Tips & ToolsWe asked. You answered. Now we’ve got tips to help you with smart FoodCycling

Coming Soon!Read the latest on major public works projects for new or improved public spaces

Budget ApprovedFederal pandemic funds and prudent decisions help balance the City’s budget

Ready, Set, RedrawWe’re kicking off the plan to redraw district boundaries used for Council elections

3 6 7 7SUMMER 202

Our City. Our Future.

Valle

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Our Water Story

page 4

Lake Shasta

As we prepared this issue of Horizon, I revisited my message from summer 2020. In it, I described issuing a local emergency order and activating our

Emergency Operations Center in response to COVID-19. With each new public health order, we had to figure out new ways to meet our community’s needs, in most cases remotely. Our staff quickly found creative solutions for difficult and rapidly changing circumstances—everything from enabling more outdoor dining and raising over $3 million in emergency funds for local small businesses, to expanding our digital services and delivering groceries, medicines, and toilet paper to our seniors. By the time you received that newsletter, we had been operating for almost five months in a pandemic. It’s now a year later and there is reason to hope. COVID-19 cases have significantly declined in our county. Vaccination rates continue to rise steadily. As a result, the state and county have gradually lifted restrictions. Indoor activities are resuming. Plans to return in person to work and school are forming. And people are gathering with friends and family. While getting back to a more normal way of life will have its twists and turns, it seems safe to say there really is a light at the end of the tunnel. But it is also clear the City will feel the effects of the pandemic for quite some time. When and how quickly we recover remains uncertain. We have continued to see much slower growth in property taxes and reduced revenues from sales and hotel taxes. As such, we made prudent decisions when planning our FY 2021/22 budget by reducing our revenue projections and preparing for volatility. Federal pandemic relief funds were critical this year to meeting our requirement to balance the City’s budget (page 7). Using these funds and maintaining some of last year’s spending reductions enabled us to keep our General Fund reserve balance positive and still provide a high level of service to the community. As we face the remaining challenges of working in a pandemic, I have every confidence in our employees’ hard work and persistence. This has allowed us to continue making positive strides toward achieving our community and organization goals. We remain on track with numerous large-scale public works projects (page 6). We have continued to seek and receive public input on significant land use planning efforts like our Moffett Park and Downtown specific plans. We’re consolidating multiple internal business systems into one new financial system. This will greatly improve our efficiency and workflow. We are constructing the new City Hall and designing a branch library in north Sunnyvale. And we’re preparing for citywide initiatives such as the redistricting process (page 7) and a new City Council priority addressing equity, access, and inclusion. We look forward to continuing this progress and seeing you as we adjust to providing more in-person services. Several of our facilities have already reopened. We are currently planning to reopen City Hall to walk-in customers on Monday, Aug. 2.

Kent Steffenscitymgr@sunnyvale.ca.gov408-730-7480

Visit Sunnyvale.ca.gov to subscribe to Update Sunnyvale, my biweekly e-newsletter with updates about City projects, responses to City Council inquiries, and events and activities of interest to the community. Find the subscribe link on the upper left of every webpage.

City Manager’s Message

2 Summer 2021

79% of survey

respondents take part in

the FoodCycle program

63% of survey

respondents participate

weekly

Residents have recycled 14,000 tons of food scraps

as of Feb. 2021

Residents reduced garbage sent to landfill by 18%

FoodCycle eliminates 2,000 metric tons of carbon

dioxide each year

Which is the same as taking 472 cars off the road annually

14,000 Tons Recycled

2,000 Metric Tons eliminated

18% Less Landfilled Garbage

472 Cars Removed

Your Participation in FoodCycle…

…Makes an Impact

In spring 2021, we conducted a survey about our FoodCycle program to help us improve our outreach and education. We are sharing some of our findings with you in this issue of Horizon.

Many survey respondents asked what happens to food scraps and why it matters. Here are a few ways that your participation in FoodCycling benefits the environment. FoodCycling also helps Sunnyvale reach important climate action and waste reduction goals.

FoodCycle Participation

Sunnyvale Horizon 3

FoodCycle: The Smart Way to Handle Food Scraps

Each week, you have a chance to keep your food scraps from wasting away

in a landfill. When you separate them from your garbage, we can turn those peels, shells, bones and spoiled leftovers into new products. Today, the City's FoodCycle program uses your food scraps to make three different products: fertilizer,

an animal feed ingredient and electricity. Fertilizer made from food scraps is rich in nutrients and improves soil and compost. Food scraps are sterilized and approved by the FDA when made into an animal feed ingredient for pigs, poultry or fish. Food scraps can also generate electricity using digester equipment at wastewater treatment plants.

When left to break down in a landfill, food scraps create greenhouse gases. Gases like methane and carbon dioxide contribute to and speed up climate change. Separating food from the garbage and recycling it reduces these harmful gases. That's why the FoodCycle program is critical to meeting our climate action goals.

These goals are in the City's Zero Waste Strategy and Climate Action Playbook. If everyone puts ALL their food scraps in the FoodCycle cart every week, we can do great things for Sunnyvale.

A majority of respondents to our 2021 survey stated that they FoodCycle every week. You also told us that some parts of the program are still challenging. Challenges include cleaning the cart, smells,

pests and the split cart design. Do these issues keep you from using the program for all your food scraps? If so, we’ve put together tips, tools and services to help make FoodCycling an easy habit.

FoodCycling Tips & Tools

63%of your

neighbors FoodCycle every week

Make it SimpleAt our house, we reuse old containers that are the right size to fit clear produce bags. We place one right in front of the trash can in the kitchen, so no one accidentally puts food scraps in the trash.

Create a RoutineThroughout the week, all food scraps like fruit and vegetable peels, eggshells and other scraps go into the containers.

Reduce Your TrashFoodCycling has reduced my trash bags down to one per month! Now, taking out the “trash” is more about taking out food scraps and recyclables. Our trash gets emptied much less frequently.

Reduce Mess Use any clear plastic bag. Compostable bags work too, but get soggy.

Prevent Odors and Pests Refrigerate or freeze scraps until collection day.

Get a Clean Cart Twice a year you can request to replace your FoodCycle cart with a clean one. Go to Sunnyvale.ca.gov, search: How to Get Rid of Anything, and then click the Clean Cart Replacement button.

Watch New Videos Our new videos include tips on choosing a container, reducing mess, preventing odors and learning what can be FoodCycled. Even if you’ve never participated before, these videos will help ease any concerns you’ve had.

Top Tips From Avanti Sunnyvale Resident

Top Tips from Bailey Recycling Coordinator and Sunnyvale Resident

“I FoodCycle because it’s

the right thing to do!”

youtube.com/SunnyvaleRecycling

4 Summer 2021

One of the most precious commodities on earth— clean water—is something we tend to take for granted. But do you know what goes into ensuring that

clean water comes out of your tap every time you turn it on? Planning, preparation and the cooperation of the community keep the water flowing. This is particularly important when climate change is making California's water future uncertain.

Water Use: Then, Now & Beyond

Water use in Sunnyvale has decreased even as the population has increased. Though our population increased 40% since 1985, water use has dropped

by more than half. And projections for 2040 show the average number of gallons each person uses per day staying about the same even though our population will grow by 25%. What has contributed to reduced water use? High tech and research and development offices have

Sourcing and Buying Treating and Distributing

About half of Sunnyvale's water starts its journey in Lake Oroville and Lake Shasta, hundreds of miles away.

It flows through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to the Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) for treatment. From there, it gets delivered to Sunnyvale's water system. The rest of our water flows down the Tuolumne River and into Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) treats that water before it comes to Sunnyvale. Before we can get any of that water, we pay for it. Like most of the Bay Area, Sunnyvale buys water because there is not enough local

rainfall to meet all the city’s needs. When planning how much to buy, we consider existing water demand and any projected development. But purchasing water isn't cheap. In fact, it costs Sunnyvale 60% of the revenues we get from selling water to our customers. The rest of our revenue goes toward testing, and infrastructure construction, maintenance and repair. Statewide challenges also are driving up the cost of water. These include drought, climate change, wildfires and environmental demands.

Once we have the water, we make sure it's clean—one of the most important jobs we do.

Sunnyvale's drinking water meets or exceeds all federal and state drinking water standards. Valley Water and SFPUC treat most of our water, but we also monitor and test our water quality. We send monthly water quality reports to state and federal agencies. Then it's time to send water to homes and businesses throughout the city. This uses our extensive network of infrastructure that most people never see. Our network includes four water plants that pump the water into 340 miles of pipe. A state-of-the-art system monitors and controls the flow and pressure of

water. We have set it up so that if the power goes out, the water doesn't. We also hold millions of gallons of water in reserve in water tanks to meet emergencies like fighting fires. If we need to supplement our water supply during droughts, infrastructure failures or other water shortages, we have wells that tap into groundwater. We currently have very little need to pump from our wells. However, they could supply nearly half of our daily water demand if necessary. We sample the water and check the wells every week to make sure they are ready to go if we need them.

Calero Reservoir is one of 10 reservoirs operated by Valley Water in Santa Clara County.

Senior Water Distribution Worker Manuel Hernandez checks water pressure and chlorine levels at the City’s pump stations.

Recycled water represents 3% of the City’s total water supply. We have been producing recycled water since 1993. We currently deliver it to 120 customers for non-potable uses such as cooling towers and irrigation.

The San Luis Reservoir stores water that has traveled south from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

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Our Water:

Sunnyvale Horizon 5

replaced water-intensive industries, like canneries and semiconductor manufacturing. Revised building codes set new standards for sustainability and require water and energy efficiency. And water conservation has become a way of life in our drought-prone state.

Planning and Maintaining Using and Conserving

We must plan for and invest in our water system if it is to remain reliable and meet our water needs.

Sunnyvale's state-mandated Urban Water Management Plan details the plans for our water future every five years. The City Council is scheduled to consider the 2020 Urban Water Management Plan on June 29. The plan helps the City determine its water needs and how it will meet them. It looks at a variety of factors that will influence the water situation, including:

• Reliability of water sources over the next 20 years, in both normal and dry years

• Demand for water, based on population and other influences

• Use of recycled water and conservation in the event of water shortages

The plan has helped the City determine how to deal with aging infrastructure. Sunnyvale has set aside $85 million over the next 20 years to replace water lines. Maintaining and improving old facilities will help ensure a reliable supply of water. We have already upgraded two water plants and have $7.5 million to improve pump stations over the next two years. We have $4 million set aside next year to rehabilitate water tanks. In a state prone to drought, having this plan helps the City weather water challenges.

Sunnyvale's residents and businesses have made conservation a way of life.

We can see the impact of this lifestyle change over time. In 1985, the City of Sunnyvale used 53% more water than we do today, even though we had far fewer people then. This year, additional conservation efforts will be necessary until water conditions improve. The SFPUC and Valley Water have both called for Bay Area customers to reduce their water use beyond current levels. There is a good reason for these requests. We live in a dry climate, making it harder to know what our water future holds. And when we begin to see consecutive years of below-normal snowpack and rainfall, we must dip into our water reserves. The snowpack, which melts and becomes water for the state, is 60% below the median as of late May. Water levels in Lake Shasta

and Lake Oroville are at 53% and 47% of their historical averages. The entire state is now in varying degrees of drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. By comparison, only 2% of the state was in a drought in October 2019. Doing your part to conserve now will help preserve our water supply and reduce the impact of droughts. Simple steps like fixing leaks, turning off the water while brushing your teeth and reducing the days you water your landscape will help meet conservation goals.

Learn more about other water saving tips, tools and rebates at Sunnyvale.ca.gov, search: Water Conservation.

Maintaining the City’s infrastructure includes repairing or replacing water mains due to age or condition.

Sustainable landscapes adapt to our rainfall patterns and can thrive with minimal watering.

1985 2020 2040

Valle

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ater

Population:111,924

Population:156,503

Population:194,414

Gallons/day/capita:241

Gallons/day/capita:113

Gallons/day/capita:112

A Drop in the BucketYour Price for Water Compared to Other Liquids (average price per gallon)

Tap Water$.006

Gas$4.14

Milk$4.50

Coffee$16.64

Energy Drink$25.60

Keeping Up the Flow

We are underway with many Public Works projects throughout the city. These exciting projects will bring new or updated spaces and amenities to enjoy. Learn more about these and other projects

at Sunnyvale.ca.gov, search: Projects in Sunnyvale.

6 Summer 2021

Public Works in the Works

This example shows how the wastewater and garbage utility rates would be prorated to reflect new rates starting July 1. Your bill will vary depending on your last billing period and the number of days in the new billing period. If you have questions, our utility customer service staff will work one-on-one with you to explain how we calculate your bill. Call us at 408-730-7400, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

You’ll see a change on your next utility bill reflecting new utility rates as of July 1. The new rates for a typical monthly single-family residential utility bill are proposed to increase by 3%—equal to $4.76 per month or $57.12 per year for water, wastewater (sewer) and solid waste and recycling (garbage). With this change, Sunnyvale’s combined residential utility rates will be among the lowest of cities in the area. By law, the City must base rates on the costs of operating and maintaining Sunnyvale’s utilities.

No tax revenues are used to cover the cost of services. The City Council considers annual rate adjustments as part of the annual budgeting process in late June. If approved as proposed, the rates for water will increase by 1.5%, wastewater by 4% and solid waste and recycling by 4%. These increases reflect the rising cost of water, needed infrastructure improvements and costs to implement state legislative mandates that are consistent with the City’s Zero Waste Strategic Plan.

Check Your Bill: New Utility Rates Are Here

Washington Community Swim Center

Originally built in 1955, the Washington Community Swim Center is being entirely replaced. The project will significantly enhance aquatic recreation such as recreational swim, water play and swim lessons. Features will include a new pool with zero-depth entry on

the recreation side and four lap lanes on the sports side. The expanded pool deck will have a splash pad and seat bench (shown here) to separate it from the pool. The facility will also have new pool locker rooms, restrooms, showers and a small community room.

Lakewood Branch Library and Learning Center

The Lakewood Branch Library and Learning Center will be an approximately 20,000 square foot branch library in the Lakewood Village neighborhood of Sunnyvale. The project is a partnership between

the City of Sunnyvale, the Sunnyvale School District and Fremont Union High School District. The Center will serve as a primary resource for literacy, learning and wellness activities for the residents of north Sunnyvale.

Plaza del Sol

Plaza del Sol was designed to be an urban park on top of the underground parking structure at West Evelyn Avenue and South Frances Street. Downtown Sunnyvale has changed greatly since the plaza first opened in 2004. We’re now

designing the second phase of the project to enhance the area and encourage more Sunnyvale residents and guests to visit. Improvements include play equipment, overhead lighting and misters, and new gathering and seating spaces.

Fair Oaks Park & Magical Bridge Playground Fair Oaks Park was originally built in 1969. We began renovating the 15-acre park in fall 2020. New amenities include an inclusive playground designed by the Magical Bridge Foundation, three basketball courts, and a dog park with areas for small and large dogs. New sports fields for

cricket, soccer, baseball and softball will have synthetic turf for year-round use and specialized lighting for nighttime play. The park will also have picnic areas, new restrooms and parking areas and improved water and energy efficiency.

Status: In Construction

Completion: July 2021

Opening: Summer 2021

Status: In Design

Construction: Fall 2022

Completion: Spring 2024

Status: In Construction

Completion: March 2022

Opening: Spring 2022

Status: Selecting a Design Consultant

Construction: Summer 2022

Completion: Spring 2023

Reserves without ARPA

We need your help redrawing Sunnyvale’s six council districts using new 2020 Census data. This process

—called redistricting—occurs every 10 years after each census. It balances population counts within each district to ensure equal representation. So, what’s next? Learn about next steps and how you can get involved below.

Sunnyvale Horizon 7

Redraw Sunnyvale’s Council Districts

TIMELINE: APRIL – JULY

Selecting and Onboarding Redistricting CommissionA Redistricting Commission, made of Sunnyvale residents like you, will oversee the process of redrawing district lines. The Commission has seven voting members. The Commission will:

• Hold public hearings to gather community input• Accept and review map proposals from

the community• Evaluate and narrow the map options based

on community feedback• Select the three to five map proposals the City

Council will review before adopting a final map

The City Council met to appoint members to the Redistricting Commission on June 29. Their goal was to appoint a commission that reflects the rich diversity of our city. Visit Sunnyvale.ca.gov/redistricting to find out who they appointed. In July, commissioners will receive training on their duties as City officials. They will also receive background information and requirements for redistricting.

TIMELINE: AUGUST – DECEMBER

Redistricting Input and Map DevelopmentWe’ll need your input on the neighborhoods and communities of interest that should remain together to elect a councilmember. You will have several opportunities to share your thoughts on these communities of interest.

The City Council adopted a balanced FY 2021/22 budget on June 15. Essential to this was $28.1 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). These funds helped off-set $43.9 million in projected General Fund revenue losses through FY 2023/24 because of the pandemic. Without the ARPA funds, we would have been forced to include deep spending reductions. With them, we still extended some service level reductions put in place last year. This includes not hiring for vacant positions and deferring or reducing some services like tree trimming. Despite reduced revenue projections and potential volatility because of the pandemic, this budget enables us to maintain a core level of service and continue our investment in key projects needed to sustain our public services. Major investments include renovating parks; rebuilding transportation and utility infrastructure; designing and constructing new facilities (Civic Center, Lakewood Branch Library); and implementing our Climate Action Plan. To learn more about the City’s budget for services and projects, visit Sunnyvale.ca.gov, search: Budget.

Federal Relief Funds Critical to Balanced Budget

You can also draw your own map! The City expects to receive 2020 Census data in October. We will then walk you through the demographic data to see how it impacts current districts. You will have access to training and tools to help you design maps that meet state and federal requirements. You can even get technical support with your map from our demographer. Map submissions are due January 3, 2022.

TIMELINE: JANUARY – MARCH

Map Evaluation and SelectionIn January, we will begin reviewing map submissions. We’ll host a workshop and conduct an online survey to collect your input. This will help narrow map options and guide map revisions. Based on this community feedback, map makers can submit a refined map. The Redistricting Commission will then recommend three to five maps to the City Council. Before these recommendations go to the City Council, we want to hear from you. You can tell us which map you prefer through a second online

survey. We will also hold five in-person “pop-up” events throughout the city. Look for us at the Sunnyvale Farmers’ Market, Library, and places of worship. You will be able to see large prints of the recommended maps and choose your preference. The City Council will review recommended maps along with your feedback in late February. They will decide to either adopt a final district map or send comments back to the Redistricting Commission. The Commission may consider the Council’s comments. They are not obligated to change their recommendations. The City Council must adopt one of the Commission-recommended maps by its second public hearing.

Redistricting Meeting ScheduleVisit Sunnyvale.ca.gov/redistricting to find a schedule of all workshops and hearings. You can also sign up for the Sunnyvale Elections email list to stay informed.

Correction: Articles in the Spring 2021 and Summer 2020 issues incorrectly stated Measure B passed with 67% support. It passed with 62% support.

Reserves with ARPABudget Stabilization Fund

Without ARPANegative inFY 2024/25

With ARPALow point at $17.4M inFY 2031/32

Maintaining adequate reserves is one of Sunnyvale’s strengths. We use the reserves in the City’s Budget Stabilization Fund to help weather emergencies and volatile economic conditions. The federal ARPA funds will keep our reserves at a positive level. Without them, our reserves would have gone negative for several years beginning in FY 2024/25.

P.O. Box 3707Sunnyvale, CA 94088-3707

Sunnyvale Art Club artists helped celebrate Pride Month on June 3.

Our City. Our Future.

SUMMER 2021

Tips & ToolsWe asked. You answered. Now we’ve got tips to help you with smart FoodCycling

Coming Soon!Read the latest on major public works projects for new or improved public spaces

Budget ApprovedFederal pandemic funds and prudent decisions help balance the City’s budget

Ready, Set, DrawWe’re kicking off the plan to redraw district boundaries used for Council elections

3 6 7 7

Make an ImpactSee how your government works up close and help shape policy by applying to one of the City’s boards and commissions.

Board and commission members make recommendations to the City Council on policy- related issues covering a range of subjects.

The Council selects community members to serve based on demonstrated interest, special training or expertise.

To learn more and see current vacancies, visit Sunnyvale.ca.gov and search “Boards and Commissions”

Boards and Commissions

Arts Commission

Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission

Board of Building Code Appeals

Board of Library Trustees

Heritage Preservation Commission

Housing and Human Services Commission

Parks and Recreation Commission

Personnel Board

Planning Commission

Sustainability Commission

July 13Draft Mobile Home Park MOU (Housing Strategy)

July 27Ordinance Updates for Exhibitions and Speed Contests (“Sideshows”)

Aug. 10Department of Public Safety Special Awards

Amend Municipal Code for Single Use Plastics

Aug. 31Recreation Administrative Fee and Revenue Policy (Study Session)

2020-2025 Santa Clara County Community Plan to End Homelessness

Sept. 14Ordinance Updates for Mandatory Organics Collection (SB 1383)

Dates subject to change

PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE

PAIDSunnyvale CA

Permit No. 190ECRWSS

Postal Customer or Postal Patron

City Council Meetings and Topics

HorizonSummer 2021

Sunnyvale City CouncilLarry Klein, MayorGlenn Hendricks, Vice MayorGustav LarssonRuss MeltonMason FongAlysa CisnerosOmar Din

City ManagerKent Steffens

Editor, Communications OfficerJennifer Garnett, APR

DesignStudio Scott, San Francisco

Contact for this publication:Communications OfficerCity of SunnyvaleP.O. Box 3707 Sunnyvale, CA 94088-3707408-730-7535408-730-7501 TDDcommunications@ sunnyvale.ca.gov

Follow us:

@CityofSunnyvale

@CityofSunnyvale

Sunnyvale.ca.gov

Read about the project and see more photos and video at Sunnyvale.ca.gov, search: Civic Center Modernization.

What weighs 250,000 pounds and has a 60-foot diameter canopy? Each of the two large Camphor trees that recently moved to their new homes at the corner of Mathilda Avenue and All America Way. Transplanting these two beauties is part of the Civic Center Modernization project. In Phase 1, we’re building a new City Hall and addition to the Public Safety headquarters. One goal is to preserve as many trees as possible. We’re keeping 232 existing trees on site and planting 190 new trees. We’ve also transplanted 12 large trees to other parts of the campus, including the Camphor trees.

Now, this doesn’t happen every day!

Stay Connected

City Council meetings are held at least two Tuesdays a month at 7 p.m., Council Chambers, 456 W. Olive Ave.

Watch Council meetings on Comcast channel 15, AT&T Channel 99; replays Wed 7 p.m., Sat and Sun 4 p.m. Watch meetings online at YouTube.com/SunnyvaleMeetings

Subscribe for City email newsletters and notices: Sunnyvale.ca.gov/Subscribe

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