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
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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.
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CUPERTINO SCENE
Cupertino City Hall
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Cupertino, CA 95014
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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 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