Come November, Sunnyvale voters will decide whether to approve two ballot measures that will help the city build a new library as well as improve inclusivity by allowing local non-U.S citizens to serve in city boards and commissions.
Measure E authorizes the city to issue general obligation bonds of up to $290 million to design and construct a new public library on Olive Avenue, which is across from the Sunnyvale City Hall. Measure F proposes three changes to the city’s charter, including removing voter registration and citizenship requirements for all city boards members and commissioners; replacing gendered references throughout the charter with gender-neutral language and allowing council meetings to be held 24 times a year instead of two per month.
Measure E
Sunnyvale’s Public Library is already a popular gathering space for residents. The city is hoping to improve the area in the upcoming years by adding more study spaces, teen and children areas and all-purpose use rooms.
To fund the project, the city is looking to utilize $290 million in bonds — a form of long-term borrowing authorized by the state to fund public improvements. Sunnyvale will repay the money using annual property taxes levied on all taxable property within the city. Staff estimates that the the average bond interest rate will be 4 percent, with a bond term of 25 years. The measures sets a maximum tax rate of $27.47 per $100,000 of assessed property value each year the bonds are active.
If Measure E is approved, the funds are set to be used for the design and construction of the new library and demolition of the current building. Measure E’s accountability requirements include a Citizens’ Oversight Committee and annual completion of independent performance and financial audits.
Supporters include Mayor Larry Klein and Councilmembers Murali Srinivasan, Linda Sell, Richard Mehlinger and Russ Melton. In a statement, the city leaders said the main library building no longer meets the demands of the city, as it lacks sufficient public space, struggles to support modern technological needs and has a plumbing system and roof in constant need of repair.
“If we are to maintain our leading edge in the global knowledge and innovation economy, then we must maintain strong educational and learning opportunities for our residents,” the statement reads. “And to do that, we must build a main library fit for the 21st century.”
But not everyone favors using bonds. In a statement against the measure, Sunnyvale resident Svitlana Alba said the taxable properties, which includes condominiums, townhouses and apartments, could potentially increase rent in the area. Alba also states that the city can ” improve it’s budget” and use its own money instead of bond.
City leaders rebutted the claim, asserting that the bond rate won’t affect the properties’ market value and people’s rent. Saving city money for the library is also “impractical” and would require cutting city services and delay construction, the rebuttal states.
Measure F
Sunnyvale’s charter outlines how the city operates, and any amendments to the charter must be approved by voters. The proposal to remove registration and citizenship requirements is the most contested amendment of the three proposed, as some residents believe it will potentially allow those who are “not vested in the community” to influence city decisions.
The charter establishes five boards and commissions whose members are appointed by the council, including the Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission and Board of Library Trustees. Currently, members must be registered Sunnyvale voters and residents, along with other requirements.
In California, a registered voter must be at least 18 years of age and a U.S citizen. If Measure F passes, the council can appoint those who are under the age of 18 and who are not citizens to serve. Members will still have to meet the other charter requirements for appointment, such as Sunnyvale residency.
Supporters say this amendment will allow the city to leverage the “best talent from our diverse community.” Those in favor include Klein, Mehlinger and Srinivasan.
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In a statement opposing the measure, several residents questioned the need to change the charter, stating that there is no city data indicating issues in recruiting, “qualified, talented and diverse applicants” under the current requirements. Opponents also worry that removing the citizenship requirement, which ensures an applicant is a resident of Sunnyvale, will create a loophole for non-residents to apply.
Supporters, however, maintain that the city is not trying to appoint non-residents to Sunnyvale’ s commissions and Measure F would not permit it. Commission service would still require Sunnyvale residency, which can be verified during the application process.
The two other amendments in Measure F include a language-related and council meeting change.
In the charter, “he” and “she” pronouns are used to refer to public employees and officials. If approved, the measure would replace those pronouns with gender-neutral ones such as “they” and “their.” Supporters of the change, which include council leaders, say the document will be more inclusive. There is no formal opposition to the language change.
Other Bay Area cities already have made this particular switch. In 2022, Oakland residents voted to amend the city charter to remove gender-specific language, opting instead to use gender-inclusive and neutral language. Berkeley adopted a similar stance in 2019.
Currently, the council is required to meet twice per month for a total of 24 times per year. The measure would remove that requirement and allow for the council to chose how to space out their meetings for no more than six weeks apart, as long as 24 are in a year.
Supporters of the change say this will be easier for the council and community members to accommodate for religious holidays, school breaks and potential unforeseen circumstances while ensuring city business gets done. There is no formal argument against the meeting requirement.