Cupertino Matters
Happy New Year to all our readers! 2026 brings mid-term elections with the primary election on June 2 and the general election on Nov. 5. Political jockeying has already begun, though won’t generally ramp up for the local level because of the lack of primaries in many local races. 2025 was unusual with two elections–a statewide special election on Nov. 4, and a local runoff election for County Assessor on Dec. 30. Neysa Flegor, assistant county assessor, overwhelmingly won that runoff, and then has to run again in 2026 for a full term.
City council resumes its regular meeting schedule next week on Wed., Jan. 21, rescheduled due to MLK holiday on Tues., Jan 20. However, on Jan. 13, a special meeting is scheduled with three Study Session agenda items. There are two questionable ballot measures. The staff reports do not give estimates of the cost of putting an item on the ballot, which is not just legal and staff expense, but Registrar of Voters fees. Furthermore, tax measures requiring ⅔ voter approval are riskier and more likely to fail, so jurisdictions are more likely to seek those that require simple majorities (50% + 1) to pass. Recent elections have shown significant resistance to passing taxes (of any kind) in Cupertino.
Cupertino is making progress on improving pedestrian and bike safety. The delayed Stevens Creek Bike Lane improvements between De Anza and Blaney are scheduled to start this month. In addition, the Office of Traffic Safety Awards $184k Grant to the City of Cupertino for Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Program, which includes Safe Routes to School.
While Cupertino continues legal wrangling over two builder’s remedy projects, our neighboring city just approved one before the end of the year: 7-story apartment building approved in San Jose, adding 118 homes near Cupertino border: Project will add 118 apartments, including 24 below market rate. This site is located across the street from Home Depot on De Anza Boulevard.
UPCOMING – Special Meeting, City Council, Tues, Jan. 13, 2026, 6:45 p.m.
Note: No Oral Communications
Item No. 2: Study session regarding Potential November 2026 Ballot Measure on Parkland Rezoning Considerations. The purpose of this ballot measure is unclear. Sunnyvale and Milpitas are the only local cities which have enacted this measure, which requires a ⅔ vote to change zoning. But what parkland in Cupertino is at risk? Why spend city money on a hypothetical?
Item No. 3: Study session regarding Various Revenue Tax Options. In 2023, council considered 4 tax measures for the 2024 ballot, ultimately deciding against moving forward. The city faces a future budget structural deficit, which will be exacerbated by an expected significant increase in public safety costs. This study session is a review of the 2023 presentation, with no updates. In 2026, do Cupertino voters have an appetite for additional taxes? Elections cost money and may not be successful.
Item No. 4: Study Session to consider possible updates to the City’s practices pertaining to its advisory bodies, including its Commissions and Committees. The staff report on this item offers little clarity. The issues seem to be primarily (1) filling vacancies on commissions, (2) attendance requirements for commissioners, and (3) commissioner autonomy.
CANCELLED – Planning Commission, Tues., Jan. 13, 2026, 6:45 p.m., Regular Meeting
CUPERTINO COURIER: Jan. 9, 2026
The front page photo and article on page 5 is entitled Legacy of tech pioneer: Dado Banatao, Silicon Valley entrepreneur dies at 79. Community briefs on page 5 are (1) Traffic safety grant to continue Safe Routes to School, and (2) Bike lane construction. The sole legal notice is a Notice of Public Hearing for a development proposal by Dividend Homes on Stevens Creek to be heard at the Jan. 21 Council meeting.
CUPERTINO COURIER: Jan. 2, 2026
The front page photo and article on page 2 is entitled Fashion forward: Homestead High students spearhead community service initiative: Local students rethink what we wear and what we give. Community briefs on page 2 are (1) Fostering ‘belonging’ as the theme of Silicon Valley Reads, and (2) Library chamber music. The sole legal notice is a Note of inviting bids to replace the roof at the Sports Center and the roof at Quinlan Center.
CUPERTINO COURIER: Dec. 26, 2025
The front page photo and article on page 3 is entitled Home is where the Heart is: Nonprofit provides valuable assistance to seniors in need. Heart of the Valley provides valuable assistance to seniors. An additional article on senior services on page 5 is Agency is a home away from home for seniors: Live Oak Adult Day Services also gives their caretakers an appreciated respite. Page 8 has an article entitled Moving toward City Hall overhaul, regarding the seismically unsafe Cupertino city hall. There are no legal notices.
Warm regards,
Jean Bedord
Cupertino Matters
Publisher and Editor
