At the August 20, 2002 Council Meeting, the Parks and Recreation Commission Chair, Joseph Manfrey, speaking for the Commission, petitioned the City to adopt a resolution supporting the efforts of the Bay Area Sports Organizing Committee to bring the 2012 Olympic Games to the Bay Area. The Olympic Games will take place in several cities and municipalities, ranging as far north as Napa and Sacramento, south to Monterey, and locally to include San Francisco, San Jose, Palo Alto and Santa Clara. Mr. Manfrey stated that although Sunnyvale has not been chosen for any events, there are several locations in the area that could be used as practice facilities. He further noted that Moffett Field could be considered as a site for the Olympic Village.

There are several policies that support participating in regional efforts that promote a strong economy in order to improve the quality of life and create a better environment for both businesses and residents.

Policy 5.1B.4 Participate in regional efforts to respond to transportation and housing problems caused by economic growth in order to improve the quality of life and create a better environment for businesses to flourish.

Policy 7.2B.5 Foster partnerships and relationships among public institutions, business and industry, community and service organizations, and the City to address community issues.

Initially, eight United States cities submitted bids to the United States Olympic Committee to be the United States candidate for the 2012 Olympic Games. In May 2001, the United States Olympic Committee pared down the field to four. They were the San Francisco Bay Area, Houston, New York, and Washington, D.C. In late August 2002, the United States Olympic Committee named San Francisco and New York as finalists. They will then name one city on November 3, 2002 as the United States candidate. The International Olympic Committee will name the 2012 Host City in July 2005.

According to an EconOne research study, hosting the 2012 Olympic Games will generate over $7.4 billion for the California economy, generating jobs and income for businesses and workers across a wide spectrum of industries.

Other benefits include the construction of over 2,500 new units of transit accessible, environmentally sustainable housing at the Olympic Village, many available at below-market rates after the Olympic Games. Moffett Field could be considered as a site for the Olympic Village.

A foundation to fund new sports opportunities, environmental, and arts and cultural programs throughout the Bay Area, including improving transportation systems, new and renovated athletic facilities, and regional cooperation for the long term benefit of the people of the San Francisco Bay Area are all possible benefits to the region. Several other surveys conducted for the bid effort indicated that an overwhelming 84% of the Bay Area’s registered voters support the bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games in the San Francisco Bay Area. Residents cite the economic benefits, regional pride and opportunities for volunteerism and participation as their reasons for support.

The City of Sunnyvale has not yet been asked by the Bay Area Sports Organizing Committee to bring the 2012 Olympic Games to the Bay Area to assist in planning the bid, nor as a possible site to host some of the events. However, the Parks and Recreation Commission believes we have many facilities that could be used as practice facilities. If these facilities were considered, clearly an evaluation of the fiscal and use impact would need to be studied in order for the city to meet its commitments on the use of these facilities.

If the games were to be held in the Bay Area, no doubt there would be economic benefits to the Bay Area. It is estimated that the games will draw over 250,000 visitors a day to the Bay Area. Cities like Sunnyvale will no doubt benefit from some of the economic impact and lasting legacy and prestige generated by hosting the Olympic Games in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Staff is recommending that the Council direct the Mayor to send a strong letter of support to have the San Francisco Bay Area as the Host City for the 2012 Olympic Games. The reason staff is suggesting a letter be sent, rather than a resolution, is because the City does not normally prepare a resolution for this type of activity.