CC 03-19-02CU?ER INO
APPROVED MINUTES
CUPERTINO CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, March 19, 2002
CALL TO ORDER
At 5:15 p.m. Mayor Lowenthal called the meeting to order in the Community Hall of the
Cupertino Senior Center, 21251 Stevens Creek Boulevard.
ROLL CALL
City Council members present: Mayor Richard Lowenthal, Vice-Mayor Michael Chang, and
Council members Sandra Jmnes, Patrick Kwok, and Dolly Sandoval. Council members absent:
None.
Staff present: City Manager David Knapp, Administrative Services Director Carol Atwood,
Assistant City Attorney Eileen Murray, Community Development Director Steve Piasecki,
Public Information Officer Rick Kitson, Public Works Director Ralph Qualls, Senior Architect
Terry Greene, and City Clerk Kimberly Smith.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None
NEW BUSINESS
1. Consider sale of surplus property, Oak Valley lots, Resolution No. 02-051.
Lot 2, Tract 9075 (APN 342-59-002) on Canyon Oak Way
Lot 11, Tract 9054(APN 342-58-011) on Hammond Way
Lot 13, Tract 9075 (APN 342-59-013) on Serra Street
Kwok/Chang moved and seconded to reject the only bid received, and to direct staff to
review the minimum bid prices and the approach for determining minimum acceptable
bids for all three lots to re-advertise for a second auction at a time to be determined,
based on recommendations from staff during budget hearings in June 2002.
STUDY SESSION - Cupertino Civic Center and Library Projects
Presentation on the conceptual design of the Civic Center and New Library. Approval of
Final Conceptual Design of the Cupertino Civic Center and the new Cupertino Public
Library.
Public Works Director Ralph Qualls reviewed the highlights of the conceptual design for
the Civic Center Plaza. It included a new library, a new community hall, and a
reconfigured parking lot, sidewalk and plaza, all tied into to the existing city hall building
by a colonnade.
Cathy Simon, Senior Partner with SMWM Amhitects, reviewed a slide show and a model
of the plaza and buildings. She discussed the types of events that could be held in the
community hail, its patios, and in the plaza area. The library building will also include a
small cafe that opens onto the plaza. She reviewed the plan of the library and its interior
courtyard.
Mary Margaret Jones, Landscape Architect with Hargmve Associates, reviewed the plans
for the plaza area and the small gardens on either side of the new community hail. The
plaza design would be mostly level, with some seating terraces forming a small
amphitheater. They propose an interactive water feature with jets that can be turned off
to make the space available for other uses. The additional trees will be planted in an
orchard theme recalling Cupertino's history, and there will be improved circulation and
parking with additional trees.
Ralph Qualls said the next update to Council would include a progress report on the
schematics, including textures and finishes. They anticipate starting construction in
spring of 2003, and occupancy is scheduled for October 2004. He said the budget does
not include the orchard in the plaza or the new paving on Torre Avenue, but it does
include furniture for the buildings and outdoor spaces.
The Council members expressed their approval of the conceptual plans, and offered the
following suggestions:
Sandra James suggested a fountain in the library courtyard, vines on the colonnade, and
art for the plaza or library, She also asked that the buildings be made as "green" as
possible for energy conservation.
Richard Lowenthal said a drive-through book drop was vital, and thought the Teen
Commission should be asked whether they preferred one large group study area or many
smaller ones. He suggested that urban planning expert be consulted about ways to draw
people into this space. Also, the Parks and Recreation Department should participate in
programming this space to make it an active area. He felt the area should have some low-
level light oriented toward the business area but without negative impacts on the
neighbors.
Leslie Burnell, HoIlyoak Drive, asked if there would be an immediate need for
expansion. He said the librarians should be consulted about their future needs. He also
said that City Hall was already overcrowded and asked if the community hall can be used
for Council meetings in addition to the Library.
Julie Farnsworth, Deputy County Librarian, said the city owns the library building, but
the staff, computers, books, etc. are the responsibility of the county. She said librarians
had one significant concern about the shape of the courtyard. All of the librarians wanted
a larger library, but the expense was too great, and they are satisfied that they will be
happy with the design for the 54,000 sq. ft. building. Although there will be no room for
expansion, the new library will have about one square foot per capital, which is the
standard to which most communities are building.
Patrick Kwok suggested that staff also get some input from seniors on this project.
Michael Chang agreed with the suggestion for more focus groups including the Teen
Commission and seniors. He asked for meeting rooms for up to 40 people, and said the
wooden colonnades must be designed so they age well. He asked for estimates on the
cost of staffing, maintenance, and cafe operation, both inside and outside the buildings.
He also suggested that the library enter into an agreement with DeAnza College for
loaning materials.
Kathy Stakey, a member of the Library Commission and local resident, said at the last
public meeting it was said the library was 55,000 sq. ft., and now it is shown as 54,000
sq. ft. She asked if there were plans for future expansion. Ralph Qualls said that the cafe
is not counted in the square footage, and this is being planned as a complete concept.
Any additions would have to be done on one side of the building.
Yuhfen Wu, a member of the Library Commission, said tonight she was speaking as a
member of the public. She said they would need to enforce rules and policies about food
and drinks in the library. She said the library would need as much space as possible,
because people still prefer reading from books instead of from computers or laptop
computers.
James/Chang moved and seconded to approve the final conceptual plans. Vote: Ayes:
Chang, James, Kwok, Lowenthal, Sandoval. Noes: None.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourn to a study session on the Sports Center project, Monday April 1 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.
in the Council Chambers.
Ki~it~
For more information: Staff reports, backup materials, and items distributed at the meeting are
available for review at the City Clerk's Office, 777-3223.
Televised Council meetings and this particular study session may be on Cable Channel 26, and
may also be viewed on demand at w~.cLmertino.org. Videotapes of the televised meetings are
available at the Cupertino Library, or may be purchased from the Cupertino City Channel, 777-
2364.