Cupertino Council Narrows McClellan Bridge Project to Repairs, Not Replacement
City Council • CupertinoNovember 3, 2026
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Cupertino's City Council on Nov. 2, 2026, steered the McClellan Road Bridge project away from a potential $8 million to $9 million replacement and toward repairs that may fit within existing grants. The council unanimously accepted an $850,000 grant but rewrote the project scope and did not award the proposed $1,278,700 design contract. Members also committed $11.825M in parkland funds to buy the Finch property and pressed staff on the city's first emergency plan rewrite since 2019.
- McClellan Road Bridge narrowed to repairs; $850,000 grant accepted, design contract held back
- $11.825M Finch property purchase passes 4-0 with Mayor Kitty Moore recused
- Emergency plan rewrite draws scrutiny on dams, volunteers and equity language
- Three sister-city groups report exchanges; visa problems block Bhubaneswar mayor's visit
McClellan Bridge: From Replacement to Repair
The basics: Item 13 arrived on the consent calendar as Resolution 26-118. It would have accepted $850,000 in Community Project Funding Program money, administered by Caltrans, and awarded Biggs Cardosa Associates a design agreement of up to $1,278,700. Mayor Kitty Moore pulled it for discussion.
Why it matters: The scope change could keep the project within about $5.85M in grants. It also adds months to the design schedule.
Where things stand: Moore said repairs costing $50,000 to $500,000 are far cheaper than a concept that paired bridge replacement with a trail underpass. She also said neighbors had not been told about the plans.
"In order to be, in my opinion, fiscally conservative with the city's funds, we would be doing the repairs that Caltrans had requested that we do," said Mayor Kitty Moore.
Staff pointed to the cost of delay. "Reissuing a new RFP would probably create a 3 to 4 month delay from where we're at today," said Public Works Director Chad Mosley. He said the delay could stretch to five or six months. He said two rounds of requests for proposals drew one bid each, Caltrans allowed the city to proceed, and the consultant's scope could be amended.
The other side: Councilmember Sheila Mohan questioned rewriting the scope when the consultant's work was meant to weigh the options anyway. "It's a feasibility study that the consultants would embark on," she said.
Vice Mayor Liang Chao cited Caltrans inspection ratings. "It seems that the bridge is not really at the end of its life," she said. She argued a reduced scope could stay within existing grants.
Councilmember Ray Wang was blunter about the project's history. "It was a $500,000 fix that turned into a $20 million boondoggle," he said.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Moore's motion carried unanimously, though no individual tally was announced. It accepts the grant and limits the project to repair and rehabilitation of the existing bridge, plus at-grade bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements. It excludes full replacement, widening and a grade-separated trail underpass. Staff will consult Biggs Cardosa on the modified scope or reissue the RFP.
Any future proposal affecting the Linda Vista Trail, the McClellan Road crossing or the trail gate must come back to the council as a separate item. Nearby residents must receive mailed notice. "The revised scope would be to look at feasible options that fall within the $5.85 million," Mosley said.
Neighbors gain a formal notice requirement. Cyclists and pedestrians get at-grade safety work but no underpass. The consultant now faces either a renegotiated scope or a rebid. No members of the public spoke on the item.
What's next: Staff will return to Biggs Cardosa with the narrowed scope or reissue the RFP, with a delay of several months expected.
Emergency Plan Rewrite Heads to Nov. 17 Vote
Why it matters: The Emergency Operations Plan governs how Cupertino proclaims emergencies, convenes its senior policy group and activates its Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The current plan dates from 2019.
Where things stand: Emergency Services Coordinator Justin Lin said the update follows Santa Clara County jurisdictional models and new state requirements. Those include pet-friendly shelters, pet rescue procedures and language access for Chinese speakers. He said the Disaster Council recommended adoption with minor changes. The plan uses "all-hazards" and "whole community" approaches, meaning it plans for any type of disaster and involves residents and organizations alongside government.
Council members tested the plan's gaps. "Just want to know who actually has chain of command for the unified command structure," asked Councilmember Ray Wang. Staff said it depends on the incident. Wang also asked about biological and cyber hazards, evacuation standards, crisis communications, debris contracts and Stevens Creek Dam.
Mohan asked which sections were incomplete. Staff said functional annexes on care and shelter and on evacuation will follow.
Moore raised the dam directly. "I don't see a reference to the Stevens Creek Dam failure plan from 2012," she said. She also asked staff to promote the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteer program and push a citywide survey.
The other side: Chao asked about public feedback, the EOC location, community organization contacts and CERT volunteer targets. On staffing for local ARC sites, Lin acknowledged a shortfall. "Right now, we're not there," he said.
Chao challenged the plan's definition of equity. "I'm not sure it complies with the Constitution of California," she said. Lin said the language came from the county model and would be reviewed.
Public commenter Jennifer praised the plan and the review process. She asked where the local ARCs are and how residents learn about them. Drawing on the 1989 earthquake, she stressed supplies for displaced residents and a functioning EOC, and urged more public outreach.
What's next: No vote was taken. Moore said adoption is expected Nov. 17, 2026.
Council Commits $11.825M for Finch Avenue Land
Where things stand: The council approved a budget modification adding $11,825,000 in appropriations to the Parkland Dedication Fund. The money will buy the Finch property at 10480 Finch Avenue under Resolution 26-119. It was the night's largest dollar action.
"I need to recuse on item 14 due to my home's proximity with the Finch property," said Mayor Kitty Moore. Vice Mayor Liang Chao presided over the item.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The roll call vote was For: 4 (Fruen, Mohan, Wang, Chao), Against: 0, Absent: 0, Recused: 1 (Moore). No one spoke during public comment, and the council did not debate the item. The purchase draws on parkland dedication money rather than general city funds.
Sister Cities Report Exchanges, Visa Setbacks
Three volunteer sister-city groups briefed the council. No votes were taken.
"We have just completed our 36th delegation of students from Toyokawa," said Chris Lawson, committee member, Cupertino-Toyokawa Sister Cities. He said 16 Cupertino students and three chaperones traveled to Japan in June, and their Japanese counterparts visited in October.
Janet Song, chair of the student exchange program at the Cupertino-Hsinchu Sister City Association, said the all-volunteer program is in its 23rd year. It works with the Cupertino Union and Fremont Union school districts, and local students described hosting 25 Taiwanese students.
Mahesh Pakala of Cupertino Bhubaneswar Sister City described a Heritage India Fair and an AI conference held with the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce. He said visa appointment problems kept the Bhubaneswar mayor from visiting and blocked this year's student exchange.
Moore thanked the groups and said nearly 50 students came to the Bay Area.
Minor Items
- Consent calendar: Items 4-12 carried unanimously in one motion with no public speakers.
- Minutes: Approved for the Sept. 29, Oct. 5 and Oct. 20, 2026, meetings.
- Treasurer's reports: The council received the September monthly reports and the quarterly investment report.
- Mitigation fees: The state-required annual and five-year fee reports were approved (Resolution 26-115).
- Housing funds: The Vista Village CDBG award grows by $114,546 and runs through Dec. 31, 2027. The city also renewed its county PLHA consortium membership to seek state housing funds.
Looking Ahead
The updated Emergency Operations Plan returns for adoption Nov. 17, 2026. Watch whether staff adds Stevens Creek Dam planning and revises the equity language. On the McClellan Road Bridge, the next signal is whether Biggs Cardosa accepts the narrowed scope or the city reissues the RFP.