Holiday Tree Lighting

The Los Altos Village Association will host the annual Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony on Friday, November 30th from 6 - 8 p.m. in Veterans Community Plaza located at the corner of Main and State Streets in Downtown Los Altos. This festive event will feature refreshments and holiday music provided by local businesses and community groups, free carriage rides and visits with Santa, who will arrive around 6:30 p.m.

City Clerk

City Council Reorganization

The annual City Council Reorganiz ation meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at 7 p.m. in the Community Meeting Chambers at Los Altos City Hall, 1 N San Antonio Road. Councilmembers-elect Neysa Fligor and Anita Enander will take their places on the Council and the Council will select which members will serve as Mayor and Vice Mayor for the coming year. A reception will follow the Council meeting at the Los Altos Youth Center.

Potential State Housing Legislation

Staff is monitoring potential legislation related to housing that is making its way to the State Legislature. The legislation comes from the CASA Compact. CASA was formed by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to develop strategies to provide housing in the Bay Area. Many of the proposals could have significant impacts to the City’s processes for evaluating housing development applications. More information regarding CASA and the proposed CASA Compact can be found online.

Community Development

Implementation of Permit Tracking Software Rescheduled

In order to achieve a smooth transition and full implementation of the new TRAKiT permit tracking software, the implementation date has been rescheduled. Over the course of configuring and testing the TRAKiT application with the City’s business processes, staff identified some components and functions of the application that were not working as expected. Staff raised these issues with the vendor, which in turn worked with their developers to address and fix the problems. However, it has come to light that to properly fix the issues, a new version of the application will need to be used. This new version will be released soon by the vendor and will then require additional testing to ensure it performs in-line with the City’s needs and business practices. While the core TRAKiT application is functional, the deficiency in certain application components and functions primarily impact the public online portal, which limits the online services we expected to provide.

Working with New Businesses

Staff of the Economic Development Division is currently working with community stakeholders and property owner groups to get the word out that Economic Development is a resource that can help business owners and property owners navigate the various permit requirements and processes that a new business encounters when starting-up in Los Altos. Economic Development staff is eager to assist business and property owners and welcomes any questions or inquiries. If you are considering opening a business in Los Altos, please contact the Economic Development Division at (650)-947-2620 or acarnesecca@losaltosca.gov prior to signing a lease for space.

Police

Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers Award

Officer Aimee Major was recently recognized as the Los Altos Police Department Honoree at the 2018 Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers awards banquet. Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers provides a safe place for citizens to give anonymous information about crime and fugitives. Each year, Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers recognizes officers from each law enforcement agency in Santa Clara County for their contributions toward stopping crime.

Officer Major was recognized for her contribution to a burglary investigation, which resulted in solving two residential burglaries in Los Altos, as well as a burglary and an armed robbery in San Jose. Officer Major is consistent in her day-to-day performance, displaying strong work ethic and a keen ability to build effective professional relationships with her peers and community members alike. Please join us in congratulating Officer Major!

Tips to Prevent Package Theft This Holiday Season

With more and more people shopping online, especially during the holiday season, we’d like to share some tips to help minimize your risk of package theft. It’s easy to avoid having packages delivered to your front door when no one is home. Below are several alternatives now available to ensure your online shopping deliveries make it securely into your home.

Remember to report suspicious activity right away to Police by calling our non-emergency number at (650) 947-2770. No one knows your neighborhood better than you, so if someone or something gives you pause, err on the side of caution and contact us to report the suspicious person or activity. 

Public Works

Sewer Improvements - Structural Reach Replacement

The City’s contractor, EPS Inc., is performing restoration work following pipe replacement that has been completed in the easement near Morningside Road and Bay Tree Lane. The contractor plans to perform pipe replacement at the easement at Farndon Avenue after work is finished at the Morningside Road easement, weather permitting, within the next few weeks.

Citywide Street Paving

This week, the City’s contractor, Interstate Grading and Paving completed paving operations along Covington Road. Minor work will follow including adjusting utilities to grade, temporary striping and final striping. Additionally, preparation was completed, and paving operations started on Altos Oaks Avenue earlier this week before being halted due to poor weather. Paving will resume soon, weather permitting.

Los Altos Youth Center Playground Now Open

Crews wrapped up work on the new preschool playground in front of the Los Altos Youth Center. The playground features two play structures – one for children ages 12 to 24 months and the other for children ages two to five years. The playground also has fun interactive play panels, two bucket-type swings and a picnic area. 

Recreation & Community Services

Gingerbread House Exhibit Now Open

The Gingerbread House Exhibit is now open! Grab the family and visit the exhibit at Hillview Community Center, Room 2. The exhibit is open weekdays from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday, December 1 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. You won’t want to miss this fun, family-friendly tradition. The holidays never smelled so sweet!

Senior Center Annual Tree Lighting & Cookies with Santa

Join us for our 2 ^nd Annual Tree Lighting with a new addition of Cookies with Santa at the Hillview Community Center Senior Center in Rooms 10, 11 and 12 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 4. Entertainment includes Cookies with Santa, Gingerbread House Exhibit, Lyric Victorian Carolers and Bel Canto Flute Choir. Refreshments will be provided by the Los Altos Sunset Rotary and The Los Altos Senior Center.

Holiday Camps All Season Long!

There are a variety of Holiday Camps available before and after the holidays designed for youth ages 3-13. Holiday Camps include Coding 1-2-3, Mining & Crafting, Model Design(STEM), Camp Candy Cane, New Year’s Adventure Camp and more! For more information, please visit our website.

2019 Fun Run

Taking place on New Year’s Day, this Los Altos tradition is fun, non-competitive and free! Start your new year off with a brisk 5k (3.1 mile) walk, run or roll (strollers or wheelchairs) through Downtown Los Altos. Participate in the “run” or cheer on your family and friends. It’s a great way to welcome 2019! The Fun Run is held rain or shine and begins at 9 a.m. at the corner of Main and State Street. The event is open to all ages, and pre-registration is not required. All participants must sign in the day-of the event. Dogs must be on a leash, and please, no bikes! Contact the Recreation & Community Services Department for more details at (650) 947-2790.

Hillview Senior Program

Wednesday, December 5: Join us for our first-ever Holiday Movie Marathon beginning at 1 p.m. in Room 12. Free for members, $1 for non-members.

Questions about Senior programming can be directed to Senior program staff at (650) 947-2797.

Reminders

City Hall & Maintenance Services Center Closed Friday

Los Altos City Hall and the Maintenance Services Center will be closed on Friday, November 30 as part of the Defined 9/80 Schedule. A complete list of public counter and administrative office hours, as well as a schedule of Friday closures, are available on the City’s website at   losaltosca.gov/hours. 

Community Talk: Storm Preparation and your Neighborhood

The community is invited to attend a talk on Storm Preparation and your Neighborhood on Thursday, December 6th from 6:30 - 8 p.m. at the Grant Park Community Center, Multipurpose Room (1575 Holt Avenue, Los Altos). As California enters the winter season, there are some basic preparations residents can make to stay safe in storms and prevent flooding around their homes. Attend this talk to hear from the City’s maintenance division and learn how you can get your home ready for storm season. The City’s Public Works Department will explain how they prepare for the storm season and share resources to help residents prepare for and respond to storms. The Santa Clara Valley Water District will talk about storm safety and provide informational brochures and other giveaways, so you can bring back information to your family and neighbors. Admission is free, but please RSVP at https://dec6session.eventbrite.com. Refreshments will be served.

City Council Open Office Hours

Visit Open Office Hours and personally connect with Los Altos City Council members. At each event, one City Council member will be available to the public for a two-hour period to answer questions, receive input and discuss topics of interest to community members. All are welcome.

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Grant Park Community Center, Room 3

1575 Holt Avenue, Los Altos