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CC 12-03-2024 Item No. 12 Capitol Improvment Program Photovoltaic Systems DesignCC 12-03-2024 Item No. 12 Capitol Improvement Program Photovoltaic Systems Design Written Communications From:Srividya Sundaresan To:City Clerk; City Council; Pamela Wu; Rachelle Sander; Chad Mosley; Susan Michael Subject:Urgent Request to Exclude Cupertino Sports Center from PV/EV Project and Reassess Overall Viability Date:Tuesday, December 3, 2024 3:14:22 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 and Cupertino City Council Members, I am writing to express my concerns regarding the proposed photovoltaic (PV) and EV charging systems at the Cupertino Sports Center (CSC), as 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. 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. 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, Srividya Sundaresan From:Akshaya Padhi To:City Council; City Clerk; Rachelle Sander; Chad Mosley; Susan Michael Subject:Urgent Request to Exclude Cupertino Sports Center from PV/EV Project and Reassess Overall Viability Date:Tuesday, December 3, 2024 3:03:40 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, Akshaya Padhi From:dongmei cao To:City Clerk Subject:Urgent Request to Exclude Cupertino Sports Center from PV/EV Project and Reassess Overall Viability Date:Tuesday, December 3, 2024 2:57:02 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, 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, Dongmei Cao From:Prabhu To:City Council; City Clerk; Rachelle Sander; Chad Mosley; Susan Michael Subject:Against Proposed changes in Cupertino Sports Center from PV/EV project Date:Tuesday, December 3, 2024 2:53:19 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, From:Santosh Rao To:City Council; City Clerk; Cupertino City Manager"s Office; Chad Mosley; Susan Michael; Rachelle Sander; Jenny Koverman; Colleen Ferris Subject:Urgent Request to Exclude Cupertino Sports Center from PV/EV Project and Reassess Overall Viability Date:Tuesday, December 3, 2024 2:18:18 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, San Rao Cupertino voter, CSC member and CSC daily user