HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 05-05-2026 Oral Communications (Updated 5-5-26)CC 05-05-2026
Oral
Communications
Written Comments
From:New Energy
To:Liang Chao; Kitty Moore; Sheila Mohan; J.R. Fruen; R "Ray" Wang; Rachelle Sander; Alex Corbalis, CPRP; Chad
Mosley; Tina Kapoor; City Clerk; Public Comments
Cc:Blanca Guerrero
Subject:Concerns Regarding Memorial Park Pickleball Pilot Program
Date:Monday, May 4, 2026 8:59:57 AM
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Dear Cupertino City Council Members,
I am writing to express my concern regarding the recently circulated informational memo
outlining the proposed Memorial Park Pickleball Pilot Program.
While I appreciate the City’s effort to balance recreational access with neighborhood quality
of life, I believe the proposed “trial” imposes excessive and unnecessary restrictions that do
not reflect the current reality at Memorial Park.
The Cupertino Pickleball Club (CPC) has already taken meaningful and proactive steps to
address noise concerns. CPC has supported the City’s recommendation to use quiet equipment
during early morning and late evening hours, and compliance has been strong. Nearly all early
morning players (7 a.m. – 9 a.m.) now use quiet paddles and begin play on courts farthest
from nearby homes.
Additionally, CPC members have worked closely with Public Works to evaluate the structural
integrity of existing fencing and explore viable noise mitigation solutions. We understand that
plans are already underway to install additional support structures and noise-reducing screens.
These efforts demonstrate a good-faith collaboration between the community and the City.
Importantly, these measures have already had a positive impact. Nearby residents who
previously raised concerns have expressed satisfaction with the progress, and noise complaints
have subsided.
Given this context, the proposed pilot program came as a surprise. The restrictions—limiting
play to 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., banning pickleball entirely on Mondays, and requiring quiet
equipment at all hours—feel disproportionate and unnecessarily heavy-handed. These rules
would significantly reduce access without clear justification.
I am also concerned about the lack of transparency in how this trial was developed. The memo
does not outline clear objectives, success metrics, or criteria for evaluation. Without these, it is
difficult to understand how the program’s effectiveness will be measured or whether it is
appropriately designed.
On a personal note, I play pickleball at Memorial Park regularly, and the community there has
become an important part of my life. It is more than just a recreational activity—it is a place
where people connect, support one another, and build meaningful relationships.
I have met individuals from all walks of life who rely on this community: people dealing with
stress, loneliness, health challenges, and personal loss. For many, pickleball provides not only
physical activity but also companionship, joy, and a sense of belonging. Restricting access so
significantly risks undermining something genuinely valuable to the community.
I respectfully urge the City Council to reconsider the scope and structure of this pilot program.
A more measured approach that would better serve both residents and park users, one that
builds on the progress already made and includes clear goals, data-driven evaluation, and
continued collaboration with stakeholders.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Bianca Guerrero
From:DD
To:Kitty Moore; Liang Chao; Sheila Mohan; J.R. Fruen; R "Ray" Wang; Tina Kapoor; Chad Mosley; Rachelle Sander;
Public Comments
Subject:Please help me understand
Date:Saturday, May 2, 2026 10:48:45 PM
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City Council, Rachelle,
What is the purpose of a city's Parks & Rec? I thought it's to promote physical and mental
health to the people?
I have been playing pickleball at Memorial Park daily for 3 years, many people call me
"Mom" there. I have heard many stories of their lives: Vet's PTSD, loss of spouse / parents,
loss of jobs, stress at jobs, dealing with special needs children or parents, dealing with our own
health or our family member's health, some of us are cancer survivors. The list goes on and
on. And with the current events in this country and around the world, pickleball is the single
bright light in our lives that many look forward to each day. It's not a coincidence that
pickleball started taking off during the pandemic.
Yet with one email, one memo, one stern and unemotional message from P&R, you take all
that away. Back on "trial", no pickleball on Mondays, before 9am, after 7pm...
We have been working diligently with the City to mitigate issues with the neighbors,
addressing concerns one after another. But now I'm wondering, are you working with us?
Before you make any more decisions, and yes we know you have that power, please, PLEASE
be a part of our community and truly understand our needs from within. It's not a difficult ask.
Join us at Memorial Park for some fun games, laughter, and great company. You'll see why
pickleball is so important to us and our physical AND mental health.
Sincerely,
Diana Yen
From:Gigi Chu
To:Kitty Moore; Liang Chao; Sheila Mohan; J.R. Fruen; R "Ray" Wang
Cc:Tina Kapoor; Chad Mosley; Rachelle Sander; Public Comments
Subject:RE: Opposition to Proposed Pickleball Restriction Trial (7/7/26 – 2/7/27)
Date:Saturday, May 2, 2026 5:24:48 PM
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Dear Mayor Moore and Council Members,
I am writing to express my opposition to the six-month pickleball restriction trial scheduled to
begin on July 7, 2026. While I appreciate the Council’s efforts to address residential concerns,
the proposed terms—specifically the total ban on Monday play, the restricted 9:00 AM to
7:00 PM window, and the universal quiet equipment mandate—are excessive.
Most concerning is that these restrictions are being pushed forward despite the city’s
concurrent plans for sound attenuation infrastructure. Implementing such heavy-handed
operational limits while physical noise-mitigation measures are still being finalized or
installed is premature and contradictory.
I urge the Council to consider the following:
Infrastructure Over Restrictions: If sound attenuation (such as acoustic fencing) is
still moving forward as planned, it should be given the opportunity to work before the
city resorts to banning play on Mondays or cutting off evening hours for working
residents.
The Inequity of Monday Bans: Removing an entire day of access is a blunt instrument
that forces more players into the remaining six days, creating overcrowding and
heightened noise levels on other mornings.
The Cost of Compliance: Requiring quiet equipment for all play periods places a
sudden financial burden on the community. This requirement should, at the very least,
be paused until the effectiveness of the promised sound attenuation can be properly
measured.
It is baffling to move forward with a restrictive "trial" that ignores the very physical solutions
the city has already been exploring. I respectfully request that the Council delay this trial until
the relevant department can confirm the status of the sound attenuation project. We should be
solving noise issues with engineering, not by stripping away community recreation time.
Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your service to our city.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Gigi Chu
From:g s
To:Tina Kapoor; Rachelle Sander; Liang Chao; Kitty Moore; Sheila Mohan; J.R. Fruen; R "Ray" Wang; Alex Corbalis,
CPRP; Chad Mosley; City Clerk; Public Comments
Subject:Inaccuracies, Inconsistencies found in the Inconsiderate Memorial Park Pickleball Play Trial Period Memo.
Date:Tuesday, May 5, 2026 12:07:54 PM
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Dear Ms. Kapoor and Ms. Sanders, City Mayors and Council,
Good Day!
As a Cupertino resident, I'm looking forward to hearing your response and clarification for
why you came up with an idea to impose a trial period for accessing pickleball play at CMP
without collecting my inputs?
Is the City's focus is now to-
-remove number of days of the week to play pickleball at Memorial Park a public park
designed for community wellbeing[denying social cohesiveness]
-reduce the hours of the day to play [imposition, regressive approach]
-insist public to spend money on expensive gears like quieter paddles and quiet balls
[unaffordable for all]
-expect public to become zombies without smiling/clapping/cheering/supporting each
other [we can deal with it we can be quiet but please read this aloud to see the
absurdity]
-aiming for the public to altogether give up on their privilege to play [discreet
behaviour manipulation]
-throw a pilot program without accurate stakeholders' input or any real data collected
for that matter for a trial period [inconsistencies, biased]
-achieve a fiscal impact of recovering costs from other losses? [how? why? Are
event/city expenses recovered from any other daily accesses to plays?]
-force citizens on paid memberships and reservation fees when a free public space is
already available for the public from all strata of the economy to access? [NOT AN
AFFORDABLE CHOICE FOR EVERYONE, excludes majority of the community from
having access to be healthy mentally, physically and socially]
Instead of focusing on -
-equitable access to all
-reducing challenges and risks for citizens[several hundreds in a day]for their overall
health and wellbeing
-creating solutions like sound barriers to address [a few] of neighbors' complaints
-provide more court access across the city to meet the demand for the play rather
than taking away the very few spaces available for public access
-encouraging and supporting the public making an effort to stay healthy, active,
connected in a safe public space
WHY? haven't the Council and City staff meet with people in real time at the courts at least
a few times a month or even bimonthly? We don't see you at the court at all! How could you
gauge actual public's thoughts and reasons to understand the reality without meeting them?
Making an effort to collect critical data before coming up with a trial period idea is
important, isn't it?
Isn't it part of your role's responsibilities "to engage with the community" "to get the 'feel'"
before any conclusions are made, just like you would DO BEFORE ELECTIONS? How is it
ok to issue memos without consideration of all stakeholders or following through prior
commitments made to the public on the same topic?
Personally, I've endured tremendous amount of repeated noise intrusions during
golf/softball/kickball/all sorts of field plays weekly and during the festival/fairs seasons with
massive crowds cheering on well into late evenings, and oh boy THOSE MASSIVE SPEAKERS
AND THE BRIGHT LIGHTS! ZIP - I've never placed a complaint. I register the value of the
community's need to come together, play, mingle and bond, building stronger, healthier
communities. Why haven't my elected officials seen the critical value in social cohesiveness
through public access? Why is the Council taking regressive steps to isolate and separate
the community further apart?
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Geetha
From:g s
To:Tina Kapoor; City Clerk; Rachelle Sander; Alex Corbalis, CPRP; Liang Chao; Kitty Moore; Sheila Mohan; J.R.
Fruen; R "Ray" Wang; Chad Mosley
Subject:Is a Free Public Park amenity like Pickleball Court a necessity to our Society"s Longterm Well Being?
Date:Monday, May 4, 2026 11:25:44 PM
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Dear Cupertino City Mayors and the Council members, Ms.Kapoor and Ms.Sanders,
Writing from my heart - a personal letter from your beloved citizen/volunteer who most
definitely has benefited and is very positively impacted beyond measure from my ability to
access my own city's free public park space to play pickleball! ~not from an AI! :-)
What is the purpose of City parks with its amenities offering to the community? From the
19th century FREE PUBLIC PARKS were built to provide a safe space for the working
communities to find solace, strength and resilience through social cohesion which seems to
have been lost in the modern times with its pressure on individuals in isolation. Having a
public park space provides the safety to connect with others, makes them feel they belong,
they matter, their well-being is nurtured.
As times changed, the cities too began adding additional features to the parks like ADA
access, enhanced walkways, pet supplies, tennis courts, ball play fields, children's
playgrounds, picnic areas, amphitheaters, gazebos, atriums, mixed terrains, grass, water
bodies and more to the parks, WHY? To generate greater interest and participation from all
walks of the community, amenities inspired people to join a group activity that in turn built
the community cohesiveness, a huge positive barometer on community's overall health and
wellbeing! It keeps the communities' focus on building stronger, secure and safer spaces
and making meaningful productive social connections filled with empathy, gratitude and
tolerance considering the alternatives without such socially cohesive environments/activities
upon our society! For these many great reasons, every city understands the positive impact
of having amenities added to the park based on the current trend and needs of the
community are met which is why they are embedded within the city's planning framework
which will not exclude, be inclusive.
Just as we added different amenities over time to the parks based on the community
trends, Cupertino city though very slow and reluctant to join the trend, with the tremendous
efforts from CUPERTINO PICKLEBALL CLUB volunteers/citizens went ahead and provided us
a very tiny fraction of its large public park spaces to enjoy the most affordable and an
accessible sport that benefitted several hundreds and thousands of people just in the last
few years alone! Imagine the magnanimity of an impact the City of Cupertino could have
had on its citizens if only it had provided access to FREE pickleball play with a few courts
across the City!
As a city resident, I can vouch for the miracle of change PB has brought to our entire
community! It is the only sport within the City that has taken us all by storm- why? Simply
because it is affordable to everyone and INCLUSIVE. I'm not talking about monetary
affordability- it was simply accessible to anyone and everyone! Universally, people have
taken to it because they didn't need special coaches to train them, club memberships or
attend special/expensive classes to learn to play, didn't need enormous time commitment to
play, didn't have to buy EXPENSIVE gears to participate, didn't need a large team of players
to play, didn't have to be affluent, didn't have to be young and/or even able bodied to play,
didn't have to be mature and wise to play even children as young as kindergarteners benefit
from joining their family to play together with siblings, parents, grandparents, and friends
all compared to certain other physical activities that demand such exclusions including
tennis, golf, racquet/squash and more.
As a Block leader of almost 20 years serving over 220 families within my neighborhood I
can see the renewed enthusiasm and participation from within the community that is
immensely positive and joyful, everyone makes an attempt to stay connected more, and
look forward to engaging in neighborhood activities and it's all because of the passion the
pickleball play has brought within them. Even the existing games[tennis, golf] picnics,
barbeques, and block parties couldn't achieve this level of ongoing day to day engagement
and continued participation for neighborhood events. The game surely has connected us all
at a deeper level because it remains FREE at our own neighborhood PUBLIC PARK. Because
they come to play with me in the park they learn more about other City events like the
Cherry Blossom event, fairs, performances etc. Earlier, they wouldn't take any interest to
participate in these city events unless I insist and encourage even that with very little
response in return.
It is critical to note what PB play's impact has been in our community building efforts; when
you hear this from City's volunteers like myself who stay committed to building safe and
sustainable communities keeping City's goals in focus you will understand the relative
significance this sport has played in our community.
Do we need all of this? Can't we just monetize the most needed amenity instead? This is the
message I grasped from the City's council informational memorandum that was recently
shared with us regarding public pickleball courts usage at the Memorial park!
Is Cupertino City Council considering to sell the community well being to the most lucrative
bidding[privatization, court fees, memberships, etc], limit the social cohesiveness by
restraining accessibility to all members of the community without any mitigation efforts?
[sound, traffic, parking, hours etc], impose restrictions intervening social equity and
fairness instead of including all sections of the community to come together and find
resolutions that is inclusive? Why did the City pick the choice to introduce a trial period with
strong restrictions of its own accord? Why weren't the core players' from the park weren't
included in this choice/ Why didn't the respective council members participate in "on site"
engagement over time to truthfully understand the reality? Why didn't the City measure the
benefits PB provides to our society by physically "listening" to the real people who would
be willing to share it with them on site? Could the City Council, City manager, Department
Heads take some time to visit us and listen to our side of the impact? We are looking
forward to sharing it all with you!
When the community benefits outweigh the risks and challenges may they be potential or
existing - what role does the City and the City Council play? Bringing resolutions that are
focused on increasing the benefits with appropriate balance of mitigation efforts and
counseling OR restrict/remove access to the larger community?
Being in public service clearly indicates your desire and commitment to focusing on the
greater good - it involves impartiality, prioritizing aggregate welfare, and considering long-
term impacts on future generations and the environment. Removing[making it highly
restrictive,] even the very little space you've provided to a valuable asset to our community
is jarring. Confusing. Irrational and unreasonable.
It is not something each one of us must beg and convince the City to provide for. We all
can agree that this phenomenon is now Global! Universally, all professionals from the fields
of human well-being studies including the physiologists, psychologists, mental health
professionals, sociologists, economists, educators, scientists and physical education coaches
all are now vouching and encouraging that all the cities provide this space and accessibility
to this simple space for everyone to benefit multi-generational impact in the society.
Could you please share your clarifications on how this memo came to reality? Is my above
understanding correct that the City might consider moving toward monetizing this space
beginning with imposed restrictions and justifying it as a cost recovery from other areas'
fiscal losses? I place tremendous respect and trust in your thought process and would hope
to receive some transparency as a citizen from our elected Council. Please help me
understand the reasoning behind your memo - a proposed trial period with the limitations
that were excessive by nature, almost reads dictatorial and excluded. Let's work together.
I'll be happy to voluntarily participate in any special committee efforts that the City would
like to create in providing more inclusive, accessible, FREE and FAIR impactful resolutions to
our community.
I request you to please set up a few on site meetings - Memorial Park PickleBall Courtside
town hall meeting, a coffee hour with citizens style meetings with our Council members and
the City Staff. I'm certain it'll help you understand the situation first hand and in making a
more informed, compassionate, inclusive decisions keeping long term impacts rather than
using the very first opportunity to diminish this great activity altogether which in fact is
creating wonders to our community's holistic wellbeing and health not just physically, but
also mentally, socially, economically[safe, less crime, joyful, productive] it's supporting us
as a healthy community.
I believe and hope the City WILL FOCUS on investing in efforts that bring long term impact
and sustenance to the community than restricting or distracting itself with complaints that
are resolvable.
I agree with so many other community members who have shared their concerns over this
imposing memo and its negative impact within the community. I understand and register
the technical/mechanical efforts that have been done both by the City and the members.
I'm grateful for everyone's efforts and consideration thus far.
Looking forward to being part of the solution! I'm certain our great City and the Council will
heed to the community earnestly and bring resolution that will benefit the greater good!
Sincerely,
Geetha Sunder
Cupertino Resident
City of Cupertino Volunteer in many capacities:- CCC, MRC, CERT, BL, NW.
Retd. Cupertino School District Employee
Retd. City of Cupertino Employee
Retd. West Valley Community Services Employee (City's non profit sector)
From:Santosh Rao
To:City Clerk
Subject:Re: Protect Inclusive Representation. Stop Procedural Gamesmanship.
Date:Monday, May 4, 2026 8:26:37 PM
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Dear City Clerk,
Please correct the typo for the record below.
(Myself only as a Cupertino resident)
Thanks,
Santosh Rao
On Monday, May 4, 2026, 8:21 PM, Santosh Rao <santo_a_rao@yahoo.com> wrote:
Dear City Clerk,
Please include the below in written comments for the upcoming
city council meeting.
(Myself not as a Cupertino resident)
Dear Mayor Moore, Vice-Mayor Chao, City Council Members,
CM Kapoor, DCM Squarcia, City Clerk, Attorney Andrews,
Cupertino’s residents expect a democratic and civic process that
is fair, inclusive, and focused on serving the public, not one that
can be used as a tool for exclusion.
The recent County Grand Jury complaint and
resulting pushback around teleconferencing is heading in the
wrong direction. When process is driven in a way that sidelines
those who travel for work or care for family, we narrow who can
participate in our civic institutions. That does not strengthen
democracy. It limits it.
This is not about council member convenience. This is about
balancing the needs of our families to work, to earn a living, to
feed their families, to care for their loved ones and yet love our
city enough to want to step up and serve.
We should not accept a framework where only those with
perfectly flexible schedules can serve. That is not representative
of Cupertino.
Equally concerning is the growing risk of procedural
gamesmanship. When rules are interpreted in a way that allows
certain parties to use weaponization of process, it undermines
civic and democratic representation, inclusivity, equity, growth,
and democracy itself.
Cupertino residents deserve better.
Here is the standard we should hold:
Pro resident. Open participation to working professionals,
business owners, young families, seniors, caregivers, and
anyone willing to step up to serve our great city, not just
those with the most convenient circumstances that allow
them to never need to travel for business or family reasons.
No gamesmanship. No individual or special interest
group should be able to weaponize process to disrupt civic
and democratic participation.
Inclusivity and transparency. Clear, enforceable rules that
guarantee both inclusivity and public access
with meaningful participation at all times.
This is not a difficult balance. We can support real world civic
and democratic participation and protect public access and
running the business of the city at the same time. What we should
not do is allow process to be used, intentionally or otherwise, to
exclude voices and suppress representation of our working
families, young families, immigrant families, seniors or business
owners and workers.
Cupertino works best when its leadership reflects the full
community and when the rules are applied to strengthen trust, not
erode it.
I urge the Council to reject any exclusionary approach and adopt
policies that are firmly pro resident, transparent, and resistant to
process weaponization and misuse.
Sincerely,
San Rao