CC 04-15-2025 (Special)
APPROVED MINUTES
CUPERTINO CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
SPECIAL MEETING
At 6:02 p.m., Mayor Liang Chao called the Special City Council Meeting to order in the City
Hall Conference Room C, 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, CA 95014.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Liang Chao, Vice Mayor Kitty Moore, and Councilmembers J.R. Fruen, Sheila
Mohan, and Ray Wang. Absent: None.
CLOSED SESSION
In open session prior to closed session, Mayor Chao opened the public comment period
regarding the items on the agenda. The following members of the public requested to speak.
Helena Cohen
Mayor Chao closed the public comment period.
1. Subject: Conference with legal counsel-anticipated litigation; California Government
Code Sections 54954.5(c) and 54956.9(e)(1): (1 case)
Council met with legal counsel on the anticipated litigation.
2. Subject: Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation pursuant to Government
Code § 54956.9: Yes In My Back Yard; Chunhua Tang; and California Housing Defense
Fund v. City of Cupertino; Community Development Department of the City of
Cupertino (25CV462924)
Council met with legal counsel on the existing litigation.
3. Subject: Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation pursuant to Government
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Code § 54956.9: Lixin (Leon) Chen; California Housing Defense Fund; and Yes in My
Backyard v. City of Cupertino; City of Cupertino Community Development Department
and City of Cupertino Planning Commission (25CV462857)
Council met with legal counsel on the existing litigation.
At 6:36 p.m., Mayor Chao recessed the meeting.
OPEN SESSION
At 6:45 p.m., Mayor Chao reconvened the Special City Council Meeting in open session and
led the Pledge of Allegiance in the Cupertino Community Hall Council Chamber, 10350 Torre
Avenue and via teleconference.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Liang Chao, Vice Mayor Kitty Moore, and Councilmembers J.R. Fruen, Sheila
Mohan, and Ray Wang. Absent: None.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Floy Andrews conducted the open session report regarding the closed session
held at 6:00 p.m. There was no reportable action.
PRESENTATIONS
4. Subject: Presentation by Santa Clara County Fire Department Assistant Chief Hector
Estrada on the Updated Local Responsibility Area (LRA) Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map
Recommended Action: Receive presentation by Santa Clara County Fire Department
Assistant Chief Hector Estrada on the Updated Local Responsibility Area (LRA) Fire
Hazard Severity Zone Map
Written communications for this item included a presentation.
Council received the presentation by Santa Clara County Fire Department Assistant
Chief Hector Estrada on the Updated Local Responsibility Area (LRA) Fire Hazard
Severity Zone Map.
CEREMONIAL ITEMS
5. Subject: Present proclamation honoring the life and legacy of Ty Bloomquist, a
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dedicated employee of the City of Cupertino, who passed away on March 28, 2025
Recommended Action: Present proclamation honoring the life and legacy of Ty
Bloomquist, a dedicated employee of the City of Cupertino, who passed away on
March 28, 2025
Ty Bloomquist’s wife, Renee, made comments and received the proclamation.
Mayor Chao introduced the proclamation honoring the life and legacy of Ty Bloomquist,
a dedicated employee of the City of Cupertino, who passed away on March 28, 2025 and
Director of Public Works Chad Mosely presented the proclamation.
6. Subject: Present a proclamation and recognize Cupertino's affiliated volunteer
emergency response teams during Volunteer Week, April 20-26, 2025, for their
outstanding contributions and dedicated service to the Cupertino community
Recommended Action: Present a proclamation and recognize the contributions of
CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) neighborhood responders and
organizations for Citizen Corps Emergency Response, CARES (Cupertino Amateur
Radio Emergency Services) for radio communications, and MRC (Medical Reserve
Corps) for medical support to the City during emergencies, as part of Volunteer Week,
April 20-26, 2025
Fari Aberg, Jim Oberhofer, and Alberto Boleda, representing Cupertino’s Citizen Corps,
received the proclamation.
Mayor Chao presented the proclamation recognizing the contributions of CERT
(Community Emergency Response Team) neighborhood responders and organizations
for Citizen Corps Emergency Response, CARES (Cupertino Amateur Radio Emergency
Services) for radio communications, and MRC (Medical Reserve Corps) for medical
support to the City during emergencies, as part of Volunteer Week, April 20-26, 2025.
7. Subject: Receive presentation from the Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance and present
proclamation recognizing its 100 years of conservation and community
Recommended Action: Receive presentation from the Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance
and present proclamation recognizing its 100 years of conservation and community
Shani Kleinhaus, Environmental Advocate, and Matthew Dodder, Executive Director,
with Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance gave a verbal presentation and received the
proclamation.
Council received the presentation from the Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance and Mayor
Chao presented the proclamation recognizing its 100 years of conservation and
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community.
8. Subject: Receive presentation from Rolling Hills 4-H Club and present proclamation
recognizing its contributions to youth leadership development and service to the
Cupertino community
Recommended Action: Receive presentation from Rolling Hills 4-H Club and present
proclamation recognizing its contributions to youth leadership development and service
to the Cupertino community
Written communications for this item included a presentation.
Kai Wu and Audrey Papasin gave a presentation on behalf of Rolling Hills 4-H Club of
Cupertino.
Council received the presentation from Rolling Hills 4-H Club and Mayor Chao presented
the proclamation recognizing its contributions to youth leadership development and
service to the Cupertino community
POSTPONEMENTS AND ORDERS OF THE DAY – None
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Written communications for this item included emails to the Council.
The following members of the public spoke:
Rhoda Fry discussed two City lawsuits and the Foothill-De Anza Community College District’s
purchase of McClellan Terrace.
Devendar discussed the Foothill-De Anza Community College District’s purchase of McClellan
Terrace.
Abhesi discussed the Foothill-De Anza Community College District’s purchase of McClellan
Terrace.
Stephen Shei discussed community engagement and cultural understanding.
Peggy Griffin discussed the policies for written communications and commission hybrid
meetings, and state housing legislation.
Jennifer Griffin discussed various housing bills and student housing.
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Ranjan Desai discussed the Mary Avenue Villas project.
Planning Commissioner San R (representing self) discussed the agenda setting process,
converting rental housing to student housing, and grant funded projects.
Rathi Kartheek discussed the Foothill-De Anza Community College District’s purchase of
McClellan Terrace.
Venkatesan Ranganathan discussed the Foothill-De Anza Community College District’s
purchase of McClellan Terrace and the Sound Wall separating N. Portal from The Rise project.
David Y discussed the Evulich Court development and CAL FIRE’s updated Fire Hazard
Severity Zone maps.
Chao requested an informational memorandum on reactivating hybrid-format commission
meetings, including potential costs and fiscal impacts.
CONSENT CALENDAR (Items 9-12)
Councilmember Wang removed Item 12 from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
Mayor Chao opened the public comment period and, seeing no one, closed the public comment
period.
MOTION: Wang moved and Moore seconded to approve the items on the Consent Calendar
except as indicated; and to reorder the agenda to move Item 12 before the Action Calendar. The
motion passed with the following vote: Ayes: Chao, Moore, Fruen, Mohan, and Wang. Noes:
None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.
9. Subject: Approval of April 2, 2025 City Council minutes
Recommended Action: Approve the April 2, 2025 City Council minutes
10. Subject: Ratifying Accounts Payable for the periods ending March 14, 2025 and March
28, 2025
Recommended Action: A. Adopt Resolution No. 25-023 ratifying Accounts Payable for
the Period ending March 14, 2025; and
B. Adopt Resolution No. 25-024 ratifying Accounts Payable for the Period ending
March 28, 2025
Written communications for this item included a supplemental report with staff responses
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to councilmember questions and emails to Council.
11. Subject: Second reading and enactment of an ordinance to make amendments to the
Cupertino Municipal Code, Title 2 to add Chapter 2.96 and codify the Economic
Development Committee
Recommended Action: Conduct the second reading and enact Ordinance No. 25-2269:
“An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Cupertino Amending City Code Title
2, Chapter 2.96: Economic Development Committee"
PUBLIC HEARINGS – None
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
As noted under the Consent Calendar, this item was moved before the Action Calendar.
12. Subject: Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Program, Below Market Rate Affordable Housing Fund (BMR AHF), General Fund
Human Services Grant (HSG), Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA), and
County funding allocations.
Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager to execute the FY 2025-26 CDBG,
BMR AHF, General Fund HSG, PLHA, and County funding agreements.
Written communications for this item included emails to Council.
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
Community Development Director Ben Fu and Senior Housing Planner Nicky Vu
reviewed the staff report.
Mayor Chao opened the public comment period and the following members of the public
spoke.
Eric McKinlay
Nader Vahdat
Gia Pham, representing Housing Choices
Jennifer Lucas, representing State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD)
Janet and Cindy Van Zoeren, representing Housing Choices
Planning Commissioner Steven Scharf (representing self)
Stephen Quan
Ranjan Desai
Sujatha Venkatraman, representing West Valley Community Services
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Georgia Bacil, representing Senior Adults Legal Assistance
Rathi Kartheek
Lisa
Mayor Chao opened the public comment period.
Councilmembers asked questions and made comments.
MOTION: Chao moved and Wang seconded to approve the recommended action, as
modified, to authorize the City Manager to execute the FY 2025-26 CDBG, BMR AHF,
General Fund HSG, PLHA, and County funding agreements, and allocate in the same way
from the BMR fund, $1.9 million for Charities Housing and $1.08 million for Eden
Housing; with a modification that Council will consider allocating an extra $1 million
from the remaining $1.8 million BMR fund to Charities Housing, on the condition that
they explore on potential ways to increase the parking stalls on their side of the project.
Council did not vote on this motion.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Moore moved and Fruen seconded to approve the recommended
action, as modified, to authorize the City Manager to execute the FY 2025-26 CDBG, BMR
AHF, General Fund HSG, PLHA, and County funding agreements; with a modification
that $3 million of the Below Market Rate Affordable Housing Fund (BMR AHF) be
committed to the Charities Housing - Mary Avenue Project and $1,083,200 be allocated to
the Eden Housing - Wolf Road Project, and that a commensurate amount of funding
($1,083,200) is to be reallocated from the General Fund to the BMR AHF fund to
accommodate the modified funding increase. The substitute motion passed with the
following vote: Ayes: Chao, Moore, Fruen, Mohan, and. Noes: Wang. Abstain: None.
Absent: None.
At 9:16 p.m., Mayor Chao recessed the meeting. The meeting reconvened at 9:23 p.m. with all
Councilmembers present.
ACTION CALENDAR
13. Subject: Direct Staff on Commission Review of the Stevens Creek Boulevard Corridor
Vision Study
Recommended Action: Direct staff to present the Stevens Creek Boulevard Corridor
Vision Study to either the Planning Commission or the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission
for review and input.
Written communications for this item included a supplemental report with staff responses
to councilmember questions, Attachment B - Resolution of Support of SC Corridor Vision
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Study, and emails to Council.
Public Works Director Chad Mosley reviewed the staff report.
Mayor Chao opened the public comment period and the following members of the public
spoke.
Harry Neil
Jennifer Griffin
Beck Poltronetti
Planning Commissioner Steven Scharf (representing self)
Peggy Griffin
Planning Commissioner Seema Lindskog (representing self)
Planning Commissioner San R (representing self)
Planning Commissioner Tracy K (representing self)
Lisa
Michael Wang
Mayor Chao closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Moore moved and Wang seconded to direct staff to present the Stevens Creek
Boulevard Corridor Vision Study for review and input to the Bicycle Pedestrian
Commission, as already scheduled, and to the Planning Commission. The motion passed
with the following vote: Ayes: Chao, Moore, Fruen, Mohan, and Wang. Noes: None.
Abstain: None. Absent: None.
14. Subject: Review future agenda items requested by City Councilmembers
Recommended Action: 1. Review the future agenda items list and adopt the staff
recommendations for items 1-13
2. Provide direction for items 14-18
Written communications for this item included a supplemental report with staff responses
to councilmember questions, Updated Attachment A - February 2025 Future Agenda
Items List, Updated Attachment B - April 2025 Future Agenda Items List 20 Items,
Attachment C - Updated Future Agenda Items, and emails to the Council.
Deputy City Manager Tina Kapoor reviewed the staff report.
Councilmembers asked questions and made comments.
Mayor Chao opened the public comment period and the following people spoke.
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Jennifer Griffin
Peggy Griffin
Mayor Chao closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Chao moved and Wang seconded to agendize Item 18 as soon as possible to
consider the Finch property for potential purchase or other form of partnership with the
Cupertino Union School District (CUSD). The motion passed with the following vote:
Ayes: Chao, Moore, Fruen, Mohan, and Wang. Noes: None. Abstain: None. Absent:
None.
MOTION: Chao moved and Wang seconded to continue review future agenda items
requested by City Councilmembers to the next City Council meeting. The motion passed
with the following vote: Ayes: Chao, Moore, Fruen, Mohan, and Wang. Noes: None.
Abstain: None. Absent: None.
ADJOURNMENT
At 10:39 p.m., Mayor Chao adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting, per rule. There was no
Council discussion on the remaining agenda items.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
The Council did not hear this item.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS – CONTINUED - None
COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS
15. Subject: Councilmember Reports
Councilmembers reported on their various committees and events as provided in the
published agenda.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
The Council did not hear this item.
As noted under Oral Communications, Chao requested an informational memorandum on
reactivating hybrid-format commission meetings, including potential costs and fiscal impacts.
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16. Subject: Upcoming Draft Agenda Items Report
A tentative council meeting agenda calendar was provided in the published agenda.
Minutes prepared by:
Kirsten Squarcia, City Clerk