Council Briefs Council Briefs (October 11, 2002)

Childcare center okayed

Despite protest from residents near the site, council Tuesday approved a proposal for a childcare center at the corner of Moorpark Way and Dana Street.

Led by Monte and Debbie Kenison, whose house on Foxborough Drive borders that intersection, residents argued that the building would bring more noise and traffic to their neighborhood.

But Council members agreed that there is a need for more childcare facilities in Mountain View and modified a street corner in the plan to appease the residents. "This is a terrific project," said Council member Rosemary Stasek, adding that she did not want to "piss off the neighbors."

"I feel we got what we asked for," said Debbie Kenison. She was still interested in installing a sound wall along her backyard. And neighbor Mimi Weinberg felt that the council did not address her concern about a lack of onsite parking.

However, Kathy Murray, another resident on Foxborough, said she was satisfied with the council's decision on the street corner which will maintain the flow of traffic in the neighborhood.
MV wants baby bullet

The council passed a resolution which states its interest in making Mountain View a stop on the Caltrain "baby bullet" express.

Four to six stops will be chosen between San Francisco and San Jose, said Caltrain spokesperson Jayme Maltbie. They will be selected based on the numbers of northbound and southbound boardings, proximity to a city center, and access to other modes of transportation.

The selection process is underway, with a task force conducting an analysis. However, the stops are not likely to be chosen until the summer of 2003, said Maltbie. The baby bullet train, which will shave travel time from San Jose to San Francisco to 55 minutes, will not begin service until 2004.

A baby bullet stop would likely increase business and residential developments in its vicinity and can increase sales tax revenue in its nearby city core.
Less money for nonprofits

In the coming year, a frustrating process may become even more frustrating. With less general fund money expected to be available, the council anticipates having less to give to nonprofits in Mountain View.

Consequently, the council authorized its procedures committee to begin streamlining the application process nonprofits participate in every year. Mayor Sally Lieber said she would like to make it as efficient as possible and to provide a forum for communication between the different agencies.

"It's not an easy thing. If they can do something, that'd be great," said Steve Pehanich, executive director of the St. Vincent de Paul Society which aids day workers and the homeless.

Having had to apply separately for money that comes both from the cities' general funds and federal community development grants across Santa Clara County, Pehanich wants to see a standardization of the process and suggests that Mountain View could take the lead.
No merger for now

When a merger of the Central Business Association -- a downtown business advocacy group -- and the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce was suggested by city council members, both organizations blanched. And at a study session Tuesday, council memberslistened.

"I'm not interested in forcing a bad marriage that doesn't serve anybody's interest," said Council member Mike Kasperzak.

The council mulled over the idea of a merger to see if the combined group could be more effective in its missions and in recruiting retail, the latter of which Stasek called the "number one goal" for downtown.

Nick Chaput, president of the CBA, said his organization is already doing more than its should, and doesn't have the financial capacity or expertise to recruit retail.

However, Council member Mary Lou Zoglin suggested that the CBA and Chamber could work together more closely in the future.
--Candice Shih E-mail Candice Shih at cshih@mv-voice.com