CC 11-17-2020 Oral Communications_Late Written CommunicationsCC 11-17-20
#2
Report on
Committee
Assignments
Written Comments
1
Cyrah Caburian
From:City of Cupertino Written Correspondence
Subject:FW: Item 2: VM Paul update- Letters to VTA re: Measure B funding item
Attachments:Letter from PAC Vice Chair Darcy Paul - Item 12.pdf; Mountain View Ltr to VTA re Meas B 10-Year
Outlook.pdf
From: Darcy Paul <DPaul@cupertino.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2020 7:42 PM
To: City Council <CityCouncil@cupertino.org>; Deborah L. Feng <DebF@cupertino.org>; Kirsten Squarcia
<KirstenS@cupertino.org>
Subject: Item 2: VM Paul update‐ Letters to VTA re: Measure B funding item
See attached.
Darcy Paul
Vice Mayor
City Council
DPaul@cupertino.org
(408) 777‐3195
November 12, 2020
Board of Directors
Policy Advisory Committee
Valley Transportation Authority
Dear VTA Board and PAC Members,
I write to express my concern regarding Item No. 12 on the VTA PAC Agenda for
November 12, 2020, which is an “Information Item” to “Receive the 2016 Measure B FY2021/2022
to FY2031/2032 10-year Expenditure Outlook.”
A “Base Scenario” of no funding under Measure B for Local Streets & Road (LSR) is
problematic as a starting point for discussion. Any presentation or proposal, initial or otherwise,
should have the prior funding level as the baseline. In particular, Slide 69 of the Staff presentation
for this item at the VTA PAC meeting does not include an amount for this category.
I respectfully suggest that we take a step-wise, fair approach and not accept this report at this
time. An ad-hoc committee was formed just last month for the purpose of performing a deep dive
into each program category to understand schedules, needs and tradeoffs to inform policy
discussions and recommendations. Let us not receive this current report as “information only”
because we have not had a chance to evaluate any of the above, let alone formulate appropriate
baseline assumptions.
On a substantive level, promises were made to our communities prior to Measure B being
passed, and these promises were a significant factor in that passage. Our Cities and Towns need
funding for certain areas and we should have input prior to defining starting points that would, for
instance, remove any allocation for Local Streets & Road programs which are so very important to
our jurisdictions.
It is my recommendation that this report not be received at this point.
In fellowship and service,
Darcy Paul, Vice Mayor of Cupertino
Vice Chair
Policy Advisory Committee
November 16, 2020
Board of Directors
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
3331 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95134-1906
2016 MEASURE B 10-YEAR OUTLOOK BASE SCENARIO
Dear VTA Board of Directors:
The City of Mountain View has reviewed the 2016 Measure B 10-Year Outlook Base
Scenario presented to the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) advisory committees
on November 10 and November 12, 2020. While this base-case scenario was presented
“to begin a conversation” for Fiscal Year 2022 to Fiscal Year 2032 Measure B Program
allocations, there are built-in assumptions that are unacceptable to Mountain View as a
starting place for the 10-Year Outlook. Namely, that the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)
Phase II project is the highest priority for the next 10 years, giving it first call on the
Measure B funding, and that minimal bonding will be used to fund BART Phase II, which
results in little to no Measure B funding being available for the other Measure B programs
during this 10-year period. It is imperative that the Measure B 10-Year Outlook serve the
needs of the entire County to the greatest extent possible and not be focused on a single
project to the exclusion of the other Measure B programs.
In 2016, the voters of Santa Clara County were presented with a sales tax measure that
would fund nine program categories, with the primary goals being to improve road
pavement conditions and provide meaningful congestion relief Countywide. BART
Phase II was just one of these programs and was limited to 25 percent of the total Measure
B funds. It is understood that Measure B is a 30-year program and not all projects can be
delivered in the first 10 to 15 years, but part of maintaining taxpayers’ trust is to make
meaningful progress for all nine programs over the first 15 years of the tax (2017 to 2032),
not deferring progress on most programs until the second half of the Measure B time
period.
Prioritizing BART Phase II funding over the next 10 years in a way that eliminates and/or
significantly reduces investments in the other programs creates the following challenges
and risks.
VTA Board of Directors
November 16, 2020
Page 2
Worsening Road Pavement Conditions in the County
During the first four years of Measure B funding allocations (2017 to 2021), the Local
Streets and Roads program was set up for an annual allocation of $40 million (2017
dollars) for the 30-year Measure B period. Many cities, including Mountain View, have
been counting on this annual allocation to restore the deteriorating conditions of our
roads. Pavement in good repair is not only essential for automobiles—transit buses,
bicycles, pedestrians, and goods delivery all rely on a well-maintained street system.
Every $1 spent on pavement maintenance and repair now saves $5 to $10 in more
expensive reconstruction costs later.
Increased Costs Due to Project Delays
Several Measure B programs include capital projects that are funded through design
and/or environmental clearance. These include the Caltrain Grade Separation, Highway
Interchanges, and Expressway programs. Discontinuing work for 10 years on capital
projects that are fully or partially designed will require additional investment in updating
designs to current conditions and revisiting environmental clearances, wasting the
Measure B and local dollars already spent on these projects.
For example, Mountain View has spent $2.3 million on preliminary engineering and
environmental clearance for the Caltrain Grade Separation at Castro Street. The project
is scheduled to begin Final Design in 2021, with $10 million in Measure B funds and $1.2
million from the City, and will be ready to start construction in 2023. Likewise, the City
has invested nearly $4 million to complete the preliminary engineering and
environmental phase of the Caltrain Grade Separation at Rengstorff Avenue by early 2021
and is counting on Measure B funding to continue this project into Final Design. A delay
of 10 years for further funding will substantially increase the costs of projects due to
escalation and the need to revisit work previously completed.
In addition, while the passage of Caltrain’s Measure RR is news to celebrate, it also creates
more urgency to complete the grade separation projects in Mountain View and our
neighboring cities of Palo Alto and Sunnyvale. Caltrain has plans to increase service
levels substantially over the next 10 to 15 years. The introduction of High-Speed Rail by
early 2030 will further increase the gate down times. Without the grade separations, there
will be local road gridlock at the crossing gates and increased bicycle and pedestrian rail
crossing safety issues.
VTA Board of Directors
November 16, 2020
Page 3
Increased Delays for Long Lead-Time Projects
There are many large-scale capital projects in Measure B that take years to move through
the concept planning, preliminary engineering, and final design phases. These are
projects that are essential for Countywide congestion relief. An example of this is the
State Route (SR) 85 Measure B project. This is a highly congested corridor that primarily
serves residents of Santa Clara County accessing jobs within Santa Clara County. This
corridor needs transit infrastructure investment. The Alternatives Analysis for a transit
lane on SR 85 is currently funded, but additional Measure B funding will be required
during the 10-Year Outlook to continue with the engineering work. The next phases for
major capital projects, such as SR 85, should be considered for funding to ensure these
projects are ready for construction in the mid- to late 2030s.
Alternate Measure B 10-Year Outlook Scenarios
VTA’s Technical Advisory Committee has formed an ad hoc subcommittee to develop
recommendations for alternate scenarios to balance the needs for BART Phase II with the
needs of the other Measure B programs. The goal is to provide for Countywide benefits
from the Measure B program in the 10-Year Outlook. These scenarios will strive to avoid
or minimize reductions in the annual formula programs (Local Streets and Roads,
Bicycle/Pedestrian, and Transit Operations) and maintain progress for the capital
projects in the other programs which are already under way during this 10-year period.
To provide for a more balanced 10-year funding outlook, VTA must be open to options
for the BART Phase II project so other Measure B programs may also receive funding
during this 10-year period. These include more aggressive bonding, borrowing other
funds, and/or using other funding sources for BART Phase II as well as the possibility of
further phasing or slowing the BART Phase II project.
VTA Board of Directors
November 16, 2020
Page 4
The City of Mountain View urges the VTA Board of Directors to support a Measure B 10-
Year Outlook that balances the investments among the nine Measure B programs and
ensures Countywide benefits.
Sincerely,
Margaret Abe-Koga
Mayor
MAK/TS/6/PWK
001-11-16-20L
cc: Nuria Fernandez, General Manager, VTA
Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors
VTA Policy Advisory Committee
VTA Technical Advisory Committee
Palo Alto City Council
Sunnyvale City Council
CC, CM, CA, PWD, ATCM—Gilmore
CC 11-17-20
#20
Regnart Creek Trail
Private Fencing
Written Comments
1
Cyrah Caburian
From:Helen Wiant <helenwiant@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, November 17, 2020 4:45 PM
To:City Council; Cupertino City Manager's Office; City Clerk
Subject:Regnart Trail agenda item #20
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 Council and Staff,
I urge you to vote to allow the Regnart Creek trail to go to construction without any more votes or delays. I understand
that if this project hasn’t started construction by February, we’re facing another 8 month delay. It is great that the trail
itself will be covered by a state Measure B grant; this great enhancement to our quality of life won’t cost the city any
money. Regarding the fences, we have already committed a sufficient amount of public funds on these private land
improvements; as it stands, they are costing almost 30% of the total project and are already an unprecedented use of
public funds. I believe that what we are doing is more than sufficient to meet the concerns of the residents. There is no
evidence that any additional fencing and the associated huge expense is needed.
I am a long‐time resident of Cupertino and as an avid walker, have supported this project from the beginning because it
is a wonderful addition to the walking and biking routes in Cupertino. It connects three parks and the city center and will
give families a lovely local recreational option. With the improved McClellan bike lanes, Regnart Creek trail will complete
a safe cross‐town route.
Please vote to complete this worthwhile project for Cupertino.
Sincerely,
Helen Wiant
Cupertino resident since 1979
1
Cyrah Caburian
From:Yvonne Strom <yrthor@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, November 17, 2020 5:02 PM
To:City Council; City Clerk
Subject:Regnart Trail, agenda item #20
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 Council and Mayor Scharf,
I am a longtime resident of Cupertino, and mother of two children who completed all of their education here. From an
early age, the children enjoyed the freedom of riding a bicycle to school. They got good exercise, and often got to school
faster than their peers who were sitting in cars in the congested traffic. However, I worried about safety where bicycles
were close to traffic. Indeed, my daughter had a very scary accident when her handlebar hit a misplaced garbage bin and
she went flying into the street.
I often ride bicycle around town and I am very grateful for the tireless efforts of the Walk‐Bike community that have
advocated for improvements to the trail systems in our area. The cycling and walking routes are now more accessible
and safer for everyone, especially for those who are fortunate enough to have direct access to the trails from their
property. Now the entire community has been patiently waiting for three years for completion of the Regnart Creek
Trail. The funding has already been allocated. Let's get this done without further delay.
Yvonne Thorstenson
1
Cyrah Caburian
From:Lorien Cunningham <lorien@jumpgate.com>
Sent:Tuesday, November 17, 2020 5:17 PM
To:City Council
Cc:City Clerk; Cupertino City Manager's Office
Subject:Construct the Regnart Trail without another vote, delay or budget increase (Council agenda item 20)
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 Hon. Mayor Scharf, Hon. Vice Mayor Paul, Hon. Councilmembers Chao, Sinks and Willey,
Congratulations on your work to date to bring a successful project at Regnart Creek Trail to fruition. The additional
recreational and exercise space on this safe, off‐street trail is a great long term legacy you are investing in, for the
benefit of the community. The thoughtful planning by the City, Council, Commissions and community members at large
is a testament to collaboration, and finding common interests to design a trail project generations can enjoy and use.
Finding silver linings in the Covid‐19 situation and making use of these months of reprieve in the local traffic rhythms to
begin construction, could be an additional boon for the community to consider in your timeline as you see fit. Your
leadership to bring the Regnart Creek Trail to a successful shovel ready status to benefit all members of the community,
including those students and families who may use the trail as a Safe Route option to some of our local schools and
community resources such as the Library, is to be commended. Thank you for your hard work on behalf of the
community to move this project forward.
Writing in my individual capacity and wishing you a successful meeting.
Best,
Lori
Lori Cunningham
Trustee and Board President
Cupertino Union School District
1
Cyrah Caburian
From:Matt Widmann <mattwdmn@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, November 17, 2020 5:59 PM
To:City Council; Cupertino City Manager's Office; City Clerk
Subject:Agenda item 20, 11/17: Vote yes for Regnart Creek Trail
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 Councilmembers,
I'm a 6‐year resident of Cupertino and want to ask that you start construction on Regnart Creek Trail without further
delay or increasing its budget.
This is a great project, with a full design, that will benefit the community. Let's make sure it's ready to be used in 2021.
– Matt
1
Cyrah Caburian
From:Seema Lindskog <seema3366@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, November 17, 2020 6:28 PM
To:City Clerk; Cupertino City Manager's Office
Subject:Slide for today's public comments
Attachments:Fencing spend details Nov 17 - Seema Lindskog.pdf
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.
Hi Kirsten and Deb,
Attached is a PDF that I'd like to present during public comments. Let me know if you are not able to read it.
Thanks,
Seema
___________________________________________________________________
"You must be the change you want to see in the world." ‐ Mahatma Gandhi
1
Cyrah Caburian
From:Louise Saadati <lwsaadati@yahoo.com>
Sent:Tuesday, November 17, 2020 6:32 PM
To:City Council
Cc:City Clerk
Subject:Measure B funds will cover the Regnart Trail. Don't require another vote. (City Council agenda item
20)
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 Councilmembers and Mayor Scharf,
I am encouraging you to move the project for the Regnart Creek Trail to construction without any further delay. Do not
spend any public funds on private home owner improvement. The trail will provide a safe route for people to walk and
bike and for students to go to the library and it would reduce pollution and traffic.
I am a Cupertino resident and I urge you to continue to move forward with the Regnart Creek Trail. As we've talked
about the last three years, the trail will be a real benefit to everyone for needed recreation space, easier access to parks,
and encouragement of alternative transportation, which will make us a greener Cupertino.
This process has taken too long, and this should be the final vote. We allocated funds for this project last September,
and Measure B funds will completely cover the trail itself. Another vote isn't necessary if the construction bids come in
under budget. Three years is more than enough time for every resident to share their concerns and be heard. It should
be approved now, and start construction as soon as possible.
I do not support adding any additional costs to the projects to spend more on private fencing. The current costs for
these private land improvements are already $765,000‐‐approximately 30% of the total budget of the project. We
should not spend more city taxpayer money on individual personal property simply based on complaints and not
objective data. The Sheriff said and the environmental study show that there are not risks of increased crime or noise.
This is also a terrible precedent for future Cupertino public works projects.
For these reasons and many more, I ask that you vote yes to start construction on the Regnart Creek Trail without
another vote and without adding any additonal costs or delays to this project. Thank you very much for your work on
behalf of all our residents.
Best regards,
Louise Saadati
Sent from my iPhone
1
Cyrah Caburian
From:Anna White <annamaewhite@yahoo.com>
Sent:Tuesday, November 17, 2020 6:35 PM
To:City Council
Subject:Regnart Bike Trail
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 vote YES!!! to complete this project!! Completion will be so positive for our Cupertino families. Less cars on the
road!!! Safer for students going to school!!
Sent from my iPhone
1
Cyrah Caburian
From:Jim Walker <jimgwalker39@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, November 17, 2020 5:43 PM
To:City Council; Cupertino City Manager's Office; City Clerk
Subject:Move forward on the Regnart Trail without another vote, delay or budget increase (Agenda item 20
CC meeting 11/17)
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 Councilmembers and Mayor Scharf,
I am a 52 year resident and I ask today that you start construction on the Regnart Creek Trail without any delays and
without increasing its budget any more. The trail itself will be funded by state Measure B funds‐‐so the only
consideration now is whether to give more than the $765,000 already budgeted for new fencing to residents adjacent to
the trail.
This process has taken too long for a project that will benefit so many people‐‐including neighbors who have been
against this project. It will be great for exercise, for going to our parks more easily, and for encouraging biking and
walking to the City Center. The environmental study and the Sheriff said there will not be additional noise or increased
crime problems. The benefits for all residents of Cupertino are great!
If this trail isn't started by February, we will have another seven month delay. Do the right thing for all of us and get
construction started on this trail now. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Jim and Sharon Walker
10902 Canyon Vista Drive
Cupertino, CA 95014
1
Cyrah Caburian
From:Ratna Khilnani <ratnakhilnani@antaryadesign.com>
Sent:Tuesday, November 17, 2020 7:10 PM
To:City Council; Cupertino City Manager's Office; City Clerk
Subject:Move forward on the Regnart Trail without another vote, delay or budget increase (Agenda item 20
CC meeting 11/17)
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 Councilmembers and Mayor Scharf,
I am a longtime resident and I ask today that you start construction on the Regnart Creek Trail without any delays and
without increasing its budget any more. The trail itself will be funded by state Measure B funds‐‐so the only
consideration now is whether to give more than the $765,000 for new fencing to residents adjacent to the trail.
This process has taken too long for a project that will benefit so many people‐‐including neighbors who have been
against this project. It will be great for exercise, for going to our parks more easily, and for encouraging biking and
walking to the City Center. The environmental study and the Sheriff said there will not be additional noise or increased
crime problems. There is no reason to add more than the $765,000 already set aside (30% of the project costs) for the
neighbors for private fencing or walls to address problems that are not going to happen.
If this trail isn't started by February, we will have another seven month delay. Do the right thing for all the residents and
get construction started on this trail without requiring yet another vote. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Ratna Khilnani
Antarya Design
Interior Design and Remodeling
www.antaryadesign.com
ratnakhilnani@antaryadesign.com
408‐832‐8732
Certified Interior Designer
CID #7213
Sent from my iPhone
1
Cyrah Caburian
From:Jennifer Shearin <shearin.jen@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, November 17, 2020 7:29 PM
To:City Clerk
Subject:Please put up this slide when I speak on agenda item #20
Attachments:Regnart Trail timing Nov 2020.pdf
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.
Hi Kirsten,
Can you put up this slide when I speak tonight?
Thank you,
Jennifer Shearin
Project initated with Feasibility StudyRegnart Trail Outreach & TimingSeptember 2017Feasibility Study ApprovedTodayDesign Funding ApprovedNov 2017Jan 2018Apr 2018Public meetingMay 2018Staff/Lozano Lane resident meetingDec 2018Public meeting1:1 meetings at adjacent residents’ homesFeb/March 2019March 2019Public meetingApril 2019Public meeting65% Design ApprovedFunding allocatedAugust 2018 September 2019Meetings with adjacent neighborsApr - Aug 2020May 2020Pandemic ShutdownAll fencing requests due dateAug 7 20205-0 5-0ERC findings Approved. Add’l fencing $ Approved.5-0Design completeThis chart does not include extensive Councilmember, informal, and BPC outreachPublic meetingPublic meeting
1
Cyrah Caburian
From:Joseph Fruen <jrfruen@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, November 17, 2020 8:02 PM
To:Steven Scharf; Darcy Paul; Rod Sinks; Liang Chao; Jon Robert Willey
Cc:Deborah L. Feng; Cupertino City Manager's Office; Kirsten Squarcia; City Clerk
Subject:Re: Item 20 Regnart Creek Trail
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 Scharf & Councilmembers:
The Regnart Creek Trail has come before you many times. Many of the people offering comments tonight have come
before you to voice their views on this trail in the past. I am one of them. I continue to believe that this is a great project
that will ultimately help Cupertino get more cars off the roads and encourage more walking and biking in the city, and
will make for a healthier and safer community.
I'm asking you to please make a final decision on fencing allocation to allow this trail to move forward with construction.
I think the community deserves closure on this project and I hope that whatever differences people have had over this
trail that council can lead the community in a civil and reasoned discussion tonight.
Many thanks,
J.R. Fruen
Cupertino resident
1
Cyrah Caburian
From:John Geis <jgeis4401@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, November 17, 2020 9:04 PM
To:City Council; Cupertino City Manager's Office; City Clerk
Subject:Council Meeting, 11/17, Item 20
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.
Hello Mr Mayor and City Council members,
I am a longtime resident and I ask today that you start construction on the Regnart Creek Trail without delays and
without increasing the budget .
This process has taken too long for a project that will benefit all the residents. There is no reason to add more than the
$765,000 already set aside (30% of the project costs) for the neighbors for private fencing or walls to address non‐issues.
Please pass item 20 without delay and without any funding from the city. Just pass as‐is.
We need the trail now please!
Thank you.
John Geis
Longtime Cupertino resident
1
Cyrah Caburian
From:City of Cupertino Written Correspondence
Subject:FW: A Few Slides For Tonight
Attachments:Regnart2.pdf
From: Jon Robert Willey <JWilley@cupertino.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2020 4:46 PM
To: Kirsten Squarcia <KirstenS@cupertino.org>; Lauren Sapudar <LaurenS@cupertino.org>; Ashley Sanks
<ashleys@cupertino.org>
Subject: A Few Slides For Tonight
Jon Robert Willey
Council Member
City Council
JWilley@cupertino.org
408-777-3193