CITY OF SUNNYVALE

City Council Study Session Summary

Downtown Improvement Projects

Tuesday, October 19, 2004

The City Council met in study session at City Hall in the West Conference Room, Sunnyvale California on October 19, 2004 at 6:00pm with Vice Mayor Chu presiding.

City Council Members Present:    Mayor Howe

                                                Vice Mayor Chu

                                                Councilmember Miller

                                                Councilmember Fowler

                                                Councilmember Swegles

                                                Councilmember Lee

City Council Members Absent:      Councilmember Hamilton

City Staff Present:   Amy Chan, City Manager

                             Joan Borger, City Attorney

                             Robert Paternoster, Director of

                                Community Development

                             Trudi Ryan, Planning Officer

Call to Order:             6:00pm

Study Session Summary:

Purpose of Study Session:

To review options for use of the $1.5+ million capital project: Downtown Public Improvements

I.        Staff Presentation

Staff made a power point presentation giving the history of the $1.5 million project, potential additional funding sources for Downtown improvements, and alternative uses for budgeted $1.5 million.

II.       Discussion

Most of the Council discussion focused on proposed streetscape improvements, particularly for the 100 Block of S. Murphy Avenue. Councilmembers expressed the desire that the historic Murphy Avenue not be a “stepchild” to the proposed Murphy Avenue extension in the Town Center Mall redevelopment project, and that the two segments of the street have similar design elements.

Individual Councilmembers discussed the need for public restrooms, the importance of maintaining the “twinkle lights” on the Murphy Avenue trees, and the need to implement a wayfinding system. 

III.      Public Comment

Jonathan Thalberg requested that a portion of the funds be utilized as “seed money” for formation of a Downtown Business Improvement District (BID).

Chris Kendall expressed a desire that the improvements extend into existing Town & Country Village.

IV.      Conclusion

Council asked staff to add two items to the list of alternative uses for the funds: maintenance of “twinkle lights”, and “seed money” for a BID. Council also asked staff to brief Councilmember Hamilton on the Study Session.

City Manager Chan stated that staff would prepare a report to Council on this subject in four weeks.

Adjournment:                                              

Respectfully submitted,

Trudi Ryan, Planning Officer