Cupertino council endorses bylaws changes and backs Vice Mayor Moore for Cities Association executive committee seat

The Cupertino City Council voted 3-2 on Wednesday to endorse proposed changes to the bylaws and joint-powers agreement of the Silicon Valley cities association and to back Vice Mayor Kitty Moore's bid for an executive committee position.

Mayor Mary Chao presented a set of changes that would require that executive officers be representatives formally appointed by their home cities; that the association's Legislative Action Committee select its own chair from among members appointed by member cities; and that the association not fix a single election month (councilors said the November date creates a timing mismatch with city appointment schedules). The council also adopted a resolution appointing Vice Mayor Moore as Cupertino's board member for 2026 and endorsed her candidacy for an executive committee seat.

Chao framed the proposals as a fairness and transparency effort. "If we want an organization to work, the bylaws have to have principle and have to be fair to everyone," Mayor Chao said. She described an informal succession practice in which a small set of cities repeatedly hold leadership posts and argued that member cities should be able to select their executive officers.

The council's discussion was sharply divided. Council Member Fruin termed the proposal an effort to "oust" a current association leader and said it appeared motivated by personal grievances rather than by policy needs. Planning Commissioner and resident Sima Linscog told the council she opposed the proposal and called it an attempt to force out a sitting council member by rule changes.

Proponents, including residents who spoke to the council, said the change would broaden opportunity and improve representation for cities that historically have not been on the association executive committee. Tracy Kaye, a resident speaker, said the change would better align the association's leadership with its member cities.

Council members Fruin and Mohan voted no; Council Member Wong, Vice Mayor Moore and Mayor Chao voted to approve the measures. The motion carried on a 3-2 vote. Mayor Chao asked the council's appointed board member to relay the council's directions and the adopted resolutions to the association.

The association must approve any amendments to its joint-powers agreement and bylaws; the mayor noted that amending those documents would require approval by two-thirds of the member-city councils. The council's action represents Cupertino's formal position and an endorsement of Vice Mayor Moore's candidacy for leadership on the association's executive committee.