HomeMy WebLinkAboutScene February 2022 - 02.01.2022PLUS: MEET THE NEW CITY MANAGER | PARTICIPATE IN THE
HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE | HELP IMPROVE LOCAL ROAD SAFETY
The Road
Ahead in 2022
Shaping Cupertino’s
Future Together
FEBRUARY 2022
A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE CITY OF CUPERTINO
SCENE
FEATURES
3 Participate in the
Housing Element Update
The sixth cycle Housing Element Update needs
your input to shape the future of Cupertino.
4 Westport Cupertino:
Project Updates
Read about the changes and updates
coming to the Westport Cupertino project.
IN
S
I
D
E
8 The State of Food Scraps
in Cupertino
Read about the new regulations on
food scraps (SB 1383) and what that
means for you.
6 Provide Input for the Local
Road Safety Plan
Share your feedback to provide safety
improvements on local roads.
12 Directory and Contacts
Keep this list of the most useful
contacts for the City of Cupertino.
11 Parks and Recreation Updates
Find upcoming events, classes, and more!
Questions or comments about The Scene? Contact staff at scene@cupertino.org.
CONTENTS
Earth and Arbor
Day Festival
is Returning in
April 2022!
We are looking for volunteers, businesses,
nonprofit organizations, performers, and
sponsors who want to participate in this
year’s Festival. Registration is now open.
Learn more and apply today at
cupertino.org/earthday.
2
On Tuesday, November 16 the
Cupertino City Council unanimously
appointed Jim Throop as the new
Cupertino City Manager.
Throop is a seasoned local
government manager with more
than 23 years of experience, most
recently as Lompoc City Manager, as
well as 11 years in the private sector
as a Senior Financial Analyst for large
corporations. He previously served
as Oxnard Chief Financial Officer,
Paso Robles Director of Administrative
Services, and Pinal County, Arizona
Director of Budget and Research.
Throop was born in Orange County
and holds a Bachelor of Arts in
Economics from the University of
Southern California and a Master’s
in Business Administration from
Chapman University. He is married
with four grown children and enjoys
bicycling, motorcycling, cooking, and
wine tasting.
“I want to thank the Cupertino City
Council for this honor,” said Throop.
“I look to this new adventure as the
pinnacle of my career, and I look
forward to working with the Council,
staff, and the community.”
Cupertino’s Sixth Cycle Housing Element Update (2023-2031) is
continuing to make progress and needs your input! To learn more
about the project and provide your feedback, visit the Housing
Element webpage at engagecupertino.org/housingelement.
This page is the project hub of online activity, including important
information, updates, engagement opportunities, and more. It
will be updated regularly in multiple languages throughout the
Housing Element Update process. You can subscribe for updates
and visit the webpage frequently to engage in the process,
provide feedback, find key documents, see upcoming meeting
dates and times, and learn other information.
The City held a Housing Element Update Community Workshop
on December 9, 2021. The workshop was a great success and
had over 40 participants learn about the City’s Housing Element
Update and the Cupertino Housing Simulator (aka the Balancing
Act). You can view the video under “Past Meetings & Details” on
the project webpage.
The Cupertino Housing Simulator is available now for the public
to provide input on where to focus future housing opportunities
in Cupertino at city-of-cupertino.abalancingact.com/
housingsimulator.
Lastly, Cupertino property owners who may be interested in future
housing development should complete the Property Owners
Form. For those that complete the form, the City may reach out
for further information, if necessary. Find the form at bit.ly/31Iauhl.
We look forward to continuing to work with the Cupertino
community and creating a successful Sixth Cycle Housing
Element Update with an approach that aligns with our
community’s goals, values, vision, and priorities.
Participate in the Housing
Element Update
City Council
Approves and
Welcomes Jim
Throop as New
City Manager
3
On Tuesday, December 21, following rigorous public
process, the Cupertino City Council approved modified
applicant-requested revisions to the prior entitlements of
the Westport Cupertino project.
While the originally proposed revisions reduced a level
of underground parking, increased the size of some
senior market rate units, and reduced the square
footage of retail, following Council’s feedback at its
December 7th meeting, the applicant returned with
proposed changes that restored the approximate
original amount of retail, restored approximately
half of the proposed parking reduction, and also
included design changes to the project to improve
its connectivity with the surrounding community.
The changes and Council’s unanimous approval
allow the project to move forward immediately
toward construction.
The decision follows the City’s issuance of demolition
permits in October and November of this year—with
below-market-rate building permits ready to be issued
this month—for a project that promises to be the largest
residential development breaking ground in Cupertino
in more than five years.
The project site, located at the former Oaks Shopping
Center on Stevens Creek Boulevard across from De
Anza College, has been revised to now include a total
of 259 housing units, including:
• 48 senior below-market-rate units
• 123 senior assisted living units
• 70 townhome condominiums
• 18 rowhouse condominiums
• 35 memory care rooms
On August 18, 2020 the City Council approved permits
to allow construction of a mixed-use development on
the 8.1 gross-acre site formerly occupied by the Oaks
Shopping Center.
For more information, visit cupertino.org/westport.
Westport Cupertino:
Project Changes and Updates
4
D o you know someone who should be recognized for their
efforts in volunteering, sustainability, or public safety?
For more than 30 years, the City of Cupertino has recognized
its outstanding community members with an awards program.
Hundreds of residents and community organizations have been
honored with the award, now known as the CREST (Cupertino
Recognizes Extra Steps Taken) Awards.
For the past four years, the City has presented awards in six
categories to better reflect the Cupertino community. The
categories are:
•Lifetime Achievement Award (Volunteer) – Recognizes
a member of the community who has volunteered in
the City of Cupertino for 10+ years.
•Volunteer of the Year – Recognizes individuals who have
made a difference to the Cupertino community through
volunteer service.
•Organization of the Year – Recognizes organizations that
have made a difference to the Cupertino community
through volunteer service.
•Rising Star Award (Volunteer) – Recognizes an individual
who has volunteered in Cupertino for three or less years
but shows a continued commitment to the future of the
Cupertino community.
•Public Safety Champion of the Year – Recognizes an
individual or group that has made an out-standing
contribution to the safety of Cupertino.
•Sustainability Champion of the Year – Recognizes a person
or group committed to maintaining a sustainable and
healthy place to live, work, and play in Cupertino.
Award criteria and nomination requirements are on the
application form, which can be found at the link at the bottom
of the page. The nomination form is now 100% online to make
it easier and more convenient for the public to nominate their
candidate. Please be as detailed as possible. Nominations are
due by Friday, March 11 at 5 p.m.
cupertino.org/crest
The City of Cupertino’s annual Work
Program guides some of the major
efforts of the City for the upcoming
fiscal year. The City Work Program
ensures that staff efforts are aligned
with the goals set by the Mayor
and City Council, and thus, the
community. This approach keeps
the City transparent and holds us
accountable to focusing resources
on strategies that best serve our
community’s needs and aspirations.
Past goals have included: public
engagement and transparency,
sustainability, housing, transportation,
and quality of life. The City is
reaching out to ask our community
members what they feel should be
the goals for the Fiscal Year 2022-
2023 City Work Program.
Please submit your suggestions
by Sunday, February 13, 2022.
Suggestions and feedback will be
presented to the City Council for
consideration.
If you need assistance with the
survey, please call (408) 777-3314
or email astridr@cupertino.org.
To take the two-question
survey, visit cupertino.org/
cityworkprogram.
Take the
City Work
Program
Survey
2022
5
The City of Cupertino is developing
a comprehensive Local Road Safety
Plan (LRSP). The LRSP will enable the
City to enhance traffic safety for
all modes of transportation and for
all ages and abilities. The LRSP will
provide a framework for identifying,
analyzing, and prioritizing roadway
safety improvements on local roads.
The LRSP will be achieved through a
decision-making process that relies on
the evaluation of a comprehensive
collision database, partnership with
stakeholders, and public outreach
using the four “E’s of traffic safety:
Engineering, Enforcement, Education,
and Emergency Medical Services,
with proven countermeasures
and phasing. It also consists of a
monitoring mechanism, as well as
policy guidelines for City staff and
the members of the community
to evaluate effectiveness of the
plan and which will serve as a living
document that can be updated to
reflect changing needs and priorities
in the City.
Participate in the City’s Local
Road Safety Plan by visiting
engagecupertino.org/lrsp to provide
your feedback and to report your
area of concern.
The Mary Avenue Protected Bikeway Project has been
completed on the new roadway layout. It is located on Mary
Avenue between Steven’s Creek Boulevard and the Don Burnett
Bicycle Footbridge.
After being freshly resurfaced, the new configuration along Mary
Avenue switches the position of parking lanes and bike lanes,
with bike lanes now adjacent to the curb to provide greater
protection for cyclists.
Additionally, there is now space separating the parking lanes
and bike lanes to reduce the chances of vehicle doors from
intruding into the bike lanes.
Finally, the project narrows travel lanes in both directions to
discourage drivers from speeding. These improvements are
intended to eliminate conflicts between moving vehicles
and cyclists.
Help keep our roads and bicyclists safe by not parking in the bike
lane, and spreading the word about the new protected bikeway.
New Protected
Bike Lanes
on Mary AvenueProvide
Input for the
Local Road
Safety Plan
6
The relaunch of the Via-Cupertino community shuttle
program has been a success over the past three
months. After a year-long pause due to the COVID-19
pandemic, Via-Cupertino was relaunched in October
and ridership has grown steadily since then, despite
the Omicron variant.
Via-Cupertino relaunched with new hours of operation,
new vans, and new fares. Service resumed on October
19, 2021 with a fleet of nine new vans Chrysler Pacifica’s
and Dodge Caravans. The vans now feature bicycle
racks (except for the two wheelchair accessible
vans). For greatest protection during the COVID-19
pandemic, riders are required to wear face coverings
and plexiglass dividers have been installed between the
driver and passengers.
Noteworthy Statistics:
•The busiest days of the week are Tuesdays and
Wednesdays, with up to 45 trips per day.
•The busiest time of day is 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
•The most popular pickup spots are Cupertino High
School, Monta Vista High School, and Kennedy
Middle School.
Aside from the heavy student use, the next most
popular drop-off and pick-up stop is the Sunnyvale
Caltrain Station.
By mid-January, Via-Cupertino vans have completed
16,274 trips with 1,313 of those being completed since
service resumed this October.
For fares, hours of operation, service maps, and more
information, visit cupertino.org/shuttle.
For many years, the City of Cupertino has worked
toward the acquisition of the 7.83-acre site located
west of the Lawrence Expressway and to the east
of Saratoga Creek, known as Lawrence-Mitty. The
property was historically used for agriculture and
beginning in the 1970’s, the property was used for
construction stockpile storage and staging by the
Santa Clara County Roads and Airports Department.
The City has recently acquired the Lawrence-Mitty site
and is in the process of annexing this property from
San Jose into Cupertino’s jurisdiction. This annexation
is anticipated to be complete by March 2022.
The City intends to develop this site as a park facility,
which will include the extension of the San Tomas
Aquino-Saratoga Creek Trail. The City is excited about
this opportunity to plan for and develop a park and
trail facility on the Lawrence-Mitty site. The first steps to
developing this park will be to develop a Master Plan
that will reflect community needs and strive toward
the goals laid out in the 2020 Parks System Master
Plan adopted by the City Council. This site will offer
residents, especially those living in the eastern portion
of the City, the opportunity to experience a sizable,
green space for leisure and play.
Via-Cupertino:
Making Up for Lost Miles
Lawrence-Mitty Park
and Trail Master Plan
For more information and to stay up to date with the project, visit engagecupertino.org/lawrencemitty.
7
Organics and
Recycling
Collection
The 6 Main Elements of SB 1383
Contamination
Monitoring
Education
and Outreach
Capacity
Planning
Procurement
Edible Food
Recovery
Contamination
Monitoring
Education
and OutreachProcurement
Edible Food
Recovery
What is SB 1383?
SB 1383 is set of regulations designed to reduce
emissions of short-lived climate pollutants by reducing
the amount of organic waste sent to the landfill.
Why is this law important?
The State of California is committed to reducing
greenhouse gas emissions, improving public health,
and creating a more resilient economy. We all need to
do our part to keep food scraps, yard trimmings, paper,
and cardboard out of the landfill.
What is the City of Cupertino doing?
There are six main elements of SB 1383 that apply to the
City of Cupertino.
1.Organics and Recycling Collection: One of the
main requirements is ensuring that everyone has
access to recycling and organics collection, which
Cupertino already has available to all customers.
Carts and bins are also required to be certain
colors: trash must be gray or black, organics
must be green, and recycling must be blue. All
containers should have a clear label showing
what does and does not go into them. Recology
recently finished swapping out tan organics carts
for green, but if you still have a tan cart, please
email environmental@cupertino.org.
2.Contamination Monitoring: The regulations require
waste audits to be conducted on each trash,
recycling, and organics route regularly to check
that materials are being sorted correctly. Recology
and City staff will work together to complete the
required auditing, so you may see staff “flipping
lids” on carts or looking in commercial dumpsters.
3.Education and Outreach: The City is required to
conduct outreach to residents, schools, businesses,
and edible food generators annually. While
the City currently provides an annual sorting
education, we will be expanding our efforts and
ensure material is translated into other languages.
4.Capacity Planning: Because these new regulations
should dramatically increase the amount of
organic materials collected and edible food
recovered, the City is collaborating with other
jurisdictions in Santa Clara County to make sure our
processing system can manage all the material.
5.Procurement Requirements: All jurisdictions in the
state, including Cupertino, must procure a certain
quantity of products (such as compost, mulch,
and renewable energy) made from the collected
organics. The compost provided to residents
at the Compost Site helps us with this goal, but
we will need to do much more. We will also be
working on updating the City’s Environment
Purchasing Policy to ensure that we purchase
recycled-content paper.
6.Edible Food Recovery: Businesses that generate
edible food are required to connect with food
recovery organizations to recover as much food
as possible. Jurisdictions in Santa Clara County
have organized a system to connect businesses
and recovery organizations and collect data as
required by the regulations.
Cupertino’s City Council adopted an ordinance
in October 2021 which sets the City on a path
to compliance.
To learn more about food waste and how the new
state law will impact you, visit our website at cupertino.
org/sb1383. To see the full regulation please visit
calrecycle.org.
Organic Waste Reduction in Cupertino
8
The Santa Clara County Library
District (SCCLD) is excited to
announce the release of new library
card designs with a unique feature.
The three fun designs aim to inspire
patrons to Create, Dream, and
Discover unlimited possibilities, all
of which can happen with a free
SCCLD library card! These one-of-a-
kind library card designs include a
lightbulb, cloud, and magnifying glass
on the front where you can draw or
write to personalize your card. You
can use your library card at all of the
SCCLD locations, the Bookmobile, as
well as the Online Library.
Everyone is invited to get a free
library card. Current patrons are also
welcome to replace their card with
one of the new designs.
Learn more about what the library
can offer you by visiting sccld.org.
The Cupertino Library Expansion project is nearing
completion! The new multi-purpose meeting rooms are
opening to the public soon, and the courtyard is expected
to open to the public in March.
Though there have been some impacts to progress due to
the COVID-19 pandemic, the construction team continues
to make good progress despite it. During January, finishes were
being installed both inside and out, the final touches to make
the job site look complete. As the contractor’s teams finish up,
the library’s Facilities and Innovation & Technology teams will
be bringing in furniture, wi-fi, and more. In the courtyard, there
will be two new art installations: one on the courtyard façade
on the new expansion wing, and on the donor wall near the
entrance to the courtyard. The installation of these art pieces
is expected later in February.
The dedication of the community that uses the Cupertino
Library for reading, research, creating, and studying, inspired
this expansion. More than 904,000 patrons visited the Cupertino
Library between July 2018 and June 2019, and that number is
expected to increase to nearly a million visitors in the coming
years. The much needed new space will allow the library to
fulfill its mission of encouraging life-long learning and self-
improvement. Library goers will be able to use this new space
for meetings, presentations, classes, and more, adding more life
and functionality to a well-loved institution.
Learn details about the project and get updates at cupertino.
org/libraryexpansion.
Create, Dream,
Discover:
Personalize Your
Library Card!
Expand the Possibilities:
Cupertino Library
Expansion Opening Soon
9
Activities,
Camps,
Classes &
Events
cupertino.org/recre
a
t
i
o
n
Registration Begins
February 8
Recreation Schedu
l
e
-
S
p
r
i
n
g
2
0
2
2
The Spring 2022 Recreation
Schedule is back in print!
Virtual program offerings available
Register for an activity today
cupertino.org/recreation
10
Get a jump start on your 2022 fitness goal by becoming a member of the Cupertino Sports Center, a 25,000+
square feet multipurpose facility. The Cupertino Sports Center features 17 tennis courts, a fitness center with
strength training and cardio equipment, free weights, two racquetball courts, indoor and outdoor sports courts,
and a complete locker room.
Additionally, the Sports Center offers free fitness classes with a membership, personal training, youth camps,
and group and private tennis lessons.
Cupertino Sports Center
Cupertino
Sports Center
An inclusive facility
featuring:
• Fitness Classes
• Racquetball
• Table Tennis
• Badminton
• Basketball
• Pickleball
• Tennis
• Gym
Become a member
for as low as
$33/mo.
Annual
membershipsas low as $33/mo
No enrollment or
initiation fees.
Come in or call
(408) 777-3160
and become a
member today!
The Santa Clara County Public Health Department recommends all
eligible members of the public who live or work in Santa Clara County
receive a COVID-19 booster shot. The booster is appropriate for everyone
ages 12 and older, five months following the last Pfizer vaccination, six
months following the last Moderna vaccination, or two months following
the Johnson & Johnson vaccination.
County clinics are taking appointments and many locations readily accept
drop-in patients for booster doses. Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson
vaccines are all available within the County. Additionally, many doctor
offices and pharmacies provide COVID-19 boosters.
Vaccinations through the County are free to the public, insurance is not
required, and there are no immigration requirements.
For more information and to book an appointment, visit sccfreevax.org.
Level Up Your Protection
– Get Your Booster Shot!
11
The Cupertino Scene is printed on post-consumer waste recycled paper with soy ink.
The newsletter is produced by a certified Bay Area Green Business and is recyclable.
For information on becoming a certified Green Business, visit cupertino.org/GreenBiz.
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CUPERTINO SCENE
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POSTAL CUSTOMER
City of Cupertino
Department Phone / Email
Building Department ...................................(408) 777-3228
Building@Cupertino.org
Business License ...........................................(408) 777-3221
BL@Cupertino.org
City Clerk ......................................................(408) 777-3223
CityClerk@Cupertino.org
City Manager ..............................................(408) 777-3212
Manager@Cupertino.org
Code Enforcement .....................................(408) 777-3182
Code@Cupertino.org
Planning Department .................................(408) 777-3308
Planning@Cupertino.org
Recreation ...................................................(408) 777-3120
Recreation@Cupertino.org
Senior Center ...............................................(408) 777-3150
SeniorCntr@Cupertino.org
Sports Center ...............................................(408) 777-3160
Recreation@Cupertino.org
Street Light Maint. .......................................(408) 777-3342
StreetDivision@Cupertino.org
Street Sweeping ..........................................(408) 777-3269
Public_Works@Cupertino.org
Tree Maint. ...................................................(408) 777-3410
Public_Works@Cupertino.org
Other Agencies
Organization Phone Number
Animal Control ........................................................(408) 794-7297
AT&T .........................................................................(800) 331-0500
California Water Service .........................................(650) 917-0152
Chamber of Commerce ........................................(408) 252-7054
Comcast ..................................................................(800) 945-2288
Cupertino Library .....................................................(408) 540-3947
Cupertino Sanitary District: ....................................(408) 253-7071
Cupertino Union School District .............................(408) 252-3000
Fremont Union High School District .......................(408) 522-2200
Hazardous Waste Drop-off .....................................(408) 299-7300
PG&E .........................................................................(800) 743-5000
Project Sentinel (Landlord/Tenant Issues) .............(408) 720-9888
Recology (Garbage & Recycling) ........................(408) 725-4020
San Jose Water Company .....................................(408) 279-7900
Santa Clara Registrar of Voters ..............................(408) 299-6863
VTA (Transportation Authority) ...............................(408) 321-2300
Vector Control, Santa Clara County ....................(408) 918-4770
First Responders
Emergency Calls ...................................911 or (408) 299-3233
(Police, Fire, Medical)
Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office ..............(408) 299-2311
(Non-Emergency)
Santa Clara County Fire Department ...........(408) 378-4010
(Non-Emergency)
Need to report an issue or have a City-related question?
Visit: cupertino.org/cupertino311 or call (408) 777-3200.
City Directory