Cupertino city manager steps down as part of settlement

Cupertino is in the market for a new leader after settling with its city manager.

The Cupertino City Council voted 4-1 in closed session June 3 to settle with City Manager Pamela Wu, who was placed on paid leave last month. Vice Mayor Kitty Moore voted no. Wu stepped down as part of the settlement and will walk away with $311,098.53 in severance pay with some benefits, according to an agreement between Wu and the city. The agreement does not disclose the reason for Wu’s settlement, but said Cupertino must discontinue investigations into her conduct and destroy all associated documents.

Wu said her partnership with city colleagues was a cornerstone of her nearly three-year tenure.

“This has not been an easy choice, but it is the right time to start a new chapter,” she told San José Spotlight. “Serving this community has been a great honor in my professional career and I am proud of the accomplishment, from strengthening city services to guiding the council through numerous challenges.”

Councilmembers appointed Wu in 2022. She is the third permanent city manager to take the role since 2018, with three temporary managers in between, according to Transparent California. Wu previously worked as San Bruno’s community and economic development director and a senior planner for Gilroy and Santa Clara County.

Former Deputy City Manager Tina Kapoor will serve as acting city manager until councilmembers appoint someone to the position permanently. It’s unclear when that will be.

Mayor Liang Chao said she’s glad the city can move forward in its renewed commitment to serving residents.

“Leadership transitions are never easy — but at times, they are necessary to ensure that city operations remain stable, transparent and responsive to the needs of our community,” she told San José Spotlight. “I have full confidence in Acting City Manager Tina Kapoor and our dedicated staff as we continue working together to advance the city’s goals.”

Residents are split on the end of Wu’s time with the city.

Rhoda Fry, who’s lived in Cupertino for more than 40 years, supports the council’s decision. She said Wu’s job performance was troublesome.

“The public record (shows) that the city manager was careless with our city’s finances and confidential information,” Fry told San José Spotlight.
But other residents disagree with the call.

Jean Bedord, who’s lived in the city for more than 30 years, said the repeated shuffle of city managers is concerning. She liked Wu because of her work on the city’s housing plan and Memorial Park master plan.

“We need as many competent people as we can have, and this is going to be disruptive to the city,” Bedord told San José Spotlight.

Contact Annalise Freimarck at [email protected] or follow @annalise_ellen on X.