Written Commnications
Library Commission Meeting 5/6/2020
Written Communication
Item #7
“Update on the Regnart Creek Trail Project”.
From:Peggy Griffin
To:City of Cupertino Library Commission Group
Cc:City Clerk
Subject:LC Agenda Item #7 - Regnart Creek Trail Update
Date:Wednesday, May 6, 2020 4:23:34 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Library Commission and Staff,
Please include this letter as written communication for tonight's Library Commission
meeting, Agenda Item 7, "Update on the Regnart Creek Trail Project".
For years I have avoided speaking on the Regnart Creek Trail until I found out that a
proposed section will take away the southern most strip of the “Library Field” area.
This proposed strip does not enhance the creek trail and
- potentially will harm the root system of well established trees that provide much
needed shade to park users
- increases safety issues between field users, pedestrians, cyclists, automobiles in
the library area, particularly at the intersection of Torre and Pacifica.
- reduces what little “park” area we have on the east side of town
- is an unnecessary cost at a time when there are much higher priorities and needs in
our community
This is one of the few park areas on the east side of town. Families gather to watch
sports or relax under the trees on hot summer days. I
As a long-time library patron, park user and Cupertino resident I would like to urge
you, the Library Commission, to
- re-iterate your stand to the City Council to change “Library Field” to be a designated
park, as many residents consider it to be already - the entire area, including the
proposed trail area.
- point out to City Council that there is an opening in the trail wall across from the
book drop so the section of the trail along Pacifica is not needed for library access
and would be better left as open space.
- point out to City Council that at a time of limited resources, this section is not the
best “bang for your buck” and should be removed.
Thank you,
Peggy Griffin
Liana Crabtree Cupertino, CA 95014
1 / 9
April 21, 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:
Please add this letter to the written communication record for items not on the agenda for
the Council meeting scheduled for today, Tuesday, 4/21/2020.
I attended the 4/16/2020 meeting of the Environmental Review Committee and responded
after the meeting with comments for Agenda Item 3, “Regnart Creek Trail”. I have included
those comments with corrections as Attachment A.
I am writing Council today to request its reconsideration of the partial-plan
approval of the Regnart Creek Trail project in light of real and anticipated city
revenue deficits as the community and world awaits the end of the pandemic and
a return to normal economic activity, which could be months away. For months prior
to the pandemic crisis, many residents have expressed their strong concerns regarding the
trail project.
In conversation with KQED Morning Report host Saul Gonzales yesterday, 4/20/2020,
Carolyn Coleman, Executive Director of the League of California Cities described the
financial situation facing cities this way:
"We are seeing across the State, California cities experiencing revenue shortfalls. Sales
taxes aren't what they were. We're not buying and consuming what we were. And,
depending on how long this endures there will be less revenue that will eventually result in
cuts to the essential services that cities provide. And these could be cuts to police, fire,
trash collection, code enforcement, public works, streets and roads maintenance; the basic
services that make a community a community...." (Link to commentary:
https://www.kqed.org/news/11813113/cities -and-counties-brace-for-budget -cuts-due-to-
coronavirus)
At best, the trail project creates a nice-to-have alternative path that redirects some cyclists
and pedestrians from safe neighborhood streets for the purpose of traveling on an unpaved
route part way to area schools, parks, or destinations at Civic Center Plaza. At its worst, the
opened trail access attracts the public to a narrow passageway with little or no protection
from steep drop-offs into the creek bed. Residents with homes located adjacent to the trail
are exposed to noise disruption by trail visitors and potential security breaches by
opportunistic passersby, especially as no funding is allocated to construct a formidable
barrier between the trail and private property, such as the lighted wall that exists today
along the trail segment from E Estates Dr to Creekside Park.
If dim financial forecasts cannot dissuade the City from further activity on the trail project,
then, bare minimum, please remove from the project the segment of the trail that
encroaches on the southern edge of Library Field from Torre Ave to the proposed creek
access at Pacifica Dr. The 7-8 feet that separates the existing Pacific Dr sidewalk edge from
the southernmost row of trees is elevated and reveals tree roots that would surely need to
be excavated if the sidewalk were to be widened. How would these beautiful trees survive
Liana Crabtree Cupertino, CA 95014
2 / 9
such an assault? See Attachment B for images of the exposed tree roots and their proximity
to the sidewalk targeted for widening under the project.
Library Field is a treasured park space that eludes “park” recognition by the City despite the
recreational value it provides every day for the community. When shelter-in-place orders
and social distancing are not enacted, Library Field hosts organized sports with and without
spectators, family play, and wal kers. Any reallocation of the greenspace at the southern
edge of Library Field for the purpose of widening the sidewalk will surely damage the roots
of the adjacent trees and reduce shaded neighborhood play spaces.
To restate my closing comment to the Environmental Review Committee from Friday,
4/17/2020: We have a finite amount of money—and less money on the other side
of the pandemic—please, let's spend it on projects addressing priority needs and
having broad support.
Sincerely,
Liana Crabtree
Cupertino resident
representing myself only
Liana Crabtree Cupertino, CA 95014
3 / 9
Attachment A
Liana Crabtree Cupertino, CA 95014
4 / 9
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Liana Crabtree <Liana Crabtree>
To: planning@cupertino.org <planning@cupertino.org>; Liang Chao
<liangchao@cupertino.org>; Kitty Moore <kmoore@cupertino.org>
Sent: Friday, April 17, 2020, 10:22:09 AM PDT
Subject: written communication, 4/16/2020, Environmental Review Committee meeting,
Agenda Item 3, "Regnart Creek Trail"
Dear Representatives of the Environmental Review Committee:
If not too late, please add my comment to the written communication for Agenda
Item 3, "Regnart Creek Trail" for the 4/16/2020 Environmental Review Committee
meeting.
During oral public comment for Agenda Item (3), I expressed the concern that the
driveway back up study for the home located closest to the proposed trail crosswalk
on South Blaney did not appear to study vehicles that will back INTO driveways. The
image of the study shared during the meeting appears to only consider a sedan-size
vehicle backing out of a driveway to head south on Blaney.
However, Blaney is a busy street and many residents (some with vehicles longer than
a standard sedan) choose to back into their driveways. The driveway back up study
does not appear to show if a vehicle approaching the driveway from the south would
need to enter the crosswalk (before crossing the median) in order to back into the
driveway. Please consider the proximity of the crosswalk to all adjacent home
driveways if residents were to back into their driveways.
As for extending the trail to clip the southern edge of Library Field, this idea is both
unnecessary and problematic:
(1) The existing sidewalk is 5 feet wide. Trees planted in the southernmost row in
Library field are located between 7 and 8 feet from the edge of the sidewalk. The
edge of Library Field has a visible rise relative to the sidewalk and roots from all trees
are visible at the ground surface and within just a few feet from the edge of the
sidewalk. How would the path be widened to 10 feet without excavating and
damaging the roots of all trees included in this southernmost row?
(2) The plan to connect the McClellan Road protected bike lane to the proposed
Regnart Creek Trail is unclear. In Cupertino, children age 12 and under are
allowed/encouraged to ride their bicycles on the sidewalk. However, there is no
southern crosswalk across De Anza from McClellan to Pacifica. If the Regnart Creek
Trail project compels the excision of the southern edge of Library Field to
accommodate a 10-foot trail path, doesn't the need for the wider path begin at the
northeast corner of De Anza at Pacifica, where the only McClellan/Pacifica/De Anza
Liana Crabtree Cupertino, CA 95014
5 / 9
east-west crosswalk terminates? Are we compelled to widen the existing northern
sidewalk along Pacifica to Torre, so the McClellan/Regnart Creek Trail connection
advertised today becomes more reality and less, maybe, marketing?
Finally, I do feel that residents' concerns about the proposed Regnart Creek Trail
continue to be "voiced but not heard". It's not that the project is terrible; it's just not
terribly compelling. Where do the serious collisions and near misses affecting
pedestrians and cyclists occur in Cupertino? Bollinger, Stevens Creek, De Anza,
Finch, Blaney--not the roads relieved by the proposed Regnart Creek Trail. The trail
project offers nice-to-have utility minus the funding sufficient to extend the wall,
lighting, paving, and fencing that exists today for residents living along open portion
of the (lovely!) trail from Creekside Park to East Estates Drive.
Unfortunately, my observation, when residents flag real challenges related to safety,
access, equity, and priority affecting this project proposal, they are too often ignored,
patronized, or gaslit. I understand the utility and appeal of a paved, illuminated, and
fenced trail that would allow pedestrian and bike access from Rodrigues and Pacifica
to Civic Center Plaza, but it's harder to see value (relative to costs) in the east-west
segments of the proposed trail.
We have a finite amount of money--and less money on the other side of the
pandemic--please, let's spend it on projects addressing priority needs and having
broad support.
Sincerely,
Liana Crabtree
Cupertino resident
representing myself only
Attachment A, written communication sent to the Environmental Review Committee
regarding Agenda Item 3 “Regnart Creek Trail” for the 4/16/2020 ERC meeting
Liana Crabtree Cupertino, CA 95014
6 / 9
Attachment B
Liana Crabtree Cupertino, CA 95014
7 / 9
Attachment B, view of the southernmost row of trees in Library Field, from near Torre Ave
looking east
Liana Crabtree Cupertino, CA 95014
8 / 9
Attachment B, distance from tree trunks to sidewalk is about 7-8 feet. Note the bend of the
tape measure indicates raised elevation of the open ground relative to the sidewalk.
Liana Crabtree Cupertino, CA 95014
9 / 9
Attachment B, example of exposed root present in trees located in the southernmost row
of Library Field. Approximately 3 feet of exposed roots are visible. (View is rotated so the
image could be captured with few shadows.)
Library Commission Meeting 5/6/2020
Written Communication
Item #8
“Outreach to the Public and Mechanisms for the Public
to Contact Staff”.
From:Peggy Griffin
To:City of Cupertino L brary Commission Group
Cc:City Clerk
Subject:5/6/2020 LC Agenda Item 8: Outreach to the Public - suggestions
Date:Wednesday, May 6, 2020 3:16:41 PM
Attachments:image0.png
image1.png
CAUTION This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Library Commission Members and Staff,
During this time of required sheltering in place, many people who do not use computers extensively have been forced to do so. Many people who normally go to the library in person are forced to go online. The
library website has a boatload of information but it s very difficult to find what you are looking for if you don t know what to look for.
There is no “overview” of how to start from the beginning. Under 24/7, there s “All Tutorials” but it lists every app that s available. If you re interested in eBooks and AudioBooks, which app do I pick and
why?
REQUEST1 (MOST NEEDED) Provide a short online overview that ties all these apps together, explaining/answering questions
- Why do I need all these apps?
- What s the difference between RBDigital, Overdrive, SimplyE, CloudLibrary, Odilio?
- I want to checkout an audio book.
What are the steps?
Which app do I use?
How do I know to use that app?
- I want to checkout an eBook.
What are the steps?
Which app do I use?
How do I know to use it?
- Do I download ALL these apps before i can check out a book?
REQUEST2 Disseminate the online resources available via
- a presentation to City Council
- write up in the Cupertino Scene monthly magazine
- Coffee Talk
- Short online overviews by topics eBooks, audiobooks, research tools,
Maybe provide short Zoom lectures that are an overview of what s available online similar to what colleges provide for their incoming freshmen. If it s recorded, it could be on the main 24/7 tab online for
people to access anytime.
- When schools open, go out to the schools (all ages) and present what s available similar to overviews that college libraries offer to new students.
- Maybe re-publish the Cupertino Scene writeup as material to be sent out to families when school opens or adjust it towards the different age groups to be sent out.
- Present at Senior Centers, Assisted Living, Hospitals
Many people don t know they can check out magazines like “National Geographic” or take “Great Courses” or watch TV shows, listen to music, research, etc.
NOTE This online access, can potentially reduce the need to come into the library which would reduce parking, congestion and overcrowding on a long-term basis and be a way to prepare for the re-opening of
the physical facilities but more people need to know about it.
Thank you,
Peggy Griffin
SCREENSHOT 1 - This is a screen shot of what you get when you click on
Online Library 24/7 + Online Library Help + Getting Started-View Tutorials + eBooks & Audiobooks
It s just tutorials on individual apps.
SCREENSHOT2 - This is a screen shot of what you get when you click on
Online Library 24/7 + eBooks & Audiobooks
It s another list of individual apps with no overview of where to begin.
From:Peggy Griffin
To:City of Cupertino Library Commission Group; City Clerk
Subject:Re: 5/6/2020 LC Agenda Item 8: Outreach to the Public - suggestions
Date:Wednesday, May 6, 2020 3:32:02 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Please include this email letter as written communication for tonight's Library
Commission meeting, Agenda Item 8, "Outreach to the Public...".
Thank you,
Peggy Griffin
On May 6, 2020, at 3:16 PM, Peggy Griffin <Griffin@compuserve.com> wrote:
Dear Library Commission Members and Staff,
During this time of required sheltering in place, many people who do not use
computers extensively have been forced to do so. Many people who normally go
to the library in person are forced to go online. The library website has a boatload
of information but it’s very difficult to find what you are looking for if you don’t
know what to look for.
There is no “overview” of how to start from the beginning. Under 24/7, there’s
“All Tutorials” but it lists every app that’s available. If you’re interested in
eBooks and AudioBooks, which app do I pick and why?
REQUEST1 (MOST NEEDED): Provide a short online overview that ties all
these apps together, explaining/answering questions:
- Why do I need all these apps?
- What’s the difference between RBDigital, Overdrive, SimplyE, CloudLibrary,
Odilio?
- I want to checkout an audio book.
What are the steps?
Which app do I use?
How do I know to use that app?
- I want to checkout an eBook.
What are the steps?
Which app do I use?
How do I know to use it?
- Do I download ALL these apps before i can check out a book?
REQUEST2: Disseminate the online resources available via
- a presentation to City Council
- write up in the Cupertino Scene monthly magazine
- Coffee Talk
- Short online overviews by topics: eBooks, audiobooks, research tools,
Maybe provide short Zoom lectures that are an overview of what’s available
online similar to what colleges provide for their incoming freshmen. If it’s
recorded, it could be on the main 24/7 tab online for people to access anytime.
- When schools open, go out to the schools (all ages) and present what’s available
similar to overviews that college libraries offer to new students.
- Maybe re-publish the Cupertino Scene writeup as material to be sent out to
families when school opens or adjust it towards the different age groups to be sent
out.
- Present at Senior Centers, Assisted Living, Hospitals
Many people don’t know they can check out magazines like “National
Geographic” or take “Great Courses” or watch TV shows, listen to music,
research, etc.
NOTE: This online access, can potentially reduce the need to come into the
library which would reduce parking, congestion and overcrowding on a long-term
basis and be a way to prepare for the re-opening of the physical facilities but more
people need to know about it.
Thank you,
Peggy Griffin
SCREENSHOT 1 - This is a screen shot of what you get when you click on
Online Library 24/7 + Online Library Help + Getting Started-View Tutorials +
eBooks & Audiobooks
It’s just tutorials on individual apps.
<image0.png>
SCREENSHOT2 - This is a screen shot of what you get when you click on
Online Library 24/7 + eBooks & Audiobooks
It’s another list of individual apps with no overview of where to begin.
<image1.png>