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January 27, 2022

In This Issue

COVID-19 News and Updates

Free At-Home Testing Kits

Free at-home COVID-19 tests are available to residential households in the U.S. through the United States Postal Service. One order includes four individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests and each residential address is limited to one order.

Health experts recommend that the antigen tests be used for those who have symptoms of COVID-19, to end isolation or quarantine periods after testing positive, or for those who have been exposed to a person with COVID-19 when a more-sensitive PCR test is not available. If an antigen test result is positive, it should be recognized as valid and applicable isolation guidance should be followed. In that case, there is no need for a follow-up PCR test at a healthcare or County testing facility.

Visit usps.com/covidtest to place your order.

In-Person Appointments Temporarily Suspended at City Hall

The City of Cupertino will be temporarily suspending in-person appointments at City Hall. This includes—but is not limited to—appointments for building and planning permits, business licenses, City Clerk and notary services, and Public Works services. The decision is due to the impact of COVID-19 on staffing levels and to help further reduce the transmission of the disease in our community.

Virtual assistance remains available. Thank you for your understanding.

COVID-19 Boosters Available

The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department recommends all eligible members of the public who live or work in Santa Clara County receive a COVID-19 booster shot. The booster is appropriate for almost everyone ages 18 and older six months following the last Pfizer or Moderna vaccination, or two months following the Johnson & Johnson vaccination.

County clinics are taking appointments and many locations readily accept drop-in patients for booster doses. Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are all available within the County. Additionally, many doctor offices and pharmacies provide COVID-19 boosters.

For more information on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, and to book an appointment or find a drop-in site near you, visit sccfreevax.org.

General City News and Updates

City Work Program Goals Survey

The City of Cupertino's Work Program guides some of the major efforts of the City for the upcoming fiscal year. The City Work Program ensures that staff efforts are aligned with the goals set by the Mayor and City Council, and thus, the community. This approach keeps the City transparent and holds us accountable to focusing resources on strategies that best serve our community’s needs and aspirations.

The City is reaching out to ask our community members what goals the City Council should consider for the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 City Work Program. Take the survey at engagecupertino.org/cityworkprogram.

Please submit your suggestions by Sunday, February 13. Suggestions and feedback will be presented to the City Council for consideration.

For more information about the current City Work Program, and recent accomplishments, visit cupertino.org/cityworkprogram.

City Plan to End Homelessness Community Meeting

The City of Cupertino is drafting a City Plan to end homelessness, and we want to hear from you. This City Plan is an implementation plan to address the needs of the unhoused residents of Cupertino as identified in the Santa Clara County Community Plan to End Homelessness. The plan will help direct the decisions that will be made about funding, program, and needs.

The City is hosting a virtual Community Kick-Off Meeting where you can help create a roadmap that will help guide the City. Join us to learn about housing instability in Cupertino and to develop shared goals and strategies to end homelessness in our community. This meeting will also be an opportunity to learn about the planning process, ask questions, and provide input on what services and resources are needed to serve those experiencing homelessness locally.

Community participation is integral to the planning process as it helps ensure that diverse feedback informs and shapes the City Plan. This free, virtual community meeting will be held on Thursday, February 10 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and is open to all. Register for the meeting at https://cityofcupertino.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-fXH3CwPTP-y73tZEOcRvA.

If you have additional questions or would like more information, contact Homebase at cupertino@homebaseccc.org or (415) 788-7961.

New Library Book Drop-Off on Torre Avenue

The City of Cupertino will be constructing a new Cupertino Library book drop-off spot. This is part of the Civic Center Parking Analysis, which was a study to recommend actions to reduce parking demand and increase parking supply at the Civic Center.

As a result, this new drop-off will be a vehicle drive-through that will allow patrons to return library materials without parking or leaving their vehicle. It will be located on Torre Avenue at the intersection of Torre Avenue and Town Center Lane. The drop-off area will be on the east side of Torre Avenue, closest to the Cupertino Library, with an accompanying median island that will house drop-off boxes.

The City plans to award the construction contract to Kraemer Engineering, Inc. and anticipates construction will begin in February and be completed in April.

For more information on this project, email Marlon Aumentado, Assistant Engineer, at marlona@cupertino.org.

Notable City Events

Old Work Shirts Get a Second Life

More than 60 worn out Cupertino work t-shirts were repurposed into 316 rags for use by the City Mechanic’s Shop.

Employees at the City's Service Center were encouraged to turn in their old shirts when receiving a new one. To salvage the usable fabric, members of Cupertino’s Green Team volunteered their time to take the old shirts home and cut them into a specified size and shape. The rags were presented to City mechanics Andrew, Ika, and Cesar on December 14, 2021. Giving this fabric a second life is a great way to keep resources local, save money, conserve resources, and reduce material in the waste stream.

MLK Jr. Dream Tree

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Black History Month, the Cupertino Youth Activity Board and Cupertino Library collaborated to install a Martin Luther King (MLK) Jr. Dream Tree in the lobby of the Cupertino Library.

Community members are invited to complete the MLK Jr. Dream Tree with their dreams and aspirations by visiting the Cupertino Library and completing the phrase, “I have a dream…” on pre-made leaves available at reception desks.

Individuals who would like to turn in their dreams electronically are welcome to visit https://bit.ly/MLKJrDreamTree and submit their answers.

The MLK Jr. Dream Tree was installed on January 17 and will remain in the library through February 28, with electronic submissions taken until February 21.

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.

Any non-urgent service requests for trees, roadways, sidewalks, trash, or parks can be submitted at cupertino.org/311. For urgent requests after hours, contact Santa Clara County Communications at (408) 299-2507.

Upcoming Agenda Items and Law Enforcement

View attachments here, which include the City Council agenda forecast through February 15 and the Sheriff’s weekly reports for January 10 – January 23.

cupertino.org