101-Draft minutes.pdf
DRAFT MINUTES
CUPERTINO CITY COUNCIL
SUCCESSOR TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Special Meeting
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ROLL CALL
At 5:20 p.m. Mayor Mark Santoro called the special meeting to order in the Council Chamber,
10350 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, California.
Present: Mayor Mark Santoro, Vice-Mayor Orrin Mahoney, and Council members Barry Chang,
Rod Sinks, and Gilbert Wong. Absent: none.
CLOSED SESSION
1. Subject: Conference with legal counsel – anticipated litigation; Significant exposure to
litigation pursuant to Gov't Code 54956.9(b): (one case)
2. Subject: Conference with Labor Negotiator (Government Code 54957.6); Agency negotiators:
Carol Atwood and Amy Chan; Employee organizations: OE3; CEA; City Attorney's Group;
Unrepresented
At 5:16 p.m. Council recessed to a closed session, and reconvened in open session at 6:45
p.m. Mayor Santoro announced that for item number one, a briefing was obtained and no
action was taken, and for item number two, the City Council met with negotiators and the
closed session would be continued after the meeting.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
At 6:45 p.m. Mayor Mark Santoro called the special City Council meeting back to order and led
the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Mark Santoro, Vice-Mayor Orrin Mahoney, and Council members Barry Chang,
Rod Sinks, and Gilbert Wong. Absent: none.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012 Cupertino City Council
Successor to the Redevelopment Agency
CEREMONIAL MATTERS AND PRESENTATIONS
3. Subject: Presentation from El Camino Hospital regarding its work in the community
Recommended Action: Receive presentation
John Zoglin, Chairman of El Camino Hospital District and El Camino Hospital and Barbara
Avery, Director Community Benefits gave a presentation describing the efforts they are
making to provide services that improve the health of residents in the communities they
serve.
4. Subject: Recognition and acknowledgment of Leadership 95014 sponsors and class of 2012
Recommended Action: Recognize Leadership 95014 sponsors and students
Director of Parks and Recreation Mark Linder said that this is the second graduating class
and explained how the program works. He acknowledged the major sponsors including the
City of Cupertino and the Wilfred Jarvis Institute, and the daytime program sponsors
including PG&E (Going Green Day) and Recology (Planning for the Future Day). He
acknowledged the members of the Leadership 95014 Planning Committee and the 2012
graduates who were present.
POSTPONEMENTS – None
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Ned Britt talked about a proposal to modify the traffic around Barbara Avenue and Faria School.
He showed a picture of a car parked near the intersection of the street and explained that the
proposal is to get rid of parking and make it a two-lane street. He said that the sidewalk has no
buffer which would be dangerous for students and noted that his neighborhood is against the
modification. He said that traffic jams up in that area due to a primary choke point developing
congestion. He suggested adding a right turn only lane or to not allow traffic in that area. Interim
City Manager Amy Chan said that staff would provide information to Council in the weekly
notes.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Wong moved and Mahoney seconded to approve the items on the Consent Calendar as
recommended. Ayes: Chang, Mahoney, Santoro, Sinks, and Wong. Noes: None. Abstain: None.
5. Subject: August 7 City Council minutes
Recommended Action: Approve minutes
6. Subject: Accounts Payable for period ending July 27, 2012
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 12-090
7. Subject: Accounts Payable for period ending August 3, 2012
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 12-091
Tuesday, August 21, 2012 Cupertino City Council
Successor to the Redevelopment Agency
8. Subject: Accounts Payable for period ending August 10, 2012
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 12-092
9. Subject: Passage of a resolution to authorize City’s legal counsel to represent the City before
the State Board of Equalization (“BOE”)
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 12-093 authorizing the City’s legal counsel to
represent the City before the BOE
10. Subject: Municipal Improvements, 10292 Orange Avenue
Recommended Action: Accept Municipal Improvements
Description: The work included driveway approach, sidewalk and curb & gutter
improvements in the City right-of-way
SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES
11. Subject: Second reading amending Cupertino Municipal Code Section 19.104 (Signs)
Recommended Action: Conduct second reading and enact Ordinance No. 12-2098: “An
Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Cupertino Amending Chapter 19.104 (Signs) of
the Cupertino Municipal Code regarding the placement of temporary political signs and
related minor clarifications and language streamlining.”
Description: Application: MCA-2012-01; Applicant: City of Cupertino; Location: Citywide;
Municipal Code Amendment to Chapter 19.104 (Sign Ordinance) regarding the placement of
temporary political signs and related minor clarifications and language streamlining
Mahoney moved and Chang seconded to read the ordinance by title only and that the City
Clerk’s reading would constitute the first reading thereof. Ayes: Chang, Mahoney, Santoro,
Sinks and Wong. Noes: None.
Mahoney moved and Sinks seconded to enact Ordinance No. 12-2098. Ayes: Chang,
Mahoney, Santoro, Sinks, and Wong. Noes: None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
ORDINANCES AND ACTION ITEMS
12. Subject: Consideration of authorization to proceed with a General Plan Amendment
Recommended Action: Authorize a General Plan Amendment
Written communications for this item included a letter supporting authorization to proceed
with a General Plan Amendment process from Mike Rohde Vallco Shopping Mall General
Manager, John Vidovich De Anza Properties owner, and an amended letter from John Zirelli
Cupertino Chamber of Commerce President; a letter from Ivor Samson SNR Denton partner
on behalf of Sears Roebuck and Co. seeking continued information and opposing a
development moratorium as part of the General Plan Amendment process in regards to the
Sears property; a packet of information from Barry Watkins; a chart from staff noting
allocation information; and a staff PowerPoint presentation.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012 Cupertino City Council
Successor to the Redevelopment Agency
Director of Community Development Aarti Shrivastava reviewed the staff report via a
PowerPoint presentation.
Barry Watkins, managing member of Stevens Creek/Cupertino Target Center said he
strongly supported a General Plan Amendment. He noted that land is expensive, construction
costs are high, and interest rates are currently low but will probably go up in the future. He
also suggested that Council consider using Kosmont, a Los Angeles area firm that works
with government agencies, to analyze the scope of the area, assess the market and community
vision and strategy, undertake the initial project planning, issue any tax exempt bonds that
may be needed, and provide financial and cost analysis financing. Mr. Watkins said that he
thought Kosmont could help bridge the gap for financial incentives to make the General Plan
Amendment more productive.
Ivor Samson, SNR Dentin representing Sears in Vallco Mall, said that he sent a letter to
Council on August 20. Mr. Samson indicated that Sears does not know enough about the
scope of the General Plan Amendment to take a positive or negative position at this time. He
noted that his concern was regarding a moratorium or policy for delaying a project that
would otherwise be permissible under the existing rules. He also said that he doesn’t believe
that moving developments in parallel will work because developers won’t risk investing in a
proposal in a General Plan that is in the process of being developed that will not be adopted
until a later date. Mr. Samson said that he opposes any moratorium or policy that limits
development during a process.
Community Development Director Aarti Shrivastava clarified that there would not be a
moratorium with the General Plan Amendment. City Attorney Carol Korade also explained
that her understanding was that this meeting was only to provide direction to staff on whether
to proceed or not and then there are months of research to bring back to Council before an
amendment would be adopted.
Barbara Perzigian, General Manager of Cupertino Inn, said she strongly supported moving
forward with authorizing the General Plan Amendment. She noted that the hotel has a
project it wants to get started. Ms. Perzigian also suggested that Council consider using
Transient Occupancy Tax revenue to get things going.
Jerry Leap Director of Sales at Cupertino Inn, said he strongly supported beginning the
General Plan Amendment process.
Edward Chan, KCR Development, said that they own a triangular parcel by the JC Penney
parking lot and 280 freeway where the Farmer’s Market was. Mr. Chan expressed concern
regarding the deferral of building until the General Plan Amendment was done. He noted
that they have plans for a hotel on this parcel and would like approval of the project without
the adoption of the Vallco Master Plan and General Plan Amendment because the hotel
economy may be different by the time the plans are completed.
Kevin McClelland, Chamber of Commerce, said that the Chamber has met with most of the
developers who currently are developing projects or have in the past and received feedback
from them. He urged Council to approve initiating the process of the General Plan
Tuesday, August 21, 2012 Cupertino City Council
Successor to the Redevelopment Agency
Amendment. He also noted that the Chamber would not support any conditions related to
deferral of projects until the General Plan Amendment is approved or requiring payment of
mitigation fees up front. Mr. McClelland said that once there is more information regarding
the scope that there would be financial support from interested stakeholders to help with
funding.
Jennifer Griffin said that she wants Vallco to be successful and prefers that it remain a
shopping center. She noted her concern about the scope of the General Plan Amendment
taking years while the City is still trying to complete the Main Street project. She also
questioned if the Vallco Redevelopment Agency (RDA) could be revived.
Chang moved and Mahoney seconded, and the motion carried unanimously, to authorize the
initiation of a General Plan Amendment process that will begin with staff returning back to
the City Council in four to six weeks with the following:
1. Scope of work for the General Plan Amendment process including the timing of a
Master Plan for the Vallco Shopping Center in conjunction with the General Plan
Amendment process.
2. Proposal to fund the General Plan Amendment including the City share and payment
of fair share by property owners (to include apportionment based on payments made
in advance and those that are deferred).
3. Projects that do not require a General Plan Amendment or any deviations would not
be deferred during the General Plan Amendment process, however, projects in the
Vallco Shopping Center would have to update the approved Vallco Master
Development plan and the South Vallco Master plan as related to their project.
4. Provide a list of the BQ (Quasi-Public Building) properties where the CG (General
Commercial) zoning is proposed to be added.
REPORTS BY COUNCIL AND STAFF
Council member Sinks said that he would like to agendize for the next meeting to have staff
bring back alternatives for addressing the geese issue at Memorial Park. Mahoney concurred but
with no set date. Interim City Manager Amy Chan said that staff would provide information to
Council in their weekly notes regarding the geese issue.
Mayor Santoro said that he met with the superintendents and school board members from both
Cupertino school districts to discuss collaborating on the issue of traffic around the schools. The
groups agreed to hold a quarterly meeting with the members comprising of one member and
alternate from each of the following: Fremont Union High School District Board; Cupertino
Union School District Board; Cupertino City Council; and City staff. Mayor Santoro said that he
would appoint a Council member once he hears interest from the other Council members.
Council members highlighted the activities of their committees and various community events.
At 9:47 went back into closed session.
ADJOURNMENT
Tuesday, August 21, 2012 Cupertino City Council
Successor to the Redevelopment Agency
At 11:50 p.m. the meeting was adjourned.
______________________________
Grace Schmidt, City Clerk
Staff reports, backup materials, and items distributed at the City Council meeting are available
for review at the City Clerk’s Office, 777-3223, and also on the Internet at www.cupertino.org.
Click on Agendas & Minutes, then click on the appropriate Packet.
Most Council meetings are shown live on Comcast Channel 26 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99
and are available at your convenience at www.cupertino.org. Click on Agendas & Minutes, then
click Archived Webcast. Videotapes are available at the Cupertino Library, or may be purchased
from the Cupertino City Channel, 777-2364.