City Manager Weekly Update
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Community Summit on Firearms & Safety
The County of Santa Cara is hosting a
Community Summit on Firearms and Safety from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 28, at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Road, San Jose. Entry and parking are free, and a continental breakfast and boxed lunch will be provided. Participants will be asked to roll up their sleeves and begin working together in professionally facilitated roundtable discussions from beginning to end. The County hopes to draw a diverse array of participants, viewpoints and ideas in order to have a balanced dialogue. A broad spectrum of topics will be covered ranging from gang violence prevention to school safety, from suicide prevention to legal rights and duties of residents – wherever they stand on firearms related issues, and lots more.
Participants will be asked to commit to engaging in civil discourse about difficult issues. A final report of the findings and recommendations may be shared with the Board of Supervisors at a later date, and will be shared with our community at large. Many ideas can be incorporated into the report, and all opinions will be shared with other communities throughout the County and beyond. Translators will be available for those who wish to participate in a language other than English. Please be sure to
register online if you plan to attend. If you would like to volunteer the day of the summit, please
click here to sign-up. For more information, contact Mario B. Lopez at (408) 299-5030 or at
mario.lopez@bos.sccgov.org.
How Can Clean Energy Help You?
SVCE (Silicon Valley Clean Energy) purchases clean energy for customers in the City of Los Altos and other member agencies within Santa Clara County. To advise on programs, features and services for clean energy, the SVCE Board of Directors appointed a Customer Program Advisory Group tasked to reach out to the community and explore ideas for programs and services that will further reduce greenhouse gas emissions, limit energy waste or provide other types of customer assistance.
The Los Altos and greater Santa Clara County community achieved a major milestone in reducing carbon emissions from electricity use with the formation and successful launch of Silicon Valley Clean Energy. SVCE supplies carbon-free electricity over the existing power lines from wind, solar and hydropower to 97% of all households and businesses in Los Altos and many Santa Clara County communities.
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Commission Applications Due Today
Residents interested in applying for appointment to the Environmental, Complete Streets or Planning Commission are reminded that applications are due by midnight tonight, Friday, April 20, 2018. Each Commission serves as an advisory body to City Council on their respective topics. Application materials are
available online. Questions can be directed to the City Clerk’s Office at (650) 947-2720.
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Historical Essay Contest
Each year, the City of Los Altos Historical Commission and the Los Altos History Museum organize a Historical Essay Contest for 3-6
th grade students in our City’s schools. The contest has provided the Historical Commission and the Los Altos History Museum with a valuable way to teach younger Los Altans about local history. Out of 231 essays received, raters selected 1
st, 2
nd, and 3
rd place winners from each grade. Congratulations to the following students for their winning entries for this year’s Historical Essay Contest theme, "Spread Your Wings and Fly!”
Third Grade Winners:
1
st Place: Andrew Wall – Loyola School
2
nd Place: Aya Agrawal – Loyola School
3
rd Place: Lukiana Cherkashing – Loyola School
Fourth Grade Winners:
1
st Place: Mariana Leaver – Covington School
2
nd Place: Alara Martin – Covington School and Kevya Wazhi – Springer School
3
rd Place: Logan Crawford – Covington School
Fifth Grade Winners:
1
st Place: Jamie Burton – Pinewood School
2
nd Place: Michelle Walker – Pinewood School
3
rd Place: Kathleen Xie and Violet Negrette – Pinewood School
Sixth Grade Winners:
1
st Place: Mackenzie Forbes – Pinewood School
2
nd Place: Jakob Kleiman – Pinewood School
3
rd Place: Bryce Lim – Springer School
All essay participants, their parents, teachers, and principals are invited to attend an Ice Cream Social on May 8, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. The Ice Cream Social will be held on the Los Altos History Museum Patio, 51 S. San Antonio Road. Following the social, winners will be recognized and awarded their cash prize at the City Council meeting starting at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Meeting Chambers at Los Altos City Hall, 1 N San Antonio Road. The History Museum and City Hall are located within a short walking distance on the Civic Center campus.
April 19 Planning Commission Meeting
As promised, Planning Commissioners were busy last night and considered a variety of projects and ordinances. Following is a summary of the items they considered and the action they took:
- Held a workshop that started at 6:00 p.m. to review and provide preliminary feedback on a multi-family five story residential project at 4846 / 4856 El Camino Real. Commissioners provided substantial feedback on the design of the proposed building and shared their thoughts on some elements of the site they felt required further evaluation. They also asked clarifying questions about the density bonus element of the project including how the number of affordable units and density bonus units were arrived at and the types of incentives that were being sought
- Considered an application to divide the lot at 555 South El Monte Avenue into two lots. Commissioners recommended approval of this application to the City Council, but questioned how the existing well on the lot would be handled.
- Closely reviewed the draft ordinance amending the parking regulations. The Commission spent a large portion of their evening evaluating the latest draft of the ordinance and directed several modifications to the ordinance that will be brought back to them for consideration as they develop a recommendation on this ordinance to the City Council.
- A review of an ordinance introducing a prohibition on short term rentals (less than 30 days). Commissioners recommended approval of the ordinance to the City Council, but directed that clarifications regarding how the minimum rental period of 30 days would apply to the month of February and how the ordinance would apply to other home rental products in the market place that are similar to, but different than, short term rentals.
Economic Development Coordinator Interviews
Interviews were held this week for the Economic Development Coordinator position. This position has been vacant and it is the plan to fill this position soon so that a helpful link and resource between the business community and the City continues.
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Coffee with a Cop
We hope you will join us for Coffee with a Cop next Tuesday, April 24, 2018 between 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Starbucks Coffee in Downtown Los Altos (296 Main Street).
This event has no agendas or planned speeches. Coffee with a Cop provides an opportunity for community members to ask questions, voice concerns and get to know the Officers serving your neighborhood and community. All are welcome and coffee is on us!
Questions can be directed to Los Altos Police at (650) 947-2770.
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Complete Streets Commission Meeting: School Route Improvement Projects
In February, the Complete Streets Commission (CSC) reviewed and gathered community input regarding proposed school route improvement projects. The CSC directed staff to incorporate comments from the meeting, further develop designs, and bring the item back for Commissioners to review prior to finalizing the design. Staff will present the revised design at the April 25, 2018 CSC meeting. The staff report will be posted to the meeting webpage this afternoon (Friday, April 20) at
losaltosca.gov/csc425. Questions may be directed to the Public Works Department, Engineering Division at (650) 947-2780 or
engineering@losaltosca.gov.
RFP for Construction Inspection Services
Engineering has issued a request for proposals (RFP) from qualified engineering firms to provide construction inspection services for various capital improvement projects. During the summer months, the volume of construction work peaks, necessitating assistance on oversight of the City’s Capital Improvement Projects. The RFP will create an on-call list of consultants the City can use for these services as needed. Proposals are due May 1, 2018 to the Engineering Division.
RFP for On-Call Citywide Tree Maintenance Services
The City has issued a request for proposals from qualified contractors to provide on-call time-and-material (T&M) tree maintenance services for the street and median trees within the City’s urban forest. These on-call tree maintenance services shall include, but are not limited to, tree pruning, tree removal, and stump removal and grinding. Proposals are due to the Department of Public Works before 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 16, 2018. A non-mandatory pre-bid conference is scheduled for Friday, May 4, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Municipal Services Center, 707 Fremont Avenue.
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Large Dead Tree Removal
The City has retained a contractor to remove several large dead trees along Foothill Expressway as well as a leaning tree in Marymeade Park near the playground, which was removed this week.
South Bay Green Gardens
Looking for inspiration for your yard? Want to learn ways to attract butterflies, conserve water, improve your soil, and use fewer pesticides? Searching for a local class to learn how to prune fruit trees, select native plants, or plant a vegetable garden?
SouthBayGreenGardens.org is a new website dedicated to sharing information and highlighting the beauty and benefits of sustainable landscaping. Funded by the Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program and the Recycling & Waste Reduction Commission of Santa Clara County, this website offers information about Local Events and Workshops, Landscape Designs, Photo Galleries of Sustainable Gardens, Water-Efficient Irrigation, Mulch, Soils, and Composting, Pest Management, Tree Care, Managing Your Rainwater, and more!
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Recreation & Community Services
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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.
May LAYC Dance
The next LAYC Dance will take place for Los Altos middle schoolers on Friday, May 25, 2018 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Los Altos Youth Center.
The deadline to register for this dance is May 1
st
. Participants can play ping pong or dance as the D.J. plays their favorite songs!
Senior Program Updates
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.
Monthly Walk (May 1st - Westwind Community Barn and June 5th Purissima Park:
The Los Altos Senior Program is collaborating with the Los Altos Hills Senior Program for these monthly walks. All hikes are roughly 2 miles. Transportation to Los Altos Hills is provided; meet at Hillview Community Center (97 Hillview Avenue) for transportation. Cost: Free/members; $3/non-members.
Medicare Updates (Speaker): Join us to learn more about Medicare updates in this coming year. This discussion will take place on Thursday, April 26, 2018 from 11:00 a.m. to noon at the Hillview Community Center, Senior Program Room 11 (97 Hillview Avenue). Please RSVP by calling (650) 947-2727.
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 Senior Program Speaker Series:
Wednesday, April 25, 2018 – 12:45 p.m.: Tim Giacomini – Trash Talk from Mission Trails
Wednesday, May 2, 2018 – 12:45 p.m.: Police Chief Andy Galea – Crime & Safety Talk
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City Council Open Office Hours
The Los Altos City Council is pleased to host Open Office Hours. 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 planned for each Open Office Hours scheduled below. Everyone is welcome.
Monday, April 30, 2018
2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Hillview Community Center, Room 2
97 Hillivew Avenue, Los Altos
Thursday, May 17, 2018
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Grant Park Community Center
1575 Holt Avenue, Los Altos
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.
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City of Los Altos | (650) 947-2700 | www.losaltosca.gov
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