The Cupertino City Council voted to place City Manager Pamela Wu on paid administrative leave, effective immediately, following a performance evaluation and disciplinary review held in closed session on May 2. Mayor Liang Chao, Vice Mayor Kitty Moore, and Councilmember Ray Wang voted in favor, while Councilmembers Sheila Mohan and J.R. Fruen voted against.
According to a press release issued by the City, “This decision was made to ensure the City can continue to operate smoothly and maintain organizational stability while allowing a fair internal review process to move forward in a constructive and focused manner.”
The hearing was the latest in a series of controversial performance reviews, held most recently on April 2 and 29. As reported by Cupertino Today, Wu has found herself at the center of a growing rift with a faction of the City Council, particularly Mayor Chao.
Written communications by residents submitted to the Council revealed a stark divide. Critics focused on personal grievances and her interactions with certain councilmembers, while supporters lambasted the process as thinly veiled retaliation and political interference.
Wu, who became City Manager in late 2022, has been credited with stabilizing city government after years of dysfunction that saw seven different city managers in four years—an unusually high turnover rate compared to other cities. Under her leadership, Cupertino secured Housing Element certification, resolved a major sales tax revenue crisis with the State, and helped unlock progress on the long-stalled Vallco redevelopment project—accomplishments that many view as critical to the City’s future.
Deputy City Manager Tina Kapoor has been appointed as Acting City Manager to fulfill the day-to-day duties of the City Manager in her absence.