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EDC 02-09-2010 City of Cupertino Economic Development Committee Regular Meeting February 9, 2010 1.CALL TO ORDER At 3:33 p.m. Kelly Kline called the meeting to order in Conference Room C at City Hall. 2.ROLE CALL City Staff: K. Kline, A. Shrivastava, C. Atwood, Ralph Qualls, Dave Knapp, Jennifer Li Chamber: Bob Adams, Josh Hogan, Lynn Ching City Council- Gilbert Wong, Orrin Mahoney Guests: Mike Rohde, Jim Cuneen Planning Commission: Lisa Giefer Introductions were made around the table. 3.APPROVAL OF MINUTES Carol Atwood moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting on November 10, 2009. Ralph Qualls seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. 4.ORAL COMMUNICATIONS- None 5.NEW BUSINESS A.Introduction of New Members: Gilbert Wong, Lisa Giefer A brief committee overview and purpose was provided for the benefit of the new members. B.Budget/Fiscal Strategic Plan Update Carol Atwood talked about the Fiscal Strategic Committee. The committee compares the City’s expenditures to those of other cities. At the beginning of the year, the City decreased operational expenses by $2 million. Due to the state of the economy, an additional $3.5 million may need to be cut. C.Economic Development Manager Report Kelly Kline mentioned that Wingstop and Bluelight Cinemas are open and receiving good reviews. A new event center has also opened next to Bluelight. Aqui will be next to open in early March. Kelly then reported that Panasonic has signed a lease for the new building at 10900 Tantau. Panasonic will take the second floor of the building, approximately 50,000 sf. The size of this transaction is noteworthy given the economic climate and modest demand for office space. There will be 135 to 200 employees at this location. In other leasing news, the De Anza Center is now 100% leased. The Mervyn’s site will likely be divided into two tenant spaces. The Homestead Center is going through a facade change and renovation. The Symantec property on Stevens Creek at Torre was just sold to Lane Properties and Walton Street. Articles about AABC’s first successful Mandarin Business seminar were published in the Courier and World Journal. She also mentioned that the number of e-newsletter subscribers is nearing 1000. While the City’s vacancy rate is now 13%, it has the lowest vacancy and highest asking price compared to other South Silicon Valley cities. 6.OLD BUSINESS A.Cupertino Square Update Kelly introduced Mike Rohde, general manager of Cupertino Square, who provided a mall update. Mike reported that the mall ownership has changed, and is now owned by Vallco Shopping Mall, LLC. Along with the change in ownership, the mall will be changing its name from Cupertino Square back to Vallco Shopping Mall. The owner is currently evaluating the market and closing deals with some reputable restaurants. Mike expressed the importance of the City’s continued partnership. B.Cupertino Restaurant Association Update Cinema ads featuring 9 restaurants plus Flint Center have been running at the AMC theatres since Thanksgiving. C.City Updates Aarti Shrivastava said that the City will soon be finalizing the Housing Element pending HCD’s review and comments. Phase Two of the Green Business Ordinance is being reviewed, and after this, the ordinance will move at a faster pace. The State’s new landscape ordinance went into effect on 1/1/10. Staff recommendations for the implementation will be forthcoming. 7.CURRENT DEVELOPMENT REPORT Aarti Shrivastava talked about the latest Development Activity Report, and highlighted Homestead Square. PW Market will either expand or lease out the space being created by Rite Aid moving to the front of the site. Carl’s Jr. will be demolished and replaced by a new pad building. Villa Sera is under construction, and is building out Phase 2 on the west side. They will start on the park in March, and finish by the end of the year. Kelly then briefly went over the Upcoming Projects Matrix, which highlights upcoming Planning Commission and City Council dates. 8.MISCELLANEOUS COMMITTEE UPDATES Lynn Ching, President of the Chamber of Commerce then updated the committee. The previous two mixers were successful, and the 2/10 mixer will be at Bluelight Cinemas. The Chamber is looking at doing a joint event in mid-June at Quinlan Center with the Restaurant Association. Kris Wang is trying to help the Chamber increase business membership, which is currently 270. One thing that they are looking into is a trial membership opportunity. 9.FUTURE ITEMS/CALENDAR th The next Economic Development Committee Meeting is scheduled for May 11, 2010 in Conference Room A at 3:30 p.m. 10.ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 4:52 p.m. ___________________________ Kelly Kline Economic Development Manager