City Clerk

Invitation to Apply for a City Commission

City Council would like to invite residents to apply for appointment to openings on the following Commissions: Complete Streets, Design Review, Environmental, Financial, Parks and Recreation, Public Arts and Senior. Each Commission serves as an advisory body to City Council on their respective topics. Serving on a Commission provides a unique opportunity for residents to positively influence decisions made on behalf of the greater Los Altos community. Interested parties can find more information about each Commission online and must submit applications by Tuesday, February 27. For more information, contact the City Clerk’s Office at (650) 947-2720.

Assistant City Manager

SVCE “Bike to the Future” Competition

Our new community-owned electricity provider, Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE), invites all high school students in the SVCE service area to form teams to see who can create and build the best electric bike! Students must utilize STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) knowledge, creativity, or love for design to stand out against other teams. Over the course of a few months this spring, student teams will explore electric bicycle technology by building their own e-bike from start to finish, while SVCE supplies funding for the necessary materials. “Bike to the Future” allows students to showcase their e-bike design, innovative engineering and team spirit through a variety of challenges. The top three teams win scholarship prize money with a grand prize of $5,000. SVCE is also looking for volunteers with engineering or bike expertise that would be interested in mentoring a team. More competition details are available online.

Community Development

Downtown Vision Pop-Up Workshop

On Wednesday, January 31, the Downtown Vision consultant team held a pop-up workshop at Grant Park Community Center to gather input on the four future scenarios for the Downtown. There were close to 50 residents who arrived to view the future scenarios and provide their thoughts, guidance, and ideas on how the Downtown should evolve over time. For those who have not been able to attend the workshops, the four vision scenarios can be found and evaluated on the Downtown Vision project webpage, www.losaltosca.gov/downtownvision. Comments may be sent to downtownvision@losaltosca.gov.

Planning Commission Reviews Accessory Structure Regulations

The rules governing accessory structures (garden sheds, workshops, etc.) were considered by the Planning Commission at its meeting on Thursday, February 1. The Commission reviewed regulations recommended by staff and voted 4-1 to recommend them to the City Council. The accessory structure regulations are being evaluated because these structures have the potential to be converted to accessory dwelling units, so their placement needs to be carefully considered to minimize potential impacts on adjacent properties. Staff is planning on taking the accessory dwelling unit regulations and the accessory structure regulations to the City Council for consideration at its meeting on February 27.

Public Works

Public Meeting: School Route Improvement Projects

On Monday, February 12, 2018, the Los Altos Complete Streets Commission will review and discuss proposed school route improvement projects that include walkway and intersection improvements at various locations near schools. An Open House to discuss the projects with the public will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the Commission meeting following at 7:00 p.m. At this meeting, City staff will provide a brief history of the project and engineering consultant, CSG Consultants, will present concepts for the proposed improvements. This meeting is an opportunity for residents to gather information, voice their support and discuss concerns regarding the proposed improvement concepts. The meeting will be held at Grant Park Community Center, Rooms 2 & 3, 1575 Holt Avenue, Los Altos. Staff reports and materials will be available on Friday, February 9, 2018 at www.losaltosca.gov/csc212. Questions may be directed to the Public Works Department, Engineering Division at (650) 947-2780 or engineering@losaltosca.gov.

Geographic Information System (GIS) Upgrade 

The City is nearing completion and currently testing a recent upgrade to its Geographic Information System (GIS) software. In switching to ArcGIS, the City will have access to a powerful asset mapping tool that can be used by multiple divisions within the City. Having current and updated maps is critical to the operation and maintenance of the City’s infrastructure such as sewer and storm drainage. Overlaying zoning, historical districts, flood plain information, and other pertinent parcel data allows for quickly identifying potential requirements in future development projects. 

Northwest County Recycled Water Strategic Plan Project

Los Altos Public Works staff recently met with City of Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP) staff as part of the Northwest County Recycled Water Strategic Plan Project, a multi-agency planning-level collaboration meant to update the 1992 Recycled Water Master Plan. To date, this project has focused on completing water quality (i.e., salt reduction) improvement evaluations, understanding indirect potable reuse opportunities in Palo Alto, as well as completing the preliminary design for pipeline expansion into south Palo Alto. The next step in the project is to evaluate expansion opportunities within the RWQCP service area and neighboring communities, including Los Altos.

Sport Fields & Park Turf Renovation 

The Parks Maintenance team is tasked with managing and keeping the City’s sport fields and park turf in good condition as these areas get heavy use throughout the playing season. The turf areas located at Rosita, Hillview, Grant and Marymeade parks are currently closed and have been undergoing treatments to ensure a healthy growth of the turf. Parks crews started renovation activities this week by reseeding/over seeding, applying a top dressing with an organic planting mix to fill in low spots then leveled off the field and fertilized the soil. The field closure will remain until the middle of February to allow the seed to germinate. The closure dates and treatments were coordinated with the Recreation & Community Services Department. 

Orchard Tree Planting

The City’s orchard maintenance contractor has been working to grid the orchard and determine where the new saplings will be placed. Currently there are stakes dotted throughout the orchard, which represent the positions of the saplings. Holes will be dug to accept the root ball and planting will take place within the next two weeks. Visitors to the site are asked to exercise extreme care, as the orchard will have pre-dug holes (but will be covered) in preparation for the new trees. Once planting is complete, strategic watering will be carried out for the new trees.

Recreation & Community Services

Survey: Dog Park & Off-Leash Hours for Dogs

The Los Altos Parks and Recreation Commission is working with the City to learn more about the interests of the community as it relates to dog activity in the parks. To accomplish this, the Commission would like to gather input via an online survey from both the dog owning and non-dog owning community on the possible inclusion of dog-friendly amenities and policies within the parks. Regardless of dog ownership, the Parks and Recreation Commission would like to hear the public’s thoughts on this topic. Your answers will help us understand the desire and concerns of the community regarding dog activity in Los Altos parks. We look forward to receiving your response by Wednesday, March 7, 2018. Click here for survey

Senior Program Reminders

Inter-Generational Tech-Tutor Workshop: Need help with your laptop, tablet or cell phone? Join us for this popular Workshop run by local high school students on February 21 at 3:30 p.m. at Hillview Community Center. The cost for Senior Center members is $1, and $3 for non-members.

Tax Preparation Program: This activity is currently taking place each Monday through the month of April from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Hillview Community Center, Room 8.

Fall Prevention: Christine Moore and Gina Cali from the Santa Clara County Fire Department will be advising seniors on how to prevent falls in the home. This activity will be held on February 21 at 12:45 p.m. at Grant Park Community Center, 1575 Holt Avenue.

Mini Trip: Join us on a whimsical adventure to The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco on Thursday February 22. The museum features the life and legacy of Walt Disney shown through interactive galleries that include early drawings and animation. The cost for Senior Center members is $35.00; non-member cost is $45.00. Price includes entrance fee, transportation, and gratuity. Space is limited, please sign-up early.

To register or for more information about Senior Programs, call (650) 947-2797.

Reminders

February LAYC Dance is Tonight

Middle school students are invited to join us tonight, Friday, February 2 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for our LAYC Dance. This activity will take place at the Los Altos Youth Center located in the Civic Center complex at 1 N San Antonio Road. Teens can play ping pong or dance as the D.J. plays their favorite songs! 

Tiny Tots Preschool Program

Enrollment for all Tiny Tots Preschool Programs (Terrific 3’s, Fabulous 4’s, and Kinder Prep) begins on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Deposit forms and more information are available online. Tours may be scheduled by calling Recreation Coordinator, Candace Avina at (650) 947-2890.