Minutes approved at the 04.03.25 regular meeting