PSC 05-09-2024
CUPERTINO PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, May 9, 2024 6:00 p.m.
City Hall, 10300 Torre Avenue
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Bobby Toda called to order this meeting of the Cupertino Public Safety Commission at
6:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 9, 2024.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Chair Bobby Toda
Vice Chair Sidharth Rajaram
Neal Evans
Nirnalendu Das Commissioners Absent:
Staff Present: Captain Neil Valenzuela, Santa Clara County Sheriff’s
Office
Chief Hector Estrada
Tom Chin, Emergency Manager, City of Cupertino
Meredith Albert, Emergency Management Analyst, City of
Cupertino
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Subject: Minutes from March 14, 2024
Recommended Action: Approve minutes from March 14, 2024
Commissioner Commissioner Evans motioned to approve the minutes; Vice Chair
Rajaram seconded the motion; Ayes: Toda, Evans, Rajaram, Das. Noes: None. Abstain:
None. Absent: None.
POSTPONEMENTS
None
ORAL COMMUNICATION
None
WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
None
OLD BUSINESS
2. Subject: Public Safety Forum
Recommended Action: Receive an updated report on the Public Safety Forum
Presenter: Thomas Chin, Emergency Manager
The 2024 Public Safety Forum was discussed. The event will be held on October 17,
2024. Emergency Manager Chin reviewed the format of the annual Public Safety forum
for the benefit of new commissioners. Emergency Manager Chin suggested changing
from the presentation-style format to a town hall-style meeting with a panel that includes
the elected Sheriff, the appointed County Fire Chief, and the City Manager. It was
suggested that the public be asked to submit questions before or during the meeting.
Commissioners discussed participation at past forums and talked about ways to
encourage participation.
Commissioner Das made a motion to receive the report. Commissioner Evans seconded.
Roll call vote. Ayes: Das, Evans, Rajaram and Toda. Noes: None. Abstain: None. Absent:
None.
NEW BUSINESS
3. Subject: Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) Update and Exercise Series
Recommended Action: Receive report on the Status of the EOP Update and Exercise
Series
Presenter: Thomas Chin, Emergency Manager, City of Cupertino
Thomas Chin described the 2024 Emergency Tabletop series. Emergency Manager Chin
described the planning process and execution of two tabletop exercises with response
partners. Emergency Manager Chin described the lessons learned as an opportunity to
update the 2019 EOP.
Commissioners discussed the exercise and commended the City’s efforts to emergency
preparedness. Thomas Chin answered questions from the Commission.
Vice Chair Rajaram made a motion to receive the report. Commissioner Das seconded.
Roll call vote. Ayes: Das, Evans, Rajaram and Toda. Noes: None. Abstain: None. Absent:
None.
STAFF AND COMMISSION REPORTS
4. Subject: Report by the Santa Clara County Fire District
Recommended Action: Receive a report by the Santa Clara County Fire District Liaison
Presenter: Deputy Fire Chief Hector Estrada
Deputy Chief Estrada reviewed the March and April 2024 Santa Clara County Fire
District reports. Deputy Chief Estrada review incident response data, response times, and
property loss.
Commissioners discussed the March and April 2024 fire response data. Deputy Chief
Estrada answered questions from the Commission.
Vice Chair Rajaram made a motion to receive the report. Commissioner Das seconded.
Roll call vote. Ayes: Das, Evans, Rajaram and Toda. Noes: None. Abstain: None. Absent:
None.
5. Subject: Report by the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office
Recommended Action: Receive a report by the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office
Liaison
Presenter: Captain Neil Valenzuela
Captain Valenzuela reviewed the March and April crime data. Captain Valenzuela
reviewed call volumes and response times. Captain Valenzuela detailed a specific crime
stopped and investigated by West Valley deputies in Cupertino.
Commissioners discussed the March and April 2024 crime data. Captain Valenzuela
answered questions from the Commission.
Commissioner Das made a motion to receive the report. Vice Chair Rajaram seconded.
Roll call vote. Ayes: Das, Evans, Rajaram and Toda. Noes: None. Abstain: None. Absent:
None.
6. Subject: Report by the City of Cupertino Office of Emergency Management
Recommended Action: Receive a report by the City of Cupertino Office of Emergency
Management
Presenter: Thomas Chin, Emergency Manager, City of Cupertino
Thomas Chin reviewed the Office of Emergency Management's current planning,
preparedness, training, and exercise efforts and answered clarifying questions. Thomas
Chin discussed programs and resources available to Block Leaders and Citizen Corps
volunteers. Additionally, Thomas Chin displayed the City’s new Public Hazard
Awareness Dashboard.
Commissioners discussed the city’s efforts to prepare for emergencies and provide
resources for residents and businesses. Thomas Chin answered questions from the
Commission. Deputy Fire Chief Estrada commended the City’s technology for
emergency preparedness.
Vice Chair Rajaram made a motion to receive the report. Commissioner Das seconded.
Roll call vote. Ayes: Das, Evans, Rajaram and Toda. Noes: None. Abstain: None. Absent:
None.
7.Subject: Commissioner’s Reports
Recommended Action: Receive Commissioners' reports
Commissioner Evans discussed his ride-along experience with the Santa Clara County
Sheriff’s Office and recommended others to ride-along.
Vice Chair Rajaram discussed comments from neighbors regarding security camera
footage. Captain Valenzuela reminded Commissioners and the public to call the Sheriff’s
Office for any suspicious activity.
Chair Toda provided a briefing on the May Mayor’s meeting.
FUTURE AGENDA SETTING
None
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Bobby Toda adjourned the Public Safety Commission meeting at 7:54 p.m.
SUBMITTED BY:
Thomas Chin
Staff Liaison to the Public Safety
Commission
Emergency Services Coordinator
City of Cupertino
Approval date: September 12, 2024
APPROVED BY:
Thomas Chin, Staff Liaison Date