Sunnyvale · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Sunnyvale public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Cleanwater Program / Wastewater Plant Rebuild
The wastewater treatment plant upgrade is running tens of millions over, largely from delays coordinating PG&E electrical service and an undiscovered hazardous-materials building. Residents will bear the added cost; staff says contractor pre-qualification and earlier utility coordination are now in place.
Transformer undergrounding requirements
Commissioners clashed over whether the city should keep requiring undergrounded utility transformers when PG&E won't allow it and there's a national shortage. Commissioner Pyne warned he'll press the Community Development Director to use waiver authority in future cases.
Cal Water Well at 800 Carlisle Way
Cal Water wants to replace a well lost in 2016 with a new 800-foot-deep well, 17-foot tank, and diesel backup generator in a residential neighborhood. Drilling will create a significant, unavoidable noise impact for about 27 days of 24-hour work, so the commission added vibration monitoring, real-time public noise data, and hotel vouchers before recommending approval.
Utility Rate Increases
Water goes up 7.5%, wastewater 7%, and solid waste 3% this year. 102 residents filed protests — far short of the majority needed to block it — and several speakers said rising costs are squeezing families. Staff countered that Sunnyvale's rates are among the lowest of seven nearby cities.
Water Supply Reliability Planning
The adopted 2025 water plans project Sunnyvale can meet demand through 2045 in normal and single-dry years, with a small 4% shortfall late in the horizon under a severe five-year drought, managed through a six-stage response framework.
PG&E service reliability and capacity for Moffett Park growth
PG&E made its first-ever presentation to the council, covering outage data, new reliability devices on local circuits, substation capacity for Moffett Park growth, and a new monthly city-PG&E coordination meetings. Council members pressed for historical trend data and details on the new base charge's local impact.
SMaRT Station electrical upgrade cost increase
A resident questioned the growing contingency on the SMaRT Station electrical upgrade contract; staff explained the extra $90,000 covers a switch to hydro-excavation around complex underground utilities. The Council approved it 7-0.