CC 04-02-2025 Item No. 10. CIP FY25-26 and 5-Year Plan_Written Communications (2)CC 04-02-2025
Item #10
CIP FY25-26 and 5-Year
Plan
Written Communications
From:Peggy Griffin
To:City Council; Susan Michael
Cc:City Clerk
Subject:2025-04-02 City Council Meeting Agenda ITEM 10 - CIP - Fund City Hall/City Hall Annex
Date:Wednesday, April 2, 2025 10:54:39 AM
Attachments:image001.png
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
PLEASE INCLUDE THIS EMAIL AS PART OF WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE ABOVE
MEETING AGENDA ITEM.
Dear Mayor Chao, Vice Mayor Moore, Councilmembers and Staff,
I believe in staying within our means if at all possible and I know our city is losing revenue from
hotel taxes and retail sales taxes so unless there is a huge windfall coming our way, we need to
make due with what we have.
City Hall and City Hall Annex
I believe the one-time funds of $64M would be best spent doing more for less.
City Hall Renovation (without added story) = $34M
City Hall Annex Renovation with EOC = $8M
TOTAL = $42M
This $42M is within the $64M available. In the Staff Report, it says that this estimate does not
include “soft costs” such as moving expenses, furniture and staffing for the project. So, the
$42M leaves enough to cover these costs.
If the city tried to do the “added story” option we would not be able to do the City Hall Annex too
without exceeding the $64M available.
Q: What would that added story provide?
Q: Is it more important than upgrading our EOC?
Q: What’s the condition/location of the EOC?
REQUEST: Please do more with less and stay within our means. Fund the following:
City Hall Renovation (without added story) = $34M
City Hall Annex Renovation with EOC = $8M
TOTAL = $42M
Memorial Park
The current plan is HUGE, excessive and would remove the open space people have grown to
love as a result of filling in the pools. For concerts and events there is so much more space to
gather, set up chairs, blankets, picnic on the ground, run around, roll in the grass.
REQUEST: Depending on the cost and feasibility, please consider upgrading the bathrooms.
This is something, no matter who you are or what event or reason you have for visiting the park,
people need restrooms and it makes the visit to the park more enjoyable.
Sincerely,
Peggy Griffin
From:Liang Chao
To:City Clerk
Subject:Fw: Cupertino Sports Center Parking Is Limited—Cancel EV and Solar Panel Project at CSC. No Hopper fleet
parking at CSC.
Date:Wednesday, April 2, 2025 1:17:51 AM
A resident asked me to be sure that comments like these are included in the written
communication doc of April 2 Council meetting.
I believe this is meant to be comments on the CIP item, so it is on one of the agenda
items.
So, I don't need to forward them in order to get them included, right?
Thanks,
Liang
Liang Chao
Mayor
City Council
LChao@cupertino.gov
408-777-3192
From: Srinivas Ketavarapu <vas2000@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2025 11:10 PM
To: Chad Mosley <ChadM@cupertino.gov>; City Council <citycouncil@cupertino.gov>; Pamela Wu
<PamelaW@cupertino.gov>; City Clerk <cityclerk@cupertino.gov>
Subject: Cupertino Sports Center Parking Is Limited—Cancel EV and Solar Panel Project at CSC. No
Hopper fleet parking at CSC.
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Mayor Liang Chao and Cupertino City Council
City of Cupertino
10300 Torre Avenue
Cupertino, CA 95014
Subject: Cupertino Sports Center Parking Is Limited—Cancel EV and Solar Panel Project at
CSC. No Hopper fleet parking at CSC.
Dear Mayor Chao and Council Members,
I am writing to request the immediate cancellation of the solar panel and EV parking project at
Cupertino Sports Center (CSC). The CSC parking lot is already heavily utilized, with
members frequently struggling to find parking during peak hours. The introduction of a
Hopper EV fleet and its drivers' personal vehicles would further strain an already limited
resource, creating unnecessary congestion and inconvenience for existing users.
The Sports Center serves a large number of residents and Lifetime Fitness members, with
many users depending on the already constrained parking lot. League matches bring in visiting
teams, further increasing demand at specific times. There is no available space to dedicate
parking to a Hopper fleet, nor should CSC members and guests have to compete with
commercial vehicle storage for parking access.
Given these factors, I strongly urge the city to cancel this project at CSC at the earliest
opportunity. Additionally, I request that the parking lot be restricted to Sports Center and
Lifetime at CSC users, with exceptions only for visiting league teams during scheduled
matches. Protecting parking access for legitimate users should remain the city’s priority.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I appreciate your commitment to ensuring city
resources are used effectively and look forward to your prompt action to keep CSC parking
accessible for those who need it.
Sincerely,
Srinivas Ketavarapu
10556 Manzanita Ct, Cupertino, CA 95014
From:Srinivas Ketavarapu
To:Chad Mosley; City Council; Pamela Wu; City Clerk
Subject:Cupertino Sports Center Parking Is Limited—Cancel EV and Solar Panel Project at CSC. No Hopper fleet parking
at CSC.
Date:Tuesday, April 1, 2025 11:11:41 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Mayor Liang Chao and Cupertino City Council
City of Cupertino
10300 Torre Avenue
Cupertino, CA 95014
Subject: Cupertino Sports Center Parking Is Limited—Cancel EV and Solar Panel Project at
CSC. No Hopper fleet parking at CSC.
Dear Mayor Chao and Council Members,
I am writing to request the immediate cancellation of the solar panel and EV parking project at
Cupertino Sports Center (CSC). The CSC parking lot is already heavily utilized, with
members frequently struggling to find parking during peak hours. The introduction of a
Hopper EV fleet and its drivers' personal vehicles would further strain an already limited
resource, creating unnecessary congestion and inconvenience for existing users.
The Sports Center serves a large number of residents and Lifetime Fitness members, with
many users depending on the already constrained parking lot. League matches bring in visiting
teams, further increasing demand at specific times. There is no available space to dedicate
parking to a Hopper fleet, nor should CSC members and guests have to compete with
commercial vehicle storage for parking access.
Given these factors, I strongly urge the city to cancel this project at CSC at the earliest
opportunity. Additionally, I request that the parking lot be restricted to Sports Center and
Lifetime at CSC users, with exceptions only for visiting league teams during scheduled
matches. Protecting parking access for legitimate users should remain the city’s priority.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I appreciate your commitment to ensuring city
resources are used effectively and look forward to your prompt action to keep CSC parking
accessible for those who need it.
Sincerely,
Srinivas Ketavarapu
10556 Manzanita Ct, Cupertino, CA 95014
From:Eiko Johnson
To:Chad Mosley; Rachelle Sander; City Council; Pamela Wu; City Clerk
Subject:Cupertino Sports Center Parking
Date:Tuesday, April 1, 2025 9:13:28 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear City Clerk,
Please include the below in written communications for the upcoming city council meeting.
Mayor Liang Chao and Cupertino City Council
City of Cupertino
10300 Torre Avenue
Cupertino, CA 95014
Subject: Cupertino Sports Center Parking Is Limited—Cancel EV and Solar Panel Project at CSC.
No Hopper fleet parking at CSC.
Dear Mayor Chao and Council Members,
I am writing to request the immediate cancellation of the solar panel and EV parking project at Cupertino
Sports Center (CSC). The CSC parking lot is already heavily utilized, with members frequently struggling
to find parking during peak hours. The introduction of a Hopper EV fleet and its drivers' personal vehicles
would further strain an already limited resource, creating unnecessary congestion and inconvenience for
existing users.
The Sports Center serves a large number of residents and Lifetime Fitness members, with many users
depending on the already constrained parking lot. League matches bring in visiting teams, further
increasing demand at specific times. There is no available space to dedicate parking to a Hopper fleet,
nor should CSC members and guests have to compete with commercial vehicle storage for parking
access.
Given these factors, I strongly urge the city to cancel this project at CSC at the earliest opportunity.
Additionally, I request that the parking lot be restricted to Sports Center and Lifetime at CSC users, with
exceptions only for visiting league teams during scheduled matches. Protecting parking access for
legitimate users should remain the city’s priority.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I appreciate your commitment to ensuring city resources are
used effectively and look forward to your prompt action to keep CSC parking accessible for those who
need it.
Sincerely,
Eiko Johnson, CSC member
From:Vikas Shah
To:Chad Mosley; Rachelle Sander; City Council; Pamela Wu; City Clerk
Subject:Cupertino Sports Center Parking Is Limited—Cancel EV and Solar Panel Project at CSC. No Hopper fleet parking
at CSC.
Date:Tuesday, April 1, 2025 4:47:31 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear City Clerk,
Please include the below in written communications for the upcoming city council meeting.
Mayor Liang Chao and Cupertino City Council
City of Cupertino
10300 Torre Avenue
Cupertino, CA 95014
Subject: Cupertino Sports Center Parking Is Limited—Cancel EV and Solar Panel
Project at CSC. No Hopper fleet parking at CSC.
Dear Mayor Chao and Council Members,
I am writing to request the immediate cancellation of the solar panel and EV parking project at
Cupertino Sports Center (CSC). The CSC parking lot is already heavily utilized, with
members frequently struggling to find parking during peak hours. The introduction of a
Hopper EV fleet and its drivers' personal vehicles would further strain an already limited
resource, creating unnecessary congestion and inconvenience for existing users.
The Sports Center serves a large number of residents and Lifetime Fitness members, with
many users depending on the already constrained parking lot. League matches bring in visiting
teams, further increasing demand at specific times. There is no available space to dedicate
parking to a Hopper fleet, nor should CSC members and guests have to compete with
commercial vehicle storage for parking access.
Given these factors, I strongly urge the city to cancel this project at CSC at the earliest
opportunity. Additionally, I request that the parking lot be restricted to Sports Center and
Lifetime at CSC users, with exceptions only for visiting league teams during scheduled
matches. Protecting parking access for legitimate users should remain the city’s priority.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I appreciate your commitment to ensuring city
resources are used effectively and look forward to your prompt action to keep CSC parking
accessible for those who need it.
Sincerely,
Vikas Shah
10396 Paradise Dr, Cupertino 95014
From:Ravi Kiran Singh Sapaharam
To:Chad Mosley; City Council; Pamela Wu; City Clerk
Subject:Concerns Over Unfunded EV and Solar Projects
Date:Tuesday, April 1, 2025 2:10:56 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the
content is safe.
Dear City Clerk,
Please include this in written communications for the upcoming city council meeting.
- - -
Subject: Concerns Over Unfunded EV and Solar Projects
Dear Mayor Chao and Council Members,
I am concerned about the proposed EV charging and solar PV projects lacking grant funding. Spending $7.2 million without external support is fiscally
irresponsible. I urge you to defund these projects, except the SVCE grant-funded Service Center EVCS expansion, to ensure responsible budgeting.
Sincerely,
Ravi Kiran Singh
Resident of Cupertino
Sources
[1] Cupertino invests in solar panels for greener government buildings ... https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?
a=https%3a%2f%2flocalnewsmatters.org%2f2025%2f02%2f16%2fcupertino-invests-in-solar-panels-for-greener-government-buildings-amid-funding-
concerns%2f&c=E,1,Fle8KL9g8f4u2Bxpxjy61anJeMRDlwLPY5g9InZxIxOzLAPywfXYirYLpVhH9HhnTgr6dsPHyD690gsJ8Xl4EJah5vq9UQkdBv-fbg-
ZhqxR&typo=1
[2] [PDF] CC 02-19-2025 - CITY OF CUPERTINO - Calendar https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?
a=https%3a%2f%2fcupertino.legistar.com%2fView.ashx%3fM%3dE2%26ID%3d1266553%26GUID%3d35029DA8-C9D3-42C9-893B-
AA025CD62A30%26G%3d74359C04-A5F0-4CB2-A97A-
0032996BB90E&c=E,1,gIH3fCR3qg_xz75LJ_KyGk3e4jp59TnJSHzOrzKosXViFzptEYdFOuhOGo_X4hs9EtNnix4q5-
L2J7NoCl2y3xOqgZDtjRYGIskw1auDiARlBKQ,&typo=1
[3] Cupertino Union School District Announces Solar and EV Charging ... https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?
a=https%3a%2f%2felectrifynews.com%2fnews%2fev-chargers%2fcupertino-union-school-district-announces-solar-and-ev-charging-with-
engie%2f&c=E,1,YUbge_qrlRtOQPJg66P5fWdFwJHwhkoD9wpOWf4OMY9Sz0Z8NshyZYsPhCL14UU4mUhxtAj3KSTNkhZw26HGZCtDTU9PH-
kp39oQbF_F6q9rqfjQ_8P1M8D6&typo=1
[4] Express your opinion - Cupertino Matters https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fcupertinomatters.org%2fexpress-your-
opinion%2f&c=E,1,M6-
lsJahaaEZmnJKVLOruqm2MaFwjzFHpiPtUxF3NRkARXmSrcMUtS1IBvdGVv0FDWl_6BMxIvk3mIK5uhQNTxOcup2lP0iEg_aGLFIporDA5hoLsBCon5T-
&typo=1
[5] Cupertino Union School District Announces Solar and EV Charging ... https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.engie-
na.com%2fcupertino-union-school-district%2f&c=E,1,PxCfOqoARJYDOIxECq6zOPLkPhX-sCWY1_Qi34cWT7P9Tp6YErWRo3dVGuw-
6_zq3UIQqfkU0AxWvxDKWIW1EC_BeeHiH4v_kd93HS5hykiJDbo,&typo=1
[6] Public Comments on the City Council Agenda Cupertino CA https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.cupertino.gov%2fYour-
City%2fCity-Council%2fPublic-Comments-on-the-City-Council-Agenda&c=E,1,G2UwcU2Cja3Z9QYW9gsIvmFEPzdJZMIUd-WO94rdTkprufTt3-
qaVKxBYTaTjTogzHXwistmqM2TdAAXiwpfFqujpJphbcmtiybnmZMjtrlY7SzjTg,,&typo=1
[7] Cupertino Union School District Announces Solar and EV https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.globenewswire.com%2fnews-
release%2f2024%2f02%2f07%2f2825362%2f0%2fen%2fCupertino-Union-School-District-Announces-Solar-and-EV-Charging-Stations-Districtwide-in-
Collaboration-with-ENGIE.html&c=E,1,qPspFxMNSjfdOb1WqPSeuhvX_VFmfsh_QqQtW1aYUtfcCZbgXO__-
WTTIP1oQS5zji5BcOiuXULM_sYMPmp3f5eEyMyzYbPpw4raC1dChcmxdQ,,&typo=1
[8] Liang-Fang "Liang" Chao - City of Cupertino https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.cupertino.gov%2fYour-City%2fCity-
Council%2fMayor-Liang-Fang-Liang-Chao&c=E,1,m8MI3c_FmWhUmru4mZiyYPUKH5azm1zhih4CU_HPy-
cfPwvhgD9KX7j4jeIq3Ei1qOuAemDAZ7QlFTie4a0y4ELAD_4LVdqxhqrod4GZUxxHkUf9cghfJQ,,&typo=1
From:Nita Rajput & Ravi Sapaharam
To:Chad Mosley; City Council; Pamela Wu; City Clerk
Subject:Defund EV and Solar Projects
Date:Tuesday, April 1, 2025 2:10:32 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless
you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear City Clerk,
Please include this in written communications for the upcoming city council meeting.
- - -
Subject: Concerns Over Unfunded EV and Solar Projects
Dear Mayor Chao and Council Members,
I am concerned about the proposed EV charging and solar PV projects lacking grant funding. Spending $7.2 million
without external support is fiscally irresponsible. I urge you to defund these projects, except the SVCE grant-funded
Service Center EVCS expansion, to ensure responsible budgeting.
Sincerely,
Nita
Resident of Cupertino
From:fiw325@comcast.net
To:City Clerk; City Council; Rachelle Sander; ChaddM@cupertino.org; Susan Michael
Subject:Urgent Request to Exclude Cupertino Sports Center from PV/EV Project and Reassess Overall Viability
Date:Tuesday, April 1, 2025 1:51:39 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear City Clerk,
Please include the below in written communications for agenda item 12 (Photovoltaic
Systems CIP) for the 12/03/24 city council meeting. Thank you.
Subject: Urgent Request to Exclude Cupertino Sports Center from PV/EV Project
and Reassess Overall Viability
Dear Mayor Mohan, Cupertino City Council Members, City Manager Wu, Director
Sander and Director Mosley,
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the proposed photovoltaic (PV) and
EV charging systems at the Cupertino Sports Center (CSC), which is currently part of
the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Photovoltaic Systems Design and Installation
Project. I respectfully request that CSC be removed from the list of selected sites for
this project and that the entire PV/EV project be reconsidered.
There are significant concerns regarding the viability and benefit of the project, given
the current and likely future federal funding situation. With the expected change in
federal administration, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) program, which this project
relies on for federal grant funding, may soon be terminated. Given that grants under
this program are only disbursed upon project completion, the City would need to
spend $11 million before seeing any reimbursement, which creates a substantial
financial risk. It is highly probable that by the time these funds could be approved, the
federal program will no longer be available, leaving the City without the expected
funding.
Additionally, the benefits of the Net Energy Metering (NEM) 2.0 program will only
apply if all three selected sites are operational by April 2026. PG&E must approve
permits for these sites before this deadline to secure the more favorable NEM 2.0
rates, which offer significantly greater savings than NEM 3.0. Given the complexity
and risks involved in achieving this timeline, I urge the Council to seriously consider
the financial implications of moving forward. If this deadline is missed, the reduced
compensation under NEM 3.0 combined with the likely end of IRA funding would
diminish the value of the project.
Furthermore, I urge the City to remove the Cupertino Sports Center from
consideration as a PV/EV site for the following reasons:
1. Limited Parking Availability: The parking situation at CSC is already
constrained, especially during peak hours, and the addition of EV charging
stations could attract non-regular users, further exacerbating the parking
problem for CSC members.
2. Tennis Court Impact: The proposed carports for the PV systems would need to
include lighting for safety, but these lights would cause glare that would
negatively impact tennis players on the nearby courts. Despite suggestions to
use screens, the height of the carports and short fencing on the west end would
prevent full mitigation of this issue. This is unacceptable for the tennis-playing
community.
3. Tree Removal: The proposed project would require the removal of trees in the
designated PV area, which we strongly oppose. These trees are part of the
natural beauty of CSC, and their removal would detract from the center’s
environment.
4. Disruption to CSC usage: Past public works maintenance at the CSC has
resulted in closure of the facility due to liability reasons as stated by city staff.
We CSC users want to see zero disruption and no closure of CSC for this
project. We strongly oppose the PV/EV project at CSC and ask that the CSC
site be kindly removed from consideration.
5. SV Hopper parking at CSC: Lastly, I understand that the staff report
suggests converting the CSC parking back area into a designated parking lot for
the Silicon Valley Hopper, utilizing the EV charging stations. As CSC members,
we are strongly against this proposal. Parking is already scarce, and turning the
lot into a hub for non-member vehicle parking would severely impact CSC users'
access, especially during busy times.
Given these concerns, I respectfully request that the Council NOT approve the
PV and EV systems at Cupertino Sports Center and consider rejecting the entire
PV project. The financial risks, combined with the reduced benefit if the project
timeline slips beyond April 2026, and the likelihood of federal grant funding
disappearing, make this project imprudent. Please prioritize the needs of Cupertino
residents and the long-term financial health of our city.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Fumiko Iwamura
From:Santosh Rao
To:City Council; City Clerk; Chad Mosley; Susan Michael; Cupertino City Manager"s Office; Kristina Alfaro
Subject:Urgent Request to Defund Unfunded EV and Solar PV Projects
Date:Tuesday, April 1, 2025 11:45:24 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear City Clerk,
Would you please include the below in written communications for the upcoming city council
meeting.
[Writing on behalf of myself only, as a Cupertino resident]
Subject: Urgent Request to Defund Unfunded EV and Solar PV Projects
Dear Mayor Chao and Cupertino City Council Members,
I would like to bring your attention to the table of EV charging and solar PV panel CIP
projects. Unlike previous CIP sections in the appendix document, this table does NOT
specify any grant funding coverage.
There is NO grant funding any more for these. Public Works acknowledges further below
in the appendix that in the current administration macro environment NO grant funding is
available. I had clearly called this out to you at the time this item was approved previously that
grant funding was not coming. I urge you to immediately defund these projects now. Please do
NOT pay for even a day more of consultant costs on this project.
I strongly urge you to defund all of these projects, with the sole exception of the SVCE grant-
funded Service Center EVCS expansion.
Please cancel the solar PV projects immediately. Please also cancel the Silicon Valley Hopper
EV parking project.
Spending $7 million on unfunded and prohibitively expensive solar PV installations for the
benefit of only a small subset of Cupertino residents is fiscally irresponsible. The vast majority
of Cupertino residents still rely on gasoline-powered vehicles. I urge you to act now to cancel
and defund $7.2 million in unnecessary expenditures on these projects.
Sincerely,
San Rao (Cupertino resident and voter)
From:Vikas Shah
To:Chad Mosley; Rachelle Sander; City Council; Pamela Wu; City Clerk
Subject:Cupertino Sports Center Parking Is Limited—Cancel EV and Solar Panel Project at CSC. No Hopper fleet parking
at CSC.
Date:Tuesday, April 1, 2025 4:47:32 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear City Clerk,
Please include the below in written communications for the upcoming city council meeting.
Mayor Liang Chao and Cupertino City Council
City of Cupertino
10300 Torre Avenue
Cupertino, CA 95014
Subject: Cupertino Sports Center Parking Is Limited—Cancel EV and Solar Panel
Project at CSC. No Hopper fleet parking at CSC.
Dear Mayor Chao and Council Members,
I am writing to request the immediate cancellation of the solar panel and EV parking project at
Cupertino Sports Center (CSC). The CSC parking lot is already heavily utilized, with
members frequently struggling to find parking during peak hours. The introduction of a
Hopper EV fleet and its drivers' personal vehicles would further strain an already limited
resource, creating unnecessary congestion and inconvenience for existing users.
The Sports Center serves a large number of residents and Lifetime Fitness members, with
many users depending on the already constrained parking lot. League matches bring in visiting
teams, further increasing demand at specific times. There is no available space to dedicate
parking to a Hopper fleet, nor should CSC members and guests have to compete with
commercial vehicle storage for parking access.
Given these factors, I strongly urge the city to cancel this project at CSC at the earliest
opportunity. Additionally, I request that the parking lot be restricted to Sports Center and
Lifetime at CSC users, with exceptions only for visiting league teams during scheduled
matches. Protecting parking access for legitimate users should remain the city’s priority.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I appreciate your commitment to ensuring city
resources are used effectively and look forward to your prompt action to keep CSC parking
accessible for those who need it.
Sincerely,
Vikas Shah
10396 Paradise Dr, Cupertino 95014
From:fiw325@comcast.net
To:Chad Mosley; RaychellS@cupertino.org; City Council; City Clerk; Pamela Wu
Subject:Urgent Request to Exclude Cupertino Sports Center from PV/EV Project and Reassess Overall Viability
Date:Tuesday, April 1, 2025 2:11:55 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear City Clerk,
Please include the below in written communications for agenda item 12 (Photovoltaic
Systems CIP) for the 12/03/24 city council meeting. Thank you.
Subject: Urgent Request to Exclude Cupertino Sports Center from PV/EV Project
and Reassess Overall Viability
Dear Mayor Mohan, Cupertino City Council Members, City Manager Wu, Director
Sander and Director Mosley,
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the proposed photovoltaic (PV) and
EV charging systems at the Cupertino Sports Center (CSC), which is currently part of
the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Photovoltaic Systems Design and Installation
Project. I respectfully request that CSC be removed from the list of selected sites for
this project and that the entire PV/EV project be reconsidered.
There are significant concerns regarding the viability and benefit of the project, given
the current and likely future federal funding situation. With the expected change in
federal administration, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) program, which this project
relies on for federal grant funding, may soon be terminated. Given that grants under
this program are only disbursed upon project completion, the City would need to
spend $11 million before seeing any reimbursement, which creates a substantial
financial risk. It is highly probable that by the time these funds could be approved, the
federal program will no longer be available, leaving the City without the expected
funding.
Additionally, the benefits of the Net Energy Metering (NEM) 2.0 program will only
apply if all three selected sites are operational by April 2026. PG&E must approve
permits for these sites before this deadline to secure the more favorable NEM 2.0
rates, which offer significantly greater savings than NEM 3.0. Given the complexity
and risks involved in achieving this timeline, I urge the Council to seriously consider
the financial implications of moving forward. If this deadline is missed, the reduced
compensation under NEM 3.0 combined with the likely end of IRA funding would
diminish the value of the project.
Furthermore, I urge the City to remove the Cupertino Sports Center from
consideration as a PV/EV site for the following reasons:
1. Limited Parking Availability: The parking situation at CSC is already
constrained, especially during peak hours, and the addition of EV charging
stations could attract non-regular users, further exacerbating the parking
problem for CSC members.
2. Tennis Court Impact: The proposed carports for the PV systems would need to
include lighting for safety, but these lights would cause glare that would
negatively impact tennis players on the nearby courts. Despite suggestions to
use screens, the height of the carports and short fencing on the west end would
prevent full mitigation of this issue. This is unacceptable for the tennis-playing
community.
3. Tree Removal: The proposed project would require the removal of trees in the
designated PV area, which we strongly oppose. These trees are part of the
natural beauty of CSC, and their removal would detract from the center’s
environment.
4. Disruption to CSC usage: Past public works maintenance at the CSC has
resulted in closure of the facility due to liability reasons as stated by city staff.
We CSC users want to see zero disruption and no closure of CSC for this
project. We strongly oppose the PV/EV project at CSC and ask that the CSC
site be kindly removed from consideration.
5. SV Hopper parking at CSC: Lastly, I understand that the staff report
suggests converting the CSC parking back area into a designated parking lot for
the Silicon Valley Hopper, utilizing the EV charging stations. As CSC members,
we are strongly against this proposal. Parking is already scarce, and turning the
lot into a hub for non-member vehicle parking would severely impact CSC users'
access, especially during busy times.
Given these concerns, I respectfully request that the Council NOT approve the
PV and EV systems at Cupertino Sports Center and consider rejecting the entire
PV project. The financial risks, combined with the reduced benefit if the project
timeline slips beyond April 2026, and the likelihood of federal grant funding
disappearing, make this project imprudent. Please prioritize the needs of Cupertino
residents and the long-term financial health of our city.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Fumiko Iwamura
From:Ravi Kiran Singh Sapaharam
To:Chad Mosley; City Council; Pamela Wu; City Clerk
Subject:Concerns Over Unfunded EV and Solar Projects
Date:Tuesday, April 1, 2025 2:10:56 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the
content is safe.
Dear City Clerk,
Please include this in written communications for the upcoming city council meeting.
- - -
Subject: Concerns Over Unfunded EV and Solar Projects
Dear Mayor Chao and Council Members,
I am concerned about the proposed EV charging and solar PV projects lacking grant funding. Spending $7.2 million without external support is fiscally
irresponsible. I urge you to defund these projects, except the SVCE grant-funded Service Center EVCS expansion, to ensure responsible budgeting.
Sincerely,
Ravi Kiran Singh
Resident of Cupertino
Sources
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concerns%2f&c=E,1,Fle8KL9g8f4u2Bxpxjy61anJeMRDlwLPY5g9InZxIxOzLAPywfXYirYLpVhH9HhnTgr6dsPHyD690gsJ8Xl4EJah5vq9UQkdBv-fbg-
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