P&R 04-06-2023
CITY OF CUPERTINO
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
10350 Torre Avenue, Community Hall
Thursday, April 6, 2023
7:00 PM
APPROVED MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Stanek called the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
in the Cupertino Community Hall, 10350 Torre Avenue and via teleconference.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners present: Carol Stanek, Jennifer Shearin, Sashikala Begur, Hemant
Buch
Commissioners absent: Seema Swamy
Staff present: Rachelle Sander, Jessica Javier, Jenny Koverman, Jacinta
Liang, Iqraam Nabi
Guest speakers: None
CEREMONIAL MATTERS AND PRESENTATIONS
1. Subject: Receive Email Phishing Campaign Presentation from the City’s Infrastructure
Division.
Recommended Action: Receive Email Phishing Campaign presentation from the City’s
Infrastructure Division.
Rachelle Sander, Director of Parks and Recreation, introduced the City’s Infrastructure
Division to present on the item.
Iqraam Nabi, Innovation Technology Network Specialist, presented on the cyber threat
landscape, ransomware/phishing/malware, and the City’s cybersecurity defense.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
2. Subject: March 2, 2023 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
Recommended Action: Review and approve the March 2, 2023 Parks and Recreation
Commission meeting minutes.
Written communications for this item included an email to the commission.
Commissioner Begur requested that oral communications by San R. be updated to
include support of dog-off leash area (DOLA) trials only with fenced areas.
Commissioner Begur motioned to approve the March 2, 2023 Parks and Recreation
Commission meeting minutes as amended. Vice Chair Shearin seconded. Motion
carried with 4 yes and 1 absent.
POSTPONEMENTS
None
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Toby Leavitt expressed concerns regarding budget constraints for Shakespeare in the
Park.
Rhoda Fry expressed concerns regarding the City’s sales tax income.
San R. expressed support for Shakespeare in the Park and funding allocation for Parks
and Recreation programs and projects.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Written communications were emailed to the commission and are included for the
record.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
3. Subject: Fiscal Year 2023-24 Community Funding Application Evaluations and
Recommendation to City Council.
Recommended Action: Receive staff report, allow for clarifying questions, receive
public comment, receive Commissioner scoring, consider evaluations, and decisions to
provide funding recommendation to City Council for the Fiscal Year 2023-24
Community Funding applications.
Written communications for this item included an email to the commission.
Director Sander introduced Jacinta Liang, Management Analyst, to present on the item.
Presented on the eligibility and evaluation process for Community Funding.
Chair Stanek opened public comment.
Asian American Parents Association presented information on their funding request.
Rhoda Fry read Peggy Griffin’s written communications regarding a request for the
commission to postpone their decision on Community Funding Grants.
Monta Vista High School Speech Boosters presented information on their funding
request.
Chair Stanek closed public comment and commissioners asked clarifying questions.
Chair Stanek requested clarification for STEMBoost Corporation and whether they are a
new or returning organization. Director Sander clarified that STEMBoost has applied
previously but has not received funding. Clarified that commissioners will score the
organization as a new applicant.
Chair Stanek opened discussion regarding eligibility.
Director Sander clarified that Rotary Club of Cupertino decided to withdraw their
funding application. Management Analyst Liang clarified that Valkyrie Robotics’
application was disqualified as the organization charged admission fees to their
Valkyrie Advance summer program.
Chair Stanek expressed concerns regarding the eligibility of Monta Vista High School
Speech Boosters Inc. due to a portion of their funds requested for scholarships. The
commission discussed and Monta Vista High School Speech Boosters Inc. was left
eligible.
Commissioner Begur requested clarification on whether the Community Funding
Grants come out of the Parks and Recreation budget or if there is a separate budget
allocated by the City. Director Sander clarified it is a separate budget item, not part of
the Parks and Recreation budget, and that final funding decisions will be made by City
Council.
The commission scored each applicant, and staff compiled the data for the
commission’s reference.
The commissioners commented individually on their reasons behind their scores of
certain applicants.
The commission decided to not recommend these applicants for the following reasons:
- Monta Vista High School Speech Boosters Inc. – Too focused at one specific
school and not broad enough for the community.
- WomenSV - Non-Cupertino focused, and high amount of funding requested.
- God’s Promise - Application was not complete enough to provide confidence in
the ability to fulfill the proposal.
Commissioner Begur motioned to:
1. Recommend to City Council to fund the following applicants in rank order for
the Community Funding Grant Program Fiscal Year 2023-24, for a total of
$32,500:
1) Cupertino Symphonic Band - $4,000
2) No Time to Waste - $5,000
3) West Valley Community Services - $10,000
4) STEMBoost Corporation - $4,000
5) AINAK - $2,500
6) Omniware Networks - $4,000
7) Asian American Parents Association - $3,000
2. Not recommend the following applicants to receive funding:
• Monta Vista High School Speech Boosters Inc.
• WomenSV
• God’s Promise
Vice Chair Shearin seconded. Motion carried with 4 yes and 1 absent.
Commissioner Begur requested that uniqueness be included in the next application.
4. Subject: Consider Canceling the July 6, 2023 Parks and Recreation Commission
Meeting
Recommended Action: Cancel the July 6, 2023 Parks and Recreation Commission
meeting.
Vice Chair Shearin motioned to cancel the July 6, 2023 Parks and Recreation
Commission meeting. Commissioner Buch seconded. Motion carried with 4 yes and 1
absent.
STAFF AND COMMISSION REPORTS
Vice Chair Shearin reported on the Regnart Creek Trail opening and Backyard Golf
meeting.
Commissioner Begur reported on the Intergenerational Mixer.
Commissioner Buch reported on the Holi Festival.
Chair Stanek reported on the Mayor’s Special CREST Awards meeting, Senior Center
Volunteer Lunch, Backyard Golf meeting, Regnart Creek Trail, April 4 City Council
Meeting to discuss the City Work Program, and an invite from Monta Vista High School
Speech Boosters for their Spring Banquet.
Director Sander provided the Director’s update on the following:
- For Commissioners who missed the Mandatory Commissioner Handbook
Training last Thursday, March 30, you will be required to watch the recorded
training and complete an affidavit.
- The City is conducting a Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults. The
online survey is open now through Tuesday, April 25.
o Please note the survey is being conducted through Polco’s online
platform, and the link will take you to a non-city webpage.
- Big Bunny 5K – Saturday, April 8 at Civic Center Plaza
o 7 a.m. Registration and Packet Pick-Up Opens
o 8:30 a.m. 5K Race
o 9:30 a.m. Kids Fun Run
- <hack> Cupertino – Saturday, April 15 at 6 p.m. to Sunday, April 16 at 10:30 a.m.
at Quinlan Community Center
- Earth and Arbor Day Festival – Saturday, April 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at
Library Field
- Blackberry Farm Spring Swing Scramble – Sunday, April 23 at Blackberry Farm
Golf Course
- Cherry Blossom Festival – Saturday, April 29 and Sunday, April 30 from 10 a.m.
to 5 p.m. at Memorial Park
COMMISSIONER ATTENDANCE AT UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Commissioners to attend the upcoming Mayor’s meetings as follows:
April 12 – Commissioner Buch
May 10 – Vice Chair Shearin
June 14 – Commissioner Begur
July 12 – Chair Stanek
FUTURE AGENDA SETTING
Commissioner Begur requested information on the Festival Policy. Commissioner Buch
recommended staff email the policy to commissioners.
Commissioner Begur requested an update on the DOLA Trials. Chair Stanek seconded.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Stanek adjourned the meeting at 9:07 p.m. to the May 4, 2023 meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by,
Jessica Javier, Administrative Assistant
Parks and Recreation Department
Minutes approved at the 05.04.23 regular meeting