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Welcome to Cupertino Connect
Cupertino Connect is your essential guide to important news, local events and the latest happenings around our vibrant City. This newsletter is a twice-monthly compilation of items of interest from the City and our partners. We hope you enjoy reading it. To subscribe, visit cupertino.org/cupertinoconnect.
The City's Housing Element Gets a Nod from the State
The City of Cupertino is pleased to announce that its draft housing element meets all legal requirements for State certification. The Department of Housing and Community Development’s (HCD) April 10, 2024, letter notified the City that the draft housing element meets the statutory requirements of State Housing Element Law (Gov. Code, § 65580 et seq.).
To view the full press release, click here.
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2024 Earth and Arbor Day Festival is Almost Here
You are invited to celebrate the City of Cupertino’s 16th annual Earth and Arbor Day Festival on Saturday, April 20, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cupertino Library Field. During this event, we harness and build upon an exciting year for climate and environmental advocacy, policy, and action here in Silicon Valley and worldwide. Businesses and organizations can showcase their contributions to the health and sustainability of our community as tabling partners or event sponsors. Groups and individuals can perform on a solar-powered stage. Finally, volunteers can cultivate awareness of environmental problems and solutions, inspire others to take action and support a sustainable, healthy, and resilient community.
To learn more about the opportunities to participate in our festival, visit cupertino.org/earthday and direct questions to sustainability@cupertino.org.
SV Hopper adds Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles
SV Hopper is getting an upgrade! The SV Hopper program is marking a substantial advancement in the City of Cupertino's commitment to environmental sustainability and community service. In early April, the SV Hopper program successfully integrated three new, all-electric wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs) into the SV Hopper fleet. These state-of-the-art electric Ford Transit models replace the fleet's previous gas-powered WAVs. With this change, the SV Hopper program now boasts an entirely all-electric lineup, ensuring all trips are zero-emission. The SV Hopper program reflects our City's leadership in environmental stewardship and commitment to providing inclusive, sustainable, and efficient alternative transportation options.
For more information about the SV Hopper program, click here.
Revitalized Creekside Park Playground Reopens
We are excited to announce that Creekside Park’s Playground and the surrounding picnic areas are again open to the public. This playground was updated through the City of Cupertino’s Capital Improvement Programs Playground Replacement Project. It includes a variety of play equipment, including inclusive play elements.
Adopted FY 2024-2025 City Work Program
On Wednesday, April 3, the City Council approved the FY 2024-2025 City Work Program with a total of 20 projects. These projects align with the City Council's goals below:
- Sustainability & Fiscal Strategy
- Transportation
- Housing
- Public Engagement & Transparency
- Quality of Life
The City Council will consider funding for the new projects as part of the proposed budget in May 2024. To view the adopted FY 2024-2025 City Work Program projects, click here.
<hack> Cupertino is This Weekend
<hack> Cupertino is almost here. This overnight hackathon is held at the Quinlan Community Center from Saturday, April 13 to Sunday, April 14. This 13-hour overnight hackathon for 13 to 18 year-olds prompts teams to solve a secret problem unveiled at the opening ceremony. Teams will have the night to create a solution to the problem. This event is an excellent opportunity for teens to destress, socialize, and flex their coding skills.
To learn more about <hack> Cupertino or register, visit cupertino.gov/hackcupertino.
Attention Business Owners: Retail Theft Webinar
Are you a local business owner? Join us for an upcoming webinar on Thursday, April 25, at 10 a.m., where we'll dive into actionable insights, proven techniques, and the latest tools to deter retail theft effectively. Secure your spot now and take the first step towards a more secure future for your business.
Register here at https://bit.ly/retailtheftevent.
Apply to be a Leader in Training or Summer Volunteer
The clock is ticking for teenagers to apply for our Leaders in Training and Summer Volunteer positions, with applications closing on Sunday, April 21. Leaders in Training support our recreation leaders and are invaluable Parks and Recreation summer team members. Summer Volunteers will be trained in supervision, safety, problem-solving, and leading camp activities. At the end of each week, volunteers receive evaluations of their participation and suggestions for areas of improvement.
Visit bit.ly/cupertinolit to apply.
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Chai and Chat with Cupertino Mayor
This month’s Chai and Chat with Mayor Mohan took place on Monday, April 8, at Starbucks inside Target at 20745 Stevens Creek Blvd. Members of the public were present to discuss topics of interest with Mayor Mohan during the event.
Community Budget Outreach
This week, the budget team capped off a series of community outreach events with Community Budget Meeting #2 at Community Hall. Virtual and in-person attendees engaged with City staff on key matters related to the City's budget. For more information on the City's budget, click here. For more information about upcoming Community Engagement Booths, click here.
Volunteer Recognition Luncheon
On Saturday, March 23, the Cupertino Senior Center hosted its Volunteer Recognition Luncheon to honor the work of more than 150 active volunteers. The Dr. Seuss-themed celebration led with the phrase, “Oh, the Places Our Volunteers Go!” as the volunteers serve in and around the city, volunteering more than 19,500 hours this past year. Their service includes preparing and serving meals, knitting items for hospital patients and people experiencing homelessness, teaching, leading socials, performing in the community, and more. Partnering to host the event for the 41st year was the Kiwanis Club of De Anza, who donated and prepared the lunch. Key Club members from Cupertino and Monta Vista High School came and assisted in serving the lunch to the honored guests.
Big Bunny 5k Recap
On Saturday, March 30, the Cupertino Parks and Recreation Department hosted its annual Big Bunny 5K and Kids Fun Run. More than 600 participants ran, walked, strolled, and hopped through the streets of Cupertino. In addition, more than 100 little bunnies ran a lap or two around Library Field. Thank you to everyone who participated in the event, and we hope to see you again next year.
Care and Shelter Exercise
On Monday, April 8, the Office of Emergency Management organized a training session for the Parks and Recreation staff on responding to an emergency requiring sheltering for city residents. Experts from the American Red Cross were present to observe and provide feedback. The program aims to prepare City staff to respond to emergencies such as earthquakes. Practicing a coordinated response through a structured discussion called a “tabletop exercise” is essential to the City’s emergency training and exercise plan. These exercises enhance the City’s level of emergency preparedness.
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40th Anniversary of Cherry Blossom Festival
The annual Cherry Blossom Festival honoring Cupertino’s sister city of Toyokawa, Japan, will be held Saturday, April 27, and Sunday, April 28, at Memorial Park. The event offers a wide selection of Japanese food and beverages, entertainment, demonstrations, cultural exhibits, arts and crafts, and clothing for sale. All-day entertainment takes place in the Amphitheatre. The festival benefits the non-profit Cupertino Sister City Committee, which promotes friendship and student exchange programs between the two cities. Local non-profit organizations supporting services for disadvantaged youth and sports, music, and language programs will have booths to raise funds for their groups.
For further information about the Cherry Blossom Festival, call the Cupertino Sister Cities at (408) 252-2303 or visit the website.
Cupertino partners up with Recycletek
The City of Cupertino is pleased to officially announce its partnership with Recycletek, which developed a state-of-the-art California Redemption Value (CRV) recycling program designed to make getting that five, ten, or twenty-five cents back per container easier. Funded by the CalRecycle grant, this pilot program uses an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) Vision system to provide a cutting-edge way to redeem collected CRV beverage containers for the CRV money. The innovative AI-assisted EcoTrailer will make redeeming containers quick, clean, and efficient.
The locations and hours are listed below:
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Wednesdays at 10455 Miller Ave, Creekside Park, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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Saturdays at 10259 Mary Ave, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
To create an online Recycletek account, visit the website here. For a list of items that are eligible to recycle, visit here.
Family Safety Expo
On Sunday, April 21, the Family Safety Expo event will be held at the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation at 2355 Oakland Road, San Jose, CA, 95131. This expo is a valuable opportunity to elevate mental health awareness, strengthen disaster preparedness, and develop first aid skills that can genuinely make a difference.
For more information and to RSVP, click here.
Summer Internship for High Schoolers
Bay Area high school students are invited to apply to the Norman Mineta Bay Area Summer Academy, a five-week paid internship with ABAG, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District).
For more information, visit here to sign up before the Sunday, April 28 deadline.
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City Hall Contact Information
The following departments are available by phone only on Fridays:
- Building (408) 777-3228
- Business License (408) 777-3221
- Planning (408) 777-3308
- Public Works (408) 777-3354
- Finance (408) 777-3220
- City Manager's Office
*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.
The Scene
The Scene is the City's official quarterly publication highlighting exciting and essential news around Cupertino. We look forward to sharing important updates and events.
Download and read at cupertino.org/scene.
What do you love about Cupertino Connect? What can we improve to give you the most interesting and relevant information about what's happening in your City?
Please send us an email: communication@cupertino.gov and we look forward to hearing from you!
Law Enforcement Reports
The Sheriff’s weekly report for March 25 through April 7 can be accessed here.
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