October 26, 2018
City Manager Weekly Update

City Clerk
Joint Volunteer Awards Committee Nominations
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  www.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.

Campaign Signs
No matter which side of the fence, it’s been great to see the Los Altos community show their enthusiasm for local government as the November election nears. One challenge the City Clerk’s Office has faced is managing community feedback regarding placement of signs. Campaign signs fall under the category of “temporary signs” under the Los Altos Municipal Code. Highlights of the code can be viewed on our website. Temporary signs are not allowed on City-owned property and those signs placed on private property must comply with rules outlining the cumulative display area allowed as well as how signs can be displayed. City staff has received over 160 reports, questions or comments about campaign signs since September and actively investigates and responds to each reporting party as expeditiously as possible.
Police
Pumpkin Carving with a Cop is Tomorrow!
We’re looking forward to spending the afternoon carving pumpkins tomorrow, Saturday, October 27! This year’s event will be held at the Los Altos Youth Center from 3 to 5 p.m.

If you’d like to join us, please be sure to a pumpkin and RSVP. We will provide carving tools, snacks and refreshments. We hope to see you there!
Congratulations to Sergeant Jeffrey
Sergeant Brian Jeffrey graduated from the Santa Clara County Leadership Academy yesterday, October 25. In 2010, ten local governments in Santa Clara County formed a cooperative to offer a Leadership Academy for emerging leaders. The 8th Leadership Academy launched in April 2018, consisting of eight one-day sessions covering various topics designed to enhance the leadership skills of participants. The Academy offers participants positive development opportunities and motivating experiences while assisting local government agencies in their succession planning efforts. We applaud Sergeant Jeffrey’s efforts and look forward to his continued growth and positive impact with Los Altos Police Department.
Public Works
First Street Resurfacing Project
The City will soon begin resurfacing First Street between W. Edith Avenue and State Street. The improvements include grinding existing asphalt pavement, placing a new layer of asphalt, upgrading the existing ADA ramp at the southeast corner of W. Edith Avenue and First Street, and upgrading striping to include new share the road legends for bicycles and drivers. Drivers are encourage to avoid First Street between W. Edith Avenue and State Street during the construction period when possible. The tentative schedule to start the project is late next week and the project is excepted to be completed by the end of November.  

Foothill Expressway Median Tree Planting
Over the next month City crews will be planting more than twenty trees in the Foothill Expressway median between W. Edith Avenue and San Antonio Road. Tree varieties include Chinese Pistache, Crape Myrtle, and Summerhill Olive. The work will occur between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

2018 Annual Pavement Project
The City’s contractor has begun asphalt repairs and other preventative asphalt maintenance at various street segments throughout the city, including several locations downtown ( view map). Notification letters were first mailed to impacted addresses on August 30. The immediate residents and business owners along the street segments or alleyways that will have work performed will be notified by the contractor 48-hours in advance of any work that is planned to take place. Please understand that due to the nature of this work, the schedules must remain flexible to allow work to proceed and be completed as quickly and efficiently as possible. Ongoing project updates will be posted on the project webpage.

School Route Improvement Projects
Construction is currently underway for crosswalk and intersection improvement projects at five locations, listed below. There will be traffic control and/or no-parking zones related to the work. For more information, including the latest project schedule, visit the project webpage. The intent of these crosswalk improvements is to provide ADA compliant ramps, high visibility crosswalk markings, and various bicycle and pedestrian safety enhancements along school routes: 

  • Los Altos Avenue/West Portola Avenue Crosswalk Improvements (TS-01042)
  • Covington Road at Riverside Avenue Pedestrian Improvements (TS-01045)
  • Springer Road/Fremont Avenue Pedestrian Improvements (TS-01046)
  • Grant Road/Morton Avenue Pedestrian Improvements (TS-01047)
  • Crosswalk Improvements at St. Joseph Avenue and Deodara Drive (TS-01054)

Sewer Improvements - Structural Reach Replacement
The City’s contractor, EPS Inc., has completed the sewer line replacement on E. Edith Avenue near the intersection with Doud Drive, located behind the Almond School field. The contractor is now working on pipe replacement at Solana Drive near the intersection of Almond Avenue and expects to complete the replacement at this location early next week. Next week, the contractor also plans to replace the segment of pipe that begins in an easement, which is north of Bling Court and south of El Monte, ending in a manhole on Springer Road.

Cal Water Water Main Upgrade
Cal Water has begun upgrading the existing water main to a new 6” water main at Casita Way between Alvarado Avenue and the end of the Casita Way. The new 6” water main will be installed at the south side of Casita Way using an open trench method. During construction, the entire street will be closed and adequate traffic control measures will be provided by the contractor to ensure drivers are directed to designated detour routes. Access to the street will be maintained at all times for residents living in the affected area. Roughly 300 feet of new water main will be installed daily. The tentative schedule to complete the project is before Thanksgiving this year. It is anticipated to have minor traffic delay during the construction period. For additional information or concerns, please contact Cal Water, at 650-917-0152 or visit www.calwater.com to email your questions or concerns online.

Los Altos Complete Streets Commission Meets with Mountain View BPAC
On October 24, 2018, the Los Altos Complete Streets Commission (CSC) held a joint meeting with Mountain View’s Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC). Agenda topics included Mountain View’s El Camino Real Streetscape Plan and discussion of cross-border issues related to pedestrian and bicycle travel. The discussion on cross-border issues focused on identifying the most challenging locations/intersections for pedestrian and bicyclist travel, with specific attention to school-aged children. Both groups agreed the meeting provided a great opportunity for the cities to collaborate and work towards providing seamless facilities to address concerns impacting each community.
Recreation & Community Services
Boy Scouts Plant Fall Garden
Thank you to Boy Scout Association Troop 75 for planting a fall garden at the San Antonio Club! The Terrific 3’s and Fabulous 4’s preschool programs are able to use the garden to talk about important subjects such as healthy eating, confidence, focus, memory, mood and life cycles. The Fabulous 4’s preschool program has openings. Visit the Los Altos Tiny Tots Preschool Program webpage for more information.
 
Halloween Movie in the Park
Thanks to all who joined us for the Parks & Recreation Commission hosted “Twas A Week Before Halloween Movie Night.” Over 200 community members joined us for this fun event at Grant Park last Saturday.
Halloween Window Painting
The 55th Annual Halloween Window Painting Contest has come to an end. Thank you to all the very talented artists who participated this year! A total of 32 artists from fourth grade through High School participated. A big thank you also goes out to all the merchants who showed their support by offering up their windows for the artists to decorate. The Los Altos Village Association also deserves acknowledgment for helping get the word out to the community and local businesses.

Thank you to the following Council Member and Commissioners for taking the time to judge the contest on Sunday, October 22 nd. It was a challenging task because there were so many fantastic works of art to review:

  • Mary Prochnow, City of Los Altos Council Member
  • Anooshka, Shetty, Youth Commission
  • Medha Rajagopalan, Youth Commission
  • Nesyah Galatan, Youth Commission

The winners for each grade are listed below and their prizes and certificates will be handed out at a future Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting. Congratulations to each of our winners!

4th Grade Winners
1st Place: Amanda Koltek (A Runner’s Mind - 378 Main St.)
2nd Place: Jason Koran (Aldo’s - 388 Main St.)
3rd Place: Penelope Klein (IKB Design - 346 Main St.)

5th Grade Winners
1st Place: Sofia Colace (Spot Pizza – 133 Main St.)
2nd Place: Mia Moore (LuLu’s-163 Main St.)
3rd Place: Isabela Margain (Paper Whirl – 151 Main St.)

6th Grade Winners
1st Place: Ayumi Terlizzi (Baskin Robbins-264 State St.)
2nd Place: Ashley Dillon (Pompei - 100 State St.)
3rd Place: Anya Lin (For Your Nailz – 209 State St.)

7th Grade Winners
1st Place: Cherish Wurts (State of Mind-101 Plaza N.)
2nd Place: Katie King (State of Mind – 101 Plaza N.
3rd Place: Ben Freda Eskenazi (State of Mind – 101 Plaza N.)

8th Grade Winners
1st Place: Salma Siddiqui (Mimi & Coco – 292 Plaza Central)
2nd Place: Aiden Townhill (Village Pantry - 184 Second St.)
3rd Place: Benjamin Fejes (Webtown Drycleaners - 227 First St.)

HS Grade Winners
1st Place: Marcus Wurts (Pet’s Delight – 390 State St.)
2nd Place: Ella Freda-Eskenazi (Pete’s Coffee – 367 State St.)
3rd Place: Addyson Andrade (Uncommon Threads - 293 First St.)
 
Hillview Senior Program
Wednesday, October 27: There will be an Annual Smoke Detector Program taking place at the Hillview Community Center (97 Hillview Avenue) in Room 10. Time will be determined by appointment.
Thursday, November 1: Free information on hearing impaired phones will be available at the Hillview Community Center (97 Hillview Avenue) in Room 11 at 12:00 p.m. Refreshments will also be provided.
Friday, November 2: Afternoon Movie will be shown at 1:00 p.m. in Room 12. Members: Free, Others: $1.00. Check in with Senior Center staff for details about the movie.

Questions about Senior programming can be directed to Senior program staff at (650) 947-2797.
Reminders
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
City of Los Altos | (650) 947-2700 | www.losaltosca.gov