Policy Watch: Week of 5/21

City of Sunnyvale

Selecting a preferred option for the Housing Study in the Lawrence Station Area Plan; continued to June 26

Staff are requesting a continuance to June 26, 2018 for the public hearing of the amendment of the Lawrence Station Area Plan, which includes 319 acres adjacent to the Station. This is to allow additional time to complete the report. Council is expected to select a preferred option at its June 26 meeting.

The City developed the Lawrence Station Area Plan to review ways to promote development near the Lawrence Caltrain Station that could encourage higher ridership levels at the station. In 2016, Council requested a housing study to identify additional housing opportunities within the LSAP. The study’s first step is to select a preferred option that will be used to evaluate environmental impacts and amendments to the plan. Option 1 (Greater Density) would increase residential units in LSAP zoning districts where residential development is already allowed. Option 2 (Expand Area for Housing) would allow residential development in LSAP zoning districts not originally designated for residential use. Option 3 is a combination of the first two options.

Where: Sunnyvale City Council

When : Tues. May 22, 2016, 5:30pm

Link to item:   https://sunnyvaleca.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3507026&GUID=F43C17EE-F2EB-48CA-B0FE-0ABAA6AAE493

Link to agendahttps://sunnyvaleca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=573850&GUID=D285D865-A5E7-4890-9D99-F6B6D76CCC47

 

Deciding whether to put charter amendment to give Council power to fill Council vacancies on Nov. 2018 ballot

Council will be reviewing the Charter Review Committee’s report and recommendation to amend Charter Section 604 regarding filling city council vacancies. The CRC recommends a hybrid model that gives the Council the power to decide whether to make an interim appointment or hold a special election to fill a vacancy; and puts a limit on the duration of appointments until the next regularly scheduled election.

By giving the Council the option to appoint or hold a special election when a vacancy occurs, the CRC stated that it believes the Council will be able to fill vacancies in the best manner possible given the circumstance and timing of the vacancy, while balancing costs and democratic principles. The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters’ office has estimated that the cost of inclusion of one measure on the November 6, 2018 ballot will be approximately $85,000. Internal costs of translations, publishing and public noticing is estimated to be approximately $2,400. The FY 2018/19 Recommended Budget includes funding for up to three ballot measures.

Where: Sunnyvale City Council

When : Tues. May 22, 2016, 5:30pm

Link to item: https://sunnyvaleca.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3507029&GUID=8EE16357-134F-4F1F-8FC0-9914C5C7F441&FullText=1

Link to agendahttps://sunnyvaleca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=573850&GUID=D285D865-A5E7-4890-9D99-F6B6D76CCC47

 

Deciding whether to place a ballot measure to increase the Transient Occupancy Tax rate on Nov. 2018 ballot

Staff are recommending that Council direct them to return to Council with actions necessary to place a ballot measure on the November 2018 ballot to increase the Transient Occupancy Tax rate from 10.5% to 12.5%.

In 2017, City Council sponsored a study to identify and evaluate the potential of new revenue strategies for the City. The City hired a consultant to conduct polling on two measures: an increase to the City’s Transient Occupancy Tax rate and an increase to the Real Property Transfer Tax rate. The Transient Occupancy Tax is charged on hotel, corporate rental and short-term rental guests with stays less than 30 days in length. The Real Property Transfer Tax is charged when a property is sold and is usually shared between the buyer and seller. Increasing either tax requires the approval of a simple majority of voters.

The polling results showed a 74% approval rating for the TOT. Voters in favor cited reasons including attaining parity with other jurisdictions, keeping crime rates low, and maintaining community parks; those against preferred to raise developer fees instead of taxes or felt there were too many fees and taxes already. The RPTT showed a 33% initial approval rating, with respondents particularly concerned about the high costs of housing as a reason for opposing. Based on these results, staff believes this measure is not likely to be successful.

Where: Sunnyvale City Council

When :  Tues. May 22, 2016, 5:30pm

Link to item: https://sunnyvaleca.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3507032&GUID=121E8B29-888F-4012-B4BF-278993390C20

Link to agendahttps://sunnyvaleca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=573850&GUID=D285D865-A5E7-4890-9D99-F6B6D76CCC47

 

City of Mountain View

Discuss and Approve Master Plan Strategies for North Bayshore Precise Plan area

The Council will provide direction to staff on Master Plan strategies to help implement complete neighborhoods in the North Bayshore Precise Plan area.

The Council may consider the following strategies for how each complete neighborhood area could develop:

Option 1: Master Plans Proposed by Property Owners

A first option could include the neighborhood landowners working together to propose their own Master Plan for their complete neighborhood area. This option would be independent of any City processes, but once finalized by the property owners, a Master Plan for an area would be reviewed by the EPC, who would provide a recommendation to the City Council for approval.

Option 2: City Assistance with Master Plans

A second option could include a majority of property owners with a majority of land in an area, as a group, to request to the City Council that the City assist them in developing a Master Plan for the area, including potential options for land use location and mix. The property owners would be responsible for funding this effort. The City’s role under this option could be to help facilitate the discussion among property owners over creation of a Master Plan, including providing technical assistance on topics such as North Bayshore Precise Plan policies and City infrastructure plans and projects that may affect future land use decisions in the area. The process could also include technical assistance from consultants with expertise in Master Plan development.

Where: Joint Special Meeting of City Council and Shoreline Regional Park Community

When : 5/22/2018, 5:30 PM, Council Chambers, 500 Castro St., Mountain View

Link to item: https://mountainview.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3507363&GUID=7D8ABCF6-E2A6-4206-AB57-1CEA1E274174&Options=&Search=

Link to agenda: https://mountainview.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=603911&GUID=464BDCB7-7680-4D8F-98D9-9BF2EA352722&Options=info&Search=

 

City of Santa Clara

Approving $2.1M in Service Agreements with tree trimming, planting and removal contractors

Staff are recommending that Council approve and authorize the City Manager to execute Service Agreements with several contractors related to citywide tree trimming, planting, removal, and emergency tree services for a total amount of $2,113,000. Individual service agreement include:

  • $210,000 with West Coast Arborists Inc;
  • $1,273,000 with Rhino Enterprises Inc. dba Commercial Tree Care;
  • $405,000 with Bay Area Tree Specialists;
  • $225,000 with Chriso’s Tree Trimming.

Where: Santa Clara City Council

When : May 22, 2018, 4:00pm

Link to item: https://santaclara.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=590763&GUID=4803C614-7650-496E-A305-678D9157527E&Options=&Search=

Link to agenda: https://santaclara.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=590763&GUID=4803C614-7650-496E-A305-678D9157527E&Options=&Search=

 

Awarding $20.2M Public Works Contract with O.C. Jones and Sons, Inc. for Reed Street-Grant Street Sports Park Project

Staff are recommending that Council award a $20,195,000 Public Works Contract for the Reed Street-Grant Street Sports Park Project to O.C. Jones and Sons, Inc. and authorize the City Manager to execute any and all documents associated with the project and execute change orders up to approximately 10% of the original contract price, or a total not-to-exceed amount of $22,214,500.  In addition, staff are recommending that Council approve the budget amendment transferring $10,214,500 from the Land Sale Reserve to Youth Soccer Field & Athletic Facilities Program to be repaid with future Mitigation Fee Act revenue.

The Reed Street – Grant Street Sport Park Project (Project) is located at the southwest corner at the intersection of Reed and Grant Street. The Project is approximately 10 acres consisting of a new community park facility that includes five lighted soccer fields (with multiple configurations), onsite parking lots, a multi-purpose community recreation building, a landscaped promenade and entry plaza, a children’s playground with seating and picnic area, team gathering and spectator viewing areas, a maintenance building/yard, and a restroom building for the Raymond G. Gamma Dog Park.

Where: Santa Clara City Council

When : May 22, 2018, 4:00pm

Link to item: https://santaclara.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3508696&GUID=01EC34FE-0C5A-4B8F-AB86-0E123C72884E&Options=&Search=

Link to agenda: https://santaclara.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=590763&GUID=4803C614-7650-496E-A305-678D9157527E&Options=&Search=

 

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