HomeMy WebLinkAboutScene November 2021 - 11.01.2021 PLUS: VACCINE BOOSTER ELIGIBILITY | ENVIRONMENTAL RECYCLING DAY IS BACK
| PREPARE FOR FLOOD SEASON
Ready to Ride?
Via-Cupertino is
on the Road Again
NOVEMBER 2021
A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE CITY OF CUPERTINO
SCENE
FEATURES
3 Via-Cupertino is
Here!
The City’s popular community
shuttle service is back! Learn how
to ride and get discounted passes.
5 Participate in the
Housing Element Update
Learn about how the City is preparing to plan
for future housing, and how you can share
your thoughts.
IN
S
I
D
E
8 Be Prepared for Floods
Learn what you should do to get
ready for the rainy season.
6 Sorting Out Food Waste
Learn some tips on collecting food
waste for your organics bin during
the holiday season, and help fight
climate change.
12 Directory and Contacts
Keep this list of the most useful
contacts for the City of Cupertino.
11 Parks and Recreation
Updates
Find upcoming holiday events,
and more!
Questions or comments about The Scene? Contact staff at scene@cupertino.org.
CONTENTS
The Winter Recreation
Schedule Is Here!
See what winter activities the City has
planned at cupertino.org/recreation.
2
Use this on-demand community shuttle to go
anywhere in Cupertino, and even select locations in the
broader Silicon Valley such as the Sunnyvale Caltrain
station, Kaiser Santa Clara, and Rancho San Antonio.
Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 7
a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
How to Use:
Via-Cupertino is easy to use, and there are multiple
ways to set up your account and call your ride.
Download the app by searching “Via” in the App Store
or Google Play. Look for the blue app icon, create an
account, and start riding!
If you don’t have a smart phone, you can also call Via
customer service to set up an account and request
rides by calling (669) 201-1892.
Fares and Discounts:
Via-Cupertino offers competitive prices to get you to
your destination.
Standard Fares Discounted Fares
One-way Fare: $4 Discounted One-way: $2
Weekly Pass: $25 Discounted Weekly: $14
Monthly Pass: $75 Discounted Monthly: $42
Weekly and Monthly Passes get four rides per day.
Additional riders will add $1 to the fare and must be
booked ahead of time. A driver will not pickup a guest
without a reservation.
To obtain a discounted fare, email the required
documents, along with your full name and phone
number, to viashuttle@cupertino.org. Required
documents for each discount are listed below:
• Senior Discount: Photo ID showing an age 65+
• Student Discount: Valid photo student ID
• Low Income Discount: Cal Fresh, Medicare or
Medicaid card
• Disabled Discount: Valid disabled placard and
registration card
More Features:
• Two vans are wheelchair accessible, and vans will
come directly to disabled riders
• Bike racks on all vans for cyclists
• COVID-19 safety protocols in place for drivers and
riders to ensure safety of the whole community
Join an upcoming informational presentation to learn
more about the service, ask any questions, and get help
setting up your account. The event will be Wednesday,
November 17 at 11 a.m. at the Senior Center, 21251
Stevens Creek Boulevard.
For more information, visit cupertino.org/shuttle.
Riding Through Cupertino in Style with Via
The highly-anticipated Via-Cupertino Shuttle is officially back in service!
3
COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at preventing severe
COVID-19 illness and death. Hundreds of millions of people have
now received these safe and effective vaccines. The Santa Clara
County Public Health Department strongly recommends that
anyone aged 12 and above get vaccinated now.
COVID-19 Pfizer booster shots offer additional security for those
who are at high risk for complications from COVID-19 due to age
or pre-existing conditions.
Did you receive two doses of the Pfizer vaccine and want a
booster?
Pfizer boosters are now available in Santa Clara County for
those eligible. Boosters offer additional security for those who
are at high risk for complications from COVID-19 due to age or
pre-existing conditions.
Make an appointment for your booster at sccfreevax.org.
People eligible for a Pfizer booster:
• People 65 years and older
• Residents of long-term care facilities
• People ages 18-64 with an underlying medical condition
(people over 50 with an underlying medical condition are
strongly encouraged to get a booster shot)
• People ages 18-64 at risk of COVID-19 exposure because of
occupational or institutional setting
At this time, boosters are available only to those who received
their second Pfizer dose at least six months ago.
If you are 18-64 years old, ask yourself:
• Do you have an underlying condition that puts you at serious
risk of COVID-19 complications?
• Do you work in a setting such as health care that puts you at
a greater risk for exposure to COVID-19?
• Do you live in a congregate setting that puts you at greater
risk for exposure to COVID-19?
• Do you live with someone who is at high risk for serious
COVID-19 disease?
When arriving at the appointment, expect the following:
• Provide proof of the received two previous Pfizer doses
(vaccination card)
• May be asked to show proof of identification
• May be asked to sign an attestation form indicating
the criteria to receive the booster shot is met
The cities of Cupertino, Saratoga, and
Campbell are honored to announce
that they have received a prestigious
Helen Putnam Award from the League
of California Cities for the “Pizza and
Politics” political forum for teens.
The program, implemented in 2012, is
facilitated during election years (2012,
2014, 2016, 2018, 2020), and is typically
a live televised event. The event
was created by teens and for teens,
encouraging their engagement and
understanding of the civic process.
The forums have included debates
from candidates competing for
positions in the local school districts,
city councils, California State
Assembly Districts 28, as well as
regional Democratic and Republican
representatives speaking on behalf
of presidential candidates. All events
have had very strong attendance
with more than 125 audience
members during live events and
500-plus views from live event and
on-demand recordings.
The goals of the event are to expose
youth and teens to an official political
forum in which they would be able
to take a participatory role, as well
as create awareness to the current
election topics at-hand, which would
allow teens to take an active role
in civic engagement and prepare
themselves to become informed
citizens when they reached legal
voting age.
The cities of Cupertino, Saratoga,
and Campbell thank the League of
California Cities for recognizing the
collaboration between our cities to
help inform our youth.
COVID-19 Vaccines:
What to Know about Boosters
Pizza and Politics
Receives Prestigious
Helen Putnam Award
4
Pre-Approved ADU Program
Expected to Bring Affordable
Housing to Cupertino
The City Wants to Hear from You about
Cupertino’s Housing Element Update Process
The City of Cupertino is pleased to announce the implementation of a Pre-Approved Accessory Dwelling
Unit (ADU) Program, which is expected to bring much-needed affordable housing to Cupertino. The program,
created at the direction of the Cupertino City Council, provides for a streamlined process that saves applicants
time, and potentially money.
The City is currently on track to double its permitted ADUs compared to last year, even before the pre-approved
ADUs program was implemented. The City has also exceeded its projected number of ADUs by more than
250%. This follows the City’s actions in 2018 to slash its permit fees by upwards of 75% down to less than $2,000. In
addition, the City has flexible ADU standards that allow ADUs in all single-family and residential hillside districts,
with less required setback than required by state law and minimal parking requirements.
On October 5, the Cupertino City Council directed
staff to provide a robust public outreach effort as part
of its Housing Element update. Outreach will include
more than a dozen community and public meetings,
as well as online engagement to help obtain input
from the public. The City is currently preparing for the
Sixth Cycle Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA)
and Housing Element update, which covers the 2023
- 2031 planning period. The Housing Element is part of
Cupertino’s General Plan and identifies policies and
programs to meet the housing needs of the City’s
current and future residents at all income levels. State
law requires that every city and county in California
adopt a Housing Element approximately every eight
years to reflect the RHNA for each jurisdiction.
The City anticipates that it will be required to plan for
the development of more than 4,500 housing units
during the upcoming eight-year cycle, which is a 331%
increase from the last cycle. The City must complete its
Housing Element update by January 2023.
More information can be found currently at cupertino.
org/housingelement with online engagement to be
held in the future at engagecupertino.org.
In addition, the City’s Housing Element encourages the increased supply of ADUs to provide affordable housing
opportunities that meet the City’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). To implement this General Plan
policy, the City has worked to incentivize the production of ADUs. As part of these efforts, the City has reduced
building permit and impact fees and adopted modifications to development standards.
For more information on the pre-approved ADU plans, visit cupertino.org/aduplans.
Accessory Dwelling Units Permitted by Year and Type
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021*
Attached/Conversion 0 1 11 9 10 8 12 18
Detached 8 4 7 3 5 7 8 7
Total 8 5 18 12 15 15 20 25
*Numbers reflect only half of 2021
5
Food Waste in
the Organics Cart
Environmental Recycling
Day is Back!
Saturday, November 13 from 8 a.m. to Noon
The 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!
Starting January 1, 2022, residents and businesses must
put all food waste and food soiled paper in their green
organics waste cart or bin instead of the trash. This is
part of California’s new Short-Lived Climate Pollutant
Reduction Strategy, which was designed to reduce
methane pollution from food waste and other organic
materials ending up in the landfill.
It can be easy to collect your food waste with these tips:
1.Request a free kitchen collection container at
cupertino.org/foodscraps
2.Line your kitchen collection container with a BPI
certified compostable plastic bag or a paper bag.
3.Empty your container often.
4.Some people freeze their scraps until pick-up day,
which helps prevent rotting, keeping your bin
cleaner.
5.Remove food from containers and other packaging
unless it is paper packaging. Pizza boxes, paper
to-go boxes, Chinese food paper boxes are all okay
to put in your cart. No glass or plastic!
6.Adding collected food waste to your cart after
there are yard trimmings already in the cart will help
keep it cleaner.
7.If you have tips that are working for you, let us know!
Email environmental@cupertino.org.
Questions about sorting your waste? Visit cupertino.org/foodscraps.
Drive through and unload your yard waste, construction debris,
electronic waste, or paper for shredding at De Anza College Parking
Lot A, 21250 Stevens Creek Boulevard. Rain or shine, the event will
take place on Saturday, November 13 from 8 a.m. to noon.
No appointment necessary, free to any Cupertino resident!
For more information on accepted items, visit cupertino.org/
environmentalday.
6
Neighboring
Property
100 ft
30 f t
ZONE
1
ZONE
2
ZONE
3
10 ft
Ready, Set, Go:
Be Prepared for Wildfires
Cupertino to Receive
Approximately
$1 Million For
Wildfire Prevention
and Emergency
PreparednessCupertino is in a very high fire hazard severity zone, and it is
vital for residents to be prepared for wildfires.
The Santa Clara County Fire Department’s Ready, Set, Go
program walks you through the steps you should take to ensure
your home and family’s safety.
READY
• Create a three-zone defensible space by removing dead
plants, grass, and weeds from your property
• Harden your home by using ember-resistant materials on your
roof, windows, and deck
SET
• Have a wildfire action plan for your family, including exit
routes, meeting locations, and a communications plan
• Prepare an emergency kit with essential items to grab and
go when needed
GO
• Be ready, take action, and leave early for the best chance of
surviving a wildfire
• If you get trapped inside your home, keep your family
together and call 911 as soon as possible while keeping doors
and windows closed and unlocked
View more details and instructions from the Santa Clara County
Fire Department at sccfd.org/rsg.
The City of Cupertino is pleased
to announce that it will receive
approximately $1 million for wildfire
protection and mitigation as well as
small business resiliency.
On Saturday, September 18, California
State Representatives announced a
multimillion-dollar budget investment
in wildfire prevention and emergency
preparedness for communities in the
West Valley. In total, the West Valley
will receive $7 million for wildfire
prevention and emergency services.
The City of Cupertino, in partnership
with other West Valley cities, is
prioritizing wildfire prevention and
mitigation. Should a wildfire or any
type of disaster occur, Cupertino will
have the capability to coordinate a
regional response.
The City also values its small
businesses. The City will launch a
business continuity and resilience
program to provide resiliency
improvements and technical
assistance. This funding will help small
business withstand any emergency
and stay in operation in Cupertino.
7
As we have seen from the recent California wildfires, an extreme dry season can create
hazardous conditions. The same can be said for an exceptionally wet season, which can cause
flooding to creeks, ditches and even to neighborhood streets and properties. As we begin this year’s
rainy season and with much of the community still working remotely, residents should remain cognizant
of any potential flood risks surrounding their property and be prepared for flooding possibilities, especially
those who reside in a FEMA designated Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA).
BE PREPARED FOR FLOODS
The following tips will help you to plan,
prepare, and protect your family and home:
• Know your flood risk: Visit floodsmart.gov and/or
valleywater.org/floodready.
• Get flood insurance ahead of time: There is a
mandatory flood insurance purchase requirement
if you live in a FEMA designated SFHA and have a
federally insured mortgage. For property owners
who currently possess flood insurance, be sure to
inventory and photograph your home’s contents
and put important papers and insurance policies
in a safe place. Even if you don’t live in an SFHA,
you can get extra protection by purchasing flood
insurance. To find a local agent call 1(800) 427-4661.
• Protect your home from flood threats: Valley Water
offers free filled sandbags. Check www.valleywater.
org/floodready for locations.
• Build responsibly in floodplains - Construction within
SFHA zones has special requirements. Physical
alterations to buildings can be made to reduce risks
and flood insurance premiums, such as elevating a
structure.
• Keep creeks clean and flowing: Healthy, flowing
creeks reduce flood risks by carrying storm water
away from properties and roads. Report blockages
and dumping in creeks to Valley Water at (408) 630-
2378 or 1 (888) 510-5151 anytime.
• Turn around, don’t drown: Avoid floodwaters.
• Make a family emergency plan and a 3-day
emergency kit: Agree on a meeting spot and
plan a safe route to higher ground. Put together
an emergency kit with tools and supplies, non-
perishable food, and water.
• Download disaster and emergency apps: Download
Santa Clara County’s emergency preparedness
app “ReadySCC” and the Red Cross Flood app on
your smartphone.
The following property protection advice
and assistance services are provided by
the City of Cupertino to further help
residents prepare for potential flooding:
• Contact the Cupertino Public Works Department at
408-777-3354 to check whether your house is in or
out of a FEMA designated SFHA, to get assistance
with onsite flooding and drainage issues and/or to
schedule a site visit.
• City staff can provide FIRM information, a
handout on the mandatory flood insurance
purchase requirement, and maps showing
floodways, problems not shown on the FIRM, and
historical flood information.
• City staff possess elevation certificates for some
buildings located in the floodplain and may
have one on file for your property.
• Visit the self-serve sandbag station just outside the
City Maintenance Yard parking lot located at 10555
Mary Avenue to obtain free pre-filled sandbags.
• Contact the Cupertino Public Works Floodplain
Manager at (408) 777-3354 to ensure compliance
with special requirements.
• Contact the Cupertino Building Department at
(408) 777-3228 to get a permit before you build.
Checkout “What You Should Know Before You Hire a
Contractor”, which is available to download at cslb.
ca.gov/About_Us/Library/Guides_And_Publications.
• It is illegal to dump anything into a creek or a storm
drain in the City of Cupertino. Residents can report
dumping incidents to the City by calling (408) 777-
3269 during business hours and 911 after hours and
on weekends.
• Additional information on flood preparedness is
available on the Cupertino website at cupertino.
org/emergency.
8
How we can work together to protect Cupertino from flooding:
• The city’s storm drainage system is composed of street gutters,
storm drain inlets, and pipes that connect the inlets to local
creeks. This system drains street runoff into the creeks and
channels on the valley floor.
• Residents can assist the city and help protect your immediate
neighborhood from localized flooding by sweeping gutters
regularly, placing swept material in the garbage, and
checking that nearby storm drain grates are not covered with
leaves or litter. Residents should abide by street sweeping/no
parking signs to allow the city to keep the gutters clean and
the storm drain system flowing.
• In the fall, before the rains start, city maintenance crews
vacuum out city storm drain inlets, and check for any
evidence of hazardous materials in the drains. This cleaning
prevents any illegally dumped materials that may be sitting in
the inlets from washing into our creeks with the first rains.
Cupertino’s minimum wage will
increase to $16.40 per hour beginning
January 1, 2022.
Employees:
• Covered employees include
anyone who performs two hours
or more of work per week in
Cupertino.
• Covered employees are entitled
to these rights regardless of
immigration status.
Employers:
• Post official notice in the
workplace informing employees of
the rate increase and their rights.
• Must document all hours worked
and keep records for four years.
• Retaliation against employees
exercising their rights is unlawful.
For more information and resources,
please visit cupertino.org/wagewatch.
Cupertino 2022
Minimum Wage
Increase
9
Holiday Light Tour
The holidays are quickly approaching, and the City of Cupertino is calling
on you and your holiday spirit! Decorate your house or yard for the
Cupertino Holiday Light Map that will guide families as they drive around our
neighborhoods taking in the festive decorations.
To include your home on the Cupertino Holiday Light Map, submit your
information at bit.ly/lightmap2021 by 5 p.m. on Friday, November 12.
Breakfast with Santa
Saturday, December 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Quinlan Community Center
You and your family are invited to Breakfast with Santa! The elves will be
cooking up some of delicious North Pole Pancakes and providing fun holiday
crafts for kids. Pictures with Santa stage and event layout will be adjusted to
allow physical distancing.
Register at bit.ly/3BiGmG6.
Signing with Santa
Saturday, December 11 from 2 p.m. 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/3BgEmxX.
Santa Visits
December 11, 12, 17, 18, and 19
Santa and his elf have decided to take a break from the North Pole and visit
the beautiful City of Cupertino – this special opportunity is sure to be a treasured
family memory.
Registration must be done in-person at the Quinlan Community Center. For
more information on Santa Visits, please call (408) 777-3120.
Tree Lighting
Friday, December 3 at 6 p.m.
Quinlan Community Center
Ring in the holiday season with the City of Cupertino as we light up the
community tree! Tree Lighting is an outdoor event and may be canceled due
to weather. Admission is free, but pre-registration is required.
Register at bit.ly/treelighting21.
These events are subject to change based on local, state, and federal direction related to COVID-19.
Holiday Events
10
Current Hours
The Cupertino Senior Center is open Tuesday and
Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for classes and front
desk assistance. The front desk is available to assist
with in-person registration, membership, and general
questions.
It’s Easy To Become An Adult 50+ Member
• Be at least 50 years or better
• Register for membership (available at the Senior
Center or online)
• Cupertino resident price $25. Non-Cupertino resident
price $30.
Each membership includes access to Adult 50+
programs, services, classes, socials, and mailing of the
newsletter.
Adult 50+ Gift Cards
Looking for a gift for a friend or family member ages 50
and better? Give a gift card to be used for membership,
classes, and more. Gift cards are available for purchase
at the Cupertino Senior Center front desk.
Adult 50+ Activities
See Cupertino Senior Center
activities and classes in the
most recent newsletter at
cupertino.org/senior.
Cupertino Senior Center
21251 Stevens Creek Boulevard
Phone: (408) 777-3150
Email: senior_center@cupertino.org
Website: cupertino.org/senior
The City would like to know how much you know about
the resources available to seniors in Cupertino.
There are a variety of organizations and programs in and around Cupertino that help address the
needs of seniors relating to technology, housing, food supply, transportation, and mental and physical
health and well-being, and the City wants to know what resources you know and don’t know about.
Take our senior resources assessment survey at engagecupertino.org/seniorresources.
Thank you for helping the City assess what resources the senior population in Cupertino is aware of
and uses most frequently.
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
Cupertino City Hall
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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