Mayor Scharf Can Now Vote on the Trail
In a positive development, the city heard back from the CFPPC (California Fair Political Practices Commission) that Mayor Scharf does not need to recuse himself from votes about the trail in the city council. This is very good news for us as Mayor Scharf is a strong supporter of biking and walking infrastructure in the city.
With Councilmember Liang Chao actively advocating against the trail, this helps improve our odds in council votes
.
Water District Board Meeting on June 11, 2019
Thank you to everyone who responded to the call to action and sent letters to the Water District Board!
Over 25 different residents sent letters, which made it clear how much support the Regnart Trail has in our local community. These emails were printed out for all meeting attendees and the significance of the large number of emails in support of the Regnart Trail was made clear to the Board.
The Water District reaffirmed their commitment to creekside trails and their grant program that gives monetary support for them.
A special thanks to the resident speakers who attended in support, including Larry Dean, Wil Fluewelling, Tim Oey, and Jennifer Shearin. They spoke on how the Regnart Trail and other trails are important for school commutes, recreation, and green space as well as explained how there is great community support for creekside trails.
The agenda item was concluded with the board voting to start the process to create standards for creekside trails on Water District property, which will be beneficial for future trail projects. These standards will not affect projects currently under discussion, such as the Regnart Trail.
CUSD Board Meeting on June 13, 2019
Thank you to everyone who responded to the call to action and sent letters to the CUSD Board of Trustees! Over 45 different residents sent letters, which made it clear how much support the Regnart Trail has in our local community.
The agenda item on the Board meeting was whether the CUSD Board should make a formal statement in support of the Regnart Trail to the Cupertino City Council, as it would directly help CUSD students from Eaton and Lawson to get to school more safely.
Unfortunately, the CUSD Board has decided that they do not have enough information to make a decision at this time. They wish to do their own study and review this issue again in the fall (likely after the City Council vote). This decision was not entirely unexpected, as many school districts tend not to take positions on ‘outside of school’ issues, especially if opponents show up to their meetings.
Thank you to the residents that came out in support and made eloquent and excellent points at the board meeting - Jean Bedord, Kelly Tung, Byron Rovegno, Sofia Chan, and Erik Lindskog.
Council Vote likely August or September
It appears that the next vote on the trail will be in either August or September. Walk-Bike Cupertino encourages this decision as it allows families who may be traveling during the summer holidays to also be heard at the Council meeting.
Until then, the City Staff are continuing to work on the design. It is expected the "65% design" (65% complete) will be released for public review next week, including drawings. It's still necessary for supporters of the trail to continue to attend and speak at City Council meetings before then. Speaking is quick, easy, makes a big impact, and we can give you talking points, too. If you are able, please click
here.
Keeping the "High Ground"
Walk-Bike Cupertino advocates for pedestrian and bicycle projects by highlighting the benefits to residents of better quality of life, improved health, livability and sustainability. Supporters of specific projects talk to City Council and other residents about their experience riding their bike on the street, on how much they'd enjoy alternative recreation paths, and how kids could get to school more safely. At all times, supporters rely on facts to make their arguments. This is a particularly easy project for residents to support, given the multiple fact-based benefits to the community.
Regrettably, the opponents of the trail have not kept to this 'high ground'. At almost every City Council meeting, misleading information is cited to the City Council to kill the project. Other tactics used have been complaints to the California Fair Political Practices Commission, Freedom of Information (FOIA) requests for all emails of Commissioners for many months, and on-trail meetings -- using their back gates to the trail for access -- with our Water District Board representative to convince her to not allow a Joint Use Agreement. School board members have also been told misleading and inaccurate information. Our own Vice-Mayor Chao has contacted the CUSD and FUHSD Boards and used her influence as a Councilmember to discourage them from supporting the trail.
We are disappointed that these tactics are being used, and that residents may not get to enjoy this trail and likely other pedestrian and bike projects because of these actions. Thank you for your fair, honest hard work on behalf of this project!
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