July 11, 2019 Department of Public Safety Hosts Third Youth Leadership Academy The Department of Public Safety (DPS) hosted its third annual Youth Leadership Academy from June 17 to 27. Twenty-seven students entering grades 7 through 9 participated in the two-week program. Participants learned valuable skills in communication, conflict resolution, character building, decision making, and goal setting. They also received information about cyber-safety, bullying, and lifetime fitness. This program was funded by a grant from the Bureau of State and Community Corrections. For information about the Youth Leadership Academy, contact Elaine Ketell at 408-730-7234 or [email protected]. Water Quality Information Available Online The City of Sunnyvale’s Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report), is now available. Our goal is to provide residents with high- quality, safe, reliable drinking water that meets every federal and state water requirement. Sunnyvale analyzes more than 20,000 water samples annually. The report lets customers know where the drinking water comes from, how it is treated to make it safe, the results of water quality monitoring and other important information about water quality. This information is provided in compliance with requirements established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Department of Health Services. If you have any questions or need further information, please contact Kevin Woodworth, Water Distribution Supervisor at 408-730-7900 or [email protected].
Update Sunnyvale 7/11/19
Sunnyvale DPS Deploys UAV in Search for a Missing Person On Monday, June 24, Sunnyvale DPS utilized its newly formed Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) unit on its maiden deployment. The UAV was deployed to assist Sunnyvale detectives conduct a search for a missing Sunnyvale resident. The missing person was possibly last seen around HWY 87 and Julian St. in San Jose. PSO Derek Swanger piloted the UAV and Lt. Toshio Oki operated as the visual spotter. The UAV conducted an aerial search of the Guadalupe Creek area, in terrain that would have been difficult to search on foot. The UAV was airborne for approximately 15 minutes. While the missing person was not located by the UAV, its deployment for this incident was a positive example of the capabilities of the unit. For more information, contact Captain Jeffrey Hunter at [email protected]. Volunteers Needed for Lead and Copper Testing The City performs lab tests on the tap water coming from inside homes every three years because some household plumbing around the country has been known to contribute to levels of lead and copper in drinking water. Past monitoring has shown that household plumbing in Sunnyvale contributes very little of these elements to the drinking water and that the water is in full compliance with the limits set by state and federal regulations. However, we want to be certain that the clean, safe drinking water we deliver to your home is just as clean and safe when it comes out of your tap. The City of Sunnyvale will be conducting its next round of testing for lead and copper during the week of August 26, 2019. We are looking for volunteers who are willing to collect a water sample from their home. Sunnyvale staff will drop off the sample bottles with instructions for volunteers to collect their sample. We are looking for homes built before 1982 and have had no modifications to the plumbing system. If you agree to participate, please complete the form online or scan the complete the form online (below) from your phone to confirm eligibility by July 22. Free testing will be limited to the first 70 homes to respond and qualify. If you have any questions or need further information, please contact Kevin Woodworth, Water Distribution Supervisor at 408-730-7900 or [email protected].
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Sunnyvale DPS Explorer Post 417 Graduation On Friday, June 28, six of our newest DPS Post 417 Explorers graduated from the Santa Clara County Law Enforcement Explorer Academy. The Explorers underwent three weeks of police training that included an overview of the criminal justice systems, laws of arrest, police tactics, community policing and physical fitness. The Explorer Academy is a basic introduction to what life is like in an actual police academy. The academy consisted of explorers from agencies throughout Santa Clara County. Sunnyvale DPS Explorer Paige Sadilek graduated with top academic honors by graduating with an overall 97% academic score. Congratulations to all the graduates. For more information about the Explorer Program at DPS, please contact Lieutenant Jose Ramirez [email protected].
2019 Explorer Competition The Sunnyvale Explorer program allows young people who are interested in a law enforcement career, an opportunity to begin training well before they are old enough to attend a public safety academy. Sunnyvale Explorer Post 417 participated in the 2019 Central Valley Explorer Competition hosted by Manteca Police Department from June 28 to 30. Nine of our Sunnyvale Explorers challenged themselves in events ranging from felony traffic stops to hostage negotiations. Sunnyvale Explorers Post 417 placed
1st in Domestic Disturbance, 1st in Traffic Stop (Citation), 2nd in Officer Down Rescue, 2nd in Critical Incident, and 2nd in Hostage Negotiations. Thanks to the Sunnyvale Neighborhood Resource Officers, NRO Amy Pistor, NRO Jahari Tracy, NRO Raymond Strom, and NRO Joseph Ochoa for all the time preparing the explorers for this event. For more information, contact Lt. Jose Ramirez at [email protected]. NOVA Workforce Review Released for June On a monthly basis, NOVA produces a Workforce Review report that aggregates data from the recently released State jobs report for the NOVA eight-jurisdiction consortium. The June edition includes the article titled, “San Jose, San Francisco top Indeed’s best cities for job seekers” that ranked San Jose #1 on Indeed’s list of best cities for job seekers for 2019, followed by San Francisco, Boston, Birmingham and Nashville. The ranking is based on the least competition for jobs, the highest salaries that were
Page 3 of 6 Update Sunnyvale 7/11/19 adjusted to the area’s cost of living, lowest unemployment rate, and comprised of companies that have received the highest reviews on Indeed. This is not surprising given the current talent shortage in tech in Silicon Valley, where companies are competing for qualified workers. Indeed is an online job search platform, linking job seekers to companies recruiting to fill available positions. The unemployment rate for the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara Metropolitan Statistical Area was 2.2 percent in May, down from a revised 2.4 percent in April. The state unemployment rate was 3.5 percent in May, down from 3.9 percent in April. Mathilda 237 / 101 Project Update Progress is being made on the VTA’s Mathilda Avenue Improvements at SR 237 and US 101 Project. The next significant operation will take place in early August. This involves the permanent closure of Moffett Park Drive between Mathilda Avenue and Bordeaux Drive. Traffic will be routed north to use Innovation Way to access Mathilda Avenue. This closure is being made to reduce the number of traffic signals on Mathilda Avenue in this congested area. Following this closure, traffic exiting WB 237 at Mathilda Avenue will be shifted onto what is now Moffett Park Drive. For more information, please visit the VTA’s Mathilda Avenue Improvements at SR 237 and US 101 project website or contact the Department of Public Works at 408-730-7605 or email [email protected]. Sunnyvale Companies Pitching in at Parks This past Spring, Sunnyvale businesses such as Apple, Avalon Apartments, Crowdstrke, and Druva have all had volunteer events helping beautify Sunnyvale Parks. The companies use the volunteer opportunity as a team building exercise and Sunnyvale receives an additional level of service. If you know of a company or organization that is looking for a team building event or way to give back to the Sunnyvale community, please contact the Parks Division at 408-730-7506.
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Sister City Cherry Trees – Braly Park Iizuka, Japan, Sunnyvale’s Sister City, donated funds to plant ten cherry trees in Sunnyvale. To complement trees planted in past years, this year’s tree planting took place at Braly Park. Yukiko Araragi, Gobal Exchange Development and Yoshimutsu Morofuji, Director General Economy, personally exchanged the donation during their Sunnyvale visit this past March. Mark Kato, President of the Sunnyvale Sister City Association hosted the Iizuka contingent during their visit here in Sunnyvale. Thank You Iizuka. Sketch of the Playhouse at the Fair Oaks Park Magical Bridge Playground The Magical Bridge playground at Fair Oaks Park, along with the overall Fair Oaks Park Renovation and Enhancement project, are scheduled to complete design late summer 2019 and will bid for construction fall 2019. Acting as a centerpiece to the Magical Bridge playground, a preliminary sketch of the playhouse has been prepared that embraces the all-inclusive objectives of the playground and encompass the “Old English” theme of the park. For more information, please contact the Department of Public Works at 408-730-7605 or email [email protected].
UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS Meet K9 and Public Safety Officer Thursday, July 18, 2 p.m. at the Sunnyvale Public Library, Program Room at 665 W. Olive Ave. Come learn about the important work highly trained public safety dogs do in our community. See a demonstration of the remarkable team work between Public Safety Officer Whitaker and K9 Kodiak. Tickets are not required. Kids ages 6 an up are invited. For more information, please contact the Library at 408-730-7300.
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Space Camp Celebration Sunnyvale Public Library is blasting off for space! The Library’s Summer Reading Program theme is “A Universe of Stories” and the Library will transport you to Space Camp for a huge mid-summer celebration. We brought together some of the galaxy’s experts on astronomy, space, the universe, and everything for you to begin exploring your own universe of stories. The Space Camp Summer Reading event is Saturday, July 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. throughout Sunnyvale Public Library and the Library Plaza. Former NASA astronaut Stephen Frick will start the festivities with a bang at 11 a.m. At 3 p.m., Dr. Jill Tarter, an astronomer with the SETI Institute, will bring us in for a smooth landing with a conversation about her own experiences. In-between, there will be a photo op with Stormtroopers from the 501st Legion, puppet shows, and crafts. Booths from some of our local stars around out the day: De Anza College Planetarium, Foothill College Observatory, Lick Observatory, Lockheed Martin, and the SJSU Aeronautical Engineering Program. For additional information, contact the Library reference desk at 408-730-7300. Friends of the Library Book Sale Saturday, July 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, July 21 from noon to 3 p.m. at the Sunnyvale Public Library, Program Room at 665 W. Olive Ave. Get great deals on thousands of books, movies and music! Proceeds support Library programs and services. Members-only shopping starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Membership is $10 for individuals per year or become a life member for $200. Membership fees are tax-deductible. For more information, please contact the Library at 408-730-7300.
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