Cupertino Matters
This week there are two celebrations. While Sunday is traditional Father’s Day, Friday is the Juneteenth federal holiday celebrated annually on June 19. Juneteenth (a blend of “June” and “nineteenth”) is a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. It marks June 19, 1865, when enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally received word of their freedom—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. City offices as well as state and federal offices will be closed.
Cupertino city council is once again in the news. Councilmember Ray Wang was featured on the front page of the local San Jose Mercury News on Sunday, Jun. 14, Cupertino’s teleconferencing rules may violate meeting transparency laws outlining the issues presented by Councilmember Wang’s frequent remote appearances and disconnections causing meetings to end early. These were called out in the recent Civil Grand Jury Report: Convenience vs. Compliance: Brown Act risks in Cupertino’s meeting practices The city is required to respond to this report, and is scheduled to do so in July.
In real estate transactions, the Maryknoll seminary property, a landmark on 280, has been sold by the Catholic Church according to The Real Deal .Historic Catholic residences in Los Altos trade for $43M: Entity linked to Sergey Brin’s ex-wife, former VP contender Nicole Shanahan emerged as buyer While the property has a Los Altos address, it is actually located in unincorporated county land adjacent to Rancho San Antonio Preserve, and will be annexed to Cupertino for any development. Plans for the 29 acre property are unknown. Residents have expressed concern about retaining the historical buildings, particularly the chapel.
While the city is continuing to approve new for sale townhomes, the expiration of Below Market Rate (BMR) housing is problematic. The original units had terms of affordability of 30 years, which are now expiring and the units revert to market rate housing. The situation was rectified in 1999 when terms were set to 99 years or life of the building. A Council Informational Memo provides the details. 06 – June 12, 2026 – Update on Expiring Below Market Rate (BMR) Rental Units in Cupertino
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 – City Council, Tues., June 16, 2026, 6:45 p.m.; Study Session 5:45 p.m. Teleconference Location Pursuant to Gov. Code 54953(b)(2): Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites, Hotel Lobby Business Center, Salt Lake City
Study Session
Item No. 1: A study session for City Council to consider existing designations, zoning corrections, and state law protections for recreational facilities and parkland sites. At a previous meeting, Councilmember Chao expressed concern about protecting Cupertino parkland from development, proposing a ballot measure similar to two other jurisdictions, even though parklands are already protected under state law. Staff did a land use inventory of all City owned parcels and associated zoning. While generally congruent with current zoning and General Plan designations, there are some discrepancies that warrant routine cleanup. The extent of the changes do not warrant the $150,000 to $300,000 to place a measure on the Nov. 2026 ballot.
Regular Meeting
There are no Ceremonial Items Oral Communications from the public on off-agenda items precede the Consent Calendar, which contains five routine items.
Item No. 6: Consideration of Recommended Operating and Capital Improvement Program Budgets for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27, adoption of the Operating and Capital Improvement Program Budgets for FY 2026-27, establishment of the Appropriation Limit, and related actions. The city has to approve a final budget no later than the end of the fiscal year on June 30. There are no major changes from earlier study sessions. Overall, the Final Budget for both Operating and Capital Budgets is $155,553,264. It will require the use of one-time funds of $2,303,500.
Item No. 7 Amend the Existing Agreement with Santa Clara County for Law Enforcement Services. The current contract for sheriff services expires June 30. The proposed contract would have increased the cost by $7.5 million, an unanticipated 39.6% increase over the current year, which significantly impacts the city budget. Negotiations have been underway since Jan. 1 to reduce increase. The council will vote to approve a short term extension until Sept. 30, allowing time to consider service level reductions and overhead allocations.
Item No.8: City Manager Report, (submitted in written form).
Item No. 9 Council Reports (submitted in written form) are provided by Mayor Moore, Councilmembers Fruen, and Mohan. Vice Mayor Chao and Councilmember Wang failed to provide reports.
Item No. 10 Upcoming Draft Agenda Items Report.
RECAP – City Council, Mon. June 15, 2026, 5:00 p.m., City Hall, Conference Room C; and Teleconference Location, Palazzo Hotel Lobby, 3325 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV
Item No. 1: CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9 (1 case) No reportable action.
RECAP – City Council, Tues., June 2, 2026, 6:45 p.m., Council Chambers
YouTube: 2 hr. 47 min.
Consent Calendar Item # 13 Reappointment of the City of Cupertino’s Bicycle Pedestrian Commission (BPC) representative, Herve Marcy, to the Santa Clara County Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) This was pulled by Councilmember Wang who objected to the appointment, even though the Bike Ped Commission had unanimously recommended Herve Marcy for reappointment. In addition, he was the only commissioner able to attend meetings. Approved 4-1 with Wang voting nay.
Item No. 14: Approval of Fiscal Year 2026-27 renewal of the 1992 Storm Drain Fee (with no increase) and renewal of the 2019 Clean Water and Storm Protection Fee with a 3% increase. This routine authorization of fees covers the cost of administering a required program. Public comment revolved around the need for improved cleaning of storm drains, not the fee itself. Approved 4-1 with Wang voting nay.
Item No. 15: Consider a residential project with 27 three-story townhomes, including 5 affordable units, with associated site improvements and condominium map, to replace a commercial office building on a 1.55-acre site. The project utilizes Senate Bill 330 and provisions of State Density Bonus law. (Application No(s): ASA-2025-016, TM-2025-008, & TR-2025-033; Applicant: SummerHill Homes, LLC; Location: 10268 Bandley Drive; APNs: 326-33-097.). This is a compliant housing project with the primary concern the location in a currently commercial area, with concern expressed about relocation of current businesses. It sits in a neighborhood of aging one-story office buildings, but it is convenient to Target and other public-facing businesses, in addition to transit on De Anza and Stevens Creek Boulevards. The homes are generous in size ranging from 2120 sq. ft. to 2822 sq. ft. and include garages. The project offers 5 deed-restricted affordable homes. Like all recent residential projects, this application relies on the state Density Bonus Law to waive various development standards. Though not included in the Housing Element, the project will count toward fulfilling Cupertino’s 4,588-home RHNA requirement. Approved 5-0.
Item No. 16 Adoption of a Council Policy regarding Disruptions of Telephonic or Internet Service During Public Meetings under Senate Bill (SB) 707. This item responds to a requirement of new state law (SB 707) for local agencies bound by the Brown Act to establish procedures for allowing a city to continue to hold a meeting if public access to the agency’s virtual meeting platform (like Zoom) is interrupted. Approved unanimously.
At 9:39 p.m., Mayor Kitty Moore adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting in honor of Dr.Clarence B. Jones.
CUPERTINO COURIER: June 12, 2026
The front page photo and article on page 5 are entitled Responding to a changing market: Ridge Vineyards blends tradition with new ideas to stay relevant. The additional community brief is Summer Reads sponsored by the Santa Clara County Library. There are no legal notices
CUPERTINO COURIER: June 5, 2026
The front page photo and article on page 5 are entitled ‘Fascinating phenomenon’: What’s causing the big swarms of tiny orange butterflies in the Bay Area. Perfect conditions have brought a plethora of elegant species to area. Community briefs are (1) Short film fest by Cupertino TV Productions, (2) Band Concert and (3) Birding at Sierra Vista. Legal notices are (1) Public Hearing Final Budget for Fiscal Year FY2026-27on Tues., June 16, 2026, (2) Second reading of Municipal Code Sections, and (3) Second reading of additional Municipal Code Sections.
Warm regards,
Jean Bedord
Cupertino Matters
Publisher and Editor
