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HomeMy WebLinkAboutScene October 2020 - 10.01.2020 PLUS: 2020 GENERAL ELECTION INFORMATION | CYBERSECURITY TIPS TO PROTECT YOUR DATA | #CUPERTINOCARES SPOOKTACULAR HALLOWEEN GIVEAWAY The Future of Housing Development Projects on the Horizon OCTOBER 2020 A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE CITY OF CUPERTINO SCENE October 4 through October 10, 2020 is Mental Health Awareness Week. Although this issue contains a number of topics that I hope you find helpful in your day to day life, I thought I would focus on mental health. I was recently talking with a friend of mine about all of the fires and resulting air quality effects, on top of COVID-19, and the heat events. It’s enough to dampen all of our moods as we attempt to isolate as much as possible. Just when temperatures dropped, we couldn’t open our windows or exercise outdoors because of the dangerous air quality. 2020 has been quite a year for all of us. During the darkness of the smoke, I realized how affected I am by sunlight and being outdoors. I have also made an effort to get together with my friends outside, socially distanced, because social interaction is very important to me, and good in supporting mental health. It really should be that we are ‘physically distancing’ to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community, not ‘social distancing.’ Take the time to do the things that take care of your mental health. You can read more about mental wellness, as well as some strategies on how to cope with emotional stress on page 5. Deborah Feng City Manager FEATURES 3 2020 Election: What You Need to Know The 2020 General Election is fast approaching! Make sure you’re registered to vote and make a plan to cast your ballot. 4 Cupertino Celebrates 65 Years October 2020 marks the 65th anniversary of the City of Cupertino’s incorporation. Learn more about the history of the City. IN S I D E 11 Live Fitness Classes Missing your favorite recreation classes? You don’t have to since they’re all online! 5 Mental and Emotional Wellness During the Pandemic It can be hard to cope with loneliness and anxiety in uncertain times. Never hesitate to reach out, and remember you are not alone. 12 Directory and Contacts Keep this list of the most useful contacts for the City of Cupertino. 8 Protect Yourself from Catalytic Converter Theft Follow these tips from the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office to prevent becoming a victim of catalytic converter theft. Questions or comments about The Scene? Contact staff at scene@cupertino.org. MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS CONTENTS 2 Casting Your Ballot is Easier than Ever: 2020 Election Information Cupertino Connect: One App for Everything The 2020 election is fast approaching! As a voter, you will help decide who will lead us. You make your voice heard on important issues that affect the future of our community. Every time you use your right to vote, our democracy grows stronger. Voting in Santa Clara County has never been easier! The first step is to register to vote. You can register online and check your voter registration status at registertovote.ca.gov. Every registered voter will get a ballot mailed to them automatically, which you can return in the free postage-paid envelope. You can also place your completed ballot in any of the 98 conveniently located drop boxes—find the closest one to you at sccgov.org/sites/rov/VBM/Pages/VoteEarly.aspx. Take advantage of the extra time and convenience of receiving your ballot 29 days before the election with the free postage-paid return envelope— no stamp, no problem! If you choose to vote in-person, you can skip the lines and vote early starting Saturday, October 31. Find a Vote Center near you at eservices.sccgov.org/rov. For more information, visit sccvote.org or call (866) 430-VOTE (8683). Are you looking for the latest Cupertino news, events, and important updates? Do you need to apply for a permit or submit a service request? Look no further than Cupertino Connect—a new app that gives you a one stop app where all the City’s services are at your fingertips. Phone screen space is limited, and this update consolidates all the City apps on your phone to one. With the Cupertino Connect app, you can find exactly the information you’re looking for. From COVID-19 updates, to election information, and even data on the trees in your neighborhood, you can find it all in one place. Notice an issue that you want to bring to the City’s attention? Whether it’s a roadway concern, landscape issue, or complaint, you can now submit Cupertino 311 requests through the Cupertino Connect app! It’s easier than ever to select the type of issue, select a location, attach any photos, and submit your request for service. To download the app, search for “Cupertino Connect” in the app store. For more information, visit cupertino.org/311. City of Cupertino Election The elected officers of the City of Cupertino consist of five Councilmembers who are elected to overlapping four- year terms. The election will be held Tuesday, November 3 to elect two Councilmembers each to a four-year term. For information about the Cupertino election, including candidate statements, important dates, election- related resources, and more visit cupertino.org/election. 3 Building Cupertino City Hall Halloween Spooktacular Giveaway Halloween will be here before you know it and #CupertinoCares is celebrating with a free Halloween themed giveaway. Items include a craft kit, glow bracelets, spider rings, stickers, Halloween themed book, mini pumpkin, and so much more! Registration is required. Please visit www.reg4rec.org and search for Halloween Giveaway or Activity Number 12605. Cupertino residents only. Halloween buckets will be available for drive-thru pick-up at the Quinlan Community Center on the following days and times: • Thursday, October 22, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. • Friday, October 23, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. • Saturday, October 24, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Please be prepared to show a copy of your receipt at pick-up. Buckets not picked up on the designated pick-up days will be forfeited. Celebrating 65 Years of Cityhood On a historic day 65 years ago, the City of Cupertino officially became Santa Clara County’s thirteenth city. After hundreds of citizens took to the polls and stood up as a community to fight for incorporation, the City earned its official independent cityhood on October 10, 1955. What began as a land of fruit orchards and vineyards has transformed over the years into what many consider to be one of the most prestigious cities in the Bay Area. Known as one of the founding cities of the Silicon Valley, Cupertino is home to many well-known high-tech companies, healthcare providers, top-quality schools, and nearly 60,000 residents. As the City continues to grow and evolve today, we want to honor the past and our City’s history while celebrating the present, and we also look to the future at what’s to come for the City of Cupertino. Happy 65th birthday, Cupertino! 4 Together Apart: Mental & Emotional Wellness while Sheltering in Place Many of us are feeling the loneliness, anxiety, and frustration of being separated from our family and friends as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Such prolonged social distancing is causing some people to feel isolated–especially those who are older, have chronic health conditions, depression, or other serious conditions. This should be a reminder to check on your family members, friends, and neighbors who might need extra help at this time. A personal visit (with social distancing) is the best approach and could make a world of difference for someone who is feeling helpless and alone. If distance is an issue, contact their local law enforcement and request a well-being check if you think someone might need assistance. Here’s what you can do to help cope with emotional stress during infectious disease outbreaks: 1. Manage your stress. Stay informed by referring to credible sources for updates on the local situation. Stay focused on your personal strengths. Maintain a routine and make time to relax and rest. If you are sick, stay home from school and work. 2. Be informed and inform your family. Become familiar with local medical and mental health resources in your community. Avoid sharing unconfirmed news that may create unnecessary fear and panic. Give honest, age-appropriate information to children and remember to stay calm—children often feel what you feel. 3. Connect with your community. Stay connected with family and friends virtually. Accept help when you need it from people you trust. If you know someone affected by the outbreak, call them to see how they are doing, and remember to keep their confidentiality. 4. Reach out and help. Neighbors and friends with special needs may need your help, so check in with them. Consider an act of kindness, such as having a meal delivered or offering to drop off homework. 5. Be sensitive. Avoid blaming anyone, or assuming someone may be sick because of the way they look, or where they or their families come from. An infectious disease is not connected to any racial or ethnic group; speak up in kindness when you hear false rumors or negative stereotypes that foster racism and xenophobia. Don’t hesitate to act if you or someone you know needs support or assistance. If you or a loved one needs support for their emotional well-being, there are resources available 24 hours a day, seven days a week: • Are you in crisis? Call the Suicide and Crisis Line at (855) 278-4204 • Need someone to talk with? Call the Friendship Line at (888) 670-1360 For more mental health resources, visit sccbhsd.org. 5 Cupertino is a community with a high quality of life, a renowned school system, and a robust high- technology economy. The long-term vitality of Cupertino and the local economy depend upon the availability of a wide range of housing types to meet the community’s diverse housing needs. The City is committed to ensuring new opportunities for residential development, as well as preserving its existing neighborhoods. To that end, the City has policies adopted in its General Plan to focus higher density development along transportation corridors while protecting neighborhoods and ensuring appropriate transitions to the neighborhoods. The City also needs to ensure compliance with state law when reviewing and considering proposed projects, particularly residential developments. Residential developments usually mean developments that are comprised of 100% residential uses or developments where at least two-thirds of the square footage of the project comprises of residential uses. The City Council recently approved the Westport development on a 5-0 vote. The project involves the replacement of the existing Town-and-Village (71,250 sq. ft.) shopping center (The Oaks) with a mixed-use residential development consisting of 267 housing units (88 Rowhouse and Townhomes, 179 senior apartments of which 48 are affordable apartments), 27 memory care rooms, and 20,000 sq. ft. of commercial space. The project, proposed by KT Urban, also utilized a state law known as the Density Bonus law to receive a density bonus (additional market rate units above the allowed density since affordable units are provided in the project) and waivers from certain development standards, which in this case, included waivers from height, building plane, and affordable housing dispersion standards. The City Council also approved a Heart of the City Exception for retail frontage along Stevens Creek Boulevard for the project. More details are available online at cupertino.org/westport. In addition to the Westport development, the City has approved numerous residential development projects since 2016 that, when constructed, will bring much needed housing to Cupertino. Below is a summary of a few of them: • The Veranda - 19-unit senior affordable housing development and a manager’s unit; approved in May 2017, occupied in August 2019. The first project in Santa Clara County to utilize Measure A (Housing Bond) funding. The City contributed $3.672 million in funds and another $1 million through the Housing Trust Silicon Valley, which accounts for ~43% of the costs of the project. In addition, through the City’s participation in Santa Clara County’s HOME consortium, the project secured another $500,000 of funding. The Future of Housing in Cupertino 6 Short-Term Rentals On September 15, City Council adopted an Ordinance with new rules to regulate Short-Term Rentals— residential rentals of 30 days or less, such as those conducted through Airbnb or Vrbo. Under the ordinance, by January 1, all short-term rentals (STRs) must be registered with the City and pay a $200 STR Registration fee and must comply with new rules, including the following: • STRs must be an incidental use and operated by a primary resident. • Limited to 60 days for unhosted stays (no host/operator present on site). • Limited to one STR per parcel and one rental agreement per night. • Guest occupancy limited to two times the number of bedrooms within the STR, or two for a studio unit. • Commercial uses or events likely to result in violation of traffic, parking, noise, etc. not allowed. For all provisions and details, visit: cupertino.org/str. STR platforms are required to: • Prevent bookings of any STR that does not have a valid registration number with the City • Collect the Transient Occupancy Tax and remit it to the City • Retain records for three years, in case they are needed to verify compliance. It is anticipated that online registration will be available to operators by November 15, to allow STRs adequate time to register prior to the January 1, 2021 deadline. For more information or to sign up for the City’s Short-Term Rental eNotification to be notified when online registration is available, please visit: cupertino.org/str. • Marina Plaza – Replacement of a 44,000 sq. ft. commercial shopping center with a mixed-use development with 188 residential units (16 affordable units), 122 hotel rooms and 23,000 sq. ft. of commercial space; approved in September 2016. • Hamptons – Replacement of a 342-unit development with 942 units (71 affordable units); approved in July 2016. • Forum at Rancho San Antonio – 23 new independent living villas at a continuing care retirement facility, among other improvements at the facility, including the addition of 10 skilled nursing beds and a 26-bed memory care facility; approved in April 2018, construction ongoing. • Vallco (SB 35) – Replacement of a 1.2 million sq. ft. mall with 2,402 residential units (1,201 affordable units), 1.8 million sq. ft. office space and 400,000 sq. ft. retail space. In total the City has approved ~3,475 new residential units between 2016 and August 2020. Under current requirements, the City was required to zone for and approve a minimum of 1,064 residential units in the period between 2014 and 2022. The City will soon embark on a state-mandated process of updating its Housing Element (a required chapter of the General Plan) for the eight-year period between 2023 and 2030. This document must be updated by January 2023, else the City will be subject to automatic approval of certain residential projects pursuant to state law. In addition to updating the Housing Element, the City must also identify and rezone sites to accommodate housing units as required by the state for that time period. The City is committed to complying with state law, as it historically has, and will work toward meeting the state-mandated goals. 7 Protect Yourself from Catalytic Converter Theft Do Your Part: #BeCyberSmart Cybersecurity Tips to Keep You Safe Online The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office is advising residents to be aware of catalytic converter thefts. Catalytic converters, devices that control exhaust emissions in your vehicle, are made up of precious metals. As a result, thieves usually steal them to sell to scrap yards or metal recyclers. Eighteen catalytic converter thefts have been reported this year in Cupertino. That is almost 30% of all grand theft cases in the City. In one case, catalytic converters were taken from two vehicles from the same home. Something to highlight: 16 of the 18 vehicles were hybrid cars. Thieves target hybrid vehicles because they have two power sources. They have an electric motor and a petrol or diesel engine, meaning the catalytic converters are used less frequently to process pollutants. This leaves the metals inside the converter less corroded and more valuable. There are a few things you can do to reduce your chance of becoming a victim: • Park your car in a locked garage • Park your car in a way to make it harder to get underneath it • Park in a well-lit, highly visible, and trafficked area • Park in an area with surveillance cameras • Install an aftermarket antitheft device in your car A person must crawl under a vehicle and use a tool to remove the converter. It can be done quickly but can be noisy. These crimes mostly happen during the night, but there are some more brazen criminals stealing converters during the day as well. If you see any suspicious activity resembling this theft, call 9-1-1 immediately. Did you know that cybercrime will hit $1 trillion annually by 2021? Privacy breaches and data security failures are more prevalent than ever. Cyber theft is one of the leading crimes in the United States. Sadly, criminals are finding the unease of the COVID-19 pandemic a great opportunity and cyber attacks have significantly increased. October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM), which is an annual cyber security movement to raise awareness about cyber attack prevention. NCSAM is run by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance. This year’s theme is “Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart”. You can keep your information secure by taking these steps: • Take your time. Slow down and determine if the information seems unreasonable or too good to be true. • Consider the source. Were you expecting an email from the source? Is the address correct? • Keep your software patched up and use an anti- virus program. Software updates offer a significant line of defense and are easy to enable on Mac and Windows. • Use strong credentials (user ID and passwords) and change them periodically. Don’t use your banking credentials for other uses such as online shopping. • Never share personal information via email. Banks, government entities, and medical institutions don’t ask for your passwords, social security number, or bank accounts over email or phone call. Remember: It doesn’t matter how good your tech solutions are against cyber attacks if you don’t do your part - #BeCyberSmart. 8 Garbage, Recycling, and Organics Collection New Agreement & New Regulations Hidden Treasures Virtual Succulent Sale Cupertino’s current agreement with Recology expires January 31, 2021, and the City Council has authorized Cupertino staff to negotiate with Recology for a new 10-year agreement. Meanwhile, new State regulations to reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SB1383) will go into effect in January 2022 that will require Recology and City staff to work closely with all customers to keep food waste out of the landfill. As staff negotiates the new agreement, we would like to make the community be aware of the coming regulations, explain possible rate impacts, and understand which services are most valuable. We invite your participation: • Complete a survey online • Attend the City Council Study Session on this topic on October 6 To find the links to these, and for more information, visit cupertino.org/newFA. Every year since 2002 the Cupertino Senior Center, with the help of its dedicated volunteers, has offered the Hidden Treasures sale as both a fundraising opportunity and a great place to get some good deals on early holiday shopping. Though the full Hidden Treasures event is unable to happen this year, Maria Lopez is keeping the tradition alive by donating hundreds of her succulents to the fundraiser. Maria’s table is always a hit at Hidden Treasures and this year the Senior Center will be hosting her table in a virtual setting. Her succulents will be available for purchase through the Parks and Recreation Department’s ActiveNet registration portal from October 26 through October 30. Check the City’s Hidden Treasures webpage in the coming weeks to see more details about the sale and pictures of the succulents. All proceeds will be applied to the City’s Case Management Emergency Fund and the Stay Active Fund. For more information, visit cupertino.org/ hiddentreasures. 9 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 sunrise to one and a half hours before sunset. 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. to 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. Live Fitness Classes The City of Cupertino’s Parks & Recreation Department offers free live fitness classes, which you will be able to live stream from home via the Zoom app! Please download the app on your home computer or smartphone. Note: Class schedule is subject to change. For the latest information, please visit cupertino.org/ virtualrecreation. MONDAYS Zumba® with Monica | 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Zumba® routines feature aerobic intervals with a combination of fast and slow rhythms that tone and sculpt the body. TUESDAYS Bootcamp with Raychel | 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. An interval training class that mixes calisthenics and body weight exercises with cardio and strength training. No equipment needed. WEDNESDAYS Zumba Gold® with Grace | 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Zumba Gold® is a dance exercise class designed for active adults 50+. The dances feature Latin moves such as Salsa, Cumbia, Cha Cha, and more. Steps are fun and easy to follow and learn. The class is designed to help improve balance, strength, and flexibility. THURSDAY Body Sculpting with Raychel | 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Body sculpting is a muscle-toning total body workout, incorporating strength and flexibility training. No equipment needed. FRIDAYS U-Jam® with Monica | 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Join the dance party with U-Jam®, burn those calories away with easy to follow moves and high energy music. Cardio Dance with Monica | 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Join Monica for her very own Cardio Dance Class filled with Pop and Bollywood music. Read all the regulations for use of these facilities at cupertino.org/recreation. OPEN FACILITIES 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. PRSRT-STD U.S. Postage PAID Cupertino, CA Permit No. 239 CUPERTINO SCENE Cupertino City Hall 10300 Torre Avenue Cupertino, CA 95014 *******ECRWSSEDDM******* 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 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) 321-2300 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