FINANCE

Barnacles Invade Sunnyvale

The Utility Billing Program has embarked on a one year case-study/pilot program to evaluate the effectiveness of an advanced device (called the Barnacle) and related software services, provided by a local company called Aquacue to reduce water waste, improve customer service, and increase efficiency.

The study will install the Barnacles on a small number of meters in parks and schools to allow for real-time smart metering of water. Staff will have access to an interactive dashboard to help them examine water usage trends for a set number of sites or group of customers. Staff will also deploy Barnacles to a small number of utility customers. One such effort is underway now.

The first of the residential deployments has gone to a customer who was sure that the City had not billed correctly for water use. This particular customer has installed artificial grass at her home and had expected water use to go down substantially. When it didn’t the City and Aquacue fitted a Barnacle on her meter to analyze daily water use. Staff was able to give the customer immediate feedback within the first week of using a Barnacle by isolating the high water use.

The Barnacle Overview gives the customer an "At a Glance" view of water use and compares it with established water use averages, giving either a green smiling droplet, an orange droplet, or a red frowning droplet. The Barnacle Monitor further allows the customer to view their water use in increments as small as minute intervals and as large as yearly. They can also choose different units of use (ccf or gallons).

The project started on August 15, 2010 and will end on August 1, 2011.  Staff from the City and Aquacue are carefully collecting the time and cost of existing operational processes and will be reviewing how the introduction of new technology may impact City staff, managers, customer support and select customers.

Water Leak Credit Changes

In the interest of water conservation and encouraging the maintenance of plumbing throughout the City, the Utility Billing Division has a policy of issuing partial credits for water lost due to leaks when proof of repair is provided and subsequent meter readings indicate that water consumption has returned to normal usage. Adjustments were approved for any leaks when the total water consumption was higher than the average for the same time period in the previous year. The water loss was charged at the lowest tier (lifeline) rate.

Under the new policy, leak adjustment requests will be available only for significant leaks that drive water usage into the third billing tier. This will insure that only significant leaks are addressed. Furthermore, the water loss due to a leak will now be charged at the second tier rate instead of the lifeline rate, more accurately reflecting the average cost of delivering water to the customer. This new policy appropriately accounts for the cost of the lost water, yet still provides our customers who had significant leaks some relief if repaired in a timely manner.

State Budget Update

The FY 2010/11 State Budget Bill was passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor on October 8. This budget attempts to address a deficit of approximately $18 billion through expenditure cuts ($7.8 billion); additional federal funding ($5.4 billion); other revenue actions ($3.3 billion); and one-time loans, shifts, and transfers ($2.7 billion). If all assumptions are met, these actions would leave the State with approximately $1.3 billion in its general fund reserve at the end of the fiscal year.  With respect to the impact of the State’s budget on the City of Sunnyvale, there were no new actions taken that directly impact the City. Previous actions taken that are still in effect include the shift of approximately $415,000 of RDA funds to the State in FY 2010/11, the delay in payment of Vehicle License Fees until April, and the continued delay/suspension of funding for State-mandated activities.  Despite passage of the budget, the State’s finances remain in an extremely precarious position, meaning the City could still be vulnerable to actions that have an adverse impact. Finance staff will continue to stay updated on the State’s financial situation and its potential impact to the City and inform Council as appropriate.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Volunteer Resources Program

In September, local medical technology company Medtronic Inc. kicked off their "Giving Back Campaign" by sending a team of volunteers from their company to assist the City with maintenance and landscaping projects at Baylands Park. This volunteer team was coordinated by the Department of Community Services. 

The feedback from Medtronic Inc. staff regarding their volunteer experience was very positive.  The company has indicated that they would like to be matched with additional volunteer opportunities throughout the City and would like to send teams to contribute throughout the year. Volunteer Resources Program staff will work to match Medtronics Inc. volunteer teams with future projects. 

LIBRARY

Snapshot: One Day in the Life of California Libraries

Organized by the California Library Association, Snapshot Day was a statewide effort to collect usage data, photos and patron testimonials from one day during the week of October 4. The purpose of the event was to create a compelling picture of library services in California. Staff photographed activities and programs and gathered a variety of meaningful statistics. Staff also distributed questionnaires asking visitors why they came to the Library and why the Library is important to them. The California Library Association will collate the results and make them available statewide. 

The Snapshot of the Sunnyvale Public Library was taken on Tuesday, October 5, 2010. The key statistics from that day include:

• 2,387 people visited the Library
• 5,048 people visited the Library Web site
• 6,686 items were checked out
• 182 e-books were accessed
• 1,308 licensed databases were accessed
• 282 questions were answered in person by reference staff
• 22 questions were answered by telephone, e-mail, or text message
• 494 people used the Internet/Office PCs
• 260 people used the Internet through Wi-Fi
• 170 people attended two programs for children
• 78 people attended three programs for adults
• 65 Link+ materials were requested
• 94 Link+ materials were sent to other libraries

NOVA

NOVA Launches Social Media Initiatives

NOVA Hosts DOL-Sponsored LinkedIn Webinar: Back in July, the NOVA Director, Kris Stadelman attended an invitation-only forum jointly sponsored by the U.S. Departments of Labor and Education titled, Adults in Transition: Learning Strategies to Support Career Change. The purpose of this forum was to gain input from experts in the workforce and education fields about promising practices in skills upgrading and workforce transition for adults in order to develop a comprehensive and collaborative national strategy to better assist dislocated workers.

At the forum, the Director shared with the group NOVA’s entrée into the social media world by establishing LinkedIn workshops and a LinkedIn group for its job seeker customers. Given the enormous interest in this initiative, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) invited NOVA to host a webinar, which was held last week and received a tremendous response. Leading up to the webinar, DOL reported that it had logged in over 2,300 hits for the webinar. The Director and NOVA staff, Jen Cheyer, demonstrated the benefits that LinkedIn can provide to job seekers with the enhanced communication and networking capabilities and in the increased access to labor market intelligence in real time regarding job opportunities by industry sector and skill sets. 

LinkedIn can also provide value-add to membership associations to promote networking and information sharing across organizations.  In fact, as a result of NOVA’s guidance, the U.S. Conference of Mayors Workforce Development Council just created a LinkedIn site for its members. A recording of the webinar is available online by going to www.workforce3one.org and clicking on "webinars."

NOVA’s Launches Social Media Study: NOVA has commissioned a study on trends in social media, which is scheduled for completion in January/February. As part of this study, a website has been created as a vehicle for job seekers, employers, and the larger social media community to weigh in on the role of social media in their professional and personal lives and to share information about employment trends and opportunities in this field. The site, www.socialmediafaq.org, will also be used by the study’s researchers to post data as it becomes available in real-time.

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

Nokia’s Employees Excited about Moving to Sunnyvale!

Last week, Economic Development Manager Connie Verceles attended a Nokia "All-Hands" meeting to talk about the downtown neighborhood that will be Nokia’s new home.  The meeting was a "show and tell" for the new building and for downtown Sunnyvale.  Ms. Verceles was able to invite downtown restaurants to participate in the event.  Five restaurants accepted the offer and provided food samples.  Dish Dash, Firehouse Brewery, Il Postale, Palace Café, and Rok Bistro were the participating restaurants.  Brandon Wines and Sunnyvale Family Chiropractic provided brochures that were distributed at the event.  Having the restaurants and the City at the event really added to Nokia’s excitement about the move to Sunnyvale.  The employees appreciated sampling the foods that are located a short walk from their new "home." 

Telegent Systems Named "Fastest Growing Private Company" in 2010 by Silicon Valley Business Journal

Congratulations to Telegent Systems for being named the "Fastest Growing Company" in Silicon Valley.  Telegent Systems, headquartered in Sunnyvale, develops high-performing, highly integrated chips that allow users to watch television programs on their phone.  Telegent’s revenue in 2007 was $321,000, $49 million in 2008, and $123.9 million in 2009.  Their focus is on emerging markets such as India, China, México, Brazil, and Indonesia. 

Five Guys Burgers and Fries Will Open October 28

Five Guys Burgers and Fries will officially open its doors on Thursday, October 28.  Economic Development Manager Connie Verceles is working with the owner do a Grand Opening event.  Council will be invited and further details will be distributed soon. 

Board and Commission Recruitment Update

As Council is aware, recruitment is underway for the newly-formed Sustainability Commission. As of today, staff has received one application for the new five-member commission. Recruitment efforts include posting on the City Web site, Council announcements, a Fall Quarterly Report article, and advertising on the slide show display screen at the Library, KSUN and in the Sunnyvale Sun. Additional Sustainability Commission-specific recruitment efforts include e-mails to Horizon 2035 Committee applicants and interested parties, individuals who have attended various community outreach meetings, neighborhood associations, homeowners associations, Leadership Sunnyvale, Cool Cities, and various other environmental and community groups, posting on Twitter and in the feature box on the City's home page, a Sustainability Commission-specific ad on the slide show display screen at the Library and on KSUN, and an article submitted to the Sunnyvale Sun for the news brief section. Staff has increased or duplicated recruitment efforts this week to solicit additional interest.

There are also vacancies on the Arts Commission, Heritage Preservation Commission and Personnel Board. The City Clerk's office has received three applications for the Personnel Board, one of which is by employee nomination. No applications have been received for the Arts Commission or the Heritage Preservation Commission. Applications are due by 5 p.m., on Friday, October 29 in order to schedule interviews with Council.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Smoke Alarm Saves Commercial Building

On October 7 at 9:20 p.m., DPS personnel were dispatched to Old Mountain View-Alviso Road on a report of a fire alarm sounding, with smoke in the building.  Upon arrival, crews discovered moderate smoke coming from one of the units of the single-story, five-unit commercial complex.

Crews quickly entered the unit with a hose line and extinguished the fire, confining it to the area of origin.  A significant quantity of smoke had to be cleared out of the large commercial unit.  A total of seven fire apparatus, along with patrol and off-duty personnel responded, for a total of 28 personnel on scene.  No injuries were sustained at the incident.  The cause of the fire was determined to be an overheated battery-operated charger.

Alcohol / Tobacco Sting Nets Two

On October 13, members of the Community Safety Services Bureau conducted a decoy operation utilizing the Explorer Scouts.  The Explorer Scouts, under close supervision from the Neighborhood Resource Officers, were sent into local businesses in an attempt to purchase cigarettes or alcohol.  This type of operation is conducted twice annually in an attempt to decrease the number of Sunnyvale businesses that sell tobacco and/or alcohol to minors.  In past operations there have been as many as five businesses cited for selling to minors.  Through education and enforcement we have seen the number of offending businesses steadily decrease.  During this operation, two of the 23 businesses contacted violated the law and sold alcohol to a minor decoy, while none of the businesses sold them tobacco products.  While the goal is to have zero businesses violate the law, Public Safety's efforts are proving successful.  With the assistance of a grant from the Santa Clara County Public Health Department, next year DPS will be able to conduct these decoy operations four times per year.

Hetch Hetchy Greenbelt Arsons

Over the past year, approximately 10 small arson fires along the greenbelt from Lakewood to the Morse area have occurred.  Four such fires occurred last week.  Patrol located and arrested a juvenile female (from San Jose) caught leaving the scene of one of the fires; she admitted to causing two of the fires.  Fire Investigation staff later made contact with the suspect and interviewed her regarding other fires on the greenbelt.  She was ultimately issued citations (JCRs) for three additional arson fires.  Additional leads were obtained that may tie the suspect to the previous Lakewood area fires, along with other suspects.  The investigation is still in progress.

Robin Way Structure Fire

Sunnyvale Public Safety Officers responded to a residential fire on Robin Way on October 13 at 5:13 p.m.  Engine 3 and Engine 30 arrived in four minutes and six seconds of dispatch.  Smoke was seen coming from the rear and flames from the window on the right side of the structure.  The structure, a single-story, four-bedroom residence with an attached garage, had a bedroom add-on attached to the rear of the garage.  This is where the fire appears to have started.  Upon arrival it was this bedroom that was fully involved.  Fire quickly spread to the attic and garage venting through the roof.  Initial response was full complement of four engines, one truck, one rescue, BC20, and Med 8.  Two additional engines were requested for manpower.  A total of 38 firefighters, including six patrol officers, were used to extinguish the blaze.  An offensive attack was able to stop the fire at the kitchen and prevented the fire from spreading to the rest of residence.  The garage, one bedroom and kitchen were lost.  Mountain View Fire Department and Santa Clara Fire Department each provided an engine to backfill two of our fire stations. Fire Cause Investigators were also called to the scene.  The fire spread aggressively and attack was complicated due to excessive storage activity of the resident.  The cause of the fire is under investigation, and as mentioned, is believed to have started in rear bedroom.  Red Cross responded and assisted the three adult residents.  No one was injured at this fire.

NEAT Fights Blight

When the area at Helen Avenue and Tamarack Lane was chosen for the second NEAT program, the two most obvious forms of blight were junk and debris and abandoned shopping carts.

Neighborhood cleanup events and educating property owners and tenants on property maintenance requirements, in conjunction with aggressive enforcement, have reduced the junk and debris.

Reducing the abandoned shopping carts required a more complex strategy. Helen Avenue is in close proximity to five strip malls/shopping centers. Three of these centers are located in Santa Clara.  The other two centers located in Sunnyvale participate in the City’s shopping cart notification and collection process, as well as the new shopping cart enforcement program.  NEAT met with management representatives of the stores in Santa Clara and pointed out numerous shopping carts were turning up in Sunnyvale. NEAT worked with store management to schedule routine pickups of abandoned shopping carts in the Helen Avenue area.

The number of abandoned shopping carts in NEAT 2 has decreased by half and is expected to be further reduced as NEAT continues to work with the individuals and stores involved.

PUBLIC WORKS

New Borregas Avenue Bicycle Lanes 

Staff is pleased to announce that initial work on the current Borregas Avenue bicycle lanes project has been completed with the striping of Class II bike lanes on Borregas between Weddell Drive and Persian Drive.  This completes a Class II bikeway for the entire length of Borregas Avenue.  The final segment was able to be re-striped without affecting the existing number of lanes or parking.  Pending work that will occur over the next several months will be intersection controls, enhanced signing, and guardrails at certain locations.

Flush Green Pamphlets

The Sewer and Storm Program, in cooperation with Environmental & Pretreatment staff, have developed some guidelines to help protect the City’s sewer lines. The information is part of a concentrated outreach effort that staff hopes will dramatically reduce the number of sewer stoppages and overflows. Along with information regarding items that do not belong in the toilet such as cleaning/baby wipes, dental floss and bandages, the pamphlet provides City residents with disposal options for cooking oil and grease. Pamphlets are available at the City’s Corporation Yard, at City Hall in the Public Works Department and at the Library.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Lockheed Martin Infrastructure Upgrades

The review of the major infrastructure upgrade project at the Lockheed Martin campus that included $700,000 pipe replacement was done over the counter.  The ability for Lockheed to get approval quickly for infrastructure upgrades helps them maintain their edge on competing for private and government contracts.

CALGreen Workshop

Sunnyvale staff organized and participated in a workshop held on October 20 in Redwood City on the new CALGreen Building Code that will become effective on January 1, 2011. The workshop was sponsored by the American Planning Association California Northern and featured speakers from the State Housing and Community Development Department and California Building Standards Commission. Sunnyvale Building staff also highlighted the City’s Green Building Program. CALGreen includes mandatory construction standards that address green building, water and energy conservation, air quality, waste reduction and environmental quality. The City Council will consider adoption of the new code in November 2010.

Below Market Rate (BMR) Housing Program

• BMR Home Sales: Escrow closed this month on two new BMR townhome sales, one at Evelyn Glen and the other at Verona. Since construction began on these developments, 16 new BMR homes have been sold at Evelyn Glen, and six at Verona.  Staff is currently processing two BMR resales as well. 
• Lawrence Station Apartments: Staff has recorded the BMR Rental Developer Agreement with owner BRE, which provides 46 new BMR rental units at this new 336-unit apartment complex located at Lawrence Expressway/SR 237. BRE will begin construction of the project shortly. These BMR units will remain affordable for 55 years. This project was one of two remaining rental developments approved by the City prior to the Palmer decision, and therefore the SDP condition of approval which required the BMR units is still legally binding on the project.
• Serrawood: Staff recorded the BMR Developer Agreement for the Serrawood project by O'Brien Homes.  This project will include 242 townhomes for sale, of which 30 will be BMR homes. O'Brien Homes estimates that the first homes in this development should be completed by fall 2011, with the remainder being completed during the following year or so.

Facade Improvement Program Launched

Staff from Housing, Planning and Economic Development Divisions jointly hosted a kick-off meeting for the new CDBG Facade Improvement Program last week at Coffee & More in downtown Sunnyvale.  Interested owners of local businesses and/or commercial property located downtown or in CDBG-eligible neighborhoods were invited to attend. The meeting was well attended, and attendees may make follow-up appointments with staff to review their proposals and program requirements.  Additional meetings will be held in other locations based on interest levels, and prospective applicants may contact Rich Gutierrez, Rehabilitation Specialist, at 730-7459 for an individual meeting either at City Hall or at the site of the proposed facade improvements.  Projects located within the Murphy Avenue Landmark District may need to gain approval of the Heritage Commission if the proposed improvements involve significant changes to existing facades.    

Fair Oaks Senior Housing Project Construction Update

Construction of the senior housing structure and surrounding site improvements continue to progress.  Recent activities include the following:

• Parking – Concrete was poured in the driveway entrance base.
• Building One – Six units framed on the second floor; installed structural iron in common area room; and finished second floor joists.
• Building Two – Started fourth floor joists, finished third floor framing, and all plumbing walls installed through to the second floor.
• Infrastructure – Sewer work on Garland Avenue progressed with asphalt, and sewer pipe was installed from Bellflower to the end of Grand Fir.

Horizon 2035 Committee Transit Corridor Tour

The Horizon 2035 Committee will tour transit corridor projects in Mountain View and Redwood City on Saturday, October 23, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (bus leaves promptly from Sunnyvale City Hall). The tour will allow the committee to see recent examples of transit-oriented development in other cities, which will assist the committee in shaping LUTE policies for planned growth areas in Sunnyvale. The tour is open to the City Council and general public and is co-sponsored by Greenbelt Alliance, Urban Habitat and Silicon Valley Leadership Group. All costs will be borne by these organizations.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Total Recreation Package

The City’s Activity Guide serves as the primary sales vehicle for selling registrations and encouraging participation in Sunnyvale parks and recreation activities and services. Research shows that 90 percent of all business generated in recreation agencies is directly derived from use of Activity Guides. While customers can and do register for classes online, research has shown (and Sunnyvale’s own experience has borne this out) that customers are still dependent on the physical guide to serve both as a prompt as well as a communications piece, educating the customer about the possibilities.

The physical act of turning pages to locate the desired section provides the opportunity to highlight other class options and pique interest. Applying this finding to the Recreation Division’s revenue suggests that $3,658,254 (90 percent of $4,064,727 annual revenue) annually is tied to the Activity Guide.

As the City continues to look for new ways to reduce operating costs while minimizing the impact on City services and the public, the Recreation Division took the opportunity to look more closely at their marketing and publicity materials.

Beginning with the September-October 2010 issue, the Sunnyvale Senior Center Activity Guide and the Youth and Adult Activity Guide were combined, the number of pages was reduced and the glossy wrap was eliminated. This allowed the Recreation Division to reduce production costs by approximately $10,000. Simultaneously, the community now has the ability to see, regardless of age, all the programs and services offered by the Recreation Division. Recreation Division staff hope this cross-promotion to a combined audience will lead to self-discovery, social opportunities, health benefits, fun and enjoyment – all in one place.

De Anza Dan:  Done

After much anticipation, anxious youngsters were able to descend on the new play structure at De Anza Park. Final testing and certification from the playground inspector was completed, and the construction fences finally came down.

De Anza Dan’s maiden voyage marked the culmination of months of work by the Parks Division Projects crew and the contractor hired to install the play structure. The former play feature, a concrete structure shaped like the empty hull of a ship, was put into service in the early 1960’s. It had very little play value as children could only climb on or hide inside of it.

The new Spanish galleon has several interactive features, built into three platforms, adding immensely to the play value. Designed for the 5 to 12 year old age group, the structure is sure to be a hit with the neighborhood. At the helm of this ship it would be easy to imagine a voyage around the world, with sails up and flags waving in the wind. Vibrant colors add to the excitement with this bright yellow and red ship docked at the shore of a deep blue lagoon.

Leveraging Community Partners and Funding Resources to Serve Sunnyvale

The Youth & Family Resources unit, located at the Columbia Neighborhood Center, has received funds from First 5 Santa Clara County and University of California, Davis. These resources will allow the Youth & Family Resources unit, working with community partners, to offer valuable programming to the Sunnyvale community.

• Workshops for Child Care Providers – Through a partnership with UC Davis, Center for Excellence in Child Development, we offer free quarterly professional development workshops to child care providers. The next workshop is "The Business of Family Child Care," scheduled for Saturday, November 6, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the Sunnyvale Senior Center. This course focuses on sound business practices that provide the key to successful family child care programs. This workshop highlights the necessary ingredients for effectively operating a child care business in the home. Registration is required.
• Arts & Enrichment Activity for Parents and Young Learners – Funded by First 5 Santa Clara County, The Health Trust and SJB Child Development Centers will offer a free, eight-week "Arts & Enrichment" program to Sunnyvale families. This hands-on activity will engage parents with their young children, ages 0-5, to create arts and craft projects, and learn about early literacy, social skills development in children, and strategies for successful parenting. This program will take place at Fair Oaks Park Building on Wednesdays, from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. starting on November 3. Registration is required.

For more information or to register, contact Youth, Family & Child Care Resources at (408) 523-8150, TDD (408) 730-7501, or e-mail ChildCareResources@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us