January 5, 2018
City Manager Weekly Update
Assistant City Manager
Make Emergency Preparedness a Priority in 2018
The 4.4 magnitude earthquake that struck near Berkeley early Thursday morning reminds us of the importance of being ready for the unexpected, be it an earthquake, fire, flood, or other event. Start 2018 off strong with 3 quick things yo u can do to night to be better prepared for the next emergency:

  1. Make sure every family member has a pair of shoes and a working flashlight next to their bed; both will come in handy if you must get out of the house quickly in the night
  2. Ensure the walls above the sleeping space for each family member and pet are clear of items that can fall onto the bed in an earthquake
  3. Create or update your family communication plan so everyone in your family knows how to get in touch with one another if an emergency strikes when you’re not together

For those interested in preparing further, here are a few more tips:
  1. Make (or update) your “Go Bag” with basic supplies, important papers and communications devices. If you needed to get out quickly or evacuate, your Go Bag will be ready. For tips on what to include visit ready.gov/build-a-kit
  2. Research volunteer opportunities with your community emergency preparedness teams or sign-up for training to help your family and your neighbors:
  • Los Altos Block Action Team (BAT): Neighbors helping neighbors with emergency preparedness and response, crime and prevention—and enjoying social events. BAT Leader training is held monthly. Upcoming sessions include January 9, February 15 and March 19. Sign up now 
  • Los Altos Community Emergency Response Team (CERT): Learn basic first aid, search and rescue, triage, and more. Upcoming sessions begin in March in Los Altos Hills and September in Los Altos. More information
  • Ham Radio: Amateur radio operators provide important communications links between emergency responders, neighborhoods, and the City Emergency Operations Center. To learn more about ham radio emergency communications and getting licensed, send an email to Jim Clark at N6JRC@arrl.net
  • Personal Emergency Preparedness: Santa Clara County Fire Department offers free classes teaching individuals and families how to prepare to be self-reliant for the first 72 hours following a major disaster. Classes will be held in Los Altos in May and August, but you can sign up for February sessions in Los Altos Hills and Cupertino. More information  
Community Development
Parking Committee Recommendations
At its first meeting of the new year, the Planning Commission reviewed and discussed the recommendations of the former City-wide Parking Committee. In concept, the Planning Commission supported modifying the on-site parking requirements/ratios for the City at large. For the Downtown, the Commission was receptive to the recommendations made by the economist that is working on the Downtown Visioning effort, which include reducing the on-site parking requirements for the principal uses in the Downtown to 2.0 – 2.5 parking spaces per 1,000 square feet of floor space. The Commission was also supportive of the proposed modifications to the parking space dimensions and parking lot configurations, which may provide opportunities to gain parking spaces in some of the Downtown Parking Plazas, subject to the conditions and circumstances unique to each of the Plazas.

An in-lieu parking fee program, which would allow a property owner to pay a per space fee instead of providing the required on-site parking, was also well received. The per space fee will be subject to future discussions and supporting information. The Commission identified other potential parking enhancement and management initiatives that will round out their final array of recommendations to the City Council. The Commission has requested some additional information and data, which along with ordinances and/or policy documents, will be brought back to them at their second meeting in February.
Public Works
Tree Composting
After the holidays, be sure your tree is composted! Mission Trail Waste Systems will collect trees on your regular service day the first two weeks of January. Please follow these easy tree collection guidelines:
  1. Remove the tree stand and all decorations including tinsel
  2. Cut tall trees into pieces no longer than five feet
  3. Place next to your carts prior to 7:00 a.m. on collection day

Public Meeting: Miramonte Avenue Path Project
The City’s Bicycle Transportation Master Plan places a high priority on upgrading the existing bicycle route on Miramonte Avenue between Foothill Expressway and the Mountain View city limit. The City recently received $1 million from State One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) for Phase I of this project (between Covington Road and Berry Drive). Staff conducted public outreach for the project and presented several design concepts at a special joint Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (now Complete Streets Commission in Los Altos) meeting and another public meeting on August 5, 2016. Based on the feedback received at the August 2016 meeting, initial design for the preferred alternative has been prepared. Staff and the consultant team will present the design at the next public meeting scheduled for January 22, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. at Hillview Community Center, Multi-purpose Room (97 Hillview Avenue).
EV Charging Station Upgrades
Three new duel head electric vehicle level II charging stations were installed this week in Parking Plaza 3 (off San Antonio Road) and by the Main Library. The new units replaced the original chargers installed in 2013. The new units feature increased reliability, easier customer access and can now accept credit cards.

Sewer Bid – South Sewer Main Replacement (Fremont Avenue)
Prior to the holidays, Engineering issued a bid for the South Sewer Main Replacement Project on Fremont Avenue between Truman Avenue and Fallen Leaf Lane. The project includes pipe reaming of approximately 805 feet of existing 12” sanitary sewer mains with a new 18” pipe, disconnecting and reinstating lateral connections, bypass pumping of sanitary sewer flow and traffic control. Pipe reaming is a trenchless technology that is used to replace existing pipes. Bids are due no later than 2:00 p.m. on January 11, 2018 and work is expected to occur in the spring or early summer.
Recreation & Community Development
2018 Fun Run
Our Annual New Year’s Day Fun Run welcomed 800 participants for a free, non-competitive 5K walk, run or roll (strollers or wheelchairs) through downtown Los Altos. What a great way to welcome in 2018! The Fun Run was a Star Wars theme and it was great to see people dressed in costume enjoying themselves. We would like to congratulate Dadmehr Daniels Ghasbmfar, a sophomore at Los Altos High School (LAHS) and Kevin Andrews, a freshman at LAHS, for being the fastest runners this year! Dadmehr clocked in at 17:57 and Kevin at 17:58.

This event would have not been possible without the support from the City of Los Altos Recreation & Community Services Department, the Los Altos Police Department and our fantastic volunteers. We would also like to thank the Los Altos Village Association, Trader Joe’s and A Runner’s Mind for the extra support during this event. Looking forward to this event next year.
 
Hillview Senior Program
Monday, January 8
1:30pm - Chair Yoga
2:00pm - Tech Tutor
 
Wednesday, January 10
9:30pm - Beginning Mahjongg
1:00pm - Tech Tutor

Friday, January 12
12:00 - Birthday Lunch

Free activity! Hand massage has an updated schedule of Tuesday mornings at 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on a first come first serve basis in Room 10 of the Hillview Community Center, located at 97 Hillview Avenue, Los Altos CA 94022.

Matter of Balance will be back in the new year! Start date will be January 29 th until March 26th every Monday from 9:30am to 11:30am. It will be held in Room 12 at 97 Hillview, Los Altos Ca 94022.

Tai Chi Thursdays has a new time and location! This class has a new start-time of 12:00pm and the new location will be at 97 Hillview Ave, Los Altos 94022. It will be held in the Hillview Social Hall.

Grant Park Senior Program
Monday, January 8
3:30pm - Senior Commission-Room 1
 
Wednesday, January 10
12:45pm - Senior Dance Exercise
12:45pm - Book Club with Betsy
 
For more information regarding the programs that the senior center offers please contact staff at (650) 947-2797.
City of Los Altos | (650) 947-2700 | www.losaltosca.gov