Teen 09-14-2022
APPROVED MINUTES
CUPERTINO TEEN COMMISSION
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
REGULAR TEEN COMMISSION MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
At 6:02 p.m. Acting Chair and Staff Liaison Sonya Lee called the Teen Commission meeting to order.
This was a teleconference meeting with no physical location.
ROLL CALL
Present: Cheung, Ding, Gupta, Halambi, Kasamsetty, Kumar, Qin, Shah, Taara. Absent: Luu. Staff: Sonya Lee,
Rachelle Sander, Robert Kaufman, Branton Curt, Lauren Sapudar, Susan Michael, Ayano Hattori. All
commissioners teleconferenced for the meeting.
CEREMONIAL MATTERS & PRESENTATIONS
1. Subject: Swearing-in Ceremony for Incoming 2022-2024 Teen Commissioners
Recommended Action: Swear in the four incoming Teen Commissioners for the 2022-2024 Teen
Commission term.
Lauren Sapudar, Deputy City Clerk, gave the oath to incoming Commissioners: Cheung, Gupta,
Kumar, and Shah.
2. Subject: Teen Commission Orientation
Recommended Action: Receive Teen Commission orientation from City Clerk.
Lauren Sapudar, Deputy City Clerk, presented on the Commissioner’s Handbook.
3. Subject: Community Outreach Presentation
Recommended Action: Receive Community Outreach Presentation.
Branton Curt, Community Outreach Specialist, presented on the Cupertino Brand Guidelines, the
Cupertino Style Guide, and the Social Media Policy.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
4. Subject: Meeting Minutes for the August 10, 2022 Teen Commission Meeting
Recommended Action: Review and approve minutes for the August 10, 2022 Teen Commission
meeting.
Cupertino Teen Commission Minutes September 14, 2022
Commissioner Ding motioned to approve minutes with no changes. Commissioner Kasamsetty seconded
the motion. The motion carried with 9 yes and 1 absent. Commissioner Luu absent for vote.
WRITTEN/ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
No written or oral communications received.
OLD BUSINESS
No old business.
NEW BUSINESS
5. Subject: Memorial Park Specific Plan Presentation
Recommended Action: Receive a presentation on Memorial Park Specific Plan from Gates Associates
and provide feedback.
Susan Michael, Capital Improvement Programs Manager, presented on the Memorial Park Specific
Plan. Ayano Hattori, Project Manager, supported the presentation.
Teen Commissioners asked questions and provided feedback to City of Cupertino staff.
Suggestions received from Commissioners:
• Reach out to the school newsletters to get feedback on the project.
• Reach out to Toast Master clubs.
• Look at playground structures that are special needs friendly.
• Work with clubs at schools for the inclusion aspect of the park.
• Promote the survey at the cultural events in the park.
• Add more turf for sports.
• Reach out to high schools directly to speak with the high school students for feedback.
• Add pickle ball courts separately rather than convert tennis courts.
• Add an art installation.
• Add a nature element, like a nature walk.
• Create safe bike lanes around Memorial Park.
• Add drinking fountains.
• Make a gate around the playground to keep kids away from the Senior Center to allow seniors
and kids to be separate.
• Add a mural or paint the utility boxes.
• Add a garden in the park.
• Add painted benches like the one from Toyokawa Sister City.
• Add art elements and work with student artists
Cupertino Teen Commission Minutes September 14, 2022
6. Subject: 2022-2023 Chair and Vice Chair Selection
Recommended Action: Select a Chair and Vice Chair for the 2022-2023 Teen Commission term.
Acting Chair and Staff Liaison, Sonya Lee, asked that each commissioner introduce themselves and
give their name, grade, school, whether they were incoming or returning, one thing about themselves,
and share their interest in becoming Chair or Vice Chair.
After the introductions, Acting Chair Sonya Lee, called for nominations for Chair.
Commissioner Geethika self-nominated. Commissioner Kasamsetty seconded the nomination.
Commissioner Kasamsetty self-nominated. Commissioner Cheung seconded the nomination.
Commissioner Ding self-nominated. Commissioner Halambi seconded the nomination.
Each of the nominated commissioners gave a brief speech about why they were qualified and
interested in the position of Chair. There was a brief period of questions. The public attendees were
asked for comment. There was no public comment. After a comments from the commissioners, the vote
was taken. The vote was handled as a two-round process. After the first round, Commissioner
Kasamsetty and Commission Ding were still considered.
After the second round of voting, Commissioner Kasamsetty was voted as Chair.
9 yes votes, 0 no votes. Commissioner Luu was not present for the vote.
The process was repeated for Vice Chair.
Commissioner Halambi self-nominated. Commissioner Qin seconded the nomination.
Commissioner Gupta self-nominated. Commissioner Kasamsetty seconded the nomination.
Commissioner Cheung self-nominated. Commissioner Halambi seconded the nomination.
For Vice Chair, Commissioners were only given one vote per candidate in the first round.
Commissioner Halambi was voted as Vice Chair.
6 yes votes, 3 no votes. Commissioner Luu was not present for the vote.
STAFF & COMMISSION REPORTS
7. Subject: Monthly Update Reports
Recommended Action: Receive monthly update reports from City Staff and Teen Commissioners.
• Staff Updates
o Robert Kaufman, Teen Coordinator, provided a staff update.
Bobateeno September 17 from noon to 3 p.m.
Volunteer Fair October 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Pizza and Politics October 21 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Cupertino Teen Commission Minutes September 14, 2022
Wildlife and Harvest Day at Blackberry Farm October 22 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Commissioner Updates
o Commissioner Tarra provided recaps on Mayor Meeting.
o Commissioner Kasamsetty will attend the next Mayor’s Meeting.
FUTURE AGENDA SETTING
No future agenda items were added.
ADJOURNMENT
At 8:10 p.m., Chair Kasamsetty adjourned the meeting.
_______________________________
Sonya Lee, Staff Liaison