CC 06-02-2020 Study Session Item No. 1 CIP Study Session_Written CommunicationsCC 06-02-20
Special Meeting
Study Session #1,
CIP Study Session
Written Comments
1
Cyrah Caburian
From:Ilango <ilangog@yahoo.com>
Sent:Tuesday, June 2, 2020 12:36 PM
To:City Council
Cc:City Clerk; Cupertino City Manager's Office
Subject:Written communications CIP Study session CC meeting Jun 2, 2020
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Dear Council members,
I reviewed the materials posted for CIP study session and here are my comments for your
consideration.
I see that the City has found another reason to push out the Bike Boulevard project.
Bike Boulevard project is one of the top priority project that helps makes the roads leading
to local schools safer for children to bike and walk to school by adding features to slow the
speed of automobiles on city streets. For some reason or other the City has not prioritized
this project for implementation/construction and this has been stalled since it was
approved and funded by the Council in 2017. If the criteria set forth in the 2016 bike plan
is to be followed, this project should be taken up first before venturing into other lower
priority projects that do not offer such wide spread safety benefits to miles of streets across
the city.
Moreover, Bike boulevards can be integrated with Green Storm water infrastructure that
helps environment & sustainability as well. Cities like Berkeley and Palo Alto have
implemented and/or in the process of implementing bike boulevards to enhance
neighborhood traffic safety by reducing the speed of automobiles to prioritize safety of
pedestrian and bicyclists. I am sure Cupertino can follow the examples from neighboring
cities.
Please see reference below:
http://www.streetfilms.org/berkeley-bike-boulevards/
https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/gov/depts/pln/transit/transportation_projects/ntsbb1/def
ault.asp
I hope the City Council prioritizes the Bike Boulevard project over other CIP projects during
the CIP session.
The main safety problem for bicycle and pedestrian safety per data (documented in the
Bicycle and Pedestrian Master plans) is in the major corridors and road crossings. Instead
of prioritizing these projects, the City has been recently prioritizing "unpaved paths" next to
residential streets that are safe and already have pedestrian sidewalks. Such "unpaved
paths" cannot even be designated as bike facilities (Class 1, 2, 3, or 4) as these types of
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paths are meant to serve primarily for recreational purposes; moreover this is not
consistent with the goals set out in the Master plan. In addition other top priority projects
such as Stevens creek blvd separated bike lane projects is not getting the needed priority
due to funds being diverted to "unpaved paths".
During the severe budget shortfall due to Covid-19, and no additional funds are projected
for CIP reserves for the next 5 years and only a minimum of $2M is being kept for
emergency purposes. I request the Council and the City to be fiscally responsible and take
a re-look at all the funded capital projects with unspent funds and defer all programs that
are non-critical and only advance the programs that have broader city wide impact to the
tax payers and community. This is what cities like Campbell are doing during this
uncertain financial times.
Thanks,
Ilango Ganga
As Cupertino Resident
on behalf of myself
1
Cyrah Caburian
From:Hung Wei <hungweichien@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, June 2, 2020 3:39 PM
To:City Council
Subject:Pubic Comment on CIP Study Session
Attachments:Capital Improvement Program Study Session.docx
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Dear Sir,
Please see attached Comment from Hung Wei re: CIP Study Session. I will to abe able to attend as I have another ZOOM
meeting. Thanks.
Best regards,
Hung (Wei)
Address: 10969 Maria Rosa Way, Cupertino
Capital Improvement Program Study Session
From: Hung Wei, resident at 10969 Maria Rosa Way, Cupertino
I, Hung Wei, would like to thanks Cupertino City staff for the extensive information
on the Capital Improvement Program - reviewing recommendations to the Funded
FY 2019-2020 Projects to be deferred one year, and Projects Proposed for FY 2020-
2021.
I’m going to speak on one particular Project. I fully support and thank the City
Council for approving and moving forward with the Regnart Creek Trail project. In
the upcoming implementation process, it is important to bring citizens together by
building goodwill and trust with the neighbors who live next to the trail.
The City has allocated $365,000 to support directly affected residences. A survey
and research on the following will provide a complete picture of what the neighbors
want and the budget needed to “make the neighbors whole”:
1) List of addresses that are eligible for fencing
2) Cost estimates for different alternatives – survey goes to each residence
3) Buy-in from neighbors on which alternative(s) they prefer. Neighbors will
need to build on a consensus on 2 to 3 options maximum, as it doesn’t make
sense to have 40 different fence styles
Please implement the proper and fair process in understanding the scope of the
issue to arrive at concrete answers – what exactly do the neighbors desire about
fencing? Is $365,000 a sufficient budget to offer a fair and rational solution?
Leadership is not about being in charge, leadership is about taking care of the
people in your charge. It’s time that leaders of our City act to take care of the people
in your charge.
1
Cyrah Caburian
From:garywong@ix.netcom.com
Sent:Tuesday, June 2, 2020 3:59 PM
To:City Council; City Clerk
Subject:Open Communications - Regnart Creek Trail - Safety Mitigation
Attachments:ValleyWater Board Trail Mitigation Support 20_0415.pdf
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Dear Mayor Scharf and Councilmembers:
I am Gary Wong, President of Campo De Lozano HOA, and speaking on behalf of the organization. We see from
Attachment B – Schedule of Construction for Currently Funded CIP Projects that the Regnart Creek Trail’s design is
complete and construction is scheduled for next year.
Despite “Design” being completed, our HOA is still very unclear as to what mitigation measures, if any, is proposed for
us. While we have met with staff from time to time, we meet, but follow‐up on action items is inconsistent. While we
understand the Council’s intent is to not micro‐manage staff, since it was a directive by the Council to solve the most
difficult problems first and to address the concerns of the residents on Lozano Lane and De Palma Lane, we would
appreciate Council members following up from time to time requesting an update. We request this because, as of
today’s date, we remain unclear as to what the City proposes for our properties.
Further, Valley Water indicated to us that they are willing to work with our properties for trail mitigation
purposes. However, such cooperation can only be initiated by the City. (Please see attached email from Valley
Water). Though we have requested so from City staff, there has been no response as to whether the City will assist in
this matter.
With the Mercury News reporting that there are 159 homeless persons counted in Cupertino, the City can no longer
deny there exists a health and safety problem. Just last week, on Bollinger and Blaney, there was a person sleeping on
the sidewalk. The City needs to formulate a humane policy for addressing homelessness and also assure residents that
our homes will be protected.
Thank you.
Gary Wong
President – Campo De Lozano HOA
1
Cyrah Caburian
From:Rajiv Mathur <exec-dir@stevenscreektrail.org>
Sent:Monday, June 1, 2020 12:57 PM
To:City Council; Cupertino City Manager's Office
Cc:Anne Ng; Subramanian Kumaraswamy; Scott Trappe
Subject:Council Meeting on 6/2/2020 - Currently funded projects
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To:
Steven Scharf, Mayor
Darcy Paul, Vice Mayor
Rod Sinks, Councilmember
Liang Chao, Councilmember
Jon Willey, Councilmember
Deborah Feng, City Manager
From:
Anne Ng, Cupertino resident and Board Member Friends of Stevens Creek Trail (FoSCT)
Subramanian Kumaraswamy, Cupertino resident and Board Member FoSCT
Scott Trappe, President FoSCT
Rajiv Mathur, Executive Director FoSCT
Honorable Mayor Scharf, Honorable Councilmembers, City Manager and Staff:
The Friends of the Stevens Creek Trail strongly encourage you to continue to fund and make progress on two trail‐
related projects, the Linda Vista Park extension to the Stevens Creek Trail and the Regnart Creek trail.
We appreciate that the COVID‐19 pandemic has created budget challenges for everyone, and understand that the city of
Cupertino must make difficult spending decisions. During the shelter‐in‐place orders, we have seen increased use of the
Stevens Creek and Saratoga Creek trails, especially by families. While restrictions on travel may ease, many residents will
still be cautious and need opportunities for exercise and recreation that they can safely access.
With the possibility of second or third wave infections in the coming months, expanding the trail network in the City is
not just a wise investment for the long term, it is an extremely cost‐effective way for the city to provide direct benefit to
residents during this unprecedented crisis. We urge you to maintain funding for both projects.
Sincerely,
Anne Ng, Subramanian Kumaraswamy, Scott Trappe, Rajiv Mathur
Friends of Stevens Creek Trail
1
Cyrah Caburian
From:Marianne Baker <marianne.baker@outlook.com>
Sent:Monday, June 1, 2020 7:28 PM
To:City Council
Subject:Request for Cupertino Trails Improvement to continue
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Dear Honorable Mayor Scharf, Councilmembers and Staff,
As a Cupertino resident and friend of the Friends of the Stevens Creek Trail, I very much hope for and
urge the continuation of funding and progress on two trail-related projects local to us: the Linda Vista
Park extension to the Stevens Creek Trail and the Regnart Creek trail.
I appreciate that necessary pandemic responses have created budgeting challenges and I understand that
the City must make difficult spending decisions. However, during the shelter-in-place orders, it has been
vital for our health (both mental and physical) to be able to continue to access the Stevens Creek and
Saratoga Creek trails as well as other MROSD parks. While restrictions on travel may ease soon, no doubt
many families like ours will continue to self-isolate as a precaution and we need safe opportunities for
exercise and recreation more than ever.
With the possibility of further waves of infection this year and beyond, expanding the trail network in and
around the City is not only a wise investment for the long term but also an extremely cost-effective way
for the city to provide direct benefit to us as residents. I again urge you to maintain funding for both
projects.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Marianne Baker
-----
E-mail: marianne.baker@outlook.com
Mobile: +1 (408) 833-9429
Web: LinkedIn
1
Cyrah Caburian
From:Govind Tatachari <gtc2k7@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, June 2, 2020 4:33 PM
To:Steven Scharf; Darcy Paul; Liang Chao; Rod Sinks; Jon Robert Willey; Cupertino City Manager's Office;
City Clerk; City Attorney's Office
Subject:Re: Agenda item 20-7311- FY2020-21 Proposed Budget related (1 of 2)
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Honorable Mayor Scharf, Vice Mayor Paul, Council Members Chao, Sinks, and Willey,
and City Manager Feng, City Attorney Minner and City Clerk Squarcia:
In continuation of my enclosed email dated May 19, 2020, here are the remaining points.
4) Expense Management Challenges and Scenarios
As part of the expense management and control
A) Please consider reprioritization and deferment of CIP projects (agenda item #19-6648
dated 6/2/2020) and
B) Please consider reprioritization and deferment of public works projects.
5) Others
To continue to get the level of service, we need to have the operations level City staff that
directly provide City services needed by the public. To manage expenses consider staff
salary cuts across the board so that the City doesn't need to furlough operations level City
staff.
Thank you for your consideration,
Govind Tatachari
Cupertino Resident
On Tue, May 19, 2020 at 6:29 PM Govind Tatachari <gtc2k7@gmail.com> wrote:
Honorable Mayor Scharf, Vice Mayor Paul, Council Members Chao, Sinks, and Willey, and City Manager
Feng, City Attorney Minner and City Clerk Squarcia:
Please include this as part of the public record. (Please ignore the earlier email with the same subject).
I have gone through major points of the 516‐page FY2020‐21 proposed budget at the link (id=27577,
name=FY202021ProposedBudgetwTOC.pdf) in the City council meeting notice.
Thank you City Manager for the cover letter which spells out the fiscal uncertainty due to current outbreak and your
overview organized as Budget balancing strategies (3.2 + .85 + .67 + 1.0 + 0.5 = 6.22 Million), Long‐Term financial
planning, Virtual activities, meetings, and services, and Embracing change and innovation.
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I wish to thank the City for virtual budget study session (agenda item 20‐7311). Here are some questions and few
suggestions to consider and help with discussions and deliberations, if any.
1) Uncertainty
Our understanding of gravity of outbreak and its potential multiyear occurance, containment strategy requirements
(including SIP) and extent of impact on different businesses and livelihood are quite unknown and evolving.
2) City council, residents and study session
Successive City council with inputs from residents and management have taken decisions to ensure the City continues
to have a solid financial foundation. A one‐hour study session seems insufficient to get inputs from residents and
deliberate on such an important topic.
3) Overall observation
City budget influences City services provided to residents. To help with better understanding and useful discussion, the
council and residents can benefit from a budget presentation that covers multiple scenarios: worst case, projected /
actuals and best case. The rest of this email will assume it.
4) Revenue Management Challenges and Scenarios
W.r. to City’s top three revenue sources have been property, sales, and transient occupancy taxes.
i) Sales tax related ‐ need multiple scenarios
ii) Property tax related (pgs 97‐99)
pg 97 pie‐chart: While it is known that the % breakdown are decided based on certain statutory conditions, a
comparative view of the % breakdown across different cities in Santa Clara county will be very helpful.
iii) Transient occupancy taxes (TOT) related ‐ need multiple scenarios
iv) Encouraging Property improvement
To help stimulate local economy and also help with sustainability and housing goals, can we discuss how the city can
incentivize and increase existing residential property improvements to move towards net‐zero goals and make it more
affordable to add ADUs.
4) Expense Management Challenges and Scenarios (in next email 2 of 2)
5) Others (in next email 2 of 2)
Thank you for your consideration,
Govind Tatachari
Cupertino Resident