HomeMy WebLinkAboutScene November 2022 - 11.01.2022
PLUS: PROTECT YOURSELF DURING FLU SEASON | VIA-CUPERTINO SHUTTLE
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NOVEMBER 2022
A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE CITY OF CUPERTINO
SCENE
FEATURES
3 Stay Healthy During
Flu Season
Learn more about the flu and how you
can protect yourself and your loved
ones by getting vaccinated.
5 Via-Cupertino is
Expanding!
New service areas and electric vehicles will
soon be available for Via-Cupertino riders.
IN
S
I
D
E
8 New Single-Use Plastic Ordinance
Learn about the new ordinance that will
help reduce plastic waste that ends up in
the landfill.
7 Small Business Saturday
Saturday, November 26 is the
day to shop local and support
Cupertino small businesses.
12 Directory and Contacts
Keep this list of the most useful contacts
for the City of Cupertino.
10 Calendar of Events
Find upcoming events, classes,
and more!
Questions or comments about The Scene? Contact staff at scene@cupertino.org.
CONTENTS
Tuesday, November 8 is the 2022 General Election!
You can conveniently vote by mail from home, drop off your ballot in a
Ballot Drop-off Box 24 hours a day, or visit a Vote Center on the dates listed
below from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For more information, visit sccvote.org.
Ready, Set, Vote!
2022 General Election
Vote Centers in Cupertino Ballot Drop-off Boxes in Cupertino
Lawson Middle School
10401 Vista Drive.
Open today through Election Day.
Cupertino City Hall (Outside)
10300 Torre Avenue
Hyde Middle School
19325 Bollinger Road
Open Monday, November 7
and Election Day.
Quinlan Community Center (Outside)
10185 North Stelling Road
Rancho Rinconada Recreation Building
18000 Chelmsford Drive
Open Monday, November 7
and Election Day.
De Anza College (Parking Lot A1)
21250 Stevens Creek Boulevard
2
To help decrease noise pollution and
improve quality of life by limiting noise
disturbances, the Cupertino City Council
passed an ordinance regulating noise
emitted by leaf blowers. These new
regulations for leaf blowers will go into effect
on November 6.
New Regulations
• Leaf blowers within City limits must be
certified by the manufacturer to produce
no more than 65 decibels at a distance
of 50 feet.
• Certified leaf blowers are often labeled
with the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) B175.2 sticker, and this
manufacturer’s label and/or product
information will be used to verify
compliance.
• Property owners are responsible for
ensuring compliance on their property
regardless of who is using the leaf blower.
How do I report a violation?
Report possible violations for verification
by the City to Cupertino311 at cupertino.
org/311. Property owners are responsible
for ensuring compliance on their property
regardless of who is using the leaf blower.
Property owners found to be in violation may
receive administrative citations.
For more information on
these new regulations,
please visit
cupertino.org/leafblowers
or contact the Planning
Division at planning@
cupertino.org or
(408) 777-3308.
New Leaf Blower
Regulations Go
into Effect
Stay Healthy
During Flu Season
Influenza, also called flu, is a contagious respiratory illness
caused by influenza viruses. It is not the same as the common
cold or COVID-19, which are caused by different viruses. The
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are warning of an early and
severe start to the flu season. Vaccinating yourself early provides
heightened protection ahead of the holiday season.
Flu can cause severe illness in some cases. Anyone can get
the flu, even healthy people, and serious problems from the flu
can happen at any age. Flu symptoms can be similar to those
of the common cold, but are usually more severe. Common
symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose,
headache, muscle or body aches, or fatigue. Some people are
more likely to get very sick from the flu, including people over
the age of 65, young children, pregnant people, people often in
crowded or poorly ventilated environments, or people who have
health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease.
Take the following steps to protect yourself and
your loved ones from flu:
• Get a free flu vaccine (more information below)
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your elbow when
you cough or sneeze
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, or an
alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Avoid close contact with sick people
• If you are sick, stay home from work or school
• If you are sick, monitor your symptoms and contact your
medical provider if symptoms get worse
• If you are seriously ill and at risk for complications from the flu,
contact your medical provider as you may need additional
treatment or hospital care
The flu shot is a safe, effective way to reduce your chance of
ending up in the hospital with severe flu. Each winter, people
sick with flu crowd hospitals and urgent care clinics. You need
a flu shot every year. The flu vaccine offers many months of
protection, but it does not last forever. Also, the strains of
influenza in the community change over time.
You can even get your free flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster
on the same day to double-down on your protection against
viruses. Find a location near you at vaccines.gov.
3
Creating Cupertino Together:
Get Engaged with City Projects
Housing Element: Public participation is a key
component of the Housing Element Update. It allows
community members the opportunity to present
and discuss concerns and hopes for the future of
our community. You can review public documents,
see survey results, and see upcoming events and
meetings at engagecupertino.org/housingelement.
Economic Development Survey: The City of Cupertino
is researching current trends and issues about the
local economy, and as part of this effort we are
looking for input from local businesses and members
of the community. Take a few minutes to answer
the questions in a survey at engagecupertino.org/
business-and-community-survey
Lawrence-Mitty Park and Trail: The City of Cupertino
is completing the design phase of this project, and
will present an overview of the project, a report
outlining the survey feedback received, and discuss
the plans for the Lawrence-Mitty Park and Trail at an
upcoming Bicycle Pedestrian Commission Meeting on
Wednesday, November 16, and Parks and Recreation
Commission meeting (DATE TBD). Learn more and stay
up to date at
engagecupertino.org/lawrencemitty.
You can provide your input on any of these projects or
track future projects on EngageCupertino, the City’s
platform to gather community feedback, discuss
topics, and stay informed. Register for an account
with an email address, sign up for updates, and help
shape the projects in your community.
Visit engagecupertino.org.
One of the highest priorities for the City of Cupertino is proactively reaching out to the community, creating
an open dialogue and listening to feedback, and taking the public’s needs and desires into account when
moving forward with projects that help shape the future of Cupertino. No matter what you’re passionate
about—whether it’s housing, local businesses, parks, or the environment—you can share your input on what
you think will improve the quality of life in Cupertino.
Here are a few of the current engagement opportunities for ongoing projects that the City is gathering
public input on:
4
From Pilot Program to
Regional Standout
For the last three years, Via-Cupertino on-demand
shuffle has been connecting neighborhoods and
businesses in the community. During the pilot, the City
conducted several surveys to learn how people use
Via, and how the program could continue to improve.
The most common feedback we received were
requests to add service to El Camino Hospital and
Mountain View Caltrain, as well as make Via-Cupertino
an Electric Vehicle (EV) program.
We heard your feedback and are excited to
announce Via-Cupertino has been selected to receive
$8.5 million from the California State Transportation
Authority (CalSTA) to expand and become an EV fleet!
The funding will also allow Via-Cupertino to continue
operating for five more years.
Beginning in April 2023, Via-Cupertino’s service will be
expanded into the City of Santa Clara and provide
service to all of the areas shown on the map! The new
area has a total of four Caltrain stations, now including
the Mountain View Caltrain and the Santa Clara
Caltrain, where riders can take VTA’s route 60 into the
airport. There are also many new locations of interest,
including El Camino Hospital and a new zone within
the City of Santa Clara. This means Via riders can travel
to any of the destinations shown on the map for the
same flat fare.
The $8.5 million grant will also allow the fleet of vehicles
to grow from nine to 16 vans over the course of the
five-year grant. EV’s will be phased in as soon as they
are available.
Cupertino’s Transportation Division has been in
discussions with the City of Sunnyvale and City of San
José, in hopes that the program can grow over time
and serve portions of west San José and Sunnyvale.
The City is excited to continue this popular program
and expand into new areas, serving more transit and
reducing our community’s carbon footprint. For more
information, visit cupertino.org/shuttle.
Popular destinations:
Apple Park
Kaiser Permanente Hospital
Main Street Cupertino
De Anza College
Rancho San Antonio
West Valley Medical
El Camino Health Mountain View Hospital
Transit hubs:
Sunnyvale Caltrain Station
Lawrence CalTrain Station
Santa Clara CalTrain Station
Mountain View CalTrain Station
Phases of zone expansion:
Phase 1
Phase 2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
4
VIA-CUPERTINO MAP
5
Shop City Merch on the
Cupertino Online Store
Browse and purchase all things Cupertino that are
officially branded and include items such as mugs,
t-shirts, hoodies, hats, and more! Find the perfect
gift for yourself or your loved one.
Through this effort, we hope to stich our community
closer by displaying our pride in our City and
community. If you have friends and family visiting
from out of town, grab them some memorabilia so
they can always remember their time in Cupertino.
Get ready to rock a stunning shirt, show off a trendy
hat, or quench your morning coffee thirst in style
with a mug! Be sure to take a picture and share it
on social media using hashtag #WeAreCupertino to
enter into a drawing for fun prizes.
Visit cupertinostore.com.
Just in time for the holiday shopping
season, the City of Cupertino is launching
the first-ever Cupertino Online Store!
This is your chance to flaunt Cupertino
swag and show your City pride.
Do you want to help enhance the business environment
in Cupertino? Apply to join the Economic Development
Committee by 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 10.
The Committee works to market the City in a positive
light to attract and retain businesses, foster public and
private partnerships through new and existing business and
community relationships, collaborate with local businesses
to identify and eliminate any barriers to retention or growth,
and advise City Council on economic development goals
that maintain the quality of life in Cupertino.
Want to serve on another City Commission? Apply for
positions on City commissions that will have vacancies in
January of 2023, including: Bicycle Pedestrian Commission,
Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Commission,
and Technology Information and Communications
Commission. The application deadline is 4:30 p.m. on
Friday, January 6, 2023.
Applications can be submitted via the Online Commission
Application at cupertino.org/vacancies. For more details,
please see the website or email the City Clerk’s office at
cityclerk@cupertino.org.
APPLY TO SERVE ON THE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OR A CITY COMMISSION
6
New Minimum Wage
in the New Year
Starting January 1, 2023, minimum wage in Cupertino
will be increasing to $17.20 per hour. This incremental
increase ensures cost of living doesn’t outpace the
earning ability of individuals. This measure also combats
the added inflationary cost currently burdening families.
The change will cover employees performing two or
more hours of work per week in Cupertino.
Employees are entitled to these rights regardless of
their immigration status. All employers located within
Cupertino are mandated to post the official notice in
the workplace informing employees of the rate and their
rights. Businesses must also document all hours worked
and keep records for four years. For more information,
please visit cupertino.org/minimumwage.
Small Business Saturday
November 26 is Small Business Saturday – a day
that is celebrated across the U.S. recognizing small
businesses and their impact on the local economy.
Small Business Saturday serves as an excellent
reminder for each one of us to support our local small
businesses as we kick off the holiday shopping season.
To make it easier to do that, the City’s Economic
Development Division has created a new searchable
map of businesses in Cupertino. Whether you are
looking to pamper yourself or a loved one this year
with a trip to the spa or an exotic meal, be sure to
search for local businesses that offer these services.
Thank you for supporting small! The searchable
map of businesses in Cupertino can be found here:
cupertino.org/businessmap.
SHOP LOCALSHOP SMALL
7
On September 6, City Council adopted a new
ordinance to reduce the use of single-use plastic
foodware items. The new ordinance will restrict use
of single-use plastic cups, containers, and utensils
and instead require fiber-based items made from
paper, paperboard, wood, bamboo, and bagasse.
Fiber-based foodware can be put into green carts
and bins in Cupertino to be processed into compost,
right along with any food scraps or uneaten food –
no scraping or rinsing needed. Because almost any
single-use foodware still requires a lot of resources
for just a few minutes of use, the ordinance will also
require reusable foodware for dining in.
What about “compostable” plastic items? While
compostable plastics may seem like a good idea,
here in Cupertino and in much of California they are
problematic because they take too long to break
down. National standards for compostability specify
180 days, while California processors usually operate
on a 90-day cycle. Compostable plastics placed
in green carts and bins in Cupertino will end up as
contaminants that will have to get sorted out and
sent to landfill. This can be especially frustrating as
those items are often more expensive to purchase.
The ordinance will apply to cafés, restaurants, and
other food and beverage providers. Understanding
that some businesses may be unable to make the
transition in one year or may have unique packaging
requirements that cannot be met by non-plastic
items, temporary waivers are available as an option.
Additionally, City Council approved mini-grants to
help smaller businesses make the needed changes.
Outreach and education about the new ordinance
will begin in the coming months.
The new ordinance will become enforceable on
September 6, 2023. For more information, check out
engagecupertino.org/single-use-plastics.
Cupertino’s strong business base is essential to the City’s
economic success. To further enhance the quality working
relationship with companies that choose Cupertino as their
location, the City’s Economic Development Division recently
introduced the Cupertino Business Outreach Program. or
CBOP! The program is designed to facilitate a dialogue
between the private and public sectors, which provides our
team an opportunity to understand the unique needs of our local
businesses and connect them with resources.
CBOP incorporates an in-person or virtual visit to companies
located within Cupertino for a conversation with the leadership
team and an optional tour of the operations. With insights gained
during these visits, City of Cupertino hopes to double down on
supporting programs that work or create new ones to fill gaps
in addressing common business needs. Visit the CBOP page on
Cupertino’s website here: cupertino.org/cbop.
We look forward to connecting with our local companies and
becoming their go-to resource for all things business! If you would
like to schedule a CBOP visit with the Economic Development
Team, please email us at econdev@cupertino.org.
Coming September 2023:
New Single-Use Plastic
Ordinance
Supporting Local Businesses through the
Cupertino Business Outreach Program
8
Helping the Earth,
One Block at
a Time
T he holidays are a great time to start separating your plate
scrapings, peels, pizza crusts, and all other food scraps to get
them into your organics cart. Between Thanksgiving and New
Year’s, Americans waste 25 percent more food than the rest of
the year. Millions of pounds of uneaten turkey, gravy, beans,
and potatoes end up in the landfill.
Since 2010, residents of Cupertino have been encouraged
to add food waste and food soiled paper to their curbside
organics cart to be turned into compost. If you haven’t been
doing that already, now is the perfect time to start! Putting
food waste and food soiled paper in the green organics cart
isn’t just a good idea, it’s the law! Senate Bill 1383, California’s
new Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy, was
designed to reduce methane pollution from food waste and
other organic materials ending up in the landfill.
Even better than composting uneaten food is reducing the
food wasted. Smart meal planning and food storage are
essential to food waste reduction. If you are having company
over for the holidays, check out this Guestimator tool: a dinner
party calculator that estimates how much food you need to
keep guests full and happy at savethefood.com/guestimator.
Find more waste sorting and reduction tips at
cupertino.org/compost.
How can you help create a safer,
greener Cupertino? Become a
GreenBlocks Leader!
Climate change can be overwhelming
to think about, but our actions can
make an impact. By becoming a
GreenBlocks Leader, you team up with
other Cupertino residents for meetings
covering sustainability and emergency
preparedness topics such as Home
Energy, Water Conservation, Building
an Emergency Kit, and Community
Resilience. No prior knowledge is
required to join! Just attend a training
session so that you are prepared to
facilitate each meeting.
Why form a team? One neighbor might
have had solar panels installed, or has
been composting for years, or installed a
drought-tolerant garden – everyone has
valuable knowledge and experience that
we all benefit from.
Each meeting will provide ideas for steps
your household can take related to each
topic—there are options for every kind of
household! Try Quick Boost actions (Install
a Smart Thermostat, Combine Car Trips),
On a Budget actions (Take the Bus or Light
Rail, Have a Say), Renter Friendly actions
(Make a Meal Plan, Adopt a Storm Drain)
or Family Friendly actions (Eat Lower
Down the Carbon Chain,
Reduce & Reuse).
For more information, contact Marta
Drown at MartaD@cupertino.org
or (408) 777-3408.
Sort Scraps Smarter:
Compost Your
Food Waste
9
HOLIDAY EVENTS
PARKS AND RECREACTION EVENTS
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
This holiday season, the City of
Cupertino has many family-friendly
holiday events planned – each
event is full of fun activities,
celebrations, and treats. These
events are sure to get the entire
family into the holiday spirit!
View all upcoming
holiday events!
Tree Lighting
Friday, December 2 • 6 p.m.
Quinlan Community Center
Ring in the holiday season with the
City of Cupertino as we light up
the community tree! After the tree
lighting, your family will be able
to visit Santa, take festive photos,
watch a classic holiday movie,
and enjoy hot coco. For more
information, visit
cupertino.org/treelighting.
Join-A-Ranger: Night Hike and Flashlight Tour
Saturday, November 12 • 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Environmental Education Center at
McClellan Ranch Preserve
Explore the woods and nature at night,
learn about nocturnal animals’ special
adaptations, and test our heightened
senses in the dark with games and activities.
Baer Blacksmith Shop Demonstration
November 26 • 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Baer Blacksmith Shop at McClellan Ranch Preserve
Come and learn a bit about early
Cupertino history and the craft of
blacksmithing. The forge will be fired up
and blacksmithing demonstrations are
offered on these days.
Senior Activities and Classes
For adult 50+ activities and classes at
the Cupertino Senior Center, see the last
edition of the 50+ Scene at bit.ly/50scene.50+
10
Breakfast with Santa
Saturday, December 3 • 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Quinlan Community Center
Join the City for a morning full of holiday cheer!
Santa will be posing for pictures while the elves
cook up delicious North Pole pancakes. After
breakfast, join the elves in the workshop for
holiday crafts and letter writing to Santa!
Register at cupertino.org/breakfastwithsanta.
Santa Visits
December 10, 11, 16, 17, and 18
Santa is taking a break from his holiday preparations
and visiting the residents of Cupertino in his decked-
out vehicle! Families can register for the Santa
Visits program and have Santa, his elf, and the
Santamobile make an outdoor appearance at their
homes. Visits for Cupertino residents only and are
available in 15-minute increments.
To register in-person, stop by the Recreation
Office at the Quinlan Community Center.
For more information, call (408) 777-3120 or visit
cupertino.org/santavisits.
Signing with Santa
Saturday, December 10 • 2 to 4 p.m.
Quinlan Community Center
Deaf and hard-of-hearing children, along with
their families, are invited to spend time and share
their wish list with a Santa who’s fluent in sign
language. Register at bit.ly/3REIErq.
11
PRSRT-STD
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PAID
Cupertino, CA
Permit No. 239
CUPERTINO SCENE
Cupertino City Hall
10300 Torre Avenue
Cupertino, CA 95014
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POSTAL CUSTOMER
The Cupertino Scene is printed on post-consumer waste recycled paper with soy ink.
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For information on becoming a certified Green Business, visit cupertino.org/GreenBiz.
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