CC 03-18-2025 Item No. 10 Finalize FY 2025-2027 City Work_Written CommunicationsCC 03-18-2025
Item No. 10
Confirm language for two new
City Council Strategic Goals;
Finalize FY 2025-2027 City Work
Program
Written Communications
From:Peggy Griffin
To:City Council
Cc:City Clerk
Subject:2025-03-18 City Council Meeting ITEM 10 - City Work Plan
Date:Tuesday, March 18, 2025 3:43:34 PM
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PLEASE INCLUDE THIS EMAIL AS PART OF THE WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE ABOVE
AGENDA ITEM.
Dear Mayor Chao, Vice Mayor Moore and Councilmembers Fruen, Mohan and Wang,
I am someone concerned with the priorities of the City Work Plan versus the actual
time/money allocation.
CONCERN1 – Attachment F, #25 Active Transportation Plan
1.The Teen Commission, the Planning Commission and Bike/Ped Commission proposed
this yet only the Bike/Ped Commission get to review it and provide input. WHY??
2.The Council should have a study session on the plan BEFORE they are forced to vote on
it.
This document is huge and as we have seen, lane changes and impacts have not been clearly
communicated in the past. More review is required, not just the Bike/Ped commission. The
Planning Commission should be reviewing any road changes!
CONCERN2 – City Hall Retrofit and Renovation for EOC
1.Why is the amount $0?
2.Why is it a “small” amount of staff time?
3.What does “implement the previously approved 2022 Council plan with EOC migration”
mean?
4.Will there be an RFP for requirements and design?
CONCERN3-Attachment F, #11 Blackberry Farm vs. Impact Fees (#8 and #9)
1.Focus on things that will have the greatest impact on preserving our revenue instead of
spending half a million dollars figuring out that opening up the BBF pool won’t work in
the wintertime! This pool is small, does not provide lap swimming, not enclosed for
winter, probably not heated and kids are in school. Usage will be low that’s why the
previous owners didn’t open it during the winter!
2.Focus on working with the local high schools and De Anza College for access to their
pools that ARE OPEN ALL YEAR! It’s a better usage of our public tax dollars.
3. #9 Defensible Impact Fee Nexus can be started in YEAR 1 rather than starting #11 BBF
Pool. Both are out of the City Attorney’s Office.
CONCERN4-Attachment F, #7 Heart of the City Specific Plan Update
1. Read the description! It says “…and relevant neighboring planning areas…”
2. Which exact planning areas or is that just a way to do whatever is desired?
3. Item #8 “Update City’s Impact fees” costs $50k instead of $1M, both are “Large” staff
time and both come out of Community Development.
a. SWAP the start time of #7 so #8 starts in Year1 and #7 can start later.
Sincerely,
Peggy Griffin
From:Ram Sripathi
To:City Council; Pamela Wu; City Clerk
Subject:Focus on Quality of Life, Public Safety, and Critical City Policies in Cupertino’s 2025-26 CWP
Date:Tuesday, March 18, 2025 2:16:09 PM
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Dear Mayor Liang Chao, Vice Mayor Kitty Moore, and Cupertino City Council Members,
As a Cupertino resident, I ask the City Council to focus on quality of life, public safety, and critical city policies that
benefit the majority of our 60,000 residents. At the same time, the city should cut wasteful spending on projects that
don’t serve most people.
What Cupertino Should Focus On:
Update the Development Impact Fee Study: Many cities, like Palo Alto and Los Altos, have updated their impact
fees so new developments pay their fair share for roads, parks, and public services. Cupertino needs to do the same
before we lose out on millions in much-needed funding.
Plant More Trees: Trees make neighborhoods nicer, provide shade, help clean the air, and even boost property
values. Expanding Cupertino’s tree canopy is a low-cost way to improve our environment and make the city more
enjoyable.
Keep BlackBerry Farm Pool and BBQ Open Year-Round: BlackBerry Farm is one of Cupertino’s best recreational
spots, but the pool and BBQ areas are closed for much of the year. Keeping them open would give residents more
opportunities to enjoy these spaces and bring in extra revenue for the city.
Improve Public Notifications: Too many residents feel left out of city decisions. People from Linda Vista Dr,
McClellan Rd, and other areas have said they weren’t properly informed about big projects that affect them.
Cupertino needs to do a better job with outreach and transparency.
Make Home Remodel Permits Easier: Right now, it takes too long and is too much hassle for homeowners to get
permits to remodel their homes. The city should streamline the process so people can make improvements without
unnecessary delays.
Fix the Heart of the City Plan: This plan hasn’t been updated in years. Cupertino needs clear rules that protect local
stores while allowing older office buildings to be turned into housing where it makes sense.
Stronger 5G Rules: Many residents are worried about 5G towers being too close to homes. The city needs to put
public health and safety first when deciding where these towers go.
Where Cupertino Should Cut Spending:
Stop Over-Spending on Bike Lanes: The city has poured too much money into bike lanes over the past eight years.
It’s time to focus on pedestrian safety instead and bring back the fourth lane on De Anza Blvd to help with traffic.
Cancel the Recycled Water Plant at BlackBerry Farm: This project comes with too many risks: possible sewage
contamination, bad smells, and damage to redwood trees. Other cities have seen tree loss from recycled water, and
Cupertino shouldn’t make the same mistake.
Keep Speed Limits the Same: Instead of lowering speed limits across the city, Cupertino should increase traffic
enforcement with sheriff deputies.
Rethink Water Conservation Policies: Cupertino isn’t in a drought, so there’s no need for strict water rules. The city
should work with county and state officials to improve water storage and collection instead of placing unnecessary
restrictions on residents.
Refocus from Senior Services to Youth Engagement: Cupertino already has a well-equipped Senior Center and
multiple senior living communities. Now, the city should focus on keeping younger residents engaged to create a
well-balanced and thriving community.
Cupertino should spend money where it actually benefits residents. Let’s make smart choices that improve quality of
life for everyone. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Ram Sripathi
Cupertino Resident
From:Tracy K
To:City Council; City Clerk
Subject:3/18 Agenda Item 10 Written Comment -- CWP Prioritization
Date:Tuesday, March 18, 2025 12:18:12 PM
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Dear Cupertino City Council,
Thank you for your work on the CWP prioritization. I am excited to see this plan
implemented, and believe it will have a significant positive benefit to Cupertino.
I have one request: May we please increase the priority for #19, unhoused policies, to be
elevated into the top 10, and also ensure that this involves specific policy creation/updates for
the unhoused, encampments, and RV parking? If it is down at #19, does it mean it is less
likely to be completed or that it will be completed much later?
The reason for this ask, as you may have also heard, is the rise in community concern that
there should be better solutions for the unhoused in Cupertino, encampments, and RV
parking. Additionally, #19/unhoused policies should not just be to continue the existing work
plan item, but also to create/revise policy for the unhoused, encampments, and RV parking.
The CWP needs a mix of items that will have an immediate impact and a longer-term impact.
Since at least 40-50% of our top 10 items cover longer-term economic development,
increasing the priority of #19, which I would consider a public health/welfare item, would
drive an immediate positive impact to Cupertino.
As an idea, two items, 3 & 4, cover nearly identical objectives for business/small business
revitalization. Even if this is an issue of descriptions and they actually cover different
objectives (i.e. attract vs retain new businesses), I would question whether both of these need
to occupy such high-priority slots in the CWP list.
Final question: Can we confirm that even though EOC and seismic retrofit is listed as #20, it
will be immediately implemented as part of the CIP?
Many thanks,
Tracy
From:Chandra Sakthivel
To:City Council; Pamela Wu; City Clerk
Subject:Focus on Quality of Life, Public Safety, and Critical City Policies in Cupertino’s 2025-26 CWP
Date:Monday, March 17, 2025 7:59:31 PM
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Dear Mayor Liang Chao, Vice Mayor Kitty Moore, and Cupertino City Council Members,
As a Cupertino resident, I ask the City Council to focus on quality of life, public safety, and
critical city policies that benefit the majority of our 60,000 residents. At the same time, the
city should cut wasteful spending on projects that don’t serve most people.
What Cupertino Should Focus On:
Update the Development Impact Fee Study: Many cities, like Palo Alto and Los Altos, have
updated their impact fees so new developments pay their fair share for roads, parks, and public
services. Cupertino needs to do the same before we lose out on millions in much-needed
funding.
Plant More Trees: Trees make neighborhoods nicer, provide shade, help clean the air, and
even boost property values. Expanding Cupertino’s tree canopy is a low-cost way to improve
our environment and make the city more enjoyable. This is no brainer and in fact should
encourage residents in some way too.
Keep BlackBerry Farm Pool and BBQ Open Year-Round: BlackBerry Farm is one of
Cupertino’s best recreational spots, but the pool and BBQ areas are closed for much of the
year. Keeping them open would give residents more opportunities to enjoy these spaces and
bring in extra revenue for the city.
Improve Public Notifications: Too many residents feel left out of city decisions. People from
Linda Vista Dr, McClellan Rd, and other areas have said they weren’t properly informed about
big projects that affect them. Cupertino needs to do a better job with outreach and
transparency.
Make Home Remodel Permits Easier: Right now, it takes too long and is too much hassle for
homeowners to get permits to remodel their homes. The city should streamline the process so
people can make improvements without unnecessary delays.
Fix the Heart of the City Plan: This plan hasn’t been updated in years. Cupertino needs clear
rules that protect local stores while allowing older office buildings to be turned into housing
where it makes sense.
Stronger 5G Rules: Many residents are worried about 5G towers being too close to homes.
The city needs to put public health and safety first when deciding where these towers go.
Where Cupertino Should Cut Spending:
Stop Over-Spending on Bike Lanes: The city has poured too much money into bike lanes over
the past eight years. It’s time to focus on pedestrian safety instead and bring back the fourth
lane on De Anza Blvd to help with traffic.
Cancel the Recycled Water Plant at BlackBerry Farm: This project comes with too many risks:
possible sewage contamination, bad smells, and damage to redwood trees. Other cities have
seen tree loss from recycled water, and Cupertino shouldn’t make the same mistake.
Keep Speed Limits the Same: Instead of lowering speed limits across the city, Cupertino
should increase traffic enforcement with sheriff deputies.
Rethink Water Conservation Policies: Cupertino isn’t in a drought, so there’s no need for strict
water rules. The city should work with county and state officials to improve water storage and
collection instead of placing unnecessary restrictions on residents.
Refocus from Senior Services to Youth Engagement: Cupertino already has a well-equipped
Senior Center and multiple senior living communities. Now, the city should focus on keeping
younger residents engaged to create a well-balanced and thriving community.
Cupertino should spend money where it actually benefits residents. Let’s make smart choices
that improve quality of life for everyone. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Chandra
Cupertino Resident
From:Ravi Kiran Singh Sapaharam
To:City Council; City Council; City Clerk
Subject:Prioritize Safety and Quality of Life in Cupertino’s 2025-26 CWP
Date:Monday, March 17, 2025 7:56:12 PM
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Dear Mayor Liang Chao, Vice Mayor Kitty Moore, and City Council Members,
As a Cupertino resident, I urge you to focus the 2025-26 Capital Works Program on public safety, quality of life,
and policies benefiting most of our 60,000 residents while cutting wasteful spending.
Key Priorities
1. Enhance Safety: With rising burglaries, car break-ins, and thefts:
• Increase sheriff patrols targeting peak crime times and areas.
• Add additional ALPR cameras and promote neighborhood watch/block leader program. Please ensure
adequate staff is supporting these
2. Update Development Impact Fees: Ensure new projects fund roads and parks, like Palo Alto does.
3. Plant More Trees: Boost shade, air quality, and property values affordably.
4. Extend BlackBerry Farm Access: Keep the pool and BBQ open year-round for residents and revenue.
5. Improve Notifications: Enhance outreach so residents aren’t blindsided by projects.
6. Simplify Remodel Permits: Speed up the process for homeowners.
7. Fix Heart of the City Plan: Protect shops, allow smart housing conversions.
8. Regulate 5G Towers: Prioritize health and safety in placement.
Cut Wasteful Spending
1. Reduce Bike Lanes: Restore De Anza Blvd’s fourth lane; focus on pedestrians.
2. Cancel Recycled Water Plant: Avoid risks to BlackBerry Farm’s trees and air.
3. Keep Speed Limits: Boost enforcement instead of lowering limits.
4. Ease Water Rules: Improve storage, not restrictions—no drought justifies them.
5. Shift to Youth: Seniors are well-served; engage younger residents.
Cupertino should invest wisely to improve safety and life for all. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Ravi Kiran Singh
Cupertino Resident
From:Santosh Rao
To:City Council; Pamela Wu; Tina Kapoor; City Clerk; City Attorney"s Office
Subject:Prioritizing Cupertino’s 2025-26 CWP – Strategic Investments and Policy Focus
Date:Monday, March 17, 2025 6:51:22 PM
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Dear City Clerk,
Would you please kindly include the below in written communications for the upcoming city
council meeting. Thank you.
[Writing on behalf of myself only, as a Cupertino voter and resident.]
Subject: Prioritizing Cupertino’s 2025-26 CWP – Strategic Investments and Policy Focus
Dear Mayor Liang Chao, Vice Mayor Kitty Moore, and Cupertino City Council Members,
I respectfully urge the City Council to focus on initiatives that will enrich Cupertino’s
community, economy, and environment while redirecting resources from projects that may not
best serve the city’s long-term needs.
Priorities for Cupertino’s Development:
1. Development Impact Fee Study: In compliance with Assembly Bill 602 (AB 602),
which mandates updates to impact fee nexus studies, Cupertino should immediately
undertake a comprehensive Nexus study to ensure that new developments contribute
their fair share to infrastructure costs. AB 602, effective January 1, 2022, introduced
stringent requirements for calculating and justifying impact fees, including:
Proportionality: Fees must be calculated based on the square footage of
proposed units.
Transparency: Cities are required to publicly post fee schedules and related
documentation.
Regular Updates: Nexus studies must be updated every eight years.
Several Bay Area cities have proactively revised their impact fee studies to align with
AB 602 requirements:
East Palo Alto: Updated its Development Impact Fee Nexus Study in November
2024 to analyze fees needed to support development through 2045.
Los Altos: Retained The Matrix Consulting Group to update existing impact fees
and develop a nexus for proposed fees, with completion expected by May 2024.
Palo Alto: Approved a significant increase to impact fees in November 2024,
raising them from $20.37 to $60 per square foot.
Cupertino cannot afford to delay this study any longer. Without a defensible impact
fee structure, the city risks forfeiting millions in potential revenue and undermining
financial sustainability.
2. Urban Forest – A Greener Cupertino: Cupertino should embrace a vision of a lush
tree canopy that enhances the city’s beauty and livability. Expanding the urban
forest will:
Improve quality of life for residents by offering shade, lowering temperatures, and
creating a healthier environment.
Enhance the appeal of street sidewalks, roadway medians, neighborhoods, and
commercial areas, making Cupertino more walkable and attractive.
Increase property values, as studies consistently show that homes in greener areas
are valued higher.
Provide the most cost-effective and holistic environmental solution for fighting
climate change, reducing pollution, and enhancing sustainability. Expanding tree
cover is a simple yet impactful way to address multiple environmental and urban
challenges.
3. BlackBerry Farm Year-Round Accessibility: BlackBerry Farm is a crown jewel of
Cupertino’s recreational offerings. Its current limited operational days deprive residents
of valuable leisure opportunities. Extending access throughout the year will improve
quality of life and generate additional revenue.
4. Improved Public Engagement & Notification Policies: The last election highlighted
the consequences of inadequate community outreach. Residents of Linda Vista Dr,
McClellan Rd, Scofield Dr, Westport, and other neighborhoods have voiced
concerns that impactful city decisions were made without proper collaboration.
Strengthening transparency and public engagement will help rebuild trust.
5. Single-Family Home (SFH) Permit Streamlining: The current permitting process is
lengthy and cumbersome, creating unnecessary hassles for residents seeking to remodel
their homes. Cupertino must simplify timelines and requirements to promote
compliance and efficiency.
6. Heart of the City Specific Plan Revision: Cupertino’s specific plans have not been
comprehensively revised since their original adoption, making a thorough update long
overdue. The revision should:
Incorporate objective standards specifically tailored to the unique characteristics
of each plan area.
Prioritize retail retention to preserve Cupertino’s economic vibrancy while
allowing appropriate land-use transitions.
Facilitate housing development by replacing commercial office spaces with
residential units, supporting a better jobs-housing balance.
7. 5G Ordinance Update: Numerous residents have expressed concerns regarding public
safety and health due to the proximity of 5G towers to residential areas. I urge the
Council to prioritize this issue to ensure that public health and safety are safeguarded.
Projects to Deprioritize:
1. Active Transportation Plan: Cupertino has spent disproportionately on bike lanes over
the past eight years, and it is time to shift focus:
Defund all new bike lane projects and prioritize pedestrian safety
improvements instead.
Restore the fourth lane on De Anza Blvd to alleviate traffic congestion.
2. Recycled Water Plant at BlackBerry Farm: I urge the immediate cancellation of the
RFP and defunding of this project due to serious concerns:
Environmental Risk: Potential contamination of local creeks could impact
homes and natural habitats.
Odor Issues: Recycled water treatment facilities often pose odor concerns,
which could diminish nearby property values and quality of life.
Damage to Native Vegetation: Redwood trees are particularly vulnerable to
recycled water, as seen in affected areas along Shoreline Blvd and parts of San
Jose. Cupertino should not risk similar harm to our natural environment.
3. Lowering Speed Limits: The current speed limits are pragmatic, and focus should
instead be on increased enforcement by sheriff deputies. A speed limit reduction on
Foothill Blvd north of Stevens Creek from 40 mph to 35 mph is warranted for
improved safety.
4. Water Conservation Policies: Cupertino is not currently experiencing a drought,
and additional restrictions are unnecessary. Instead, the city should work with county
and state representatives to improve water collection and reservoir storage,
ensuring long-term sustainability.
5. Expanded Senior Services: Cupertino already has:
A well-equipped Senior Center with comprehensive offerings.
Multiple senior living facilities, with additional projects already approved.
The city should now focus on attracting and engaging younger residents and
teens to ensure a balanced and vibrant community.
By focusing on these strategic priorities, Cupertino can strengthen its economic future,
enhance quality of life, and ensure responsible governance. I appreciate your time and
thoughtful consideration.
Sincerely,
San Rao (Cupertino voter and resident)