Assistant City Manager

Smoking Ordinance Leads to Opportunity for Innovative Recycling

When the City Council considered new smoking prohibitions in March 2018, councilmembers raised the question of where people would dispose of their smoking refuse if the City removed the ashtrays throughout Downtown. The new smoking ordinance prohibits smoking anywhere in the Downtown, except in the ten (10) City-owned parking plazas, with limitations. To combat the possibility of a cigarette butt litter problem, the City has partnered with Terracyle to launch an innovative cigarette butt recycling program.

This week, Maintenance staff installed 12 cigarette butt recycling receptacles throughout the downtown Parking Plazas. Staff will collect the waste and ship it to Terracycle, where it will be processed. Paper and tobacco will be separated from the filters and composted. The filters will then be recycled into plastic pellets, which can be used by manufacturers to make products such as shipping pallets, ashtrays and plastic lumber. As one of the most littered items on the planet, recycling cigarette butts supports Los Altos’ commitment to reducing waste, while also beautifying its Downtown. 

Prepare Your Pets for Emergencies

City emergency preparedness volunteers will join the 71 ^st Annual Kiwanis Pet Parade this Saturday, May 12 to remind everyone to “Prepare your pets, prepare yourself.” Look for Block Action Team leaders and Community Emergency Response Team volunteers and their furry friends in the parade! Also, take a few moments to add supplies to your emergency preparedness kit for any pets in your home. Just as you do for yourself and your family, consider food, water, sanitation, medical needs, and other items for your pets. For more information on pet preparedness, see the FEMA brochure “Preparing Your Pets for Emergencies Makes Sense. Get Ready Now.” Remember to:

City Clerk

New 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.

Upcoming Open Office Hours

Sunday, June 10, 2018

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Hillview Community Center, Room 2

97 Hillivew Avenue, Los Altos

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Grant Park Community Center, Room 3

1575 Holt Avenue, Los Altos

Friday, July 6, 2018

3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Hillview Community Center, Room 2

Thursday, July 19, 2018

1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Grant Park Community Center, Room 3

Sunday, August 5, 2018

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Hillview Community Center, Room 2

Critical Shortage of Election Officers

With just 19 days until Election Day, the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters’ Office is facing a critical shortage of workers to serve at 824 polling places throughout the County. Election Officers are especially needed in Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Palo Alto, Saratoga, and various neighborhoods in San Jose. Bilingual workers are in particular demand to meet voter needs in diverse communities throughout the County. Election Officers perform fundamental functions such as checking in voters, providing a ballot, collecting the ballot and making sure that it is returned to the ROV for counting and tallying. They protect the voter’s right to cast a ballot in a safe, secure, nonpartisan atmosphere and provide assistance when necessary – such as for voters who speak a language other than English or voters who have a disability.

Election Officers earn a stipend of up to $200 for volunteering at the polls. Eligible residents who would like to participate in the democratic process are encouraged to contact the Registrar of Voters’ Office immediately. Election Officers must be citizens who are registered to vote, legal permanent residents, or high school students aged 16 years or older with permission from both a parent and principal, and a minimum GPA of 2.5. Experience is not necessary; all training is provided. To volunteer to be an Election Officer, sign up online under the “Volunteer” tab at www.sccvote.org or call (408) 299-POLL [7655].

Community Development

Downtown Vision

On Tuesday, May 22, 2018, City Council will review the Downtown Vision Plan and be asked to provide direction on changes they may wish to see incorporated and next steps in this process. Council may elect to adopt the Plan, or direct staff to gather additional input from various City Commissions. Once implemented, the Downtown Vision Plan will guide the public, decision makers and staff on future change in the Downtown. The Plan is intended to serve as the community’s long-range vision for the Downtown and provide a road map for future public projects and guidance for private development. Staff will continue to review specific development applications in the Downtown for consistency with adopted regulatory documents, while using the Plan to guide its review and recommendations on these projects. To review the staff report and draft Downtown Vision Plan, click here.

New Building Proposed for 999 Fremont

The concept for a new two-story mixed-use building at 999 Fremont Avenue in Loyola Corners was reviewed at a Study Session of the Planning Commission on the evening of May 17. The proposal includes three dwelling units on the upper floor and two commercial spaces on the ground floor. Parking for the mix of uses in the building are in a garage on its first level, with a mechanical parking system providing the spaces needed for the three residential units. Commissioners, while generally pleased with the overall design effort, noted that more attention needs to be given to the window treatments and some walls of the building. Commissioners suggested that enhancement in these areas will create a more cohesive architectural presentation. There was also a desire to see an arcade, or covered walkway, incorporated into the Fremont Avenue side of the building to give the project a better connection to the existing buildings along Fremont Avenue, which have a prominent arcade feature. The applicant will take the advice provided and work with his architect to incorporate the feedback into the project, then return to the Planning Commission at a future meeting for the public hearing.

Permit Tracking Software

Staff continues to work with representatives of TRAKiT in an on-going effort to get the permit tracking software ready for implementation. This software, once in place, will allow staff to better track project status and record key dates in a project’s progress through the permitting process.

Police

Weekend Traffic Advisory for Downtown

The 71st Annual Kiwanis Pet Parade and the Los Altos Rotary Fine Art in the Park art show will take place in Downtown Los Altos this weekend. Please read on for a list of road closures associated with each event.

Pet Parade

The Kiwanis Pet Parade will take place on Saturday, May 19 at 10:00 a.m. The parade will begin at First and Main Streets; traveling down Main Street and up State Street.

*First, Second, Third and Fourth Streets will be closed beginning at 7:30 a.m. Saturday to prevent cars from entering the Parade route.

The central Parking Plazas will not be accessible due to the street closures; however, access to all outer Parking Plazas will be maintained. Handicap parking will be located at Plaza South near San Antonio Road. All streets will be reopened following the conclusion of the Parade around noon.

Fine Art in the Park

The Los Altos Rotary Fine Art in the Park will take place on Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Lincoln Park, located off Foothill Expressway between W Edith Avenue and Burke Road.

* University Avenue will be closed between Burke Road and W. Edith Avenue from 8:00 a.m. Friday, May 18 through 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 20.

Parking is limited, so event patrons are encouraged to park at Los Altos High School. A free shuttle service will be running to and from the art show each day.

We hope you enjoy the fun events and be sure to keep an eye out for our Chief Galea and our new Police K-9, Bo in the parade!

Public Works

Free Compost for Los Altos Residents

Free compost is now available in the City’s Maintenance Service Center at 707 Fremont Avenue during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday to Friday. This is a self-service station and each resident is recommended to take at most four large garbage size black bags or approximately 2 yards if filling a truck bed. Please follow signage inside the Maintenance Service Center to minimize impact to operation of the center.

Request for Proposals – Redwood Grove Stewardship Services

Engineering received proposals this week from contractors to perform stewardship services in the Redwood Grove Nature Preserve. Work includes the project coordination and administration, coordination and management of volunteer events, maintenance and restoration of the native plants and habitat and community outreach and education. Proposals will be reviewed and a recommendation for award is planned for the June 12 ^th City Council Meeting.

Police Department Building Roof Replacement

On Thursday, the City’s contractor began work on the Police Department Building Roof Replacement Project. The deteriorated wood shingle roof at the Police Department has known water leaks and damaged deck underneath. This improvement project includes removing and replacing existing wood shingle with asphalt shingle, repairing damaged deck and replacing gutters. The improvement project is anticipated to be completed in 30 days. The Police Department will remain open and operational throughout the project.

Stop Sign Analysis Study

Complete Streets Commission is scheduled to review and discuss a recent Stop Sign Analysis Study at its May 23 ^rd meeting. This study analyzed stop signs located Downtown, including the intersections on Main Street (at 2 ^nd and 3 ^rd), State Street (at 2 ^nd, 3 ^rd and 4 ^th), Main/State, Orange Avenue/Lee Street, Sherwood Avenue/Acacia-Levroni Lane and Miramonte Avenue/A Street. After analyzing the intersections, some two-way stops will be converted into four-way stops. All are welcome to attend the meeting to learn more, voice their opinion and discuss any concerns they may have. Staff report with further details about this stop sign analysis study will be posted this afternoon on the city website.

Montclaire Park Tennis Court Closure

The tennis courts at Montclaire Park will be closed beginning May 21, 2018 for the resurfacing of the courts. The resurfacing project is expected to take two weeks to complete. Residents may consider using the tennis courts at McKenzie or Rosita Parks while the improvement work is underway.

Recreation & Community Services

Senior Program Updates

Hillview Senior Program

Art on the Patio : Enjoy summer by strolling through our patio and viewing artwork created by our own ArtVentures participants. Join us on June 13 ^th from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hillview Community Center on the Senior Center Patio. Refreshments will be available with a suggested donation of $3.00. For more information or to sign-up, call (650) 947-2797.

Reminders

Summer Concerts

Our 16 ^th Annual Summer Concert Series will be starting soon. Summer concerts provide a great opportunity for the entire family to join us for an evening of fun. Below is the lineup for this year’s concerts. Note: concerts are held on Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and rotate between Hillview Park and Grant Park.

National River Cleanup Day

This year, National River Cleanup Day is on Saturday, May 19, 2018 from 9 a.m. to noon. The City of Los Altos is seeking volunteers to lend a hand and keep our local creeks litter-free. Last year, volunteers picked up nearly 88,000 pounds of trash from creeks in Santa Clara County. That’s equivalent to the weight of 33 Honda Civics!

There are currently 43 cleanup sites to pick from throughout Santa Clara County, including one on Permanente Creek in Los Altos.

Register online to reserve your spot.