February 23, 2018
City Manager Weekly Update
City Clerk
Commission Applications Due Tuesday
City Council would like to invite residents to apply for appointment to openings on the following Commissions: Complete Streets, Design Review, Environmental, Financial, Parks and Recreation, Public Arts and Senior. Each Commission serves as an advisory body to City Council on their respective topics. Serving on a Commission provides a unique opportunity for residents to positively influence decisions made on behalf of the greater Los Altos community. Interested parties can find more information about each Commission online and must submit applications by Tuesday, February 27. For more information, contact the City Clerk’s Office at (650) 947-2720.
Assistant City Manager
Visit from Congresswoman Anna Eshoo
Congressmember Anna Eshoo, who represents Los Altos in the 18 th Congressional District, her Legislative Director and a staff member paid an informal visit to the Los Altos Police Department for a sit-down discussion with the Police Chief, Police Services Manager and Police Captain to review the 911 Emergency Communications system. Mayor Jean Mordo, Councilmember Jeannie Bruins and Chief Galea and staff welcomed the Congressional Team. The discussion included 911 services shared needs, cited examples, costs and functions for local governments’ ability to provide emergency communications via the 911 system. Discussion also focused around new 911 technologies, current methods of communications that involve use of smart phones, texting, video and photo transmission capabilities to a 911 Center.

Congressmember Eshoo provides leadership at the Federal government level to sponsor legislation to enhance and enable better 911 service to the local agencies who serve the communities. She questioned staff as to how this is working, needs that arise and how to better provide Federal partnerships with local governments to enable advances in 911 accessibility and functionality to the public.
The visit included a tour of the City’s 911 Communications Center during which 911 calls were being received and responded to by dispatch and police personnel. No discussion brings to light the necessity and capability of a modern 911 emergency communications system like an actual visit to the 911 Center when emergency calls are being received and responses are given to help citizens in the time of need.

The City was proud to share our 911 Center capabilities with the Congressional Team and grateful that Congressmember Eshoo reached out to local government for input that can foster programs and partnership at the Federal level. February 2018 celebrates the 50 th Anniversary of the 911 Emergency Communication System. The City is pleased to be part of this recognition and to host Congressmember Eshoo and her Team.
Community Development
Downtown Vision
Next week, staff will meet with students at Los Altos High School in the Associated Student Body Class to provide an overview of the Downtown Vision process to date and review the four vision scenarios that have been shared with the community. Students at the High School have remained engaged in the process and there have been several articles written about the Downtown Vision project in the student newspaper. This meeting will provide students another opportunity to participate in the visioning process.

Los Altos Accessory Structures
At its meeting next week, City Council will consider ordinances that provide standards for accessory dwelling units (ADU) and accessory structures. The ordinance for the ADU’s were precipitated by recent State legislation that removes much of the discretion that cities have in their review of these projects. One way a city can achieve better compatibility between these ADU’s and neighboring properties is to evaluate their accessory structure rules and modify them to provide greater distances to property line so the activities within the ADU’s are less disruptive to neighbors. The accessory structure ordinance being considered by Council provides greater distances to property lines and in so doing, addresses some of concerns about the compatibility of ADU’s with their neighboring properties.

Permit Tracking Software – TRAKiT
Staff continued meetings this week with representatives of TRAKiT. This is part of a major ongoing effort to stay on course with the implementation schedule for use of the new permit tracking software. All the City’s development processes need to be carefully mapped and accounted for to ensure the software provides the best workflow, project tracking fields and databases. As can be expected, this requires a careful evaluation of the current processes so that all steps along the way, from application submittal to completion, are accounted for.
Public Works
Public Meeting: Foothill Expressway Improvement Project
This improvement project on Foothill Expressway between El Monte Avenue and San Antonio Road will include widening of Foothill Expressway from 4 to 6 lanes by extending right turn lanes and intersection improvements such as squaring free right turns where feasible. Signal modifications are also planned at the El Monte Avenue and San Antonio Road intersection. This project is a Tier 1 project in the County Expressway Plan, which is also included in the 2016 Measure B sales tax.

County staff presented this project during planning and initial design stage at various City Council, Commission and public meetings in Los Altos. Based on the feedback provided at the previous meetings, final design elements have been selected and County staff will present the updated plan at the February 28, 2018 Complete Streets Commission meeting which will take place at 7:00 p.m. at the Los Altos Youth Center, 1 N. San Antonio Road. A staff report with more details about the project is available on the Commission meeting page.

Hillview Community Center Project Update
Los Altos’ new Community Center is in the final stage of the first of three design phases - the Schematic Design Phase. On March 13, 2018, staff and the Noll & Tam design team will present the Schematic Design to City Council.

A Design Development Working Group (DDWG) has been formed consisting of staff, architects, and community members. Community volunteers include a Senior Commission member, Parks & Recreation Commission member, Youth Commission member, and two former Hillview Community Center Task Force members. The DDWG meets regularly and will remain involved in the design process moving forward. The Recreation & Community Services Department, IT, Facilities, and Public Works have continued to provide programming input. Staff will continue to provide updates and solicit input from representatives of neighboring buildings including the Library, Bus Barn Theater and History Museum.

Meetings to provide project updates with neighborhood groups, community center users groups, and the community at large are being planned, with the next meetings set for February 23 and February 28 at the Hillview and Grant Senior programs, and March 1 with neighbors near the community center. The purpose of these outreach events is to inform the public on the progress of the project and solicit input on potential impacts at key points during the design. Staff will continue to regularly engage, solicit feedback, and provide information at intervals throughout the design process.

In the next phase, the Design Development Phase, the design team will further develop the details of the schematic layout with the many engineering disciplines including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, civil, audio visual, and security access. The start of construction is anticipated in summer 2019. 

Backflow Preventer Installation Project
Engineering issued a bid advertisement this week for the Backflow Preventer Installation Project CF-01016. The project includes installation of irrigation backflow preventers in 62 existing waterline locations throughout the City. The bid opening will be on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. and the work is anticipated to be completed in summer 2018. Additional bidding information is available online.

Cal Water Main Upgrade at Covington Road
Cal Water plans to upgrade an existing 4-inch water main to a new 8-inch water main along Covington Road between Springer Road and Miramonte Avenue. The new water main will be installed at the north side of Covington Road using an open trench method. During construction, one travel lane will be closed with traffic control measures in place to ensure sure two-way traffic is maintained at all times. The construction hours are limited between 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to minimize traffic impacts to the neighborhood. Work is tentatively scheduled to begin March 5, 2018 and be completed by mid-April 2018. For additional project information, Cal Water can be contacted directly at (650) 917-0152 or via email by visiting calwater.com.

Hale Creek / Permanente Creek Channel Improvements
This summer, the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s project will begin work within Los Altos city limits. Work has been ongoing in Hale Creek and McKelvey Park in Mountain View since last year where most of the improvements will occur. Work in Los Altos will include deepening and widening a portion of Hale Creek and the replacement of a box culvert at Raymundo Avenue. For more information on the project and how to sign up for project updates, visit the Water District’s project webpage.
Police
Welcome Officer Mendieta
Los Altos Police are pleased to welcome our newest Officer, Nico Mendieta to the Department. Officer Mendieta recently graduated from the Alameda County Sheriff’s Police Academy where he received the top academic award from his graduating class of 38 individuals. Officer Mendieta expressed that he has always wanted to work in law enforcement because he likes to talk to people and help solve problems. Please join us in welcoming him to the Department.
Recreation & Community Services
Senior Program Updates
Senior Spring Fling: Calling all seniors! A Senior Spring Fling is scheduled for Friday, April 6, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Garden House located in Shoup Park, 400 University Avenue. Join us for a casual evening to welcome spring while mixing and mingling with old and new friends. Enjoy heavy h’orderves, beverages and an “Oldies, but Goodies” DJ. Tickets cost $10 per person and must be purchased by Thursday, March 29. Tickets can be purchased online or at the Hillview Community Center front office. The activity code for this event is 440711-01. This event is sponsored by the Senior Commission and Club 55. For more information, call (650) 947-2790.

Tax Preparation Program: This activity will be taking place each Monday through the month of April from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Hillview Community Center, Room 8.

HICAP – Health Insurance Counseling Program: Offered every 3 rd Tuesday at the Hillview Senior Program. Contact the Senior Center for your reservation at (650) 947-2797.

To register or for more information about Senior Programs, call (650) 947-2797.
Reminders
Smoke-Free Los Altos Community Survey
At its March 13, 2018 meeting, the Los Altos City Council will consider amending an existing ordinance to expand smoking prohibitions in public places. The DRAFT ordinance includes all types of smoking products, including tobacco, e-cigarettes, vaporizers, and marijuana. Please visit losaltosca.gov/smokefree to learn more and share your thoughts via our Open City Hall survey.

Survey: Dog Park & Off-Leash Hours for Dogs
The Los Altos Parks and Recreation Commission is working with the City to learn more about the interests of the community as it relates to dog activity in the parks. To accomplish this, the Commission would like to gather input via an online survey from both the dog owning and non-dog owning community on the possible inclusion of dog-friendly amenities and policies within the parks. Regardless of dog ownership, the Parks and Recreation Commission would like to hear the public’s thoughts on this topic. Your answers will help us understand the desire and concerns of the community regarding dog activity in Los Altos parks. We look forward to receiving your response by Wednesday, March 7, 2018.
Spring Egg Hunt – Save the Date!
The City will host its annual Spring Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 31, 2018 on the soccer field adjacent to the Hillview Community Center, 97 Hillview Avenue. The fun kicks off with carnival games and 4H Bunny Project at 9:30 a.m. The Egg Hunt will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. Participant age range is walking to 10 years old. Please be sure to bring your own baskets. Plan to stick around after the hunt to enjoy a fun show for the kids by Sean Mendelson beginning at 10:20 a.m. There will be lots of singing and dancing. This year’s event will be co-sponsored by Friends of the Library.
City of Los Altos | (650) 947-2700 | www.losaltosca.gov