CC 11-15-2022 Oral_Late_Written CommunicationsCC 11-15-2022
Written Communications
Oral
Communications
From:Connie-Comcast Swim5am
To:Cunningham Connie; City Clerk; City Council
Subject:November 15, Oral Communications, Biodiversity, Blackberry Farm
Date:Tuesday, November 15, 2022 7:47:47 PM
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 enter into the written record.
2022-11-15 Oral Communications, Biodiversity is plunging, here and worldwide.
Good evening, Mayor Paul and Councilmembers:
My name is Connie Cunningham. Resident 34 years and an Audubon member.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1. What am I thankful for this Thanksgiving?
<!--[if !supportLists]-->a. <!--[endif]-->Living in a city where residents regularly
give feedback on the desire for natural habitat and biodiversity.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->b. <!--[endif]-->Living in a city where we have environmental
jewels like Blackberry Farm and Stevens Creek where residents can explore
nature, birds can thrive and the endangered steelhead trout is protected.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2. <!--[endif]-->What alarms me at this Thanksgiving?
<!--[if !supportLists]-->a. <!--[endif]-->Biodiversity is plunging worldwide. —
<!--[if !supportLists]-->b. <!--[endif]-->-Biodiversity is all the different kinds of life
you'll find in one area—like the Bay Area. All the variety of animals, birds,
plants, butterflies, bees, bacteria work together in an intricate web, to
maintain balance and support life.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3. <!--[endif]-->Our free and open spaces are disappearing. It
is imperative that we preserve existing natural spaces, and go one step
further. Create natural spaces where we can.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->a. <!--[endif]-->We are fortunate in Cupertino to have an
opportunity to restore 16 acres to nature. Let us look to the future of our
grandchildren. They will live healthier lives, mentally, physically and
emotionally, because of it.
Cupertino residents value the environment in many ways. Here are 2:
1. Climate Action Plan 2.0. was approved August 2022. I agree with the authors of
that Plan. There is no Planet B.
<!--[if !supportLists]--> i. <!--[endif]-->A guiding
principle Establish climate adaptation measures such as …. protecting
biodiversity….
<!--[if !supportLists]--> ii. <!--[endif]-->It has an action to
create an Urban Forest Management Plan – the key to actio
2. Our Parks and Rec Master Plan states that Nature receives the most and strongest
support of the priority goals for the parks and recreation system.
What can City Council do? Three things
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1. <!--[endif]-->Add to your checklist a new
item about biodiversity and native trees for every land use
project and every question that comes before you. It is that
important.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2. <!--[endif]-->Think about the critical
importance of biodiversity and native trees to our city, state
and world.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3. <!--[endif]-->Approve restoring
nature, Option B, to Blackberry Golf Course in 2023.
When asked about the future of the golf course. over 4,000
survey responses were received Over half want to restore
nature. This means keeping existing trees. And planting new
trees.
I quote a recent study by the Ecological Society of America: "...our study provides support
for the high value of native street-tree species and select nonnative species as important
habitat for feeding birds." I have attached a link for further
reading. https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/eap.2149
From Connie's iPhone
CC 11-15-2022
Special Meeting
#1
Housing Element Update
Written
Communication
From:Peggy Griffin
To:City Clerk
Subject:Peggy"s slides for Study Session
Date:Tuesday, November 15, 2022 5:33:49 PM
Attachments:2022-11-15 CC Study Session-Peggys Slides.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,
I plan to speak during the public comment for the Study Session. I’d appreciate it if you could show
this page when I speak.
Thank you,
Peggy Griffin
HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE QUESTIONS
1. WHO in the City/Council has seen this Draft Housing Element Document?
a. What are their thoughts?
2. What does it contain?
a. General Plan Policies? Strategies? Programs?
b. EIR? What else?
3. Would submitting Draft HE doc by Jan. 31, 2023 satisfy the deadline requirement?
4. After the 30-day public comment period, there’s a 10-day response period
a. Will “responses” result in modifications/changes prior to submittal to HCD?
b. If not, what’s the point of this period?
5. What are PROS/CONS of the 2 alternatives:
a. OPTION1-Submit current Draft HE to HCD, as-is
b. OPTION2-Let new consultant revise Draft HE
CC 11-15-2022
#24
City Hall Renovation
Project Update
Written
Communication
From:Jean Bedord
To:City Clerk
Subject:Agenda Item #24 City Hall Renovation Public Comment, Nov. 15, 2022 City Council
Date:Tuesday, November 15, 2022 9:08:19 PM
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 include in Written Communications for this meeting.
----------------------------------
Good evening, Mayor Paul and council members,
My name is Jean Bedord and I am a resident of Cupertino. I am here to urge
you to move ahead with the city hall project as part of next year’s CIP program.
However, I am opposed to limiting the project to renovation of the existing
building at an estimated cost of $25.6 million.
It makes no sense to spend this much money and end up with well, an old
building, that is not up to current building standards. In addition, this $26.5
million does not address the significant increase in library parking needed for
the projected 20% increase in housing units in the next 10 years.
We went through the same process with the old library. Public works went
through the same gyrations trying to retrofit a building which no longer fit
community needs. Ultimately, tearing down the old building and building a
brand-new library made the most sense. Yes, a new building cost more, but in
return, we got a state-of-the-art building that met the needs of the community.
You are faced with the same situation with city hall – previous councils have
“kicked the can” down the road. The Vallco Specific Plan included a new city
hall, but that was repealed in 2019. So now, council faces the reality of actually
tackling the problem of replacing an obsolete building
Let’s look backwards at the Nov. 17, 2015, report (seven years ago) to council
on the very same needs. The cost estimates by a different team were almost
identical - $27 million for remodeling city hall and $56 million for a new city hall
with additional community space and parking for both the library and city hall.
This report, however, included an analysis of Lease Financing instead of Bond
Financing, to reduce the impact on the city budget.
Isn’t it time to start thinking holistically about the civic center – both city hall
AND the library? I urge council to move ahead with scoping alternatives for a
new building, rather than limiting this project to retrofit of an OLD building.
Thank you.
Jean Bedord