CC 03-17-20 #1 Proclamation of Local Emergency_Written CommunicationsCC 3/17/20
#1 Proclamation of
Local Emergency
Written
Communications
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Cyrah Caburian
From:Connie Cunningham <cunninghamconniel@gmail.com>
Sent:Friday, March 13, 2020 1:37 PM
To:Deborah L. Feng
Cc:City Council
Subject:March 17 City Council Meeting Item 10, 20-7243, Re: COVID-19
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 Manager, Deb,
On further reflection about the eviction moratorium and the emergency funds for people whose jobs are impacted by
the Coronavirus pandemic, it occurs to me that the March 17, 2020, City Council Meeting, Agenda Item 10, Ratification
of a proclamation of local emergency related to COVID‐19, could be used as an opportunity to authorize immediate
actions.
The Proclamation of Local Emergency provides the authority to take a number of actions to provide for protection of life
and property. The City Council could formally ask staff to pursue a temporary moratorium on evictions of tenants facing
financial burdens due to the Coronavirus. If you have it completed, this Agenda item could be modified to include it,
perhaps.
Also, Cupertino has an existing Human Services Grant with WVCS that provides rental funds in emergency
situations. Therefore, the City, within its authority granted by the Proclamation of local emergency related to COVID‐19,
could add some funding, maybe $25,000, to give WVCS the flexibility to handle any influx of cases that may be arising in
the next few weeks.
It is important to note that emergency assistance provided to renters will flow directly to the landlord, and prevent
further trauma that the City is facing in managing the impacts of the pandemic.
Sincerely,
Connie Cunningham, self only
On Mar 12, 2020, at 7:25 PM, Deborah L. Feng <DebF@cupertino.org> wrote:
Hello Connie,
Thank you for your email. I have moved the City Council to blind copy. To respond to your second
recommendation first; the City of Cupertino has a copy of the City of San Jose staff report and are
working on this as we speak. For clarity, the City of San Jose did NOT put a moratorium on evictions for
tenants facing loss of work due to COVID‐19. Rather, it recommended to Council that they direct City
Staff to put an urgency ordinance together. This is what we are looking into.
On your first recommendation that the City set up an emergency fund, I am a little confused by your
request, given you stated part of the WVCS mission, however, I am confirming that very thing. Part of
the WVCS mission is to provide support to housing insecure people. The City is not set up to provide
these grants from the administrative burden side for what I think you are recommending below. I want
CC 3/17
Written Communications
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to express that I am not trying to be insensitive, but I want to ensure that we are supporting Cupertino
community members in the best way possible because it is the right thing to do. That is our job.
Best,
Deb
<image002.png>
Deborah L. Feng
City Manager
City Manager's Office
DebF@Cupertino.org
(408) 777-3250
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From: Connie Cunningham <cunninghamconniel@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2020 2:14 PM
To: City Council <CityCouncil@cupertino.org>
Subject: Emergency Fund for those who face eviction due to COVID‐19
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 Mayor, Vice‐Mayor, and Councilmembers:
Recommendation: That the City Council set up an emergency fund for
helping people who face eviction due to the coronavirus
pandemic. Recommend a month’s funding for an estimated 25-100 people
at $1,000. ($25,000 to $100,000). Hopefully, after a month, we will have
a better idea of whether more is needed.
West Valley Community Services provides emergency rental and
utility assistance to prevent eviction and homelessness. Project
Sentinel provides tenant/landlord counseling. They could be
asked for proposals.
Background:
A world-wide pandemic has hit our City, our County, our country and
countries around the globe. To date Santa Clara County has taken
significant steps to stop the spread of coronavirus such as requiring that
events of certain sizes be closed.
Tuesday, March 10, 2020, San Jose City Council placed a temporary
moratorium on eviction, for tenants facing loss of work due to the
COVID-19 virus.
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Along with others, I have urged City Council to place a temporary
moratorium on evictions, also. As large events are cancelled throughout
the County, the impact on workers will grow quickly. There are many
workers who cannot work from home. These are the same people who are
at risk of being unable to pay their rent if they cannot work due to the
COVID-19 crisis even if they are not sick. Teachers are among those who
live paycheck to paycheck.
Sincerely,
Connie L Cunningham, self only
⡈⡉⡊⡋⡌⡍⡎⡏Watch out for typos; Siri might be on duty.
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Cyrah Caburian
From:Connie Cunningham <cunninghamconniel@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, March 16, 2020 2:59 PM
To:City Council
Subject:Mar 17, 2020, Ratification of a Proclamation of Local Emergency Related to COVID-19 ; Thank you
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.
Mar 17, 2020, Agenda Item 10, Ratification of a Proclamation of Local Emergency Related to COVID‐19
Dear Mayor, Vice‐Mayor, and Councilmembers,
Thank you for this action that will allow our City to take swift actions to protect us all!
I thank you and City Staff for your service, especially now, for work you do on the behalf of all residents. I wish all of you
and your families good health during these trying times.
Sincerely, Connie Cunningham, self only
I will be viewing from home rather than attending. My husband and I are well.
⡈⡉⡊⡋⡌⡍⡎⡏Watch out for typos; Siri might be on duty.