101-Draft Minutes.pdf
DRAFT MINUTES
CUPERTINO CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ROLL CALL
At 5:35 p.m. Mayor Orrin Mahoney called the Special City Council meeting to order.
Present: Mayor Orrin Mahoney, Vice Mayor Gilbert Wong, and Council members Barry
Chang, and Mark Santoro. Absent: Rod Sinks.
CLOSED SESSION
1. Subject: Conference with Real Property Negotiator (Govʹt Code Sec. 54956.8); 1.
Property: Pruneridge Avenue between Wolfe and Tantau, with the exception of that
portion of Pruneridge that fronts along the Hamptons; 2. Negotiating Parties: City
Manager, City Attorney, Special Counsel; 3. Under Negotiation: Price and terms
At 5:35 p.m. Council recessed to a closed session, and reconvened in open session at
6:47 p.m. Mayor Mahoney announced that Council had a closed session on March 18
regarding Conference with Labor Negotiator (Government Code 54957.6); Agency
designated negotiators: Director of Administrative Services, City Manager, and
Dania Torres Wong; Employee organizations: Operating Engineers Local No. 3
Union; Cupertino Employeesʹ Association; Unrepresented (Management and
Confidential)Employeesʹ Compensation Program; Appointed Employeesʹ
Compensation Program. He said that Council received a report and no action was
taken. Regarding the closed session from this evening, he said that Council gave
instructions to staff.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013 Cupertino City Council
Successor to the Redevelopment Agency
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
At 6:47 p.m. Mayor Orrin Mahoney reconvened the Special City Council meeting and
led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Orrin Mahoney, Vice Mayor Gilbert Wong, and Council members Barry
Chang, Mark Santoro, and Rod Sinks. Absent: none.
CEREMONIAL MATTERS AND PRESENTATIONS
2. Subject: 2013 Arbor Day Proclamation
Recommended Action: Present proclamation
Director of Public Works Timm Borden explained that October 2011 was the first
observance of Arbor Day in Cupertino which signifies the City’s effort to promote a
healthy, urban forest. The City applied to Tree City USA to become a tree city in
February 2013 and has just received signs and a plaque from the foundation. Arbor
Day will be held on April 6 in conjunction with Earth Day.
Mayor Mahoney presented the proclamation to Mr. Borden.
3. Subject: Presentation from the Board of Trustees of the Foothill‐DeAnza Community
College District
Recommended Action: Accept Presentation
Pearl Cheng, Board Trustee of the Foothill‐De Anza Community College District
made a presentation via PowerPoint. She noted that in the audience were District
Chancellor Linda Thor, President of DeAnza College Brian Murphy and other senior
staff members. She said that the District’s focus is on the students and she
highlighted statistics including student population; number one UC transfer district;
career preparation; success stories; civic engagement; community connections; state
of the art facilities; enhancing student learning; building for the future; Eco Pass
program; and establishing an education center at the Onizuka Air Force Base in
Sunnyvale. She also said that the District received $63,000 from PG&E for energy
savings and that they are meeting 60 percent of their own energy needs from solar
power.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013 Cupertino City Council
Successor to the Redevelopment Agency
POSTPONEMENTS
Wong moved and Chang seconded to postpone item number 9 to April 2. The motion
carried unanimously.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Maria Begiebing said that she is a student at San Jose State University conducting a
research study on the environment surrounding local leaders. She noted that she
emailed a survey to Council and encouraged them to respond to the survey for her class
project.
Kapil Bhatnagar representing the Art of Living Foundation regarding personal
development and stress management thanked Council for their support and extended
an invitation to attend an event on March 24 at the San Jose Convention Center from
3:15‐6:30 p.m. He said their focus is to launch a campaign in support of a stress and
violence free environment and that they are hoping to partner with Cupertino and other
cities to bring the community opportunities to participate. He noted that Jim Doherty,
Santa Clara County Supervisor Dave Cortese, and the founder of the Global Art Living
Foundation are expected to attend the event on March 24.
Steve Elich representing the Homestead Villa subdivision gave a PowerPoint
presentation regarding the Stevens Creek Trail. He highlighted where Homestead Villa
is located and said that the Citizens Advisory Committee was composed of bicycle
activists, neighborhoods do not really have a voice, and that other options such as Mary
Avenue or Foothill were not considered. He said that making Stevens Creek Boulevard
safer should be a higher priority and that building another bridge a half mile away from
the Mary Avenue Bridge is not fiscally responsible. He distributed a petition signed by
150 people and urged Council to adopt the Mary Avenue Bridge route which promotes
fiscal responsibility, has existing infrastructure, and minimizes the impact on
neighborhoods. The Mayor summarized where the City is in the process and said that
no decisions have been made at this time.
Art Cohen, CEO and owner of Blue Light Cinemas at the Oaks across from De Anza
College said that on April 27 and 28, actors from Hollywood would be coming to Blue
Light for the Trek for Autism event. He invited Council to attend the event and said
that a portion of all proceeds would be donated to Achieve Kids which supports autism
programs. He also said that any business can be a sponsor for as low as $50.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013 Cupertino City Council
Successor to the Redevelopment Agency
Dileep Tiku said that his family bought a property in Cupertino and remodeled it so
each daughter could have her own room. He said he submitted the plans and that
Public Works informed him that he is also responsible for doing off‐site development
work, including fixing the driveway. He said he hadn’t planned to have to do this extra
work and asked Council to waive the requirement to fix the driveway.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Santoro moved and Wong seconded to approve the items on the Consent Calendar as
recommended with the exception of item number 9 which was continued to April 2.
Ayes: Chang, Mahoney, Santoro, Sinks, and Wong. Noes: None. Abstain: Santoro
abstained from voting on items 10 and 11.
4. Subject: Approve the March 5 City Council minutes
Recommended Action: Approve the minutes
5. Subject: Accept Accounts Payable for period ending February 22, 2013
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 13‐022 accepting Accounts Payable
for period ending February 22, 2013
6. Subject: Accept Accounts Payable for period ending March 1, 2013
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 13‐023 accepting Accounts Payable
for period ending March 1, 2013
7. Subject: Modify the Cupertino Employees Association (CEA) Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) to add a new position category
Recommended Action: Amend the Salary Schedule to reflect new position; Traffic
Signal Technician, Apprentice
8. Subject: Adopt resolution supporting Senate Bill 629‐ Tax Equity Allocation (TEA)
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 13‐024 supporting SB629‐TEA
9. Subject: Approve criteria for City sponsorship of a special event
Recommended Action: Approve attached criteria for Cupertino support of special
event
Under Postponements, this item was continued to April 2.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013 Cupertino City Council
Successor to the Redevelopment Agency
10. Subject: Approve the Tract Map, Bollinger Venture, LLC, a California Limited
Liability Company, APN 359‐22‐077, Westerly terminus of Bollinger Road
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 13‐025 approving the Tract Map
Description: A resolution approving a tract map that subdivides an approximately
49,650 square foot parcel into five parcels, consisting of five residential lots and a
cul‐de‐sac dedication, ranging in size from 7,130 to 11,101 square feet in area
11. Subject: Approve the Improvement Agreement, Bollinger Venture, LLC, a
California Limited Liability Company, Tract 10157, Westerly terminus of Bollinger
Road, APN: 359‐22‐077
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 13‐026 approving the Agreement
Description: Through the improvement agreement with the City, the applicants of a
five lot subdivision for five residential houses will be obligated to construct City‐
specified street improvements, including asphalt pavement, street light, curb, gutter,
sidewalk and driveway approaches completing the cul‐de‐sac at the Westerly
terminus of Bollinger Road
12. Subject: Alcoholic Beverage License, Ajito Izakaya Dining, 7335 Bollinger Road, #C1
Recommended Action: Approve Alcoholic Beverage License, Ajito Izakaya Dining
SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES
PUBLIC HEARINGS
13. Subject: Approval of minor amendments to Chapter 14.18 of the Municipal Code,
Protected Trees, and request for Council direction on future amendments to Chapter
14.18. (postponed from the March 5, 2013 meeting)
Recommended Action: 1. Conduct the first reading of Ordinance No. 13‐2107 ʺAn
Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Cupertino amending Chapter 14.18,
Protected Trees, of the Municipal Codeʺ to clarify references to public trees and
modify penalties for violations; and; 2. Provide direction to staff on scope of further
amendments to Chapter 14.18 to be studied and authorize the City Manager to enter
into a consultant services contract in an amount not to exceed $65,000
Description: Application No. MCA‐2012‐02; Applicant: City of Cupertino; Location:
Citywide; Municipal Code Amendment to Chapter 14.18, Protected Trees and
review for future potential amendments
Written communications for this item included a staff PowerPoint presentation and
an email from Jennifer Griffin.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013 Cupertino City Council
Successor to the Redevelopment Agency
Assistant Planner Simon Vuong reviewed the staff report via a PowerPoint
presentation.
Jennifer Griffin said that she is concerned that the protected tree list is being used for
political purposes and that trees are being removed from this list three to four years
after they were added, especially the Bay Laurel tree. She said the largest Bay
Laurel is in Rancho San Antonio Park and is protected, but it is close to 170 years
old. She urged Council not to remove the Bay Laurel from the protected tree list.
Tamon Norimoto from PG&E thanked Council for the continued listing of the public
utility under exemptions. He said that the company’s 811 program requests that
people call a minimum of 48 hours before doing work like planting a tree to avoid
hitting a utility line. He distributed a poster regarding the right to replant program
which encourages people to consider the type of trees planted near utility lines and
information about overhead utility lines. He encouraged Council to work with
PG&E’s vegetation management in the future to encourage people to plant the right
tree in the right place.
City Clerk Grace Schmidt read the title of Ordinance No. 13‐2107.
Wong moved and Santoro 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.
Council provided direction to move forward based on staff’s suggested scope for
further amendments to Chapter 14.18 and added a review of: (1) the specimen tree
list to add non‐native trees that should be protected; and (2) tree removal process for
planned residential developments.
Wong moved and Santoro seconded to authorize the City Manager to enter into a
consultant services contract in an amount not to exceed $65,000. The motion carried
unanimously.
Council recessed from 8:36 p.m. to 8:46 p.m.
14. Subject: Appeal of a decision of the Director of Public Works regarding the
relocation of a utility pole
Recommended Action: Deny the appeal, upholding the Director’s decision to
require the relocation of the existing utility pole, located near the northeast corner of
Tuesday, March 19, 2013 Cupertino City Council
Successor to the Redevelopment Agency
appellant’s property, to a location behind the proposed new curb and gutter
required along the property frontage
Director of Public Works Timm Borden reviewed the staff report.
Appellant Paul Kalra said that he is building a house and asked Council to not
require him to relocate the utility pole onto his neighbor’s property and be
responsible for the cost. He explained his appeal as discussed in a handout he
distributed.
Wong moved and Sinks seconded to deny the appeal, upholding the Director’s
decision to require the relocation of the existing utility pole, located near the
northeast corner of appellant’s property, to a location behind the proposed new curb
and gutter required along the property frontage. The motion carried unanimously.
ORDINANCES AND ACTION ITEMS
15. Subject: Approve actions to further streamline City Council’s Consent Calendar
Recommended Action: 1) Adopt Resolution No. 13‐027 approving streamlining of
the consent calendar by amending the approval authority for Alcohol Beverage
Control Licenses, Bingo Permits, Improvement Agreements and Public
Improvement Acceptance; 2) Conduct first reading of Ordinance No. 13‐2108 for
Bingo permits: ʺAn ordinance of the City Council of the City of Cupertino amending
Chapter 5.32 of the Cupertino Municipal Code regarding bingoʺ; 3) Conduct first
reading of Ordinance No. 13‐2109 for Acceptance of Public Improvements: ʺAn
ordinance of the City Council of the City of Cupertino amending sections 14.04.170
and 18.32.390 of the Cupertino municipal code regarding acceptance of public
improvementsʺ
Director of Public Works Timm Borden reviewed the staff report.
Jennifer Griffin said that she understands the need to streamline the consent
calendar but said the public is also interested in these items and should have the
right to hear and speak about them. She said that it’s important to make sure that
things disappearing from the consent calendar aren’t things the public is interested
in, especially liquor licenses and public improvement developments. She said that
the consent calendar is a neutral item and is a good way for the public to be aware of
what is happening throughout the City.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013 Cupertino City Council
Successor to the Redevelopment Agency
Wong moved and Santoro seconded to adopt Resolution No. 13‐027 approving
streamlining of the consent calendar by amending the approval authority for Bingo
Permits, Improvement Agreements and Public Improvement Acceptance with an
amendment to continue to include Alcohol Beverage License approvals on the
consent calendar. The motion carried unanimously.
City Clerk Grace Schmidt read the title of Ordinance No. 13‐2108.
Chang moved and Santoro 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.
City Clerk Grace Schmidt read the title of Ordinance No. 13‐2109.
Chang moved and Santoro 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.
16. Subject: Authorize City Manager to execute lease agreement for property known as
The Blue Pheasant Restaurant
Recommended Action: Authorize City Manager to execute lease agreement for
property known as The Blue Pheasant Restaurant with Hungry Jackʹs Restaurant
Corporation and Mike Tsachres
Written communications for this item included an amended recommended action
and an email from Diane Berg.
Acting Director of Parks and Recreation Carol Atwood reviewed the staff report.
Dan Berg representing his neighborhood group and also speaking for Albrecht
Schoy, Theresa Horng, Marjan Kashvad, and Oakdale Ranch, distributed a handout
of recommended actions regarding the Blue Pheasant restaurant. He asked Council
to think about the impacts on the surrounding neighborhood before deciding on a
new lease for the restaurant. He said that residents of Oakdale Ranch do not think
the terms of the contract are being adhered to such as a closing time of 11:00 p.m.
He said that the restaurant doesn’t close until 12:30 or 1:00 a.m., that the reviews
online are poor, and that most patrons are not from Cupertino at all. He said that
they recommend the restaurant close at 10:00 p.m. with everyone out of the parking
Tuesday, March 19, 2013 Cupertino City Council
Successor to the Redevelopment Agency
lot by 11:00 p.m. and that more money be allocated to improve the facility’s
appearance.
Brian Vanoli said that he and his family have lived in the neighborhood for seven
years and likes the idea of a golf course, restaurant, and bar but said he is concerned
about the type of clientele that go there. He said he feels uneasy about the
atmosphere, that the late closing is creating problems, and that it looks run‐down.
He also said that the restaurant seems to have a better crowd with good dancing
from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and then around 9:30 a new crowd comes in and the other one
leaves.
Robin Seaman said that she moved to Oakdale Ranch in the late 60’s and lived there
until two years ago. She talked about what it felt like being a single woman living
down the street from the Blue Pheasant and explained that it’s a run‐down
restaurant and attracts questionable clientele. She said that in the 70’s and 80’s it
was a family style place for dinner, but that she would never go there now. She said
she hopes the place and the area could be cleaned up and made into a nice
establishment.
Tom Guntly, from the Pharlap Dr. neighborhood said that after 11:00 p.m. the
neighborhood experiences noise, traffic, and trash from people coming out of the
Blue Pheasant restaurant. He said that safety issues and non‐compliance of the lease
terms need to be addressed if the lease is approved. He also said that it would be
great to build something more appealing in the upcoming master plan.
Angela Duffy talked about the issue of safety in the Pharlap Dr. neighborhood. She
explained that traffic is bad in the area and people going to the Blue Pheasant would
park in the neighborhood. She said that the restaurant isn’t clean and asked Council
to make it a place where the community would be proud to go.
Diane Berg said that this has been an issue for a long time and her neighborhood
group of Oakdale Ranch has recommended actions that they urged the Council to
consider. She said she is glad that the master plan is coming and the upgrades as
mentioned in the staff report and would like to know the timeline for these
upgrades.
Capt. Ken Binder from the Sheriff’s Office said that he is available to answer any
questions and provided a general understanding of the sheriff’s activity in the area
in the past six months. He said that the majority of the activity revolves around cite
Tuesday, March 19, 2013 Cupertino City Council
Successor to the Redevelopment Agency
writing and parking issues and reviewed the report from the last six months. He
clarified that his understanding is that the restaurant is supposed to restrict access to
any new patrons after 11:00 p.m. and to close at midnight. He said that random
checks over the past few months have showed that the restaurant abides by this
requirement and most of the cars have left the parking lot by 12:30 a.m.
Tenant Mike Tsachres clarified some points made by the speakers. He said that the
accusations are the same stories from when the past tenant was there. He said he has
security and stands in the parking lot to make sure people leave when they are
supposed to and calls the police as needed. He said that he honors the agreement to
not let anyone else in at 11:00 p.m., closes at midnight, and that he keeps the place
clean. He said he is insulted that it is considered a hookup place. He also said that
if the restaurant were to close at 10:00 p.m. he would lose business to other
establishments.
Chang moved and Santoro seconded to authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a lease agreement for property known as The Blue Pheasant Restaurant with
Hungry Jackʹs Restaurant Corporation and Mike Tsachres in accordance with the
following Council direction. The motion carried with Wong and Sinks voting no.
1. Add a sign in the parking lot noting when the lot closes (staff to work with
Sheriff’s Dept to make sure sign is enforceable)
2. Lessee to provide security to ensure trash is picked up in parking lot
3. Doors closed at 11:00 pm and no more patrons allowed in the building
4. Stop serving alcohol at 11:30 pm
5. Stop music at 12:00 am
6. All patrons must be out of parking lot by 12:30 am
7. 5‐year lease
8. Fines of $200, $400, $1000 (equivalent to two times the penalty for administrative
citation) for allowing patrons to come into the building after 11:00 pm
9. Include percent of revenue in lease (staff to find out what is common)
10. Lessee to paint inside of facility and add new carpet
11. City to paint outside of facility and landscape
12. Option to extend lease
Tuesday, March 19, 2013 Cupertino City Council
Successor to the Redevelopment Agency
REPORTS BY COUNCIL AND STAFF
City Manager David Brandt said that a new tree application, Trees 95014, is available
for residents to use on their iPads and iPhones. It allows residents to see details about
City planted trees and to search for trees by street address.
Council members highlighted the activities of their committees and various community
events.
At 12:13 a.m., on Wednesday, March 20, the meeting was adjourned to Tuesday, April 2
beginning at 5:30 p.m. for a study session regarding Civic Center Cell Service, Council
Chamber, 10350 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, California.
____________________________
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.