Exhibit CC 2-19-13 #15 Moving general municipal election CC fi3
Grace Schmidt
From: Mark Matsumoto <markm @cupertino-chamber.org>
Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 4:31 PM
To: City Council
Cc: David Brandt; Carol Korade; Grace Schmidt
Subject: Support for Item #15
Attachments: General Municipal Election to Even Years.doc
Dear Mayor Mahoney and City Council Members,
This email is sent in regards to Item#15 on tonight's Agenda. The Cupertino Chamber of Commerce would like to express
our support for consolidating the City's general municipal election with the statewide general election. Thank you in
advance for reviewing our comments.
Best Regards,
Mark Matsumoto
Mark Matsumoto, Government Affairs Specialist
Cupertino Chamber of Commerce
markmcupertino-chamber.orq
(408) 252-7054 x14
20455 Silverado Ave
Cupertino, CA 95014
Please consider the environment before printing this email
1
January 15,2013
Mayor Mahoney and Cupertino City Council Cupertino Chamber of Commerce
10300 Torre Avenue
Cupertino,CA 95014 Your Partner in Silicon Valley
Cupertino Chamber of
Re:Moving date of the City's General Municipal Election to Even Years Commerce
20455 Silverado Avenue
Dear Mayor Mahoney and Cupertino Council members, Cupertino,CA 95014
Tel(408)252-7054
Fax(408)252-0638
I am writing to express our support for consolidating Cupertino's general municipal elections with www.cupertino-chamber.org
the statewide general elections held in even numbered years.This move will promote greater voter
turnout,while also saving the City money in administrative costs associated with conducting city- 2013 Board of Directors
wide elections. Board Officers
Kevin McClelland,President
On average over the last 10 years,only 42%of registered voters cast ballots in municipal elections Leeward Financial&Insurance
in odd-numbered years.On the other hand,in even-year elections,75%of voters on average turn Services Inc.
out to vote.This translates into almost 10,000 more residents on average participating in the
democratic process during even numbered years as opposed to odd numbered years. John Zirelli,Past President
Recology South Bay
Furthermore,as highlighted in the City's Staff Report,many jurisdictions in Santa Clara County have
already consolidated their general municipal elections with the statewide general elections.Only Darcy Paul,President Elect
the Cities of Cupertino and Sunnyvale and the Cupertino Union,Sunnyvale and Orchard School Paul Law Group,A Professional
Corp.
Districts hold elections on odd years.It is estimated that shifting to even numbered years will save
the City$39,000 the first election and$59,000 every election thereafter.
Mike Rohde,VP Special Events
Combining odd-year and even-year elections will result in a much larger,more engaged,and more Vallco Shopping Mall
diverse body of voters who will chose Cupertino's leaders and make decisions on policy that affect
Rashel Yadegari,VP Membership
every resident.We respectfully request the City to move the date of its general municipal elections Development
to even years. First Tech Federal Credit Union
Thank you for taking the time to consider our comments. Matt Wheeler,VP Finance
LMGW Public Accountants
Best regards,
Richard Abdalah,VP LAC
)71/CCIL Abdalah Law Offices
Barbara Perzigian,VP Community
Relations
Kevin McClelland
Cupertino Inn
2013 President
Cupertino Chamber of Commerce Sandy James,VP HR&Staffing
Lehigh Cement Company
Board Members
Janice Chua
Bitter+Sweet
Yogi Chugh
State Farm Insurance
Art Cohen
BlueLight Cinemas 5
Mike Foulkes
Apple Inc.
Scott Jeng
HSBC Bank USA,N.A.
Mahesh Nihalani
Jewels in Style
Tamon Norimoto
PG&E
Maria Streeby
The Cypress Hotel
Keith Warner
Pacific Business Centers
Keiichiro Yoshida
Bay Club Silicon Valley
CC: David Brandt,Carol Korade,Grace Schmidt
Cc alit /LT
I
Grace Schmidt
From: patrickskwok @aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 4:00 PM
To: Grace Schmidt
Subject: Fwd: council item re: Extension of council term by one year
Honorable mayor McHoney and members of the city council:
I am writing to urge you NOT to support extending the term of the council by another year.
Council will discuss this item in today's agenda to have council election in even years as opposed to
the current odd years to save Cupertino residents,cost of election.
I had the opportunity to review the minutes of the council meeting in 2011 when this item was
addressed. The council by majority votes including McHoney, Wong and Chang defeated the
extension of council election to even years based on the findings of the Economic Committee that
includes Carol Atwood and Orrin McHoney. The rationale as that there was no much cost savings,
some where several thousand dollars ,and that having elections in even years coincide with national
elections, may lessen voters opportunity to address local issues that are very critical to Cupertino
residents.
One of.the rationales to support an even election is more voters turn out when they are national and
state elections.
Also Cupertino School District and others districts are considering this in this May along with
Sunnyvale and Palo Alto which are considering making the change to even year election. I would
suggest Cupertino City council should wait until the decisions are made by the governing boards and
not based on the assumption that they will approve the changes. The cities of Palo Alto and
Sunnyvale, as chartered cities, are required to seek approval from the voters. While Cupertino is not
required to need voters approval to make the change, I would strong request Council to seek
Cupertino residents input by puttingc this on the ballot this November as advisory and make the
changes, if warranted, after the 2013 elections when the outcomes of the school districts and other
cities have been determined. Furthermore, the ballots could be clearly inform the term of the office is
five years.
Cupertino residents pride themselves related to council actions based on public input and its ordinances that council
members are elected by the residents for a four year term. To extend the term to 5 year will defy voters mandate and will
create the perception that council members who voted NO in 2011 and change to Yes are self served given the fact that
one council member will be termed out in 2013 and the other two can buy another year in office without running for re
election.
Since I will not be able to present my input in tonight's council meeting which happens to be late
on the agenda item, I respectfully request council have copies made for the members of the public
and be read when this item is considered as correspondences
Thank you for your consideration
Patrick Kwok, former mayor and city council