Establishment of DOLA Program
The Dog Off Leash Area (DOLA) trial recently came to an end and the City is moving forward with the establishment of an ongoing DOLA program at Jollyman Park. The Jollyman Park DOLA will be monitored by an administrative policy that can be found here.
The DOLA at Jollyman Park is designated with a painted line on the grass to make it clear to park users. The DOLA is open one hour before sunset through one hour after sunset.
For rules and additional information, visit the City's DOLA webpage.
Minimum Wage Increase
Cupertino's minimum wage will increase to $16.40 per hour beginning January 1, 2022.
Employees:
- Covered employees include anyone who performs two hours or more of work per week in Cupertino.
- Covered employees are entitled to these rights regardless of immigration status.
Employers:
- Post official notice in the workplace informing employees of the rate increase and their rights.
- Must document all hours worked and keep records for four years.
- Retaliation against employees exercising their rights is unlawful.
For more information and resources, visit cupertino.org/wagewatch.
City of Cupertino Notice of Funding Availability and Request for Proposals
The City of Cupertino has issued the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-2023 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) and Request for Proposals (RFP). The City is requesting proposals for eligible capital housing projects. The City may award and appropriate funds to one or more eligible projects in each funding category. Funds must be used to serve low-income and/or moderate-income households located within the City of Cupertino jurisdiction limits.
The following funding sources are on a one-year grant funding cycle for FY 22-23:
- Below Market Rate (BMR) Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) Capital Housing Projects (up to $5,600,000)
- Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Capital Housing Projects (approximately $350,000)
The RFP application period will open at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 and end at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. Organizations who intend to apply for funds through this RFP must apply online at citydataservices.net. Any RFP application that does not meet the deadline will not be accepted.
The City is not accepting applications for public services due to a three-year grant funding cycle ending in FY 2022-2023.
For additional questions and information, contact Gabriel Borden, Senior Housing Planner, at gabrielb@cupertino.org or (408) 777-1360.
Regnart Creek Trail and Fence Update
Work on the Regnart Creek Trail (RCT) is progressing up and down the length of the trail. Most notably, the new pedestrian bridge has been installed at Wilson Park.
The bridge was put into place by a crane on Wednesday, September 29. The wood and steel assembly of the bridge adds an appealing and exciting development to the RCT project.
Work on the trail between Pacifica Drive and Blaney Avenue continues with concrete block wall construction and fencing work to follow. Earthwork and grading work will be done in the RCT area between Blaney Avenue and East Estates Drive. Additionally, the Wilson Park trail site will see refinement around the bridge, work on the ramps, and grading on each side of the bridge.
Right-of-entry agreements have been received for most properties requesting a fence. Construction to replace fences is expected to begin as early as November.
Drought and Water Conservation Update
With little rain throughout recent years, the State of California and County of Santa Clara is in its second consecutive year of drought. Water service providers and cities in the County are considering ways to reduce water use and encourage water conservation.
On July 22, the Cupertino City Council discussed the drought, the City's previous water conservation measures, and the water retailers' water shortage restrictions. Subsequently, the Mayor issued a drought proclamation for local water conservation efforts and urged each citizen and business to join the efforts and become more aware of water conservation.
The City of Cupertino is calling all residents in our community to act and look for opportunities to reduce water consumption. Accordingly, the City implemented water conservation restriction measures for City facilities by reducing water use for all outside irrigation. Since the City began implementing these measures in June 2021, the available billing data shows that there was a 9% reduction in water use in the summer of 2021 compared to the summer of 2019. This reduction equates to 3.21 million gallons of water saved in the months of July and August this year.
Some water conservation measures the City has taken are:
- A 10% reduction of water used at parks (1.76 million gallons saved)
- A 14% reduction of water used at school fields (1.54 million gallons saved)
- Turf areas used intermittently are on a limited irrigation schedule
- The interactive fountain at Community Hall has been turned off
- The ponds at Memorial Park are not being filled
Additional measures have been made to programmed turf areas with the goal to achieve the Santa Clara Valley Water District's reduction goal of 15% of 2019 water use.
On October 13, the City was made aware of San Jose Water Company's adjustment to their Mandatory Conservation Plan. San Jose Water Company is planning to implement drought allocation and surcharges effective November 15. According to San Jose Water, residential customers whose consumption falls below the system-wide monthly drought allocation, currently calculated at 85% of the system-wide monthly average, will not incur drought charges. Those consuming above the minimum monthly drought allocations will be required to conserve 15% of their actual monthly consumption from 2019 to avoid drought surcharges. For those who incur drought surcharges, any units of water above the monthly drought allocation will be charged at the Tier 3 rate in effect, currently at $7.13 per unit, in addition to the charges at regular rates for all units of water consumed. San Jose Water Company has scheduled a meeting for October 28 at 3 p.m. to discuss this issue. Contact San Jose Water Company to request additional information.
Find more information on water conservation, resources, and links to the City's water service providers here.
New Lighting at Civic Center Plaza
As part of the City of Cupertino's sustainability goal to reduce energy consumption and operating costs, the City recently converted 17 light fixtures to LED lights at the Civic Center Plaza.
New LED Fixture
Employees from the City's Streets Division began replacing the lights in September. The work consisted of removing light fixtures that were 150-watt (W) bulbs and replacing those with new 33W LED light fixtures. |
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Old Light Fixture
The new lights are 2700K in color and were selected to emit warm, incandescent lighting. This was also done to be in compliance with the Dark Sky Ordinance. |
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Since the new LED fixtures consume less energy, there is a realized cost savings of approximately $5,400 each year, which includes energy and maintenance costs, and provides a positive financial return.
McClellan Road Separated Bikeway Project Awarded Project of the Year
The McClellan Road Separated Bikeway Project, Phase 2, has been awarded Project of the Year (under $2 million) by the Silicon Valley Chapter of the American Public Works Society (APWA). This project constructed separated bike lanes along McClellan Road between Stelling Road and De Anza Boulevard, and along Pacifica Drive between De Anza Boulevard and Torre Avenue. The project was completed last year and is a vital link in the overall McClellan Road Separated Bikeway Project.
The project enhances the safety and comfort of student bicyclists and anyone riding their bicycles to Kennedy Middle School, Monta Vista High School, the Cupertino Library, Wilson Park, and the Regnart Creek Trail.
The project, designed by ActiveWayz Engineering, was managed by John Raaymakers in the City's Public Works Capital Improvement Program Division, with assistance from Transportation Manager David Stillman and under the leadership of the Cupertino City Council. The City's Public Works Department is honored to receive this award and will be present at the awards luncheon on October 20 to accept the plaque.
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