Written CommunicationsLibrary Commission 01.08.20
Library Commission 01/08/20
Item #5
Consider Draft Letter to Council to Address Abuse of the
4-Minute Parking Located Near the Book Return and
Support Options to Increase Enforcement Opportunity
for Use of the 4-Minute Parking Stalls
Written Communication
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From:
Liana Crabtree
To:
Whitney Zeller
Cc:
Clare Varesio; Nancy Howe; Christine Hanel; Rahul Vasanth; Liana Crabtree
Subject:
Re: Library Commission Special Meeting Agenda 1.8.20
Date:
Monday, January 6, 2020 10:53:27 PM
Attachments:
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4-minute parking 20200108.pdf
Hi Whitney,
Attached, please find the draft letter for Agenda Item 5 (4-minute parking) attached. If
possible, may we have 10 printed copies of the draft letter for the meeting? Ideally, the
attachments (pp 5-15) would be printed in color, but if it is not possible, could just page 15 be
printed in color?
Please let me know if it is not possible to print the draft letters before Wednesday's meeting
and I will have them printed.
Thanks very much for preparing the January agenda.
Happy New Year!
Liana
From: Whitney Zeller <whitneyz@cupertino.org>
Sent: Monday, January 6, 2020 2:47 PM
Cc: Clare Varesio <cvaresio@sccl.org>; Nancy Howe <nhowe@sccl.org>; Christine Hanel
<ChristineH@cupertino.org>
Subject: Library Commission Special Meeting Agenda 1.8.20
Dear Commissioners (Bcc'd),
Attached is the published agenda for the January 8th special meeting.
Sincerely,
Whitney Zeller
Administrative Assistant
Parks and Recreation
WhitneyZ@cupertino.org
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Cupertino Library Commission
10185 N Stelling Rd
Cupertino, CA 95014
January 9, 2020
Cupertino City Council
Cupertino City Manager
10350 Torre Ave
Cupertino, CA 95014
Honorable Mayor Scharf, Vice Mayor Paul, Council Members Chao, Sinks, and Willey, and City
Manager Feng:
As you are well aware, we have high demand for parking spaces in the shared lot for City Hall,
Community Hall, and the Library (civic center parking lot); on some occasions, visitors to the area
misuse time -limited and charging station parking spaces.
The Cupertino Library serves more than a million patrons each year —the most out of any library
within the SCCLD—and misuse of these parking spaces impact the various uses from pedestrian foot
traffic, bicycles, and automobiles. Misuse of the timed slots greatly exacerbates traffic congestion
which affects the entire civic center parking lot while also elevating public safety concerns in an area
where cars and bicycles are trying to get in and out of the lot, vehicles stop as passengers are being
picked up or dropped off, books are being dropped off, and so much more. Therefore, misuse of
the 4-minute stalls and charging station spaces have traffic and public safety impacts on this core
area of great significance to our community.
Library Commissioners have made anecdotal observations of parking behavior in the 4-minute stalls
located near the book drop and often observe visitors using the spaces for activities not related to
returning books and often lasting longer than the four minutes permitted. For example, visitors park
in the 4-minute stalls to wait for passengers who are inside the library or to exit their vehicles and
enter a building in civic center plaza, presumably for a task that they expect to complete quickly.
However, these non -book return activities sometimes take much longer than visitors anticipate. As a
result, we have observed some vehicles parked in 4-minute parking for 30 minutes or more.
In the past year, Library Commissioners have met with and traded communication with
representatives from Code Enforcement and Public Works to address community concerns
regarding the parking situation in the civic center parking lot, including misuse of the 4-minute
parking stalls. We appreciate very much the time invested and the thoughtful responses we have
received from all staff members who have helped commissioners address parking and congestion
concerns in the civic center parking lot.
With prompt assistance from City staff, we have added two A -frame signs near the book drop to
encourage visitors to respect the time -limit assigned to parking spaces closest to the book drop
(Attachment A). We believe the signs will be more effective if Code Enforcement could
intermittently monitor use of the 4-minute stalls, especially during evening and weekend hours
when the library is busiest. Perhaps it would be possible that then visiting the civic center parking
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Library Commission 01.08.20
lot, Code Enforcement could monitor usage of the charging station parking stalls (are parked
vehicles charging or just parked?) and the bike racks (are bicycles locked securely? is there
suspicious activity happening near the parked bicycles?).
However, with assistance from past Library Commission liaison Kim Calame and guidance from
Code Enforcement representative Gulu Sakhrani, we understand that the Code Enforcement team
is not staffed to patrol the civic center parking lot on evenings and weekends (Attachment B)
which significantly reduces the ability of the City to hold those who misuse the time -limited stalls
and the charging station stalls in the civic center parking lot accountable.
Suggestions to Address Misuse of Time -limited Parking Stalls in the Civic
Center Parking Lot
Option 1
Consider increasing headcount for Code Enforcement to support intermittent weekend and
evening monitoring of time -limited parking stalls, including but not limited to misuse of the 4-
minute parking stalls and charging station stalls. Use the additional headcount to support weekend
and evening monitoring of Civic Center Plaza generally, including detection of suspicious activity
near the bike racks.
Option 2
Remove the 4-minute parking stalls because the time limit is unenforceable during library peak use
times. Replace the four 4-minute parking stalls with other possible uses:
(a) Passenger loading and unloading zone. (Civic Center Plaza has no designated passenger
loading/unloading zone today.)
(b) Four "Lucky Day" parking stalls. (The 4-minute parking stalls are among the closest to the Library
and Community Hall entrances but are not served by ramps and walkways which make them
unsuitable for handicapped parking. "Lucky Day" stalls could be assigned the same time limits as
other general use parking stalls in the civic center parking lot but should include signage to alert
visitors of the changed use. A benefit of eliminating the 4-minute parking stalls could be improved
flow through the congested turn -around point near the stalls today. General use traffic in the
parking lot is slowed as visitors wait for the steady stream of cars pulling in and backing out of the
4-minute parking stalls.)
Option 3
Consider a reconfiguration of the civic center parking lot to accommodate:
(a) easier and more efficient entry and exit to and from most parking stalls;
(b) the addition of a multi -use lane for short -stay parking, including community shuttle and private
vehicle passenger loading and unloading, and automated book return access;
(c) the removal of the four 4-minute parking stalls; and
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Library Commission 01.08.20
(d) the addition of a dedicated lane for driver -side access to a standalone book drop box.
(Attachment C)
Option 4
Maintain the status quo. Keep the 4-minute parking stalls and rely on the A -frame signs to
encourage awareness of time -limited parking constraints as well as compliance without additional
patrols of the civic center parking lot by Code Enforcement.
It is important to note that the library expansion project will have various impacts on the area of
interest and increase the need to ensure that the 4-minute and charging station parking slots are
used optimally. When charging station slots remain unused for large portions of the day, the
opportunity cost of the restriction is high due to their close proximity to the 4-minute stalls.
Thank you for your consideration of opportunities to improve the public's ease of access to facilities
located in Civic Center Plaza.
Sincerely,
Liana Crabtree, Chair
Amanda Wo, Vice Chair
Christie Wang
Qin Pan
Rahul Vasanth
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Attachment A
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r
5 - - man
Parking longer than
4 minutes in Book Drop
..a[L may result *rn finc
of at least
lest
Attachment A, reminder to visitors to comply with time -limited parking restrictions assigned to
the book drop stalls
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Attachment B
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Re: Cupertino Library - 4-Minute Parking Signs
Liana Crabtree
Mon 11/25/2019 8:33 AM
To: Clare Varesio <CVaresio sccl.org>
Cc: Kim Calame <klmc@cupertino.orgr
Hi Clare,
realized as I considered Oulu's replies that there were suggestions we might want to make
to Council regarding time -limited perking and idea$ to alleviate traffic congestion in the
parking lot that we had net discussed during commission meetings. As a result, I have asked
to bring the 2 parking items back to the commission in December, when we can review and
edit specific letter drafts.
I do think it would be helpful to include the email thread with Lulu as an attachment to the
meeting agenda unless anyone sees a reason not to do that.
Thank you for bringing this item to the commission's attention.
Liana
On Nov 24, 2019, at 6:12 PM, Clare Varesio <CVaresio a sccl.org> rote:
Hi Kim and Liana —
met with Qin earlier this evening, and had planned to forward her the email string below as she had
questions about the 4-minute parking at Cupertino Library„ However, I see that Christie was included it
that string, and do not want to run afoul of the Brown Act in including too many Commissioners in this
conversation.
i know that the 4-minute parking will be discussed at the December Library Commission meeting.
Would the information below be available to the Commissioners either at that meeti ng, or beforehand?
found the responses helpful in consideringthe issue,
Thank you —
Clare.
Attachment B, information exchange with commissioners and City and Library staff to consider
possible improvements the parking situation in the civic center parking lot
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Clare Varesio I Community Librarian
Santa Clara County Library DistrictI[..f../..j../..fjmourtitfA�pDatafRaamingjfvlioro5aftignatures
/Main%20Signatu re_fi I es/www.sccl. orglwwvv.sccl .o rg
Cupertino Library 110800 Torre Ave I Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 446-1677 x 3300
From: Liana Crabtree <Irabtree @ cu pert! no.org>
Sent: Friday, November 15, 2019 1:04 PM
To: Gulu Sakhrani <GuluS cupertinc.or
Cc: Jeffrey Trybus !eff rey
1@ cupertino.arg>; Clare Varesio <CVaresio sccl.org>; Whitney Zeller
-whitne)c cupertino.or >; Kim Calame <ki c cuperkino.or >; Christie Wang
<EWAngpcupertino.or >
Subject: Fw: Cupertino Library - 4-Minute Parking Signs
+ Clare Va resio, Jeffrey Trybus, Whitney Zel ler, and Christie Wa ng
Hi Gulu,
Thank you for sharing your comprehensive and thoughtful notes regarding enforcement of the
4-minutetime limit in parking stalls near the book drop.
From your notes (Items 2 and 5) below, when you reference "Planning Commission," do you
mean "Library Commission"? Care hand handling of the 4-minute parking stalls has come
beforethe Library Commission a couple of times since I joined the commission in 2D17, and
commissioners are appreciative of attendance and/or input we have received from Code
Enforcement for those meetings. Has the topic of enforcement of 4-minute parking in the book
drop slots also come before the Planning Commission?
From your notes (Item 4), from memory hand maybe others can jump in with their
recollections, too!), when the Library Commission discussed adding a drive -up book drop box in
the parking lot, there wasn't necessarily opposition to the idea of a drop box, but there were
concerns that addinga drop boxwould (a) require reconfiguration of the parking lot and a loss
of some number of spots to ensure safe and efficient passage to patrons dropping books and
for staff collecting them; and (b) as you have also identified (Item 3), drivers have their own
reasons for overstaying their allotted time in the 4-minute stalls. Adding a drop box in the
parking lot won't change the behavior of drivers who ignore the signs and park in 4-minute for
reasons that are unrelated to returning books.
Attachment B, information exchange with commissioners and City and Library staff to consider
possible improvements the parking situation in the civic center parking lot
8 / 15 Draft, 20200108
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Library Commission 01.08.20
Regarding adding metered parking to the Civic Center lot, 1 don't recall recent discussions with
the Library Commission an thistopic. Very likely the corn mission has discussed metered
parking and either I wasn't present or I don't remember. My sense, though, is that metered
parking in the Civic Center lot would be very unpopular with residents for all the reasons that
people don't like metered parking else here. Metered parking could be viewed as a kind of an
added fee (double tax?) to access public facilities that are already funded by tax payers.
The Library Commission recognizes that dissatisfaction associated with misuse of the 4-minute
parking stalls is a small part of a larger issue related to heavy demand for access to public
facilities (Library, Community Hall, Library Field) during peak evening and weekend hours
coupled with an insufficient number of parking stalls.The Library Commission recognizes that
solutions to the current parking shortageswill need to involve encouraging the public (a) to use
alternative forms of transportation when traveling to the Library and Civic Center area; and (b)
to park in the neighborhood when walking/biking/Via Cupertino shuttle/public buses are not
practical/possible travel options. On the City side, efficient use of the parking lot could be
Improved if the site could be improved to include a safe, clearly designated loading zone for
private vehicles and Via Cupertino shuttles
Library Commissioners would like to be supportive of whatever efforts may be in the works to
add evening and or weekend resources to the Code Enforcement team, such that in the future
it may be possible to monitor occasionally the parking behavior near the Library and Civic
Center on evenings and weekends. Library Commissioners understand evening and weekend
monitoring of the Library and Civic Center lot is not possible today due to staffing constraints.
Sincerely,
Liana Crabtree
Library Commissioner
Attachment B, information exchange with commissioners and City and Library staff to consider
possible improvements the parking situation in the civic center parking lot
9 / 15 Draft, 20200108
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From: Kim Calame -Cklmc @ cupertino.org>
Sent: Tu esdlay, N ove m ber 12, 2019 9:37 AM
To: Liana Crabtree <Irabtree cupertino,nrg>
Subject: F: Cupertino Libra ry - 4-Minute Parking Signs
Here you go!
Kim Calame
Recreation Supervisor
Porks and Recreation
<mage0D1.png> KimQcupertino.org
(408) 777-8139
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From: Gulu Sakhrani <GuluS cupertino.or
Sent: Tuesday, November 5, 2019 9:29 AM
To: Kim Calame <kimc cuaertino.org>
Cc: Albert Salvador, P.F., C.B.O <Albert5 cupertino.ors>; Jason. Brown shf�sccg2v.org; Code
<CodeC cupertino.org>; David Stillman <DavidS cupaMnc.org>
Subject: Re: Cupertino Library-4-Minute Parking Signs
Good morning Kim,
Here is my perspective.
1. Code Enforcement has provided constructive suggestions to the Planning
Commission over time. Most of which have been passed over.
2. Our officers enforce the violations :when possible. I personally have
enforced the 4-minute-parking space for the past 13 plus years
numerous times.
3. Same issues... new violators and many have their own reasons for
Attachment B, information exchange with commissioners and City and Library staff to consider
possible improvements the parking situation in the civic center parking lot
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Library Commission 01.08.20
ignoring the signs for the time allotted to drop off borrowed items
into the slot.
4. Code Enforcement has recommended paid parking meters, relocating the
4-minute-boob drop spaces to Pacifica Drive and having a drive -up drop
box or even replacing these 4-minute-spaces with disabled parking.
Disabled parking violations can be immediately cited upon being on
viewed by the officer/ deputy.
5. The Planning Commission decided instead to update verbiage for :new
a -frames for enforcement.
6. I would not recommend putting our phone number to call Code for each
violation. We do not have any administrative staff in the office to answer
phones/complaints when they are called in.
7. Residents can call the Santa Clara County Communications non -
emergency number at 4 0 8 - 299- 11 to report each violation - but in
reality, by the time code officers or deputies arrive to monitor that "4-
minute-violation", the driver will have moved.
s. During the week, Jeff and I :work our code duties and conduct
investigations in the field. Daniel works part time and conducts
numerous Parks and Rec duties all weekend so we only have him for cite
writing and other code parking issues Mondays and Tuesdays. Phillip
does not cite for parking violations.
Hopefully, you understand this and you can pass this along on my behalf.
Thanks,
u1u
Attachment B, information exchange with commissioners and City and Library staff to consider
possible improvements the parking situation in the civic center parking lot
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From:Jeffrey Try bus < effreyT 'cuperkina.orb
Sent: Monday, November 4, 2019 11:21 AM
To: Code <C; a cupertino.org>
Cc: Albert Salvador, P.E., C.B.0 <AlbertS eupertino.or ; Jason.Brown(-@shf.sccgq�v.org
<Jason.Brown@shf.scc ovorg>
Subject: Fw: Cupertino Library - 4-Minute Parking Signs
Hello All,
Looks like we have another round of 4-Mm- ute parking concerns from the Library Commission -
Does anyone want to attend the next nieetmi d to listen to their concerns" I've already gone to
two (2) meetings so far. Let's try and work as a team on this ono -----
Thanks,
Jeff
From: Kim Calarne <kimc cupertino.org>
Sent: Monday, November 4, 2019 10:24 AM
To: Qin Pan cQPan cupertiryo.or
Cc: Liana Crabtree cicrabtreecupertino.or
Subject: RE: Cupertino Library-4-Minute Parking Signs
Hi Qin, we ca n invite Code E nfo reement... I'm not sure they can come agai n.... I have to say that this is
not going to be high on the list of priorities as they have to patrol the whole city. Their hours a re M-F
until 4:30...and there is someone on Saturday and Sunday morning. They will d o regular patrols of th€
parking lot ... and the rest of the city. Vrn just not sure of what else we can expect from +hem. We can
ask. ICI m
Kim Calame
Recreation Supervisor
P❑rks ❑nd Recreation
<imageOC9.png> imCQaupertirno.org
(408) 777 139
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Attachment B, information exchange with commissioners and City and Library staff to consider
possible improvements the parking situation in the civic center parking lot
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From: Qin Pan <QPan cupertino.org>
Sent: Monday, November 4, 2019 7:44 AM
To: Kim Calame <k c eupertino.org>
Subject: Fie: Cupertino Library-4-Minute Parking Signs
Kim,
talked to Clare over the weekend about the 4 minutes parking issues, and she suggest that if
we can invite Code Enforcement to Our meeting, and discuss how we can help enforce the 4
minutes parking issues
had picture of the same car parking at the 4 minutes parking spot for more than 30 minutes.
Let me know,
Thank you I
Qin
Attachment B, information exchange with commissioners and City and Library staff to consider
possible improvements the parking situation in the civic center parking lot
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Attachment C
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Attachment C, not to scale, reconfigured parking lot idea to accommodate [1 ] driver -side
standalone book drop; [2] short stay parking for passenger loading and unloading and use of the
automated book return; [3] preserved use of the four existing charging station stalls. "Lavender
zones" indicate location and flow direction for pull -in, pull-out, short -stay parking. Note: The source
for the background graphic for the reconfigured parking lot was borrowed from the December 2019 Cupertino Civic
Center transportation survey.
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Library Commission
01/08/20
Item #6
Receive Update From the
Working Group Regarding
New/Potential Quiet Zones
and Signage in the Library
Written Communication
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January 8, 2020
Subject: Written Communication Library Commission, Agenda Item 6, Quiet Zone Signage
Re: Examples of Quiet Zone Signage at Mitchell Park Library (Palo Alto City Library) and Mountain
View Public Library
To Whom It May Concern:
Please find photos of quiet zone signs posted at nearby city libraries below.
Respectfully submitted,
Liana Crabtree
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Attachment A
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F; -ease silence all electronic
devices and refrain from
talking in these areas.
PALO ALTO UTY
LIBRARY
Attachment A, quiet zone sign posted at the Mitchell Park Library, 2nd Floor, near the 2- and 4-
person table seating area
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Attachment B
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W
IET Z
........ Vieul Pubbc.
■ zone 1—Casuaf Study
Library
2ntl Floor
Zane 2 — Quiet Study
■ Zone 3 —Silent Study
rJ Information Desk
Attachment B, quiet zone sign posted at the Mountain View Public Library, 2nd Floor, casual
seating area located near featured materials kiosks (Quiet Zone 1, Casual Study)
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NE 2
This Area Is For Quiet Study
Very brief whispered conversations
• Cell phone on vibrate or silent
• Leave area to take phone calls
• Use electronics with headphones
• No food. Covered drinks only.
Aff
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AN SIW, Rooms NPn-Flclbn SIG
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Attachment B, quiet zone sign posted at the Mountain View Public Library, 2nd Floor, computer
terminal and hallway area (Quiet Zone 2, Quiet Study)
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QUIET �.%,ON E %120
This Area Is For Silent Study
1 Oval Area Non-Flction Side
rl Stairs
Reference Desk
Ilillll�l I�IIIII .
Hlstory Center, Program Room, &
All Study Rooms
Non-Flction Side
Attachment B, quiet zone sign posted at the Mountain View Public Library, 2nd Floor, study carrel
area (Quiet Zone 3, Silent Study)
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