CC 11-01-2022 Item No. 11 Consider approval of the Electronic Vehicle Parking ExpansionCC 11-01-2022
Written Communications
Item #11
Consider
approval of the
Electric Vehicle
Parking
Expansion
From:Rhoda Fry
To:City Clerk; City Council; Cupertino City Manager"s Office
Subject:Public Comment 11/1/2022 Agenda Item #11 EV Parking
Date:Tuesday, November 1, 2022 4:28:01 PM
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Dear City Council,
I have 2 general comments on this item.
1. Procurement
2. Locations
1. Procurement
I think that the City needs to be completely transparent in its business dealings.
I was surprised to see that the City is proposing that this project not go out for bid.
If the City were to award this project to Chargepoint it could appear that there was some sort of
favoritism going on because former Mayor Lowenthal is a co-founder of the company. Conversely, if
it didn’t go to Chargepoint, it could appear that there had been discrimination.
There are easily 15 to 20 different EV companies.
We should be putting projects out to bid whenever possible.
And – even consider getting paid to place these stations : )
2. Locations
Given that the City Hall is about to be remodeled and we have yet to understand the details, I think
that it is premature to place an EV where it could interfere with construction. I’m also puzzled by the
Blackberry Farm location. So I phoned the Parks & Rec department and they were unaware of this
proposal. I think that Public Works needs to consult with Parks & Rec (and vice versa) so they can
share best practices. Contrary to the report, the Blackberry Farm parking lot is not open 24x7 (the
gate broke years ago). Like other parks, it officially closes 1 hour after sunset. In the off-season,
there are very few cars. Our former public works director, Ralph Qualls, described the access area as
a choke point and safety issue. My recollection of the 2006 MND was that there should not be
lighting there at night in order to protect wildlife (so that would include vehicles driving through).
You might recall that just a few years ago, a mountain lion ate a goat at McClellan Ranch, so we do
know that they frequent the area. If there is a desire to have an EV station on this side of town, the
Monta Vista Rec Center, where there is year-round programming and is more accessible, would be a
superior location.
Regards,
Rhoda Fry