Sunnyvale is taking steps to make its downtown more inviting for residents and visitors alike by beautifying its most historic block. The Sunnyvale City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved concept plans to turn the historic Murphy Avenue block of downtown into a permanent pedestrian mall, with Councilmember Russ Melton absent. The plans include more bike...
Sunnyvale to scout sites for safe parking program
Sunnyvale leaders want to lower the anxiety levels of residents living in their vehicles through a widely supported solution: giving them a safe place to park. The Sunnyvale City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a policy to allow safe vehicle parking sites in the city, with Councilmembers Alysa Cisneros and Omar Din absent. Safe parking...
Sunnyvale mayor gets second term among new councilmembers
Sunnyvale voters are on track to reelect Mayor Larry Klein and fill two open City Council seats with women of color. As of 4:58 p.m. on Friday, Klein is leading with 72.9% of the vote. Councilmember Russ Melton is trailing with 27.1% of the vote. Melton is terming out of his District 4 council seat,...
Sunnyvale lacks funding for guaranteed income program
Sunnyvale is prepared to launch a guaranteed basic income program — it’s just waiting for funding. The Sunnyvale City Council approved the pilot program unanimously last week, with Councilmember Alysa Cisneros absent, and instructed city employees to look for external funding. The pilot could run for up to two years and provide at least 100...
Meet the candidates running for Sunnyvale City Council
Sunnyvale could have a new City Council and mayor next year, with multiple seats up for election come November. Four seats on the Sunnyvale City Council will be on the ballot — the mayor and council districts 2, 4 and 6. District 4 Councilmember Russ Melton is terming out and challenging Mayor Larry Klein for...
Sunnyvale candidates talk housing issues ahead of election
The Sunnyvale City Council will make decisions on housing, transit and the city’s budget in the near future — and candidates seeking elected office are sharing their approaches to governing. Sunnyvale voters attended a candidate forum on Sept. 18, hosted by San José Spotlight, where two mayoral candidates and five of six council candidates fielded...
Sunnyvale officials delay vote to ban artificial turf
The debate between using artificial turf or natural grass on government-owned athletic fields in Sunnyvale has been pushed into the future, leaving environmental activists and youth sports groups in limbo. The Sunnyvale City Council declined to decide on banning artificial turf after a 4-2 vote, with Mayor Larry Klein and Councilmember Richard Mehlinger dissenting and...
Sunnyvale buys land to build affordable housing
Sunnyvale has a unique strategy to support affordable housing development: purchasing the land for developers. Most recently, as part of a $29.5 million roundup of affordable housing expenditures, the Sunnyvale City Council unanimously approved spending $12.5 million to buy a lot at 1171 Sonora Court, to help developers MidPen Housing build 170 affordable apartments. It will...
Sunnyvale replaces homeless outreach provider
Sunnyvale will have a new outreach team assisting its homeless residents after scrutinizing the city’s previous provider. The Sunnyvale City Council unanimously approved a more than $900,000 one year contract with homeless service provider WeHOPE earlier this month. The contract begins Sept. 1 and includes a five person outreach team and the organization’s Dignity on...
Sunnyvale’s budget is flush with money
While most of Santa Clara County grapples with balancing budget shortfalls, one city has enough money to set aside for future resident services. Now, city officials have to decide where that money should go. Sunnyvale is putting money into a “set aside” fund, beginning with $3.5 million this fiscal year. The Sunnyvale City Council approved...