[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6566063,"mediaKeyId","3207735-e8387b336657f412cfd722fb7be6b2be","parentId",3207735,"title","Council renews Downtown Business Improvement District for 2025–26 after no protests filed","audioSeconds",1762,"startMs",16452000,"endMs",18214000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3207735-e8387b336657f412cfd722fb7be6b2be&start=16452&end=18214","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3207735-e8387b336657f412cfd722fb7be6b2be/thumbnail_16452000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6566063/Sunnyvale/Santa-Clara-County/California/Council-renews-Downtown-Business-Improvement-District-for-202526-after-no-protests-filed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566063-a5d24afaa1a5b665c2a45f551948576c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770439473&Signature=Zda3xZ6tKzk26ieT9N7mNFrEq9mYaF1wmBLbnOnq5t~74kUalQSjqEChGWoD~Q~x~~go-SkInNOz9yiJJozLInuJxrb98oiTOXKS4WNJJC1Hl7XXQO2TMm9uh2sGoyz60kP952rtYIxgRBd4qJ0CTsbeugD9rQQe2Pfnmfjp8yDP~tvhHoM6pc-VG7smEnshUs103-cHWTZfw7qMk3fhoUTLoYTGt9V0n-imqJg51v8dM2Q0d3gWUXirgvWCMiX5wSpW4Fgzixjl6XaKTUdSAKVQNhLRAh9gHLQDseMAm0XDJ8p8qdbloqsPj-xENbdOaU6cRd6IFVw--c~rZ41IZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-07T06:50:09Z","article","The Sunnyvale City Council held a public hearing May 6 and voted to confirm the annual report and renew the Downtown Sunnyvale Business Improvement District (BID) for fiscal year 2025–26.

City staff and the Downtown Association presented the BID activities and a schedule of downtown events supported by BID funds, including Taste of the World, a new Sunday arts festival and summer concert series. Deputy City Manager Connie Varsalis explained the legally required renewal process and said that, by law, if property owners representing 50% or more of assessments formally protest, the council cannot proceed. Staff reported no protests had been filed before or during the hearing.

Christina Kosinski, director of operations for the Sunnyvale Downtown Association, summarized upcoming downtown programming including the Taste of the World and Wine Stroll, a Sunday arts festival and summer concerts.

Councilmember Mellinger moved to approve the staff recommendation to renew the BID; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Cisneros and passed 7–0.

Ending: The renewal authorizes the Downtown Association to continue BID activities for FY 2025–26; any future protests would need to follow the established statutory process for assessment protests.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - May 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council held the required public hearing and approved renewal of the Downtown Sunnyvale Business Improvement District (BID) for fiscal year 2025–26; staff reported no protests had been filed as of the hearing.","taxTitle","Sunnyvale , Santa Clara County, California","taxId",2858,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6566069,"Council approves 30‑foot 'Redwood Dawn' public artwork for CityLine; piece will be ceramic and steel mosaic",1879,17674000,19553000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3207735-e8387b336657f412cfd722fb7be6b2be&start=17674&end=19553","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3207735-e8387b336657f412cfd722fb7be6b2be/thumbnail_17674000.jpg","/articles/6566069/Sunnyvale/Santa-Clara-County/California/Council-approves-30foot-Redwood-Dawn-public-artwork-for-CityLine-piece-will-be-ceramic-and-steel-mosaic","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566069-e07cdfb34c04d3ecefd098925bf38a10/orig.mp4?Expires=1770439473&Signature=Z9OgBgGVpw2M~2hhHDK5Bob51ppAsPO4dpNq991QA0ba4i~rEqrOYX99xaayjKYdN9nr9fesLZaBoa-AUFI8sNKSMz3NvmIbuyG-DawigrvK~6V0tutg90sVcU9sy479O8BtHlh1gktMd5DXVEiWeCJhbPOG6WG~LC06k~r-QuDwXIzjaCJSibFQ73Z39WsmbklCgtZj11c2hypLqk3Ao8xBWrJOjNknq~yodM6WEikS0IkiX9aeYci60UH7Apig~jR9avTI1gI3kscg0-KptsST0gwKm2je~iCkrjmr1wIL1EV6UHKzhthqcVBVKuTK0xV5L9K-f6~E2Hb5ya~CHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council voted unanimously May 6 to approve the final artwork in CityLine’s Phase 2 public‑art program: Redwood Dawn, a 30‑foot totemic sculpture by artist Sam Falls.

Lede facts: the CityLine development satisfies the municipal public art requirement (1% of retail building permit valuation) through a multi‑piece public walk. The CityLine public art program already includes installed works (Fountain by Woody Othello; A Thousand Sons by Future Forms; Dropping the Ball by Camille Monroe; Redwood Blue by Mark Hanforth). Redwood Dawn will be the final Phase 2 piece and is planned for the Washington–Francis pedestrian corridor.

Why it matters: the piece is both large and highly visible for downtown: a 30‑foot steel I‑beam with recessed faces filled with glazed ceramics made using plant impressions and glazes inspired by local redwood materials. Council and staff said the work complements the new streetscape and will serve as a visual beacon for the CityLine plaza.

Staff presentation: Kristen Dance of Library and Recreation Services summarized the CityLine public art accounting and noted the developer’s art contribution is trending to exceed the 1% requirement (the retail 1% requirement was shown as $1,378,090 in the staff estimate tied to building permit valuation). Ellie Hunter (public‑art consultant) and artist Sam Falls described the work’s concept and materials. Falls’ process uses plant impressions pressed into ceramic, high‑fire glazes and a steel armature; the design includes a warm‑to‑cool tile color progression intended to reference forest floor to sky and a vertical column intended to read from pedestrians approaching the park.

Safety and durability: staff said the City’s permit and engineering review will require seismic anchoring and that the sculpture’s ceramic tiles are high‑fire ceramics set into mortar and a steel mesh to resist breakage and to allow cleaning. Lighting will be designed with a lighting consultant to illuminate the tall form while respecting dark‑sky and glare considerations.

Council action: Vice Mayor Selle moved approval and Council member Cisneros seconded. The council voted 7–0 to authorize Redwood Dawn as the final Phase 2 artwork and to proceed with engineering, fabrication and installation; the motion included standard requirements for permitting, seismic anchoring and final lighting design. The council asked staff to coordinate final lighting to avoid excessive glare and to confirm final installation details with engineering and the City’s public‑art program.

Next steps: staff will finalize engineering and permitting drawings, confirm lighting design (working with a lighting consultant), accept final invoicing from the developer and schedule fabrication/installation. The foundation for the artwork was previously installed under the pavers to minimize later disruption.

Ending: With approval of Redwood Dawn, CityLine’s Phase 2 public art program is complete and the multi‑work art walk will be an added downtown civic amenity. The project now moves into final engineering, permitting and fabrication.","Council approved the final CityLine public art piece, 'Redwood Dawn' by artist Sam Falls, a 30‑foot I‑beam sculpture with inlaid high‑fire ceramic tiles inspired by redwood motifs. Council vote was 7–0; the developer is meeting the 1% public‑art requirement for retail valuation.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6566073,"Public criticism and calls for review after Sunnyvale staff remove Palestinian map at Hands on the Arts festival",7501,5115000,12616000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3207735-e8387b336657f412cfd722fb7be6b2be&start=5115&end=12616","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3207735-e8387b336657f412cfd722fb7be6b2be/thumbnail_5115000.jpg","/articles/6566073/Sunnyvale/Santa-Clara-County/California/Public-criticism-and-calls-for-review-after-Sunnyvale-staff-remove-Palestinian-map-at-Hands-on-the-Arts-festival","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566073-ff24666381a60595b400f36bddf4be64/orig.mp4?Expires=1770439473&Signature=cUBWyREj206BfxLype9GrF~mc24eigOMp2qOj93SjQjc3cdeXWlSG7ZjCbvxw~BwqqRj2WOJxdigsxMErX2a2eW0FgY-vJJ1svNfVLOiYJ8NmSj-7QO4Z80w8b25er53Uw1YIabJAuA-bVF9uYMUyjWwMvEumY8HQczVcGqehPlABO1zCp3MlwmDDJBSJzXpWluFWTW1N~8VwJDOiqABoBbKZzMMuHuRvn0aH~48dzK1wcjum9eSZY3VfDNbAFvdNkkSh0ENQIUXYoff95RU69Sb4VpU0nkagdj6RCED2mbyXVqjuTnvzFFr9Yn-Jy4cIhf-oBZoBEHx28mLWYCF1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of speakers and several community groups addressed the City Council May 6 over the removal of a poster from the Palestine Palette booth at Sunnyvale’s Hands on the Arts festival on May 3, and many called on the city to investigate the incident and improve event procedures.

Why it matters: multiple residents and community organizations said volunteers were harassed and that the city’s decision to require the poster’s removal amounted to censorship and discrimination; others told council the city acted appropriately to keep a children’s event age‑appropriate. The issue drew dozens of public speakers and sharply divergent viewpoints at the council meeting.

City manager Kirby told council staff were “carefully reviewing the occurrence” after staff became aware that an artist had displayed materials not approved in advance for a children’s craft project and said the materials could have been displayed in the festival’s free‑speech area. Kirby said staff had heard multiple perspectives and that the city would seek to learn from the incident.

Many speakers described the artist‑run Palestine Palette booth as a cultural and educational presence; volunteers said the event staff initially assisted setup and did not flag materials but later demanded the removal of a poster that included a historic map of Palestine. Volunteers said they left rather than be censored; several speakers said staff actions toward volunteers and the artists were aggressive and intimidating. Speakers asked council to apologize, investigate whether staff followed policy, and to require anti‑Palestinian‑racism training and clearer rules for event content.

Other residents and community members supported the city’s decision. Several speakers, including members of the Jewish community, said imagery or language that could be read as supporting violence or political slogans has no place at children’s events and commended staff for protecting the festival’s family‑oriented mission.

Public agencies and civil rights groups also weighed in. A representative from CARE (civil‑rights advocacy) and multiple long‑time Sunnyvale residents urged council to avoid erasing Palestinian cultural identity and recommended anti‑Palestinian‑racism training for staff. Sunnyvale Community Services and other local nonprofits requested continued attention to safety and inclusive event practices.

Councilmembers noted the strong public interest and thanked residents for civil testimony. No formal disciplinary action or policy change was adopted at the May 6 meeting; council member Mellinger said she would reserve judgment while staff finished reviewing the facts and added that the offensive comments heard at the meeting “should have no place in our city.” Several members asked staff to return with findings and recommended remedies if vendor processes or staff conduct were found to be inconsistent with city policy.

Clarifying details recorded at the meeting: staff said event approvals require participating artists to submit proposed materials in advance and noted the festival has a designated free‑speech area. Ten speakers mentioned specific safety or harassment complaints at the event; staff confirmed the city received reports and was gathering facts. Community requests included clarification of festival rules, improved training for festival staff and volunteers, an independent review of the incident and, where requested by speakers, an apology to the artists.

What’s next: staff will continue the review begun after the May 3 festival and report back to the council; no formal council resolution or directive was adopted May 6 beyond staff’s commitment to investigate and learn from the incident.

Ending: The controversy underscored a split among residents about how to treat politically sensitive material in family‑oriented public events; council asked staff to return with findings and possible policy or training responses.","Public commenters faulted city staff for removing a Palestinian history map and press for training on anti‑Palestinian racism and fair event processes. City manager said the matter is under review; council did not take formal punitive action at the meeting.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6566076,"Sunnyvale adopts HUD consolidated plan and 2025–26 action plan; council reallocates CDBG funding amid federal uncertainty",7032,9760000,16792000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3207735-e8387b336657f412cfd722fb7be6b2be&start=9760&end=16792","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3207735-e8387b336657f412cfd722fb7be6b2be/thumbnail_9760000.jpg","/articles/6566076/Sunnyvale/Santa-Clara-County/California/Sunnyvale-adopts-HUD-consolidated-plan-and-202526-action-plan-council-reallocates-CDBG-funding-amid-federal-uncertainty","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566076-caf19e5528a3e0c60280e9a8e5bc0dd8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770439473&Signature=TTemRAFoE-uVZlA45WJpRItRekfnL42vSWrpW~fo7jmDTFfnezWY0jS18hSnHuOecIGgWOZJ6zGGY3hDVXZBHqsPYXFtTr0BX0HaLxx00BXKhB4-4fGl7Qc38HcCxh4wVpC66b0L23TysZVKzhs~HV2P7Wddn7TKSmrxdWg8tbfJmda9E2xpt72wk3TEDB~fLx-QlwDzQASfQl086UJqRDzBmYcKa3Q93R7mpmwxE1pRhnoKS0O3bye9hejJsRe9IOzNnZw04~kFAey4n5MFiq5OCqdoUf9Nfdnbi~PdbYqoXp9FUHV7kkWOhrKID0ZPrvyTAiLJbZQtNr5WNSz6fw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sunnyvale City Council voted unanimously May 6 to adopt the city’s draft 2025–2030 HUD Consolidated Plan and the draft fiscal year 2025–26 HUD Action Plan, approving a package of local program funding and instructing staff to return with options should federal funds be reduced.

The five‑year Consolidated Plan and one‑year Action Plan guide how the city will use anticipated HUD entitlement funds — primarily CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) and HOME — for affordable housing, homelessness response and community development. During the meeting staff estimated Sunnyvale’s CDBG entitlement at roughly $1.0 million and HOME at about $400,000 based on prior allocations; HUD’s formal allocations for 2025–26 were then pending.

Why it matters: the Consolidated Plan sets policy priorities for the next five years and the Action Plan programs funds immediately available; the council’s vote also contained a directed funding mix that reflects local priorities and a contingency posture in case of federal budget cuts.

Root Policy consultant Heidi Agler presented the Consolidated Plan analysis and summarized resident and stakeholder engagement, which emphasized rental affordability, rental assistance, homeownership support, and services for special‑needs populations including survivors of domestic violence, seniors, and people with disabilities. Agler said a rental gap analysis showed a shortage of units affordable to households earning below $75,000 annually.

Homeless services manager Stults and other staff outlined the draft 2025–26 action plan and the city’s funding estimate, noting a portion of unspent CDBG‑CV funds (from the 2019 CDBG‑CV allocation) must be spent by July 2026. Staff also presented alternatives should HUD funding be eliminated or substantially reduced, including options to backfill affected programs with city funds and to return to council with a recommended funding strategy.

Public commenters, housing advocates and provider representatives urged full funding for locally delivered programs listed in the draft action plan. Sunnyvale Community Services asked council to preserve tenant‑based rental assistance (TBRA) and other safety‑net services. Downtown Streets Team described workforce outcomes for its WorkFirst program. Upwards (the Boost program) described a proposal to support licensed in‑home childcare providers through training, software and subsidies to expand capacity.

Council deliberations focused on program effectiveness and risk. Housing and Human Services Commission had recommended adjustments to staff allocations; commissioners and several council members debated funding a new Boost childcare pilot proposed by Upwards (a for‑profit nonprofit‑partnering program) against preserving existing programs that serve extremely low‑income residents.

Council member Mellinger offered a compromise motion that adopted the draft consolidated plan and the 2025–26 action plan with funding modifications: fully fund Sunnyvale Community Services’ requested allocation for safety‑net and housing assistance ($513,534), allocate $64,000 to Upwards’ Boost childcare pilot (a reduced pilot amount from staff’s original recommendation), and allocate $202,416 to the city’s Minor Home Repair program to meet rising demand from low‑income homeowners. The motion passed 7–0.

The council also directed staff to return if federal CDBG/HOME funds were eliminated or substantially reduced; staff had told council “substantially reduced” had not been formally defined and suggested a possible threshold of $300,000 or 30% as a discussion point. The council did not commit to a specific source of backfill funding at this meeting but asked staff to prepare options.

Clarifying details provided at the meeting: the city’s draft action plan included CDBG and HOME entitlement estimates, program income projections from loan repayments, and a 2019 CDBG‑CV unencumbered balance that must be spent by July 2026. Staff noted historic year‑to‑year declines in federal entitlement funding since COVID and said HUD was expected to announce final 2025 allocations imminently.

What’s next: staff will finalize the Action Plan to reflect HUD’s entitlement notifications, collect final invoicing and accounting for previously approved projects, and return with implementation details and follow‑up if HUD funding is reduced. Council requested quarterly reporting on funded programs’ outcomes and directed staff to return with any backfill recommendations if federal funding is lost or cut.

Ending: By adopting the Consolidated Plan and 2025–26 Action Plan, the council set the city’s HUD spending priorities for the next year and signaled willingness to pilot targeted childcare supports while protecting core safety‑net services for extremely low‑income residents.","The City Council voted 7–0 to adopt the draft 2025–2030 HUD Consolidated Plan and the 2025–26 HUD Action Plan, approving staff-recommended priorities and a council amendment that reallocates Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to key local programs and pilots while directing staff to return if federal funding is cut.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council renews Downtown Business Improvement District for 2025–26 after no protests filed

Council approves 30‑foot 'Redwood Dawn' public artwork for CityLine; piece will be ceramic and steel mosaic

Public criticism and calls for review after Sunnyvale staff remove Palestinian map at Hands on the Arts festival

Sunnyvale adopts HUD consolidated plan and 2025–26 action plan; council reallocates CDBG funding amid federal uncertainty