Cupertino Matters
- In the News
- UPCOMING – Planning Commission, Tues., May 26, 2026, 6:45 p.m.
- RECAP – City Council, May 19, 2026
I hope you enjoyed your Memorial Day weekend–the city was especially quiet!
Tuesday, June 2, is the primary election for a host of state-level offices. Don’t forget to vote! The gubernatorial race has garnered most of the attention, with a very confusing list of 61 candidates to replace the terming-out Governor Newsom. Other state races, however, deserve examination. Helpfully, both the Mercury News and SF Chronicle editorial boards have published endorsements for voter consideration. Drop-off boxes are in place at the Quinlan Community Center and City Hall. In-person voting becomes available starting this week at various locations in Cupertino.
Two print voters guides, one by the state and one by the county, should have been delivered to your mailbox prior to the actual ballot. In addition, the League of Women Voters site, Vote 411 provides answers to a variety of voting-related questions. Enter your address to learn more about the races for your address as well as the nearest dropoff box and polling locations.
Cupertino is again the home of innovation with De Anza College expanding its program to meet industry demands, as outlined in the Mercury News: Silicon Valley to get its first two-year degree focused on AICupertino’s De Anza College will offer new Associate in Science degree in Applied Artificial Intelligence.
A more complete description of expanded programs is provided by De Anza College: De Anza College Launches Silicon Valley’s First Associate Degree in Applied Artificial Intelligence:Six New AI Credentials Among More Than 20 New Programs Across Technology, Business, the Arts and the Humanities Launching in Fall 2026.
For research, past issues back to January 2020 of Cupertino Matters are posted on the website. Encourage your friends who would like to become better informed about our community to subscribe to our email newsletter at CupertinoMatters.org.
UPCOMING – Planning Commission, Tues., May 26, 6:45 p.m., Council chambers and Teleconference: C-174 Anand Vihar, Delhi, Delhi 110092, India
Other than approval of the minutes, the agenda consists of Item No. 2: Capital Improvement Programs Fiscal Year 2026-2027 and Five-year Plan.Review. This is a strange and unnecessary agenda item. The Planning Commission previously reviewed the CIP programs for compliance with the General Plan on April 28. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2026–2027 CIP advances previously approved, strategically-aligned projects and prioritizes safety through the repair and revitalization of existing infrastructure to preserve City assets. They were approved on a 3-1-1 vote with Commissioner Rao voting nay and Lindskog absent. This additional substantive review of proposed CIP programs is atypical and redundant – the Planning Commission is not a miniature city council. It has already performed its function.
Previous projects reviewed and approved for compliance by the Planning Commission are as follows, most of which are low cost projects with significant benefit to residents:
- Blesch Property Improvements
- Memorial Park Pickleball Sound Attenuation
- Blackberry Farm Golf Course Pro Shop Renovation
- Sports Center Courts Resurfacing.
- Stevens Creek Boulevard/SR 85 (NB) ramp intersection improvements (funded by developer in-lieu fees)
In reviewing projects, note that the CIP Division has successfully completed a significant number of projects in the past year in spite of limited resources These include:
- All-Inclusive Play Area & Adult-Assistive Bathroom Facility at Jollyman Park
- City Lighting LED improvements
- Bridge Preventative Maintenance Program (BPMP)
- Photovoltaics Project (2 of 3 sites complete – 3rd site anticipated late 2026)
- FCA: Senior Center Fire Alarm System Upgrade
- FCA: Quinlan Community Center Chiller replacement*
- FCA: Quinlan Community Center and Sports Center flat roofs replacements*\
In reviewing projects, note that the CIP Division has successfully completed a significant number of projects in the past year in spite of limited resources These include:
- All-Inclusive Play Area & Adult-Assistive Bathroom Facility at Jollyman Park
- City Lighting LED improvements
- Bridge Preventative Maintenance Program (BPMP)
- Photovoltaics Project (2 of 3 sites complete – 3rd site anticipated late 2026)
- FCA: Senior Center Fire Alarm System Upgrade
- FCA: Quinlan Community Center Chiller replacement*
- FCA: Quinlan Community Center and Sports Center flat roofs replacements*
Staff anticipates that these projects will underspend their respective budgets by approximately $1,000,000. These underspent funds will be returned to the Capital Reserve or other appropriate accounts.
RECAP – City Council, Tues., May 19, 2026, 6:45 p.m., Study Session; 5:45 p.m.
YouTube: 2 Hr. 50 min. Councilmember Wang was absent. Note the early end.
Study Session
Item No. 1: Update to the Health and Safety Element of the Cupertino General Plan: 2015 – 2040 Community Vision. This was primarily a presentation of the Element with some council discussion. Additional feedback by the council was requested by Friday. Council the directed staff to incorporate feedback. Motion to bring back the revised Element approved 4-0-1 with Wang absent.
Regular meeting
Item No. 18: Public Hearing Pursuant to Government Code Section 3502.3 to Receive a Report on City of Cupertino Vacancies, Recruitment and Retention Efforts. This state- required report was approved 4-0-1 with Councilmember Wang absent.
Item No. 19: Acceptance of the City Manager’s Third Quarter Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2025-26; Budget Modification increasing appropriations by $526,184 and increasing estimated revenues by $372,500. There are no major adjustments in either revenue or expenses for the Fourth Quarter. There was little discussion following the staff presentation. Council approved 4-0-1 with Councilmember Wang absent.
Item No. 20: Annual Review and Acceptance of Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) and Pension Trust Investment Policies. This is a routine review of pension funds established to stabilize the city’s obligations. calendar. There was little discussion following the staff presentation. Council approved 4-0-1 with Councilmember Wang absent.
Item No. 21: Authorization of Below Market Rate (BMR) Housing Administration contract execution. The City’s current contract for BMR Administration is set to expire on June 30, 2026. In the upcoming program years of BMR Administration for the City, the most prominent issue affecting the inventory will be the expiration of affordability covenants of 95 rental units. Most rental BMR homes are subject to 30 year agreements which expire in the next 2-3 years and will revert to market rate housing. The city has limited options since most such homes are mixed in with market rate units in a single building, so the city can’t buy just specific units. Council approved 4-0-1 with Councilmember Wang absent.
Council adjourned at 8:53 p.m. in recognition of Memorial Day.
CUPERTINO COURIER: May 22, 2026
The front page photo and article on page 3 are entitled ‘Sense of security’: Overnight parking areas considered for homeless residents. City parking lot operators emphasize success of their transitional programs. The Community brief on page 3 is Goal oriented, recognition of former DeAnza athletic director. Page 4 is an article entitled Cupertino’s Ridge Vineyards celebrates Judgment of Paris. Legal notices are (1) public hearing for renewal of storm drain and clean water and storm protection fees,and (2) public hearing for a townhome development on Bandley Drive..
Warm regards,
Jean Bedord
Cupertino Matters
Publisher and Editor
