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CUPERJINO
APPROVED MINUTES
CUPERTINO CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, May 17,2005
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
At 6:05 p.m. Mayor Kwok called the meeting to order in the Council Chamber, 10350 Torre
Avenue, Cupertino, California, and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
City Council members present: Mayor Patrick Kwok, Vice-Mayor Richard Lowenthal, and
Council members, Sandra James, Dolly Sandoval, and Kris Wang. Council members absent:
none.
CLOSED SESSION
I. Pending litigation - Government Code Section 54956.9(a), City of Cupertino vs. Ole
Rasmussen, and negotiations for purchase, sale, exchange, or lease of real property -
Government Code Section 54956.8, assignment of Blue Pheasant Restaurant to Hungry
Jack's Restaurant Corporation, consultation with the City Attorney, the City Manager,
and the Director of Parks and Recreation. (No documentation in packet).
2. Negotiations for purchase, sale, exchange, or lease of real property - Government Code
Section 54956.8 regarding the De Anza Cupertino Aquatics (DACA) lease. (No
documentation in packet).
At 6:07 p.m., Council recessed to a closed session.
At 6:59 p.m. Council reconvened in the Council Chamber, 10350 Torre Avenue,
Cupertino, California, and City Attorney Chuck Kilian reported that in regards to item
number I, no decision was made. Council agreed to meet in closed session before item
number 16, if needed. In regards to item number 2, direction was given to the City's
representative to proceed along the lines discussed in closed session.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
At 7:00 p.m. Mayor Patrick Kwok led the Pledge of Allegiance.
May 17,2005
Cupertino City Council
Cupertino Redevelopment Agency
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ROLL CALL
City Council members present: Mayor Patrick Kwok, Vice-Mayor Richard Lowenthal, and
Council members, Sandra James, Dolly Sandoval, and Kris Wang. Council members absent:
none.
CEREMONIAL MATTERS - PRESENT A TIONS
Mayor Kwok presented a proclamation to Assistant Director of Public Works Bob Rizzo, in
recognition of Public Works Week.
3. Presentation regarding phase 3 of the fund-raising campaign of the Housing Trust of
Santa Clara County. Their goal is to raise matching funds over the next three years
totaling approximately $10 million, to provide a thousand families each year with
housing.
Linda Mandolini, Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Housing Trust of Santa
Clara County, gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding their fund-raising campaign
titled, "Affordable Homes for Silicon Valley Families." She thanked Council for its
previous donation to the Housing Trust, and asked Council again for its support.
Shiloh Ballard from the Silicon Valley Leadership Group spoke on behalf of Carl
Guardino, member of the Board of Directors of the Housing Trust of Santa Clara Valley.
She said that housing is the top impediment to doing business in Silicon Valley, and
asked Council for its support for the Housing Trust.
Taylor Dial, Executive Director of the Housing Trust of Santa Clara County, answered
questions from Council regarding how the money is used in Cupertino to help
homeowners.
POSTPONEMENTS - None
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - None
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None
CONSENT CALENDAR
JamesfLowenthal moved and seconded to approve the items on the Consent Calendar as
recommended, except for item numbers 4 and 7, which were pulled for discussion. Vote: Ayes:
Kwok, Lowenthal, Sandoval, Wang, James. Noes: None. Absent: None.
5. Adopt resolutions accepting Accounts Pavable for April 22, 29, and May 6, Resolution
Nos. 05-079 to 05-081.
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6. Adopt a resolution accepting Payroll for May 6, Resolution No. 05-082.
8. Approve application for an Alcoholic Beverage License for Flames Coffee Shop and
Bakerv. 10630 S. De Anza Blvd.
9. Adopt a resolution declaring brush growing on certain described properties to be a public
nuisance and set a hearing for June 7 for objections to proposed removal, Resolution No.
05-083.
10. Adopt a resolution approving a Grant of Easement, roadway, for Amelia Investments,
10578 San Leandro Avenue, APN 357-05-046, Resolution No. 05-084.
II. Adopt a resolution approving an Improvement Agreement with Amelia Investments,
10578 San Leandro Avenue, APN 357-05-046, Resolution No. 05-085.
12. Accept Municipal Improvements for Stevens Creek Office Center Associates, LP, 20807
Stevens Creek Boulevard, APN 326-32-051. (No documentation in packet).
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR (above)
4. Approve the minutes from the May 3 City Council meeting.
Lowenthal/James moved and seconded to approve the minutes with the following
amendments: page 4, item number 14, 2nd paragraph should read, "The applicant's
representative, Jimbo Schwalb"; page 5, item number 20, 1st paragraph should refer to
opening remarks made by Greg Zlotnick, Board Director for the SCVWD; page 7, item
number 23, I st paragraph change "suggestions to staff" to "direction to staff"; and page 8,
item number 26, I st paragraph should read, "Council directed staff to notify the Planning
Commission, and to come back to council for discussion."
7. Accept the Treasurer's Investment and Budget Report for March 2005. (This item was
continued from 5/3/05).
Wang/James moved and seconded to remove the "percentage of budget" information
from the report, and moved that the trend analysis be expanded to explain all variations in
revenue and expenditures. In addition, information shall be added to the budget
summary report to denote salary and benefit savings from the selective hiring freeze in
order to inform readers that the city is monitoring the revenue versus expenditure deficit
and to denote one of the primary ways the city is dealing with the issue. The motion
carried unanimously.
May 17,2005
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PUBLIC HEARINGS
13. Conduct a public hearing to consider the Citv of Cupertino's Hazard Mitigation
Strategies; review and approve the list of Hazard Mitigation Strategies to be included in
the Association of Bay Area Government (ABAG) Hazard Mitigation Plan being
submitted to the State of California and the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA).
Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Marsha Hovey reviewed the staff report.
At 7:35 p.m., Mayor Kwok opened the public hearing. No speakers were heard, and
Mayor K wok closed the public hearing.
James/Sandoval moved and seconded to approve the listed strategies as recommended by
staff, and directed staff to amend the language, if necessary, regarding the definition of
active faults, and whether or not threats of wildfires, flooding, and landslides pose a large
risk to the City. The motion carried unanimously.
14. Conduct a public hearing regarding the Blue Pheasant Restaurant, Application Nos. U-
2005-05, GPA-2005-02, Z-2005-03, and EA-2005-04, 22100 Stevens Creek Blvd., APN
357-10-007. (The Planning Commission recommends denial of all items, including the
Negative Declaration):
a) Consider adopting a Negative Declaration
b) Consider a Use Permit for a restaurant, bar, and nightclub
c) Consider adopting a resolution adopting a General Plan Amendment to change the
land use designation from Parks to Commercial to accommodate an existing
restaurant, bar and nightclub, Resolution No. 05-086
d) Consider the rezoning of a two-acre parcel from Public Park or Recreation (PR) to
Planned Commercial (P-Com):
e) First reading of Ordinance No. 1962: "An Ordinance of the City Council of the
City of Cupertino Rezoning a Two-Acre Parcel From Public Park or Recreation
(PR) to Planned Commercial (P-COM)."
Community Development Director Steve Piasecki reviewed the staff report using
PowerPoint slides, highlighting neighborhood issues of parking, noise, and mitigation
steps proposed by the prospective new owner.
Council discussed parking issues and the definition of closing time. Council asked staff to
take into consideration all the uses of the parking lot when the time comes to bring a plan
back to Council for re-striping.
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Mike Tsacres, applicant and prospective new owner, explained how the mitigation steps
would be implemented and enforced to eliminate neighborhood concerns about parking
and noise.
At 8:11 p.m., Mayor Kwok opened the public hearing. The following individuals spoke in
opposition to the application:
Sunil Malkani, Clearwood Ct.
Art Robertson, Oakdell PI.
Marjan Kashvad, Phar Lap Dr.
(distributed petition and "letter of concern" from residents)
Albrecht Schoy, Phar Lap Dr.
George Carapiet, Phar Lap Dr.
John Chang, Oakdell PI.
Marianne Klinkowski, Phar Lap Dr.
Webster Meier, Byrne Ave.
Their comments included the following: Concern about parking issues; broken bottles
and other trash in the neighborhood; noise from the restaurant and in the neighborhood;
safety; a public trust issue with the City wanting to rezone; no recourse after the zoning is
approved.
At 8 :31 Mayor K wok closed the public hearing.
Council members comments included the following: The restaurant should be for the
community; a nightclub doesn't belong in a residential neighborhood; let the courts
decide the situation with the previous owners; stand by the voters to keep the land zoned
for parks and recreation; closing the restaurant at midnight with restrictions is better than
closing at 11 :00 p.m. without restrictions; the business isn't a problem, but don't want to
rezone to commercial in a residential neighborhood; the parking spaces are not really
being expanded, they are just being legitimized; wait until the General Plan is in place
before any rezoning is done.
James/Wang moved and seconded to deny the application. The motion carried
unanimously.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
15. Approve the Community Special Events policy at the Civic Center Plaza.
Parks and Recreation Director Therese Smith reviewed the staff report. City Attorney
Charles Kilian summarized the pros and cons to having for-profit business use the space.
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Resident Dennis Whittaker talked about parking issues, and suggested tabling the issue
for now until the condominiums are filled.
Lowenthal/James moved and seconded to revise the language to limit the use to non-
profit organizations, and to address library parking issues to ensure adequate parking
when the library is open. Council also directed staff to notify residents ahead of time
when festivals are occurring, and that there may be parking and traffic issues. The motion
carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
16. Review and approve the amendment of the Blue Pheasant Lease. (No documentation in
packet).
This item was no longer necessary.
17. Review and approve changes to the Massage Ordinance and internal procedures to
enhance communication during permit processing and recognize different modalities
related to massage:
a) Conduct the first reading of Ordinance No. 1963: "An Ordinance of the City
Council of the City of Cupertino Amending Chapter Sections 9.06.110 B3 and
9.06.120 of the Cupertino Municipal Code relating to Massage Establishments
and Services."
Code Enforcement Officer Gary Kornahrens reviewed the staff report.
The Deputy City Clerk read the title of Ordinance No. 1963. Lowenthal/James moved and
seconded to read the ordinance by title only, and that the Deputy City Clerk's reading
would constitute the first reading thereof. Council directed staff to have a back-up doctor
available when Dr. Roth was unavailable. The motion carried unanimously.
18. Consider canceling the Julv 5 City Council meeting for lack of quorum. (No
documentation in packet).
WangfLowenthal moved and seconded to cancel the meeting of July 5 for lack of
quorum.
ORDINANCES - None
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STAFF REPORTS
19. Receive status report on General Fund Revenue and Expenditures. (No documentation in
packet).
Director of Administrative Services Carol Atwood reported the following: Sales tax
revenue is $300,000 over budget projection mostly due to Apple Computer, and the other
sales tax producers are flat; property tax is at budget; transient occupancy tax is up 7.9%;
utility user tax is down; franchise fees are at budget; business licenses and construction
taxes are consistent with last year; the City's investment portfolio interest income is down
due to the library project; one of the Oak Valley lots is in escrow which will bring in $1.2
million, and all 3 lots will be on the market shortly; operating expenses are below budget
mostly due to vacancies in departments; and park in lieu fees are at budget.
20. The next General Plan hearing is scheduled for May 24, at 6:45 p.m. in the City Council
Chamber of the Cupertino Community Hall. At its May 10 meeting, the Planning
Commission discussed the remaining General Plan schedule. (Staff report included in
packet).
Community Development Director Steve Piasecki reviewed the staff report.
Planning Commissioner Marty Miller said that the commission has been working actively
for 4 months, holding extra meetings, but a full calendar of new applications and being
short-staffed in the Planning Department has slowed them down. He asked Council to
give the commission enough time to put out a quality product.
The following individuals spoke in opposition to moving too quickly through the
schedule to adopt the General Plan:
Ned Britt, Peppertree Ln.
Rusty Britt, Peppertree Ln.
Dennis Whittaker, resident
Tom Hugunin, La Roda Ct.
Their comments included: a brief history of the General Plan Task Force; concern over
the minority report having equal weight with the majority report; urging Council not to
accept the staff version; the whole process should be reviewed; wait until after the
November election to formulate a new General Plan; the plan is now a 20-year plan rather
than a 10-year and the Planning Commission should have time to do its job right; greater
emphasis should be placed on retail instead of housing because retail brings in more
money for the City.
Steve Piasecki clarified the statement of the General Plan being a 20-year plan. He said
that the General Plan provides a 20-year horizon, but that the law says to review the
General Plan every 10 years.
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Sandoval/James moved and seconded to give the Planning Commission an end date of
June 28, and directed staff to provide Council with background information at its July 19
meeting. Kris Wang offered a friendly amendment to have the Planning Commission
finish its discussion before July 19 and to have the Council start its introduction on July
19. Sandoval did not accept the amendment. Mayor K wok seconded the amendment. The
motion to accept the amendment failed. Council voted on the original motion for an end
date of June 28, with background information to be given to the City Council on July 19.
Vote: Ayes: Lowenthal, Sandoval, James. Noes: Kwok and Wang. Absent: None.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Council members highlighted the activities of their committees and various community events.
ADJOURNMENT
At 11:13 p.m. the meeting was adjourned to Thursday, May 26 at 5:00 p.m. for Teen
Commission interviews, and Fine Arts Commission unscheduled vacancy interviews, City Hall
Conference Room A, 10300 Torre Avenue.
~Jj-
Grace Schmidt, Deputy City Clerk
For more information: Staff reports, backup materials, and items distributed at the 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/ City Council/ Packets.
Most Council meetings are shown live on Cable Channel 26, and are available at your
convenience from our web site. Visit www.cupertino.org and click on Watch Meetings.
Videotapes are available at the Cupertino Library, or may be purchased from the Cupertino City
Channel, 777-2364.