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August 26, 2021

In This Issue

COVID-19 News and Updates

COVID-19 Vaccinations: Third Doses Available for Immunocompromised in Santa Clara County

County officials announced on August 14 that a third dose of COVID-19 vaccination is now available for people who have a compromised immune system, effective immediately. Eligible individuals are encouraged to contact their primary healthcare provider for consideration of the additional dose. Appointments can also be scheduled now through the County’s website sccfreevax.org, which also includes information about numerous drop-in vaccination sites throughout the county, including local pharmacies.

Transplant recipients, cancer patients, and those with immunodeficiencies at greater risk of COVID-19 infection and serious illness can receive a third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. This population is more likely to become infected with COVID-19, even after vaccination, compared with similarly vaccinated but otherwise healthy individuals. They are also more likely to become severely ill due to COVID-19.

A third dose is available for moderately or severely immunocompromised who have had either Pfizer or Moderna. The newly expanded FDA EUA does not extend to individuals who received the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine. The additional dose will be matched to the initial vaccination type. The recipient must have completed the initial vaccination series 28 days or more before the third injection.

For the latest information about COVID-19 vaccinations in Santa Clara County, visit sccfreevax.org.

Small Business Grant Program

The County of Santa Clara and the Silicon Valley Small Business Development Center invite applications for the Small Business Grant Program for COVID-19 protective measures.

Grants of up to $5,000 for small businesses to protect employees, customers, and the public from COVID-19. Eligible costs include:

• Installation or upgrades of air circulation and filtration systems;
• Protective shields at registers and contactless ordering or payment systems;
• Hand sanitizer, handwashing stations, and personal protective equipment for employees (e.g., face coverings, gloves, face shields);
• Construction or operation of outdoor seating or service areas;
• Paid time for employees to get tested or vaccinated;
• And other expenses to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission or exposure

For more information, and to apply, visit svsbdc.org/sc-covid-grant.

Apply for Vital Food, Housing, Utility, and Health Care Assistance
As tens of millions of people across the nation face the end of COVID-19-related federal unemployment compensation September 4, State of California departments are joining together immediately to encourage residents to apply now for other resources that could help them make up for the expiring payments—including money for food, rent, utilities, and health insurance.

For more information, click here.

State Revises Large Event Requirements for Proof of Vaccination
The California Department of Public Health strengthened requirements already in effect for mega events, announcing that proof of vaccination, or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours before an event starts, will be required for indoor gatherings where 1,000 or more participants or spectators are attending.

The requirement will take effect on September 20 and remain in effect until at least November 1.

Appointments Available for City of Cupertino
In-Person Services

The City of Cupertino is reserving appointments for in-person services for Building permits, Planning permits, Public Works permits, Business Licenses, and City Clerk's notary services.

General City News and Updates

Waste Collection Cart Swaps

What are all those carts for in the Oaks Shopping Center parking lot? Recology has arranged for use of space in parking lots at both the Oaks Shopping Center and at Vallco for cart swapping on behalf of both Mountain View and Cupertino.

Currently, Mountain View is swapping out recycling carts that need to be updated to meet new requirements, and the old carts are being collected at the Oaks for disassembly and return to the manufacturer for recycling. New carts for Mountain view are being staged at Vallco for delivery out to residents in Mountain View.

During September, October, and November, the same operation will be happening on behalf of Cupertino – older tan organics carts will be collected and brought to the Oaks along with any other outdated trash and recycling carts that need to be updated. They will be disassembled and returned to the manufacturer while new green organics carts and replacement trash and recycling carts will be staged out of the Vallco area for distribution.

Recology requests that residents put all their carts out each week during September, October, and November so that Recology can make sure all carts are updated. Most Cupertino residents already have green, blue, and gray carts with proper labeling, but the rest will be updated at this time. A bill insert (which can be viewed in the attachments link below) will be going out to residents to explain.

If there are questions, Environmental Programs can be reached at environmental@cupertino.org and Recology staff are happy to help at RecologySouthBay@Recology.com or (408) 725-4020.

Upcoming Cupertino BMR Informational Workshop

The City of Cupertino is pleased to announce an upcoming opportunity to learn about the City’s Below Market Rate (BMR) Affordable Housing Program. Join us at the Rise Housing BMR Affordable Housing Program Informational Workshop that will be held on September 13 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. This workshop is open to public and will include eligibility criteria, program requirements, and information about the City’s BMR Rental and Purchase Programs and how to join the 2022 BMR Waitlist.

Attendance at a workshop is not required to apply for the 2022 BMR Waitlist. The waitlist will be open for applications during the month of October, and between October 1-31 applications will be accepted online (recommended) or you can contact Rise Housing to receive a paper copy.

Due to the restrictions imposed by state and local government for the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's workshop will be held virtually on Zoom.

Library Expansion Community Grant Funding

The City of Cupertino’s Public Works Department applied for a Community Funding Grant through Congressman Ro Khanna’s office in March 2021. The City recently received welcome news from the Congressman’s office, which stated that he had secured the inclusion of a $1 million grant from the House Appropriations Committee for the Cupertino Library Expansion Project. The project was considered for the grant program because the facility serves everyone in the community regardless of economic, social, or political affiliation, and because there was overwhelming community support for the project. The Appropriations Bill will be received by the Senate later this year, and if the grant passes the Senate, it would be expected to be signed into law by President Biden by December 2021.

Cupertino and SB 1383: California's Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy

The Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy (Senate Bill (SB) 1383) will go into effect in January 2022, and the proposed ordinance language to enforce those regulations will be coming before Cupertino City Council for consideration in October 2021. The main requirement of SB 1383 is to keep organic materials such as food, paper, wood, and yard waste out of landfills, where they generate methane. The Solid Waste Franchise Agreement authorized by the City Council on December 15, 2020, included many of the necessary provisions to be in compliance of SB 1383.

Landfills are the third largest source of methane increases in California, and organic materials make up about half of what Californians throw away to landfill. That is true for Cupertino as well, according to waste characterization studies in 2018 and 2019. Senate Bill 1383 details numerous specific required actions for both jurisdictions and waste haulers to reach a statewide reduction of organic waste to landfill of 75% by 2025. Additional details are available on the City's website here.

Outreach to large food waste generators has already happened, and additional outreach to residents and businesses is planned for the fall, including mailings, a short video, articles in the Scene and 50+ Scene, and other social media. Per the regulations, 2022 and 2023 will be focused primarily on education, with penalties beginning in 2024. The table below outlines SB 1383 requirements and the City's readiness to comply.

Notable City Events

Silicon Valley Day 'n Night Fun Fest Returns

The family friendly Silicon Valley Day 'n Night Fun Fest is back! The event, hosted by the Rotary Club of Cupertino and sponsored by the City of Cupertino, will be held on Saturday, September 11 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Memorial Park.

This community, family, cultural, and educational event brings together Cupertino’s diverse cultures in a day of celebration and enjoyment. The Fun Fest caters to everyone and will also provide opportunities to learn and participate in fun, educative, and inspirational activities.

This year, the event is split into two parts:

Find more information at siliconvalleydaynightfunfest.com. Come enjoy a day of fun
and celebration!

Cupertino's Citywide Annual Garage Sale is Back

The City of Cupertino’s 16th Annual Garage Sale is back and taking place on September 18 and 19. This event is an opportunity to find hidden treasures or sell your unwanted stuff from your own front yard. Every year, more than 200 households participate by hosting their own garage sale on this weekend.

Sellers
Cupertino residents who are interested in selling their unwanted items on September 18 and/or 19 can patriciate by clicking on this link here.

Register by September 3 to get your address listed on a Citywide map.

Shoppers
Anyone can shop at the garage sale, no registration is needed.

You can search for bargains and find rare and unusual items throughout Cupertino. Commonly found items typically sold at garage sales include used clothing, books, toys, household decorations, sports equipment, board games, furniture, and appliances.

COVID-19 precautions will follow the Santa Clara County's guidelines.

Visit cupertino.org/garagesale today for more information.

Successful Summer Bike Challenges 2021

During the month of July 2021, Cupertino Safe Routes to School (SR2S) hosted a series of Summer Bike Challenges intended to encourage people who live, work, or attend school in Cupertino to explore the City, exercise, and have some fun - by bike! Participants earned various prizes for completing the challenges, which they will be able to redeem at the City’s 8^th annual Fall Bike Fest on Saturday, September 25 at Cupertino City Hall between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Positive feedback received about the Summer Bike Challenges included:

• "This year's bike challenges are great! Please keep continuing them! Thanks."
• "Thanks for hosting the challenges and prizes...it's been fun & gotten me out on my bike!"
• "Thank you for hosting these challenges. I look forward to receiving my boba voucher!...and future, fun prizes."
• "This was so much fun!"

A total of 196 people participated in the challenges. Below are stats about each challenge along with some of our favorite photos submitted by participants.

Ride More Miles Cupertino

92 people signed up for the challenge 74 people (80%) completed the challenge by riding at least 10 miles 823 miles were ridden by the person who rode the most miles in July (he’s the City’s Super Rider!) 3 miles were ridden cumulatively by all participants of this challenge

Group Ride

7 groups participated 59 people total went on group rides Highlight: A group of middle school students organized a group bike ride and shared this fabulous video: https://youtu.be/VqG1AsZw6Ig

Bike Date

7 couples participated

Bike to Art

8 people participated 7 people completed the challenge by visiting all 14 works listed in the City’s ARTour app

The challenges were advertised through the Scene, social media, the SR2S newsletter, and flyers at bike shops and the library. The City’s Office of Communications had never seen such a high degree of engagement on a Twitter post since the last Bike Challenge, reminding people to submit their proof of participation. Prizes were funded by Valley Transportation Authority’s 2016 Measure B funding allocation to the City of Cupertino for Bicycle and Pedestrian Education & Encouragement projects.

National Night Out Held on August 3

After the past year and a half, the Cupertino community has never been stronger as demonstrated by the engagement of community members during National Night Out on August 3. Through the Block Leader Program, Neighborhood Watch, Cupertino Emergency Response Team, Medical Reserve Corps, and Cupertino Amateur Radio in Emergency Services, volunteers hosted 39 neighborhood events reaching an estimated 670 households, 944 adults, and 433 youth in the community.

Kids n Fun Festival

The 11th annual Kids n Fun Festival was held on Saturday, August 14 at Memorial Park. This community festival, hosted by the Taiwanese Cultural & Sports Association, was the first large-scale festival held since the start of the pandemic. The festival included musical and dance entertainment, a food court, and numerous vendor booths. Local Boy Scout troops supported the festival by providing games for kids and logistical support for the festival organizers.

The Cupertino Citizen Corps supported the event with a First Aid booth staffed with seven volunteers from the Medical Reserve Corps and Cupertino Emergency Response Team, all of whom are members of the Cupertino community. Throughout the day, the volunteers donated 35 hours providing first aid to vendors and the public.

Though the primary function is to support the event with first aid, Citizen Corps volunteers also assisted by providing information and a safe reunification location for missing children and adults. These festivals and events also serve as an opportunity for the Citizen Corps volunteers to become familiar with the City’s Public Safety partners (Sheriff and Fire Department) and City departments (Parks and Recreation and Public Works) in advance of an actual emergency.

City Hosted Two Ribbon-Cutting Ceremonies

Vice Mayor Liang Chao emceed a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, August 19 at Linda Vista Park to celebrate the opening of the new Stevens Creek Trail, and the Lowenthal family who generously donated land to the project. You can view the video at https://youtu.be/qvRC6NyxwrU.

The second ceremony of the day, also emceed by Vice Mayor Chao, was held at McClellan Ranch Preserve. This ceremony was to celebrate the opening of the Community Garden. The video can viewed at https://youtu.be/RFP_NuSPfzk.

First Art Talk Held Featuring Mural Artist

The Fine Arts Commission held their first Art Talk on Thursday, August 19 at Blackberry Farm. This coffee-shop-style discussion featured artist Sarabjit Singh, the mural artist of Harmony, the first artwork piece to be featured in the City’s Art in Unexpected Places program. During the talk, Sarabjit discussed her background as an artist, why she loves painting murals, and how painting helps with stress. After the discussion, audience members were able to ask Sarabjit follow-up questions about her work as an artist.

The next Art Talk is planned for November; check the City’s calendar at cupertino.org/calendar in October for the date, time, and location.

City Communications Regarding COVID-19

Last year, the City of Cupertino closed its facilities to protect public health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of the City's programs, services, and events are coming back in-person in the coming months with many online services continuing. For information on the City's reopening plans and to reserve an in-person appointment, visit cupertino.org/reopening.

The City continues to provide essential services online at cupertino.org and by phone at (408) 777-3200. These essential services include responding to 311 requests and maintaining the City’s infrastructure, among others. Find more details here. For detailed and up-to-date information regarding COVID-19, visit U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Santa Clara County Public Health Department.

NOTE: Due to Santa Clara County recommendation, anyone entering a City facility (whether vaccinated or unvaccinated) must wear a face covering.

City Hall Contact Information

*Please note some lines may be unattended from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Upcoming Agenda Items and Law Enforcement

View attachments here, which include the City Council agenda forecast through September 21 and the Sheriff’s weekly reports for August 9 – August 22.

cupertino.org