PUBLIC SAFETY (DPS)

Extinguisher Controls Apartment Fire

On January 28, at 12:50 p.m., Sunnyvale Public Safety responded to a report of a kitchen fire at Hollenbeck Ave. Upon arrival, smoke was coming from the involved second-story apartment -- one unit of the 20-unit complex. At entry into the apartment, crews discovered that the fire had been knocked down by use of a fire extinguisher.  Personnel then checked the ceiling area and discovered that the fire had spread to the attic area.  The interior crew, with the assistance of a crew on the roof of the complex, managed to extinguish the fire without it spreading to any other units. 

Prior to Public Safety’s arrival, it was determined that a neighbor knocked down the fire with an extinguisher.  The neighbor was treated and released from the scene with smoke inhalation and minor burns to his hands.  Red Cross responded and provided assistance to the resident of the involved apartment.  A total of 25 Public Safety personnel assisted in the firefighting and EMS efforts.  The cause of the fire appears to be a cooking accident.

Emergency Notification Resources

Do you know how to get emergency warnings sent to your cell phone, mobile device, e-mail, or landline?  Do you know where to tune on your AM radio to hear specific information about event of importance in Sunnyvale? Two resources are available to you as a Sunnyvale resident:

AlertSCC – Santa Clara County’s Emergency Alert Notification System 

The City of Sunnyvale participates with other Cities in Santa Clara County in the confidential and free AlertSCC notification service.  This service provides users with information and instructions in the time of an emergency on situations such as:

• Flooding, wildfires and subsequent evacuations
• Public safety incidents, including crimes that immediately affect your neighborhood
• Post-disaster information about shelters, transportation, or supplies

This notification resource helps to supplement the other sources of information such as radio and television.  Alerts are sent to any number of devices, e-mail addresses or landlines that you register.  Your personal information is kept confidential by the County and not shared with any private company.

Please sign up today by going to the AlertSCC website http://www.alertscc.com/index.html

Alert 1680 AM – Sunnyvale’s Emergency Radio Station 

There is a new radio station on the AM dial here in Sunnyvale, but you won’t be able to hear your favorite top-40 song on this station. Instead, you will hear important safety information during local, regional or national emergencies. Alert 1680 is now in operation at 1680 AM on your radio dial. This radio station is the brainchild of the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety’s Office of Emergency Services and the Sunnyvale Amateur Radio Emergency Service. Funding for the system was made possible through a grant provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. 

Alert 1680 will broadcast weather information provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 24-hours a day. If important information needs to be broadcast to the residents in the community, Public Safety staff can quickly access the radio system and either broadcast live or schedule pre-recorded information segments. You will soon see signs around the community designed to heighten awareness to Alert 1680 AM.  Alert 1680 is part of the City’s overall public notification system during emergencies, which includes Alert 1680, the news media, the City’s website, cable television and the County’s SCCAlert notification system. 

The City encourages you to sign up for AlertSCC as well as to set your AM radio preset to 1680 AM.  Both of these resources will be important sources of information for you in time of an emergency.

Grant-Funded Fire Training Simulator Obtained by Public Safety

During the first week of February, the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety, along with the San Jose Fire Department, Milpitas Fire Department, and the Santa Clara County Fire Department, received hands-on training on the new Fireblast 451 Fire Training Simulator. The Fire Simulator was purchased using 2010 Assistance to Firefighters Grant monies and San Jose Fire Department Joint Apprentice Sub-committee funding.

This shared mobile resource will benefit the Santa Clara County as a whole by allowing firefighters to conduct live burn training and improve the skill sets of each department that participates.  This training trailer provides a "green" option for live fire training in that the normal products of combustion created by burning of wood products are not released into the atmosphere. 

Commercial Burglary

On February 4, at 7:30 p.m., Sunnyvale Public Safety Officers received a call from a business located on the 1000 block of E. Arques.  Store security reported they had a person inside the store taking items off the shelf, removing the packaging, and placing the items into a backpack.  Officers were able to enter the store’s security office without being noticed by the subject.  Once inside the security office, officers were able to view the store’s security camera monitor and observed the person in question.  They were also able to watch the subject in question walk through the store taking items out of their packaging and placing them into a backpack. 

While watching the security monitor, an officer saw the subject remove a handgun from his backpack and place the gun in his waistband.  Additional officers were immediately called to the business and created a safe area outside the front of the store.  Officers prevented customers from entering the store prior to contacting the subject with the gun.  The subject walked past the cash registers at the front of the store without paying for the items contained in his backpack and exited the store.  Once outside the store, officers contacted the subject and attempted to place him under arrest.  The subject decided not to follow the verbal commands of the officers and resisted arrest.  The subject was eventually taken into custody and taken to Santa Clara County Jail.      

Gang Fight

On Friday, February 3, at 10:00 p.m., Sunnyvale Dispatchers received multiple calls from residents on Morse Avenue, near Columbia School, reporting a group of 20 subjects in the street fighting with weapons.  Police arrived on scene and observed numerous subjects running in multiple directions.  Officers were able to locate an injured subject in the area.  The subject was in possession of an illegal weapon.  While talking to police, the subject said the fight was between Norteno and Sureno gang members. 

Officers circulated the area around Columbia School and located other male subjects who were involved in the fight.  They were arrested for various crimes which include:  resisting arrest, violation of the conditions of their probation, and possession of deadly weapons.  Crime Scene Investigators located blood trails, weapons, and other items that were used in the fight. 

All local hospitals were called in an attempt to locate victims from the gang fight.  Additionally, officers conducted probation and parole checks to locate those involved.  Throughout the week, Neighborhood Resource Officers, Traffic Officers, and Patrol Officers conducted frequent patrol checks around Sunnyvale schools to ensure the safety of our students.       

PUBLIC WORKS (DPW)

Parks Furnishings Going Green

The Parks Division is taking the opportunity to promote a green and healthy environment. As park site wood furnishings begin to deteriorate they are being replaced with furnishings made from 100 percent post recyclable consumer materials, such as milk jugs, water and soda bottles. Plastic lumber products are 100 percent recyclable as well. Maintenance on these furnishings is minimal compared to wood products which require more frequent maintenance such as sanding, sealing and replacing damaged components due to graffiti, vandalism and old age. Over the last few months, Parks has replaced all the wood benches around the Community Center and all the benches and picnic tables at Cannery Park with these new environmental friendly furnishings. The end result keeps our parks looking beautiful much longer, saves money and shows commitment to sustainability.

El Camino Bus Rapid Transit Update

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is completing technical and public outreach efforts for the conceptual engineering phase of its proposed El Camino Real Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.  This summer, VTA will consider pursuing Federal "Small Starts" capital funding and Caltrans design approval.  VTA is asking for cities along the route to indicate a design preference or otherwise take a position on the project prior to the VTA initiating the next steps.  To date, Sunnyvale has not taken a specific policy position on the proposal, however staff has given guidance on consistencies with related City policies and commented on design guidelines and technical studies.  The VTA is advocating an alternative that would construct exclusive bus-only lanes and stations in the median of El Camino Real from Lafayette Street in Santa Clara to Showers Drive in Mountain View.  This would involve removal of a travel lane in each direction.  The alternative also assumes on-street parking removal in Sunnyvale to provide bike lanes, consistent with the City’s street space allocation policies. 

Over the next four months staff will prepare a staff position paper including gathering input from relevant Boards and Commissions.  Staff is tentatively targeting the May 15 Council meeting for consideration of the issue.  A study session with Council may be held prior to this meeting, should the Council desire.   

Sunnyvale Avenue Improvements Begin

On February 6, construction began on streetscape improvements to Sunnyvale Avenue between Evelyn and Iowa.  This federally-funded project provides wider sidewalks with decorative paver accents, access ramps, new streetlights, street trees and benches, all in accordance with the Downtown Streetscape standards.  This project improves both sides of the street from Evelyn to Washington. Between Iowa and Washington the work is only on the east side since the Town Center Developer is obligated to complete the improvements on the west side and medians.

These improvements will enhance the appearance and functionality for pedestrians and bicyclists, consistent with improvements made elsewhere in downtown.  The project implements one more step in the Downtown Improvements Plan, which is helping to achieve the goals of that plan, including quality, safety and functionality to support the commercial success of downtown.  Completion of this project is expected by June 2012, weather permitting.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (CDD)

Moffett Park Update

Activity at the three large projects in Moffett Park – Moffett Towers, Juniper Networks, and Technology Corners – continues to move at a fast pace. Following is a brief summary of the status of each project:

• Moffett Towers – Tenant improvements for Motorola, Hewlett Packard, and Microsoft are ongoing. Staff met with additional tenants who will be submitting plans for additional tenant improvement work in the near future. Additionally, while grading work has begun for the new building and parking structure, staff is also reviewing the plans for construction of these two structures.
• Juniper Networks – The two eight-story, high-rise buildings are continuing construction at a very fast pace, they plan to begin occupancy of these buildings in early 2013. Staff is currently reviewing plans for the interior improvements of these buildings and for a separate parking structure.
• Technology Corners – The current Ariba campus has been approved for an additional five-story office building and parking structure. Staff has begun reviewing plans for the grading and utility work for these new structures.

Evaluation of Zoning Provisions for Day Care Centers

On Monday, February 6, the Planning Commission held a study session regarding a study on appropriate locations for day care centers in Sunnyvale. This issue is being explored by staff because of questions raised by recent inquiries for potential day care centers which highlighted the need to clarify provisions of the Zoning Code or administrative guidelines for this use. Any proposed Zoning Code changes will be brought forward to the City Council.

Sign Code Overhaul

Staff has embarked on the process to comprehensively rewrite the Sign Code to make it easier to understand and to address business concerns regarding certain regulations which are seen as too restrictive.  On January 23, the Planning Commission held a study session regarding a City Council study issue to review the City's Sign Code.  Staff provided background information and asked the Planning Commission to complete a quiz in order to get their opinion on sign issues in the City today. Staff will hold outreach meetings with community groups and businesses in March and April to identify issues of concerns and  will present options and suggestions for amendments at a future Council study session, tentatively planned for April 2012.

Green Building Recommendations for Residential and Public Buildings

On Monday, February 27, a joint study session will be held with the Planning Commission, Sustainability Commission and the Board of Building Code Appeals to review updates to the Green Building Program (residential and public buildings).  The study session will be held in the West Conference Room at 7 p.m. Recommendations focus on strengthening the green building requirements for new residential buildings and supplementing the related and overlapping CALGreen Building Code regulations.

Mobile Home Park Conversion Ordinance Study

The next meeting on this study will be a City Council study session on March 20 at 6 p.m.  at Sunnyvale City Hall.  The purpose of the study session is to provide Council with an update on the progress of the study, present findings, discuss issues and concerns raised by park owners and park tenants, and seek further direction.  The previously scheduled Commission and Council hearings on this study have been deferred until further notice.  Staff encourages the community to share any questions, comments or concerns about this study with Ernie Defrenchi, Affordable Housing Manager at (408) 730-2784 or by e-mail at edefrenchi@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us . Additional information on the progress of this study can be found at mobilehomeparks.inSunnyvale.com.

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (ESD)

Single-Use Bag Ordinance Outreach/Implementation Plan Moving Ahead

Staff has developed a comprehensive outreach plan to help affected businesses understand and comply with the single-use carryout bag ordinance that will take effect in two phases:

• Phase 1 starting on June 20, 2012, for groceries and larger stores
• Phase 2 in March 2013 for all stores

The ordinance prohibits the use of single-use plastic carryout bags and requires that carryout paper bags that are distributed by retailers be made from at least 40 percent    post-consumer recycled content and accompanied by a charge of 10 cents per bag.

A letter to approximately 100 Phase 1 stores was sent out the week of January 30 letting them know of the ordinance requirements and directing them to the City's Single-Use Bag Ordinance Web page, BringYourBags.inSunnyvale.com. In the next few months staff is planning to visit the affected retailers in person. Closer to the June 20 start date, staff will be out at the larger stores talking to residents and providing reusable bags and window decals. Staff will also work with the Chamber of Commerce, neighborhood associations, and other community groups to get the word out about the ordinance. More information about the ordinance is available at: http://sunnyvale.ca.gov/Portals/0/Sunnyvale/DPW/recycling/Plastic Bags/Fact Sheet-General FINAL to print 1-31-12.pdf

Sanitary Sewer Collections Program Gets New CCTV Truck

The Sanitary Sewer Collections Program recently took possession of a new mainline televising (CCTV) Truck. A wheel-mounted camera will be sent into sewer main lines throughout the City and the images fed to a computer screen that can record images and eventually feed into the City’s computerized Maintenance Management System.
The ability to systematically televise main sewer lines in the City promises to make the Sewer Program more efficient and better able to respond to issues before they become emergencies. Sewer crews can target "hot spots", areas where problems have occurred in the past, to determine the level of, and frequency of, preventive maintenance required at those sites. In addition, televising sewer lines helps to target corrective maintenance activities and direct Capital Improvement money to the areas that need it the most. The acquisition and use of the CCTV system also fulfills a mandated regulatory requirement imposed by the State Water Board that stipulates all sewer agencies are to perform system-wide condition assessments at regular intervals. Along with the program’s zone flushing activities, the CCTV truck is yet another step towards a more robust preventive and corrective maintenance program serving the residents of Sunnyvale.

Sunnyvale’s Short-Term Trash Management Plan

On February 1, the City submitted a Short-Term Trash Management Plan to the Regional Water Quality Control Board.  This plan sets forth the actions Sunnyvale will take to reduce trash coming from our storm sewer system by 40 percent by 2014. This is a requirement of the Stormwater Permit issued to municipalities in five Bay Area counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Solano) in 2009. 

Control measures planned and currently implemented include:

These actions are estimated to result in a reduction of more than 43 percent. The City of Sunnyvale is committed to reducing the potential for trash impacts in local water bodies in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Whether bringing your own bag when shopping, volunteering to clean up in your neighborhood or local creek, or helping to educate others on the importance of protecting our waterways, everyone has a role in helping the City achieve this goal.

FINANCE (FIN)

City Receives Budget Award – 22 Consecutive Years

On January 14, the City was notified that it had received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the City's FY 2011/12 adopted budget. GFOA is the professional association of state and local finance officers in the United States and Canada. This was the 22nd consecutive year that the City has received this prestigious award. It is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting, and it reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting both the guidelines established by the National Advisory Council on State and Local Budgeting and the GFOA’s best practices on budgeting. In qualifying for the award, the City’s budget document was judged to be proficient as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide and a communications device.

LIBRARY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES (LCS)

Centennial Library Cards Now Available
In commemoration of the City of Sunnyvale centennial anniversary this year, the Library is now issuing a special centennial library card which features before and after images of downtown Sunnyvale. The centennial design comes in a combo pack which includes a wallet style card, a key tag card and a paperclip bookmark. If a customer would like to replace a lost card or change their current card to the new design, the replacement cost will be $2.

Silicon Valley Reads 2012 Celebrates 10th Anniversary with 100+ Events Throughout Santa Clara County
Silicon Valley Reads 2012 launches its 10th anniversary this month with an ambitious program of more than 100 free community events throughout Santa Clara County over three months focused on the theme "Muslim and American: Two Perspectives." The Silicon Valley Reads program encourages everyone in Santa Clara County to read the same book, at the same time, and talk about it. The two books selected for reading and discussion this year include The Muslim Next Door by Sumbul Ali-Karamali and The Butterfly Mosque by G. Willow Wilson. Sunnyvale Public Library will host the following Silicon Valley Reads events:

• Wednesday, February 15, 7 p.m. – Book Discussion, The Muslim Next Door by Sumbul Ali-Karamali
• Sunday, February 26, 3 p.m. – Children’s Author Visit, Todd Parr It’s Okay to be Different
• Monday, February 27, 6 p.m. – Talking Through Walls and Allah Made Me Funny – Film Screenings
• Saturday, March 17, 3 p.m. – Author Visit, Sumbul Ali Karamali will discuss The Muslim Next Door

NOVA

Groundhog Job Shadow Day

Groundhog Job Shadow Day is a national initiative launched in 1998 as part of "America’s Promise." The intent of this initiative is to bring students into the workplace and provide them with the opportunity to experience the world of work firsthand and make that critical link between school and career.  Students engage in early career exploration that leads to better informed choices by "shadowing" employees in the workplace; employers have the opportunity to present industry trends and career options to potential future employees in real-time, in the real world. 

On February 1, NOVA, in partnership with many City departments, once again hosted Groundhog Job Shadow Day. Coordinators for this event included staff from both NOVA and the Library and Community Services Department. This year a total of 32 students from Fremont High School’s English Language Learners program participated, which was a great turnout and far more than expected. The morning began in the Sunnyvale Council Chambers with a warm welcome from Sunnyvale Mayor Anthony Spitaleri, followed by presentations from the Departments of Public Safety, Human Resources and the Public Works. From there, the youth proceeded to various host sites throughout the City to shadow employees at the Public Works, Public Safety, Environmental Services, Human Resources and NOVA. The event wrapped up with lunch donated by Sunnyvale Target, 1 Love Pizza, and Roundtable, along with a lively jeopardy game, quizzing the participants on what they learned during the day. Special thanks to Mayor Spitaleri for welcoming the youth participants, and to all of the City departments who presented and hosted youth at their work sites.

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER (OCM)

Developer Submits New Plans for Former Chevrolet Site

Summerhill Homes submitted a preliminary review application for a mixed-use project at   the former Chevrolet site.  The proposed project includes a 141-room hotel and 103 townhomes.  City staff will be reviewing the proposed project and will be able to provide feedback to Summerhill Homes by February 13.  Summerhill Homes and the hotel developer hope to start construction within 12 to 15 months. 

Hollenbeck (Loehmann's Plaza) Safeway to Close in 2013

Safeway has formally notified the Economic Development Manager that they will be closing the Hollenbeck Safeway in the Loehmann's Plaza in 2013. Safeway will be selling the site as they will be moving down the street to the former PW Shopping Center in Cupertino.  The reason for the move is that Safeway needed a larger store with more street presence.  The Hollenbeck store is about 40,000 square feet and the new store will be about 65,000 square feet.