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Home My WebLink AboutCC 10-13-2025 APPROVED MINUTES CUPERTINO CITY COUNCIL Monday, October 13, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING At 6:09 p.m., Mayor Liang Chao called the Special City Council Meeting to order in City Hall Conference Room C, 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, CA 95014; and Teleconference Location Pursuant to Gov. Code 54953(b)(2): The Venetian Hotel, 3355 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Liang Chao, Vice Mayor Kitty Moore, and Councilmembers J.R. Fruen, Sheila Mohan, and R “Ray” Wang (participated remotely). Absent: None. In open session prior to closed session, Mayor Chao opened the public comment period regarding any item on the agenda. No members of the public requested to speak and Mayor Chao closed the public comment period. CLOSED SESSION 1. Subject: Public Employee Appointment Consideration; California Government Code Sections 54954.5(e) and 54957(b)(1); Title: City Manager Council considered Public Employee Appointment of City Manager. 2. Subject: Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation; California Government Code Sections 54956.9(d)(2) and 54954.4(c): (1 case) Council met with Legal Counsel on the Anticipated Litigation. At 6:44 p.m., Mayor Chao recessed the meeting. OPEN SESSION October 13, 2025 City Council Minutes Page 2 At 5:51 p.m., Mayor Chao reconvened the Special City Council Meeting in open session and led the Pledge of Allegiance in the Cupertino Community Hall Council Chamber, 10350 Torre Avenue and via teleconference; and Teleconference Location Pursuant to Gov. Code 54953(b)(2): The Venetian Hotel, 3355 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Liang Chao, Vice Mayor Kitty Moore, and Councilmembers J.R. Fruen, Sheila Mohan, and R “Ray” Wang (participated remotely). Absent: None. POSTPONEMENTS AND ORDERS OF THE DAY – None STUDY SESSION 3. Subject: Legislative Updates from California State Senator Josh Becker and California State Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens Recommended Action: Receive a summary and updates on work during the 2025 California legislative session from the following representatives: A. California State Senator Josh Becker, 13th Senate District B. California State Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens, 26th Assembly District Written communications for this item included and presentation and written legislative updates from Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens. Senator Josh Becker and Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens provided a summary and updates on work during the 2025 California legislative session. Senator Becker discussed: • State budget challenges, including the shift from surplus to deficit and uncertainty over federal impacts. • Immigration and community safety, focusing on ICE activity and protections for schools and hospitals. • Energy and climate initiatives, including cap-and-trade updates, partnerships, and climate credits. • Wildfire prevention and utility reform, addressing funding, infrastructure, and CalFire capacity. • Insurance affordability and efforts to stabilize the homeowners’ market. • Housing and economic development, emphasizing clean energy and in-state investment. • Healthcare access and legislation improving prior-authorization rules. • Collaboration with local governments and regional partners on key priorities. October 13, 2025 City Council Minutes Page 3 • Environmental resilience through wildfire detection and prevention efforts. • Continued legislative oversight on long-term fiscal and environmental goals. Assemblymember Ahrens discussed; • Legislative committees and innovation policy, including work on artificial intelligence. • Economic context and the importance of Silicon Valley’s technology sector. • Housing affordability and cost of living concerns across the district. • State budget investments supporting food banks, housing, and education. • Public safety and education legislation, including truancy and foster youth reforms. • Community and cultural initiatives such as the Diwali state holiday and senior meal programs. • Ongoing work on mobile home protections, water conservation, and youth labor laws. • Constituent services and outreach through district offices and internship programs. • Future priorities focused on housing, foster youth, technology, education, and affordability. • Overview of the legislative process and partnership with local governments. • Work on streamlining housing, clean energy projects, and supporting economic development and innovation in California. Councilmembers asked questions and made comments. Mayor Chao opened the public comment period and the following members of the public spoke. Jennifer Griffin Planning Commissioner San Rao (representing self) Mayor Chao closed the public comment period. Council received the summary of legislative updates from California State Senator Josh Becker and California State Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens. ACTION CALENDAR 4. Subject: Accept Ad-Hoc Legislative Review Committee (LRC) City Council Subcommittee recommendation regarding Measure A: Measure A would authorize a retail transactions and use tax (sales tax) of 0.625% (five-eighths of one percent) in Santa October 13, 2025 City Council Minutes Page 4 Clara County for a limited period of five (5) years. Measure A states that it is being proposed to address significant federal funding cuts created by the congressional enactment of H.R. 1 on July 4, 2025. H.R. 1 cut federal support for public service, including substantial reductions for Medicaid (known as Medi-Cal in California) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (known as CalFresh in California). (Continued from September 16, 2025) Recommended Action: Accept the Ad-Hoc LRC City Council Subcommittee recommendation to oppose Measure A and authorize the Mayor to send position letter (Attachment B) to the State and County Written communications for this item included emails to the Council. Councilmembers asked questions and made comments. Mayor Chao opened the public comment period and the following members of the public spoke. Michael Elliott, representing Valley Health Foundation Steve Baron Dennis Low Vivian Low Jean Bedord Ava Chiao Allan Kamara Neil Park McClintick Planning Commissioner San Rao (representing self) Cassandra Magana, representing West Valley Community Services Mayor Chao closed the public comment period. SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Fruen moved and Mohan seconded a substitute motion to take no position on Measure A. The substitute motion failed with the following vote: Ayes: Fruen and Mohan. Noes: Chao, Moore, and Wang. Abstain: None. Absent: None. MOTION: Moore moved and Wang seconded to accept the Ad-Hoc LRC City Council Subcommittee recommendation to oppose Measure A and authorize the Mayor to send position letter to the State and County. FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Chao made a friendly amendment to add the following statement to the draft letter: October 13, 2025 City Council Minutes Page 5 Many cities are also facing budget deficits right now. I’ve (Mayor Chao) spoken to several city councilmembers and mayors, and many of them are considering similar measures. Several are projecting continued deficits over the next few years and are exploring potential sales tax measures to address them. This Measure could prevent cities from enacting their own local sales tax, parcel tax, or other revenue tax measures, because the voters are already overburdened by taxes. The county has opted into a transit measure that will appear on the 2026 ballot, which would add another half percent to the sales tax, meaning another sales tax increase next year. Moore and Wang accepted the friendly amendment. FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Moore made a friendly amendment to modify the language as follows: This Measure could prevent cities from be an impediment to cities enacting their own local sales tax, parcel tax, or other revenue tax measures, because the voters are already overburdened by taxes. Wang accepted the friendly amendment. FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Chao made a friendly amendment to add the following statement: Also, the upcoming VTA tax measure (SB 63) is another potential future tax that should be mentioned, since the County supervisors have already opted into it. Moore and Wang accepted the friendly amendment. The amended motion passed with the following vote: Ayes: Chao, Moore, and Wang. Noes: Fruen and Mohan. Abstain: None. Absent: None. ADJOURNMENT At 9:21 p.m., Mayor Chao adjourned the Special City Council Meeting. Minutes prepared by: Kirsten Squarcia, City Clerk