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City Manager Weekly Update
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Coffee & Conversation with Assemblymember Berman
Assemblymember Marc Berman invites you to join him for Coffee & Conversation on Thursday, September 28 between 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. at the Original Pancake House located at 420 S San Antonio Road. Join your friends and neighbors for a casual conversation over coffee and share your thoughts on community and legislative matters important to you. No RSVP is required. For more information, contact Assemblymember Berman’s office at (650) 691-2121.
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Commission Appointments
On Tuesday, September 12, the Los Altos City Council appointed the following individuals to fill vacancies on the Financial, Library, and Public Arts Commissions: Gary Kalbach and Amy Pearl were appointed to the Financial Commission; Ibrahim Bashir, John Dixon and Richard Liu to the Library Commission; Nancy Ellickson, Stacey Meisner, Paula Rini and Aileen Yang to the Public Arts Commission. We’d like to congratulate each of the appointees and thank them for their interest in serving the Los Altos community. For information on Commission duties and meeting schedules, visit
losaltosca.gov/cc.
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Los Altos Community Investments Project
The Los Altos Community Investments (LACI) office, public plaza and underground parking structure project being proposed on First Street was reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Commission this week. The Commissioners provided input on the public plaza and provided suggestions to the project team. The input of the Commission and their suggestions will be provided to the Planning and Transportation Commission, which will consider the full project at a public hearing this fall.
CT Zone District and Density Bonus Ordinances
The City Council considered the proposed amendments to the CT Zone District and Density Bonus Regulations this week. Following some robust public input, the Council provided staff with direction on suggested modifications to the ordinances. Community Development Department staff and the Assistant City Attorney are working on the modifications and will return to Council at their September 26 meeting with revised ordinances.
Building Inspector Sought
Interviews of applicants for the vacant Building Inspector position were held this week. Candidates were identified and now the process moves on to the job offer phase. The Building Inspector position has been vacant for a time and the addition of another building inspector to the team will allow the Building Department to keep pace with all the inspections that are reflective of the high level of development activity in the community.
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Mountain Lion Sighting
On Thursday, September 14, 2017 at about 10:15 PM, Los Altos Police Officers responded to Kring Way on the possible report of a mountain lion growling in the backyard of a residence. Officers responded and notified Palo Alto Animal Services. Upon arrival, Officers did not locate the animal, but a resident later provided a video
surveillance clip confirming a mountain lion was roaming the property. There was an additional sighting reported on Sycamore Court on Saturday, September 10 at about midnight.
The Los Altos Police Department will be working with Palo Alto Animal Services, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District to monitor the area. We are asking that anyone who sees a Mountain Lion in their neighborhood please call 9-1-1 or the business line at (650) 947-2770.
Mountain lions are generally solitary and avoid people. To help prevent conflicts with these wild animals, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife suggests the following:
- Trim brush to reduce hiding places for mountain lions
- Don’t leave small children or pets outside unattended
- Install motion-sensitive lighting around the house
- Don’t allow pets outside when mountain lions are most active – dawn, dusk, and at night
- Bring pet food inside to avoid attracting raccoons, opossums and other potential mountain lion prey
- Don’t feed deer; it is illegal in California and will attract mountain lions
- Deer-proof your landscaping by avoiding plants deer like to eat
If you encounter a mountain lion, do not run; instead, face the animal, make noise and try to look bigger by waving your arms; throw rocks or other objects. Pick up small children. If attacked, fight back.
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WoW! Event
On September 7, Los Altos Police officers attended the WoW! (Walk or Wheel to School) event at Bullis Charter School. The event, which occurs on the first Thursday of every month, promotes protecting the planet, reducing traffic around schools, exercising, and pedestrian safety. For the first event of the school year, 240 students combined at the two campuses participated. This represented the most students to ever participate in a WoW event. LAPD Bike Patrol Officers were on hand to celebrate with the students, answer questions, and distribute swag! This is the second year we have partnered for the WoW program, and we look forward to continued attendance at this fun event.
Building Maintenance
The Los Altos Police Department business office will be closed for building maintenance Friday, September 22 through Monday, September 25, 2017. The office will reopen on Tuesday, September 26, 2017. Police services will not be interrupted during this time. Please direct all routine police calls to the main number at (650) 947-2770. In the event of an emergency, please dial 9-1-1.
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Outstanding Civil Engineer in the Public Sector
On September 14, Senior Civil Engineer Aida Fairman was recognized by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) as an Outstanding Civil Engineer in the Public Sector. Nominated by her peers, the award is given on the basis of outstanding engineering achievement with consideration given to the Engineer that has exhibited professional achievement and has made significant impact to the field of civil engineering. This impact may be through professional activities, ASCE involvement, research and innovative engineering solutions. Aida has been a member of ASCE since 1991. As an award winner for the San Francisco Chapter of ASCE, Aida is automatically nominated for the ASCE Section 9 (encompassing all of California). Congratulations, Aida!
Meter Station Rehabilitation – City of Palo Alto
Engineering staff are coordinated with the City of Palo Alto on their project to replace aged components inside the meter station that is located at 1137 North San Antonio Road in Palo Alto. The metering station receives sanitary sewer flow from both the City of Los Altos and the City of Mountain View. The sewage flows entering the meter station will be bypassed during the construction period. The City of Palo Alto’s contractor, Anderson Pacific Engineering Construction, Inc., is planning to begin work in early October. This work is expected to last approximately one month.
City Hall HVAC System Upgrades Project
The components of the City Hall aging HVAC system are currently being replaced, as they have reached the end of their useful life. The project includes replacement of existing air handler and return air fans with new air conditioning units, re-balance of the air distribution system, replacement of heating hot water boiler and pump, and the installation of a direct digital control (DDC) panel.
The City’s contractor, Omni Construction Services, Inc., began mobilization on Monday, August 21 with the installation of a temporary construction fence to enclose the work area outside City Hall. Minor work will continue to be performed in the upcoming weeks in preparation of the air conditioning units which will arrive in late October
San Antonio Road/El Camino Real Intersection Improvements
Planned improvements include adding a new left turn lane on northbound San Antonio Road, relocating the median island, modifying ADA ramps, conforming the asphalt paving and replacing all traffic signals. Work on the modification of the left turn lane began this week and will continue into next week. During construction, the left turn lane onto El Camino Real will be closed and a detour is in place. Traffic flow will be monitored at all times and the signal timing will be adjusted accordingly. The tentative schedule to complete the intersection improvements is four weeks, contingent on Caltrans final approval.
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Veterans Community Plaza Dedication
The City Council approved renaming the downtown Community Plaza to Veterans Community Plaza in 2016 and a dedication ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, September 19 at 5:00 p.m. in the plaza located at the corner of State and Main Streets in Downtown Los Altos. City crews have been diligently preparing the plaza for the event. Clean up efforts include trimming trees and vines. cleaning and power washing the concrete, repairing electrical lighting, and ensuring the drinking fountain is operational. The crews also installed two benches donated by the Rotary Club of Los Altos.
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Recreation & Community Services
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Children’s Corner
The Children’s Corner Preschool, which has been located at the Hillview Community Center since 1981, recently approached the City to propose terms for an agreement that would enable them to secure a location for their preschool service adjacent to the new Community Center that is currently being planned. The City has listened to the general terms of the Children’s Corner proposal and feels that it warrants further evaluation in the process of possibly being put before City Council for consideration. Children’s Corner is offering to fund an additional 3,000 square foot building and 3,500 square foot developed exterior space adjacent to the planned Community Center at Hillview over the course of a 20-year lease. This would include an initial investment toward the project of $600,000 from Children’s Corner. The general terms of the proposed lease would bring a total payment to the City of over $4.2 million. The building and outdoor space would remain City property. The Financial Commission will review the financial aspects of this proposal at its meeting on
Monday, September 18.
Expanded: Tai Chi for Seniors
Instructor Linda Scheer has expanded her Tai Chi class to accommodate our participants who want more workout time! Starting Thursday, September 7 at 11:45 a.m., join Linda at the Los Altos Youth Center, 1 N San Antonio Road for an added class! For class fees and more information please contact the Senior Center at (650) 947-2797.
New Class & Service for Seniors
Learn American beginning Mah-Jongg, a social table game made up of tiles to make patterns, Wednesdays 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Room 11 of the Los Altos Senior Center, located at 97 Hillview Avenue. For class fees and more information please contact the Senior Center at (650) 947-2797. Also, starting Tuesday, September 19, hand massage will be offered on a first come first serve basis from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in Room 10 of the Hillview Community Center.
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Tech Tutoring for Seniors
Intergenerational Tech Tutor Workshop is back by popular demand! Bring your electronic device such as a laptop, cellphone or tablet and our team of high school volunteers are here to help. Tech tutoring will he held each Wednesday beginning Wednesday, September 20, 2017 through Wednesday, February 21, 2018 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the computer lab at the Hillview Community Center, located at 97 Hillview Avenue. Charge for Senior Center Members is $1.00 and for all others $3.00 for each session. For more information, call (650) 947-2797.
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Reminders
City Council Open Office Hours
The Los Altos City Council will host Open Office Hours on the following dates and times:
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Grant Park (outside picnic tables)
1575 Holt Avenue, Los Altos
Monday, October 2, 2017
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Hillview Community Center, Room 2
97 Hillview Avenue, Los Altos
Friday, October 20, 2017
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Grant Park (Multi-purpose Room)
1575 Holt Avenue, Los Altos
Sunday, November 12, 2017
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Hillview Community Center, Room 2
97 Hillview Avenue, Los Altos
Monday, November 20, 2017
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Grant Park (Room 3)
1575 Holt Avenue, Los Altos
Thursday, December 7, 2017
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Hillview Community Center, Room 2
97 Hillview Avenue, Los Altos
One City Council member will be available to the public for these two-hour periods to answer questions, receive input and discuss topics of interest with community members. Everyone is welcome.
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Upcoming Personal Emergency Preparedness Training
September is National Emergency Preparedness month and the City of Los Altos is pleased to partner with Santa Clara County Fire Department to bring emergency preparedness training to Los Altos. Life-threatening emergencies can happen fast and they can happen anywhere. Learn how you can help yourself and others, until help arrives.
Personal Emergency Preparedness (PEP) Training
PEP training covers workplace and home safety, earthquake preparedness, when and how to turn gas, electrical and water off and basic fire safety. This free, 3-hour PEP course is being offered on Saturday, September 23, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. – noon at Hillview Community Center. To register, contact Santa Clara County Fire Department at (408) 378-4010 or email
communityoutreach@sccfd.org
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First Street Green Project
Joanne Price from Los Altos Community Investments will share information about the First Street Green Project on Thursday, September 21, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. in Room 11 at the Senior Center located at the Hillview Community Center. Please call (650) 947-2797 for more information.
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City of Los Altos | (650) 947-2700 | www.losaltosca.gov
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