HomeMy WebLinkAboutScene July 2020 - 07.01.2020PLUS: CITY COUNCIL’S RESOLUTION IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE BLACK COMMUNITY
NEW APPLICATIONS FOR CITY INFORMATION | CRIME RATES IN CUPERTINO
Creating Community
Connection
Weekly activities
for all ages
JULY 2020
A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE CITY OF CUPERTINO
SCENE
Hello, Cupertino Community!
It’s been a while since I wrote to
you directly. The Scene took a
break during this pandemic to
focus on COVID-19 messaging.
Instead of the newsletter, you
should have received coronavirus
mailers in April and May outlining
City actions, community resources,
and important information. I hope
you found these messages helpful.
This issue, while trying to get back
to some sense of a regular Scene
issue, is a mixture of information we
thought would be useful for you.
I’ll harken back to a message that
I sent you early on about personal
health and taking care of yourself.
It could not be more relevant today
and in the foreseeable future!
I hope you’ve been taking
advantage of the good
weather and getting outside
in the garden and taking walks in
your neighborhood. Our Parks and
Recreation Department is offering
online exercise classes that have
been well-attended to help keep
everyone active.
The City recently opened all tennis
courts and the Blackberry Farm Golf
Course—with the social distancing
requirements in mind—to promote
an active lifestyle and a little social
interaction. I hope you’ve been
able to take advantage of these
offerings.
One last note: I have some
great news! Cupertino will have
a mobile testing site for COVID-19.
Anyone who wants to get tested,
including those that do not have
any symptoms, can get tested.
We will announce the location and
schedule in the coming weeks, so
be on the lookout!
Deborah Feng
City Manager
FEATURES
5 Welcome
Joanne Magrini
Meet the City’s new Director
of Parks and Recreation.
3 Cupertino’s Solidarity
Read the resolution unanimously passed by
City Council affirming the City’s commitment
to stand in solidary with the Black community.
IN
S
I
D
E
10 Cupertino Summer Camps
Summer camps have reopened!
Choose from a wide variety of
interests for kids of all ages.
8 Be Prepared for Wildfires
Get ready, get set, and go! Follow these tips
from the Santa Clara County Fire Department
on how to stay safe from wildfires.
12 Directory/Contacts
Keep this list of the most useful
contacts for the City of Cupertino.
6 COVID-19 and Crime in Cupertino
The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office provides
this overview of how COVID-19 and the Shelter
in Place Order has affected crime rates.
Questions or comments about The Scene? Contact staff at scene@cupertino.org.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
CONTENTS
2
WHEREAS, our country is mourning the senseless killing of George Floyd that occurred in Minneapolis on
May 25, 2020. The actions and inactions of the police officers involved were deplorable; and
WHEREAS, the most basic form of injustice and inequity occurs when a group of people feels their safety is placed
into jeopardy by the very people entrusted with ensuring their safety; and
WHEREAS, police brutality and racism against the Black community has been persistent in both our past and our
present. Systemic injustices, racism, and dehumanization are deeply rooted in our society; and
WHEREAS, it was unquestionably unfair and unacceptable when the lives of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery,
Breonna Taylor, Freddie Gray, Walter Scott, Tamir Rice, Michael Brown, Oscar Grant, and many others were taken
as a result of discrimination and inequity. These lives mattered and Black lives matter; and
WHEREAS, the unrest regarding racial injustice, particularly towards the Black community, has been building for
decades. Thoughtless violence by our own government only serves to incite more violence; and
WHEREAS, Cupertino is blessed to be a multiracial community, and we decided long ago that mutual
understanding and respect develops a much healthier, safer, and caring community; and
WHEREAS, it is important for the community as a whole to stand in solidarity with Black communities across
the country.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council does hereby affirm its commitment to stand in solidarity
with the Black community and resolves as follows:
• The City of Cupertino condemns racial inequity in general and violence against the Black community by
law enforcement in particular; and
• The City of Cupertino does not tolerate discrimination, racial injustice, or police brutality; and
• The City of Cupertino demands that Black lives matter; and
• The City of Cupertino will oppose any attempts to undermine the safety, security, and rights of members of our
community and will work proactively to ensure the rights and privileges of everyone in the City—regardless of
race; and
The City of Cupertino will promote safety, a sense of security, and equal protection of constitutional and human
rights, leading by example through equitable treatment of all by City officials and departments; and
The City of Cupertino encourages the community to stand together through peaceful exchange and discourse
to enact change and move forward towards a future with more equity and inclusion in Cupertino, California,
and our country.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a special meeting of the City Council of the City of Cupertino this 5th day of June 2020.
For more information on the City’s actions regarding this topic,
visit cupertino.org/cupertinosolidarity.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CUPERTINO CITY COUNCIL
AFFIRMING THE CITY’S COMMITMENT TO STAND IN SOLIDARITY
WITH THE BLACK COMMUNITY
On June 5, 2020,
the Cupertino City Council
unanimously approved a
resolution to stand in solidarity
with the Black community.
3
Fostering
Community
Connection
It has never been more important
to remain connected with our
families, neighbors, and community
as we navigate this difficult time
by staying at home. To help foster
positive and healthy community
connections, the City has launched
the #CupertinoCares initiative.
Each Friday, the City will post a
fun activity for residents of all ages
on its website, cupertino.org/
cupertinocares, and social media
platforms. These activities will allow
our community to write, draw, dance,
sing, and laugh together while at
home. Make sure to share your
experiences by posting photos and
videos to your social media accounts
with the hashtag #CupertinoCares, or
post in the comment sections.
July 4th is almost here and The City
of Cupertino is celebrating! The
City of Cupertino is putting together
a free 4th of July box that will include
crafts, light-up bracelets, ingredients
for s’mores, and more! If you would
like to request a box, please visit
cupertino.org/cupertinocares.
Stay strong, Cupertino. We will
get through this together.
Running for Cupertino
City Council:
2020 Election Information
The City of Cupertino’s general election will be held on Tuesday,
November 3. Two seats are available on the City Council; one
incumbent seat and one open seat.
Anyone who is a registered voter within the corporate limits of
Cupertino is eligible to run for City Council. In order to be a registered
voter in Cupertino in Santa Clara County, you must be a U.S. citizen,
18 years of age or older, and a Cupertino resident.
The first step (after registering to vote) is to file an original Candidate
Intention Statement, Form 501, with the City Clerk’s Office. You must
file this before raising or spending any funds for your campaign.
The second step is to open a campaign committee by filing an
original Form 410 with the Secretary of State and a copy with the
City Clerk. That form must be filed as soon as you either receive or
spend $2,000. These forms and the Manual 2, information for local
candidates, can be found on the Fair Political Practices Commission
website at fppc.ca.gov.
The nomination period to pull papers to run for City Council will
be open Monday, July 13. Please make an appointment with the
City Clerk and allow for at least 45 minutes. The nomination paper
must be signed by at least 20, and no more than 30, registered
voters in Cupertino. The deadline to file the nomination paper and
other documents is Friday, August 7. The nomination period will be
extended to Wednesday, August 12 if an incumbent who is eligible
to run chooses not to do so.
For more elections information, visit cupertino.org/election, call the
City Clerk’s Office at (408) 777-3223, or email cityclerk@cupertino.org.
4
The City of Cupertino is pleased to announce the
hiring of Joanne Magrini as the new Director of Parks
and Recreation. She has started on June 1, 2020.
“We are thrilled to have Joanne join us in Cupertino,”
City Manager Deborah L. Feng said. “Her experience
and positive energy will be a wonderful addition to
our Parks and Recreation Department.”
Magrini joins Cupertino after serving in a similar role for
the City of San Bruno’s Community Services Department.
In San Bruno, Magrini oversaw the Department’s five
divisions, including Administration and Recreation
Services, Parks Maintenance, Senior Services, San
Bruno Public Library, and Buildings and Facilities.
Her responsibilities included:
• Community programs and recreation activities
• Special events and event space
• Senior and library services
• Maintenance of City parks, City street trees,
street medians, open space, and facilities
“I am extremely excited to join this incredible team and
help carry on the excellent work being done to create a
positive, healthy, connected community in Cupertino,”
Magrini said.
Magrini previously served in the University of San
Francisco’s (USF) Recreational Sports Department for
over 20 years. She oversaw USF’s building operations,
which involved hiring and training staff, financial
accounting operations, and program management.
Magrini has a Master of Arts Degree in Sports and
Fitness Management from USF, and a Bachelor of Arts
in Communications with a minor in Sports Management
from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
City of Cupertino Hires Joanne Magrini
as New Director of Parks & Recreation
5
COVID-19 and Crime in Cupertino:
Criminal Activities Drop During Shelter-in-Place Order
The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office—West Valley
Patrol Division understands the community is going
through an unprecedented and challenging time.
The pandemic and resulting Shelter-in-Place Order
may be scary for residents. We also understand
residents may be more fearful about crime during this
unusual time. We’d like to assure residents that the City
of Cupertino remains a safe community and our level
of commitment to the community has not wavered.
We take pride in utilizing new and different methods to
facilitate providing an above average level of service.
Deputies who would normally work at schools as School
Resource Officers have since been repurposed through
the creation of an Order Enforcement Unit. These
deputies are dedicated to ensuring compliance with
the Shelter-In-Place Order; educating people about
social distancing, providing and checking for the usage
of masks, and depending on the phase, confirming
only essential businesses are open, and if so, also in full
compliance with the order.
While office staff are either alternating schedules or
working from home, enforcement staffing has not
changed, ensuring minimal impact to service levels.
Deputies will still afford residents with direct response,
maintaining distance where possible and utilizing
protective equipment such as face coverings and
sanitizers, but will also respond to residents through a
phone call upon request. We do not want residents
to be discouraged from requesting assistance or
reporting crime.
Calls for service have experienced a dip during the
Shelter-in-Place Order, which was in effect for all
of April. Over the past five years, the total monthly
Priority 1 calls for April ranged from three to six calls.
There were four in April of this year during the Order.
Meanwhile, the total number of Priority 2 calls saw a
30% decrease during the Order as compared to April
of 2019, and an 11% decrease in Priority 3 calls.
6
Priority 1 Calls: Life-or-death
emergency situations, typically
involving lights and sirens
Priority 2 Calls: Crimes
against a person not
considered life-threatening
Priority 3 Calls:
Nonemergencies
April Totals Priority 1 Calls Priority 2 Calls Priority 3 Calls
2015 3 368 450
2016 3 290 444
2017 5 382 444
2018 6 352 401
2019 4 327 391
2020 4 228 349
Meanwhile, with more families together at home during
the order, domestic disturbance calls increased slightly
during the month of April this year, as compared to
Aprils of years past. Robberies also saw a slight uptick
as well, likely because thieves are not able to break
into vehicles or steal in other ways. Thankfully, diligent
deputies and investigators, who continue working
investigative leads for all crimes, solved three of April’s
four robbery cases!
Commercial shopping centers have been closed
through the Order, except essential businesses, so the
pool of criminal opportunity shrunk when the number
of vehicles available to break into decreased at those
centers. This accounts for the dramatic drop in the
number of vehicle burglaries for the month of April to
only four, compared to 29 in the month of April 2019.
However, an increase in commercial burglaries seems to
have peaked in the month of March of this year at 16,
which currently accounts for the highest single month in
the last two years. Due to the increase in this particular
crime, we have strategically patrolled businesses and
adjusted our daily responsibilities so as to deter and
catch thieves. Our strategy appears to have worked as
the City experienced nine commercial burglaries in the
month of April.
Moreover, with more residents staying home, there was
also a drop in the total number of residential burglaries
during the Order. During the months of March and April,
a total of 10 residential burglaries occurred in Cupertino
compared to 20 during the same months in 2019. Crooks
do not want a confrontation with their victims, and so,
do not want to encounter residents who are home.
With more people staying home, and fewer cars on the
roads, there were also less traffic collisions during the
Order. There were only 14 traffic collisions in April of this
year. That equates to a 65% decrease in accidents, as
compared to the 40 collisions in April of 2019.
Despite the dip in some public safety and crime
categories, West Valley Patrol is staying busy. Analysts
are tracking data related to the Order and continue
collaborating via email and video meetings to
stay abreast of regional crime trends and suspects,
including utilizing digital intelligence portals for
information sharing.
Detectives also continue teaming up with other law
enforcement agencies as they did before the Shelter-
in-Place Order went into effect in order to share
information, solve cases, and arrest criminals. Task force
meetings have continued through video meetings, and
detectives stay busy with investigations on prior and
recent cases.
We are in the business of public safety, so our measure
of success is predicated on residents feeling safe. If
residents have concerns about crime or safety, we
encourage a telephone call or email so that we may
discuss concerns and provide information. The West
Valley Patrol Division may be contacted at (408)
868-6600 or by emailing SHF.WVAdmin@shf.sccgov.org.
And as always, Shelter-in-Place or not, we ask that
residents continue reporting any suspicious activity
immediately by calling 9-1-1.
2018
20
15
10
5
0
2019
Family Disturbance Calls
April of Each Year
2020
7
Neighboring Property
100 ft
30 f t
ZONE
1
ZONE
2
ZONE
3
10 ft
Ready, Set, Go:
Be Prepared for Wildfires
Cupertino 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 www.sccfd.org/rsg.
8
New Application
Allows Easier
Freedom of
Information Act
Requests
The City of Cupertino went live with
NextRequest, the online public record
request management system that
streamlines Freedom of Information
Act requests. NextRequest makes it
easy for the Cupertino community
and members of the public to make
these requests by visiting the online
portal. This system also helps the City
Clerk’s Office manage these requests.
The online portal helps residents
submit a new request as well as find
all previous requests and responsive
documents online, increasing the
odds that requestors find what
they’re looking for without having to
submit a new request. Key features
include status tracking, department
routing, multiple notifications to the
requestor, and analytics for City
staff and management to chart
efficiencies. This application aligns
with the Open Government and
Transparency Initiative for the City of
Cupertino. For more information, visit
cityofcupertinoca.nextrequest.com.
Cupertino’s street network is over 138 miles in length and
covers approximately 26 million square feet (8% of the total
area of the City). The network is an essential asset to businesses,
residents, and visitors, and is among the most valuable assets
maintained by the City. A properly designed asphalt street will
typically last 20 years without the need of total reconstruction.
However, if some conditions change, such as heavier traffic,
then reconstruction may be needed sooner. Extending the life
of pavement, as opposed to the replacement of pavement, is
the goal of the pavement management program. Over the last
six years, substantial funding and effort have been provided to
the program that had been in decline during the years of the
recession. These program resources are extending the life and
improving the condition of Cupertino’s street network, while also
saving the City millions of dollars into the future.
To support the goal of preservation, a dependable infrastructure
performance measure of a pavement condition index (PCI) equal
to or greater than 82 has been established. Achieving this PCI
goal is important as more money is spent on preservation rather
than rehabilitation, and consequently, costs to maintain the street
network are lower and it is easier to maintain that PCI level.
The Pavement Management Program Application enables
residents to explore the condition of their streets, learn what’s
involved in maintaining Cupertino’s street network, and
understand the benefits our Public Works Department pavement
management program has brought to the City of Cupertino.
View the application at gis.cupertino.org/webmap/pci/.
Pavement Management
Program App:
Learn About Your Streets
9
cupertino.org/camps
10
Mary Avenue Dog Park and Jollyman DOLA
Mary Avenue Dog Park and the Jollyman DOLA has
reopened. Users must follow the latest limitations to
the Santa Clara Country Shelter-in-Place order.
Blackberry Farm Golf Course
Blackberry Farm Golf Course has reopened. Daily
tee times are between 7:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Blackberry Farm Golf Course is following guidance
from the State of California and County of Santa
Clara regarding reopening
procedures and requirements.
Book a Tee Time: Tee times can
be reserved any time online at
blackberryfarmgolfcourse.com
or during business hours by phone
(408) 253-9200.
Cupertino Park Tennis Courts
The tennis courts at these parks are open:
• Memorial Park
• Monta Vista Community Center
• Varian Park
Sports Center Tennis Courts
The tennis courts at the Cupertino Sports Center have
reopened for Sports Center members. Sports Center
court hours will be Monday through Sunday from
8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. The Cupertino Sports Center is
following the guidance from the State of California
and County of Santa Clara regarding reopening
procedures and requirements.
Reserve a Court: Court reservations can be made
during business hours by calling the Cupertino Sports
Center (408) 777-3160.
City of Cupertino Summer Camps
Have your children been stuck inside with you for the past few months? Do they need a break from mom and
dad? The City of Cupertino has reopened summer camps!
Check out the summer camp offerings from the Parks and Recreation Department at cupertino.org/camps.
There is a camp for every child’s interest.
Read all the regulations for use of these facilities at cupertino.org/recreation.
OPEN FACILITIES
11
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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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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 Deptartment ......................(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) 777-3175
StreetDivision@Cupertino.org
Street Sweeping ................................(408) 777-3175
Public_Works@Cupertino.org
Tree Maint. .........................................(408) 777-3134
Public_Works@Cupertino.org
Other Organizations
Organization Phone Number
Animal Control ........................................................(408) 794-7297
California Water Service .........................................(650) 917-0152
Chamber of Commerce ........................................(408) 252-7054
Comcast ..................................................................(800) 945-2288
Cupertino Library .....................................................(408) 446-1667
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) 321-3300
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