Assistant City Manager

Los Altos is Now a Smoke-Free City

To reduce residents’ exposure to secondhand smoke, City Council unanimously adopted a new ordinance that increases the number of smoke-free environments in the city, which takes effect today, April 27, 2018. The new ordinance prohibits smoking of any kind within twenty-five feet (25’) of all publicly accessible buildings as well as unenclosed areas such as parks, service areas, outdoor dining areas, at entryways and exits and at public events. Smoking is also prohibited Downtown except for areas in the ten (10) public parking plazas, provided those areas are twenty-five feet (25’) or more from any building entry or window. Violations of the ordinance could result in a citation of up to $200.

To report violations, ask questions or receive information about secondhand smoke, please call the Secondhand Smoke Helpline operated by Breathe California of the Bay Area at 408-999-0500. Breathe California is also providing window decals and table top placards to businesses in Los Altos to help educate the public about the new prohibitions. For more information, please visit losaltosca.gov/smokefree or contact Sarah Henricks, Management Analyst Fellow at 650-947-2729 or shenricks@losaltosca.gov.

Los Altos Receives Grants for Emergency Preparedness

The Earthquake Country Alliance recently accepted the City’s application for a “Mini Award” funding earthquake mitigation activities. These grants of up to $500 support projects to improve earthquake resilience and promote awareness and preparedness activities. The City’s application defined a small project to encourage businesses to strengthen their emergency preparedness efforts. With the grant funding, we will produce an in-store emergency preparedness card to support small businesses in proactively reducing earthquake hazards at to organize emergency contact numbers into a disaster communications plan. For more information, please contact the City’s Community Emergency Preparedness Coordinator.

The Los Altos Rotary Endowment Fund recently announced awarding a $2000 community grant to the Los Altos Amateur Radio Emergency Service (LAARES). These funds will support community emergency preparedness and will be used to improve amateur radio emergency communications capabilities within the City of Los Altos to better support our Police Department and City Emergency Operations Center. With Rotary’s support, LAARES will improve the functionality, reliability and robustness of the radio repeater and associated equipment.

LAARES serves Los Altos by helping to recruit, train and maintain a crew of amateur radio operators ready to provide emergency communication services. These licensed amateur radio operators volunteer to assist the City of Los Altos and other agencies in situations where communications have been impaired. They provide their own equipment and participate in periodic training sessions and drills to make sure they are ready to help when needed. For more information about LAARES, volunteering as an amateur radio operator or getting an amateur radio license, please contact the volunteer ham coordinator in Los Altos at N6JRC@arrl.net .

SVCE Bike to the Future

Students from Los Altos High School will be competing against teams from other local schools at  Bike to the Future, SVCE’s electric bike building scholarship competition! Come watch students compete in a series of challenges for a $5,000 scholarship prize using electric bikes they’ve designed and built. This event will also feature a clean commuting fair with electric bike vendors, safety tips for bike commuting and entertainment for all ages. The event takes place on Saturday, May 5 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at  Gilroy Gardens, 3050 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy, CA 95020. The first 100 guests will receive a free ticket to Gilroy Gardens!

Now that your electricity is carbon-free, transitioning to electric transportation reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps the climate. Bike to the Future provides an opportunity for high school students to get excited about alternative and sustainable modes of transportation while engaging in STEAM learning. This event also helps SVCE reinvest in the community by providing a scholarship opportunity for local students. Come out and show your support for an electric future! 

City Clerk

Welcome New Commissioners

At their meeting on Tuesday, April 24, City Council appointed Paul Von Hoorickx to the Complete Streets Commission and Doo Ho Lee to the Planning Commission. Congratulations to each on their appointment. For more information about City Commissions, visit losaltosca.gov/cc.

City Council Open Office Hours

City Council will host their next Open Office Hours on Monday, April 30 from 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Hillview Community Center, Room 2 (97 Hillview Avenue). 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 with community members. You may drop-in anytime during the two-hour window. Everyone is welcome. To view additional Open Office Hours dates, click here.

Community Development

Upcoming Planning Commission Meeting

At its meeting on May 3, 2018, the Planning Commission will consider the following

Economic Development Coordinator Interview

Interviews were held last week for the Economic Development Coordinator position. A finalist for the position was identified and a background check in now underway. It is hoped that the candidate will be able begin work with the City of Los Altos in June.

Design Review Commission

Just a note that the Design Review Commission meeting of May 2, 2018 has been cancelled.

Police

Coffee with a Cop

Thanks to all who joined us for Coffee with a Cop on Tuesday, April 24! We had a great time getting to know community members and were happy to be able to address many questions. Our new Police K9 Bo made his debut and stole the show!

To view more photos from the event, visit our Facebook Page and give us a Like while you’re there.

D.A.R.E. Graduation

Congratulations to students at Saint Simon Parish School who graduated the D.A.R.E. program earlier this week! School Resource Officer Ryan Langone has been working with students all year to teach decision-making skills that will foster safe and healthy living. D.A.R.E. envisions a world in which students everywhere are empowered to respect others and choose to lead lives free from violence, substance abuse and other dangerous behaviors. We applaud each of our recent graduates on making this commitment.

Public Works

Western Tussock Moth Caterpillars

Similar to some of our neighboring cities, Los Altos is experiencing a Western Tussock Moth Caterpillar infestation in our parks which could possibly be tied to climate change. The western tussock moth caterpillars are not poisonous but are a nuisance and can cause an allergic reaction if touched; most commonly forming a rash like poison oak. Our Parks staff is working on safe ways to reduce the Tussock Moth Caterpillar populations in our parks. Cultural practices are being used including washing and manually sweeping the caterpillars off play structures. If any pesticides are used, we will post information 24-hours in advance. Please avoid contact with the caterpillar as they may cause an allergic reaction.

Complete Streets Commission Meeting: School Route Improvement Projects

Staff presented and received feedback on revised designs for school route improvement projects at the Complete Streets Commission meeting on April 25, 2018. Of the six projects, one project (TS -01044 El Monte Avenue Walkway Improvement between Giffin and Cuesta) was dropped from the list and will be evaluated separately because of lack of support from nearby residents. Staff presented designs for the other five projects and Commissioners generally favored each. The next steps for the projects include finalizing the design and preparing for construction to begin this summer. The staff report detailing each project is available online at losaltosca.gov/csc425.

RFP - Redwood Grove Stewardship Services

The City issued a Request for Proposal this week to solicit proposals from a qualified steward to partner in the preservation, protection and enhancement of the natural habitat, volunteer coordination and management of Redwood Grove Nature Preserve. The work includes project coordination and administration, coordination and management of volunteer events, maintenance and restoration of the native plants and habitat and community outreach and education. 

Recreation & Community Services

Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony

The City honored our many volunteers at an awards ceremony hosted on Wednesday, April 17th. Volunteers help in a variety of ways ranging from serving on a City Commission to working in our Senior Centers and taking on special one-off projects such as assisting with bulk mailings. Volunteer Coordinator Brandon Council works with volunteers to find opportunities for individuals or groups to provide assistance in accordance with their skills, experience or general interests.

Shalini Gupta received the Phyllis Semple Award, which is presented annually to the volunteer who best exemplifies the spirit of service to the community. Shalini saw a gap in tech knowledge among seniors and helped organize the City’s first-ever Intergenerational Tech Tutor Workshop. This new program pairs seniors with local high school student who helps seniors gain familiarity with different devices and the internet. Participants often seek help with texting and social media so they can stay connected with family and friends. There were a total of 22 awards presented to individuals who volunteer within the different City departments. 14 of those volunteers provided at least 100 hours of service, 6 gave at least 250, and 2 gave over 500 hours over the past year.

If you have an out-of-the-box idea about how you might like to give back to your community through volunteering, Brandon's the person to speak with! You can reach him at 650-947-2897. Thank you to each of our volunteers for your individual and unique contributions towards bettering your community through service.

Senior Program Updates

Hillview Senior Program

Coffee on the Patio: Come one, come all to the opening season of Coffee on the Patio, Friday, May 4, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Coffee on the Patio will be held on the patio in front of the Senior Program rooms (10 & 11) at the Hillview Community Center, 97 Hillview Avenue . Caffe Carrello will be making an appearance to serve delicious coffee and hot chocolate. The first 25 participants will receive a special surprise. Suggested Donation: $3.00.

 

Mini Trip: Join us on Monday, May 14, 2018 for a guided tour, meditation session and a vegetarian lunch at the Chung Tai Zen Center in Sunnyvale. The cost is $37/members and $47/non-members and includes the tour, lecture, meditation session, lunch, transportation and gratuity. Seats are limited. Participants must arrive at the Hillview Community Center by 9:45 a.m. Please RSVP by calling (650) 947-2727.

Grant Park Program

Grant Park Senior Program Speaker Series:

Wednesday, May 2, 2018 – 12:45 p.m.: Police Chief Andy Galea – Crime & Safety Talk

Monday, May 14, 2018 – 10 a.m.: Eric Gee, Generation’s Lab – Cyber Security: The Do’s and Don’ts of Being Online. Worried about your online information being stolen? What happens with information in “the cloud?” If you have these questions then come join us for a very special lecture

Reminders

City Flag Survey

The Los Altos Youth Commission is gathering community input on a possible re-design of the City’s flag. Please share your thoughts on this topic via an online survey created by the Youth Commission: Click for Survey. The Commission will review all feedback carefully before making a recommendation on this topic to City Council. Your participation is greatly appreciated.

Summer Job Opportunities

If you are looking for a fun and exciting place to work for the summer please check job postings for positions available in our Recreation & Community Services Department. Individuals must be 16 years or older to apply.