City Council Discussion and Motions on Pickleball Sound-Barrier Funding

2026-06-16 Council Discussion and Motions on the Funding for Pickleball Sound Barrier This video contains an excerpt from the June 16, 2026 Cupertino City Council meeting, during consideration of the FY 2026–27 Operating and Capital Improvement Program Budget (Agenda Item 6). The primary subject of this discussion was the proposed $150,000 funding for pickleball sound attenuation at Memorial Park. Councilmembers debated the estimated construction cost, whether to first study the effectiveness of a sound barrier, and when to allocate funding. The discussion also addressed the pickleball pilot program previously developed and announced by City staff, including whether implementation should be delayed to allow the Parks and Recreation Commission to review the pilot parameters. DISCUSSION AND MOTIONS — CLICKABLE TIMESTAMPS 0:00 – Council discussion begins (City combined recording: 3:47:35) 2:57 – Councilmember Wang proposes reducing sound-wall funding from $150,000 to $50,000. His motion receives no second. (City: 3:50:32) 4:32 – Vice Mayor Chao seconds Mayor Moore's motion but expresses disagreement with some provisions. (City: 3:52:07) 6:47 – Chao proposes a friendly amendment to delay the pickleball pilot for Parks and Recreation Commission review. Moore declines the amendment. (City: 3:54:22 onward) 20:58 – Councilmember Mohan makes a substitute motion to retain the proposed $150,000 sound-attenuation funding. Councilmember Fruen seconds the motion. (City: 4:08:33) 27:01 – Chao asks Mohan whether her substitute motion would stop the pilot. Mohan clarifies that she is comfortable with the pilot starting July 7 as a temporary measure while the sound barrier is evaluated, rather than pausing its implementation. (City: 4:14:36 onward) 33:04 – After Mohan's substitute motion fails, Chao asks again whether Mohan's proposal would stop the pilot. Mohan reiterates that the pilot would proceed under her proposal and confirms its July 7 implementation date. (City: 4:20:39–4:21:16) 33:51 – Final roll-call vote on Moore's motion to continue the pilot, evaluate noise mitigation, and allocate $15,000 for a professional noise study before committing to sound-wall construction. The motion passes 3–2. (City: 4:21:26–4:21:47) COUNCIL ACTIONS AND VOTING RESULTS Councilmember Wang's proposal: Allocate $50,000 for the pickleball sound wall instead of $150,000. Result: No second; the motion was not considered. Mayor Moore's main motion, seconded by Vice Mayor Chao: Proposed continuing the pilot and studying noise mitigation before funding sound-wall construction. The full motion and voting results appear below. Vice Mayor Chao's proposed friendly amendment: Delay implementation of the pilot and refer its parameters to the Parks and Recreation Commission before beginning a three-month trial. Result: Mayor Moore declined the amendment; it was not included in the motion. Councilmember Mohan's substitute motion, seconded by Councilmember Fruen: Retain the staff-proposed funding for the Pickleball Sound Attenuation Capital Improvement Project. Result: Failed 2–3 (Yes: Mohan, Fruen; No: Moore, Chao, Wang). Mayor Moore's main motion, seconded by Vice Mayor Chao: Continue the pickleball pilot and provide a three-month update, particularly regarding enforcement. Refer pickleball noise issues and mitigation options to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Allocate $15,000 for a professional noise study to determine whether a sound barrier could sufficiently reduce noise from the courts and bleachers, including consideration of sound frequencies. Defer sound-wall construction funding until additional information and direction become available. Result: Passed 3–2 (Yes: Moore, Chao, Wang; No: Mohan, Fruen). The final FY 2026–27 Capital Improvement Program budget, amended to allocate $15,000 for the pickleball noise study, was subsequently approved unanimously, 5–0. ORIGINAL CITY SOURCES Official June 16, 2026 Meeting Records: https://cupertino.legistar.com/MeetingDeta... Includes downloadable video, audio, transcription, and approved meeting minutes (pickleball motions on pages 8–10). City YouTube Playlist — Two Parts:    • Cupertino City Council Meeting - June 16, ...   Part 1: Special Meeting / Study Session. Part 2: Regular Meeting, including the pickleball discussion. About This Excerpt: This is a continuous, unedited excerpt from the original Council meeting recording, trimmed only at the beginning and end. It contains the complete Council discussion and motions on pickleball sound-barrier funding, but excludes the preceding public comments and the remainder of the budget hearing. Review the evidence and make your own judgment.