Community Development

New Grant Opportunities

Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) has announced a new wave of Charge! program grants for publicly-available electric vehicle charging stations, available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please take a look at the Charge! website or contact Economic Development at 650-947-2620 with any questions.

“State” of the Economy

The Economic Development Division is attending the Silicon Valley Economic Development Alliance Conference November 1 ^st and 2 ^nd. Staff will hear from California’s Chief Economist, engage with participant panels on retail and land use, and network with fellow industry professionals about how to best serve the Los Altos community.

Welcome New Planning Staff

Assistant Planner Calandra “Callie” Lewis joined the Community Development team on October 22 ^nd. Callie has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Management and Protection from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, with a concentration in Environmental Planning and Policy. Her prior experience includes time with Insignia Environmental in San Francisco as an Associate Environmental Planner, Build It Green in Oakland as a Senior Project Associate, and the County of San Luis Obispo Planning and Building Department as a Planner I. Callie is also a Certified Green Building Professional and Green Point Rated. Among her responsibilities as an Assistant Planner, Callie will be helping citizens and applicants navigate land use rules and policies at the Planning counter and managing single-family design review applications.

Tracking Projects in December

The City’s implementation of new permit tracking software, TRAKiT, is in the final stretch and scheduled to go-live on Monday, December 10 ^th. The new software will provide enhanced online services for customers and residents, provide a centralized system for Planning, Building, Engineering, Finance and Code Enforcement, and improve tracking and management of a range of City services including building permits, planning applications, business licenses, encroachment permits and code enforcement tracking. Additional information and updates regarding this new software will be provided in the coming weeks. 

Police

Thanks for Joining Us

We had an amazing turnout for last weekend’s 3 ^rd Annual Pumpkin Carving with a Cop event! Over 100 community members joined us to carve pumpkins in celebration of Halloween. We are especially grateful for the families who return each year – it’s amazing to see the children grow, some from infants to toddlers who are carving pumpkins for their first time with us. To view photos from the event, visit our Facebook page.

Public Works

First Street Resurfacing Project

The City will soon begin the First Street Resurfacing Project, focusing on the segment between W. Edith Avenue and State Street. The project will include grinding existing asphalt pavement, placing a new layer of asphalt, upgrading an existing ADA ramp, and upgrading striping to include new  share the road legends. The contractor began work to replace the ADA ramp at the southeast corner of W. Edith Avenue and First Street this week. City staff has reached out to businesses and residents along impacted street segment in-person to share project information. The City is committed to complete the project as quickly as possible and to minimize impacts to the downtown area. The resurfacing work is tentatively scheduled to take place November 13 ^th through November 15 ^th. Drivers are encouraged to avoid First Street between W. Edith Avenue and State Street during the construction period when possible.

Foothill Expressway Median Tree Planting

City crews plan to begin planting trees in the Foothill Expressway median between W. Edith Avenue and San Antonio Road this Saturday, November 3. Over twenty trees, including Chinese Pistache, Crape Myrtle, and Summerhill Olive will be planted over the next few weekends. The work is scheduled on Saturdays only to minimize traffic impacts.

Windimer Drive Storm Drain Ditch Improvements  

The City’s contractor, C2R Engineering, is planning to begin work to improve the Windimer Drive storm drain ditch on Monday, November 5. This Capital Improvement Program project was prioritized in the City’s Stormwater Master Plan to address historic flooding risks. The project includes clearing and repairing the existing concrete ditch, replacing segments of leaning retaining walls, and constructing a new storm drain inlet and access gates within the City’s easement for long-term maintenance.

Recreation & Community Services

Hillview Senior Program

Friday, November 2: An afternoon movie will be shown at 1 p.m. in Room 12. Members: Free, Others: $1.00. Check in with Senior Center staff for details about the movie.

Monday, November 5: The Senior Commission will meet at 3:30 p.m. in Room 12.

Tuesday, November 6: Representatives from the Community Service Agency will be visiting at 10:30 a.m. in Room 10. Please stop by and see what they have to offer.

Grant Park Senior Program

Monday, November 5: There will be information shared about hearing impaired phones. This activity will be taking place in Room 4 at noon.

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

Reminders

Joint Volunteer Awards Committee Nominations Due Tomorrow

The City of Los Altos and Los Altos Hills Joint Community Volunteer Service Awards Committee is seeking nominations for individuals or organizations whose volunteer service has benefited the communities of Los Altos and/or Los Altos Hills. If you know of any such person whom you feel fits the criteria, please consider making a nomination. To do so, visit  jointvolunteerawards.com. Nominations are due no later than  Friday, November 2, 2018. A service awards luncheon will be held on Friday, December 7, 2018, at the Crown Plaza Cabana Hotel. The cost to attend the luncheon is $35 per person. For more information or to RSVP, visit the  Joint Volunteer Awards website by December 5, 2018.

Annual Gingerbread House Exhibit

Gingerbread meet gum drops, lollipops and candy galore - get ready for all the fun that is in store! It’s the Gingerbread House Exhibit that’s coming to town. Join the masses in applying to show your creation. Applications may be found online or picked up at the Recreation Office located at Hillview Community Center (97 Hillview Avenue). The Gingerbread House Exhibit will be held Tuesday, November 27, 2018 to Thursday, December 6, 2018.

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