CC 10-21-2025 Item No. 12 Approve July 1, 2025-June 30, 2028 MOU for Local 21_Written CommunicationsCC 10-21-2025
Item #12
Approve July 1, 2025
through June 30, 2028
MOU for CEA/IFPTE Local
21
Written Communications
From:Santosh Rao
To:City Council; Tina Kapoor; City Clerk; Kristina Alfaro
Subject:Please pull agenda item 12 from consent calendar.
Date:Thursday, October 16, 2025 10:21:41 AM
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[Writing on behalf of myself only as a Cupertino resident]
Subject: Request to Pull Agenda Item 12 from Consent Calendar and Conduct Staffing
Review
Dear Mayor Chao, Vice-Mayor Moore, and Cupertino City Council Members,
I respectfully request that you pull Agenda Item 12 from the consent calendar for public
discussion. Since negotiations on this topic have taken place in closed session, the public
deserves a transparent discussion before any action is taken.
The proposed increases have a direct and compounding impact on residents because of the
cost recovery policy adopted by the prior Council majority. Over the past two years, residents
have already faced double-digit percentage increases in various city fees, which is
unsustainable. A further 5 percent increase is deeply concerning, especially in an economic
climate where many in the private sector have gone years without salary adjustments.
I want to be clear that I fully support our field workers and union employees. They are the
backbone of our city, and their dedication keeps Cupertino running efficiently. However, if
compensation adjustments are to be made, they must be cost neutral to the city.
To achieve this, I urge the Council to initiate reductions in force (RIFs) at the upper
administrative levels, where significant savings can be realized. Our current organizational
structure, with both a Director and an Assistant or Deputy Director for many departments,
creates costly redundancies that collectively amount to more than $600,000 annually in
compensation. For a workforce of fewer than 200 employees, this level of administrative
overhead is disproportionate and inefficient.
I ask the Council to:
1. Pull Agenda Item 12 from the consent calendar for open discussion.
2. Add to a future agenda a study session to review city staffing levels, with a focus on
reducing top-heavy administrative costs.
3. Evaluate opportunities to consolidate departments and eliminate duplicative leadership
roles.
Cupertino should streamline operations, improve accountability, leadership productivity,
responsiveness and ensure that resources are directed toward front-line employees and resident
services rather than leadership overhead.
In summary, I support fair and sustainable compensation for our field and front-
line employees, but this must be balanced through a leaner leadership structure at the top.
Reducing redundancy at the top will allow the city to honor its commitments to workers
without imposing further burdens on residents.
Thank you for your consideration and your continued commitment to fiscal responsibility and
transparent governance.
Thanks,
San Rao (writing on behalf of myself only as a Cupertino resident)