CC 07-07-2022 Oral_Written CommunicationsCC 07-07-2022
Written Communications
Oral
Communications
From:Connie Cunningham
To:City Clerk
Subject:Written Communications: Cupertino City Council, July 7, 2022; Unacceptable Behavior
Date:Thursday, July 7, 2022 10:09:15 AM
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Dear City Clerk: Please put this email in the public record for this July 7 City Council
meeting so that it will be in the City Council written communications. Sincerely, Connie
Cunningham
Dear Mayor Paul, Councilmembers and City Manager:
I was unpleasantly surprised at the May 24 meeting of the Planning Commission (PC) to hear
Commissioner Wang leave the agenda topic (Housing Element site inventory) to make loud,
harsh criticisms of Cupertino City Staff and the consultant EMC. He spoke over 6 minutes,
although asked by Assistant City Attorney Woo and Chair Scharf to stop at least two times.
The City Attorney attends all PC meetings to answer questions about legality, ethics and other
process matters. Even so, Commissioner Wang did not stop. Oddly, in his criticism, he left
out delays caused by elected officials that impact City Staff workload and project lead-times.
Link to Commissioner Wang’s rant on May 24: https://youtu.be/AC4wMTqW7lA?t=2147
I, also, attended the April 26 PC meeting. I heard the Chair say that the Housing Element was
going to City Council next. The May 24 Staff Report clearly stated that Chair Scharf requested
the May 24 meeting.
“The Planning Commission provided input on the topic at the April 26 meeting and
concluded the meeting by referring the housing sites selection to the City Council for
its consideration and review.
Planning Commission Chair Scharf subsequently requested that housing sites selection
be placed on the May 24, 2022 Planning Commission agenda for further discussion.
…. The May 24 discussion of this item includes the same materials…at the April 26,
2022, Planning Commission meeting. (Red highlights are mine.)
For public comment, I expressed my opinion that Commissioner Wang’s conduct was
unacceptable. Here is a link to my comments. https://youtu.be/AC4wMTqW7lA?t=3464
At the end of the meeting, the Commissioner came back to address this topic for another full
minute, although admitting that the Commission reports to the Council, and does not direct
Staff. Also, see excerpts below from Commissioner’s Handbook, 2021. *
https://youtu.be/AC4wMTqW7lA?t=3861
I ask that City Council take action about Commissioner Wang’s unacceptable conduct.
Sincerely, Connie Cunningham, Resident 34 years
Housing Commission (self only)
______________
*Excerpts from the Commissioner’s Handbook, 2021, signed by Mayor Darcy Paul
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1. <!--[endif]-->Paragraph C of the Handbook: ….and
commissioners should not attempt to direct or prioritize work for departments or individual
staff.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2. <!--[endif]-->Paragraph D of the Handbook:
<!--[if !supportLists]-->a. <!--[endif]-->The Chair should:
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Keep discussion focused on the issue at
hand.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Discourage overly dominant commissioners
from having disproportionate control over the discussion.
--[if !supportLists]-->3. <!--[endif]-->Paragraph F of the Handbook restates Paragraph C: Keep in
mind that your appointment does not empower you to supervise or direct City staff.
My note: Although Decorum is mentioned in Paragraph I of the Commissioners Handbook, it
clearly does not apply to the fact that Commissioner Wang was well outside the more
important rules of attempting to direct or prioritize work of staff.
***end of letter***