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City Manager Weekly Update
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Disasters don’t plan ahead. You can.
September is National Emergency Preparedness month and the City of Los Altos is pleased to once again partner with Santa Clara County Fire Department to bring Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training to Los Altos. CERT training educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their immediate areas. Participants are also trained in basic disaster response skills like fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.
The CERT Academy includes six nightly sessions and a final skills exercise. Students must attend all seven sessions to receive a Certificate of Completion. The September CERT Academy will be held at the Hillview Community Center on the following dates:
- September 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28 – 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- September 30 – 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Register on Eventbrite or call (408) 378-4010. For more information, visit sccfd.org.
Los Altos community members play a vital role in preparing for and responding during a disaster situation. CERT teams are specially trained to assist their friends and neighbors in emergency situations until help can arrive. Residents are encouraged to prepare for such emergencies by taking a CERT or Personal Emergency Preparedness training course.
Personal Emergency Preparedness Training (PEP)
A free 3-hour PEP course is being offered on Saturday, September 23, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. – noon at Hillview Community Center. PEP training will cover workplace and home safety, earthquake preparedness, when and how to turn gas, electrical and water off and basic fire safety. To register, contact Santa Clara County Fire Department at (408) 378-4010 or email communityoutreach@sccfd.org.
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Hillview Community Center Project Task Force
The Hillview Community Center Project Task Force met Tuesday, August 7 at the Los Atos Youth Center to continue its work on planning your new Community Center. Working with architecture firm Noll & Tam, the Task Force learned about and discussed community center design trends, costs, interior space programming, and continued outreach and communications. Noll & Tam led the group through an interactive exercise which allowed the Task Force members to experiment with various space allocation strategies. Noll & Tam’s presentation is available online.
As the Task Force moves forward, members will serve as project ambassadors providing information, sharing it with the public, and gathering feedback. Task Force members are eager to hear your thoughts and answer your questions about the project. Share with them what community means to you and how the Hillview Community Center can serve to make the Los Altos “a great place to live and raise a family.”
You can stay updated by visiting the Hillview Community Center Project webpage and share your thoughts with the Task Force by sending an email to CommunityCenter@LosAltosCA.gov. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend meetings of the Hillview Community Center Project Task Force.
Upcoming Meetings
Saturday, August 26, 2107
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Hillview Community Center, Social Hall, 97 Hillview Avenue
Monday, September 11, 2017
7:00 p.m.
Los Altos Youth Center (LAYC), 1 N San Antonio Road
To receive future meeting announcements and project correspondence, please be sure to sign-up for the Hillview Community Center email list at www.losaltosca.gov/enotify.
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Sculpture installation
On Wednesday, artist Adrian Litman installed his kinetic sculpture Alegria at Village Park. This sculpture is part of the City’s Sculpture Loan Program and will be in place for a two-year period.
Los Altos Commissions Now Accepting Applications
The Los Altos City Council invites residents to apply for membership on the Financial Commission, Library Commission and Public Arts Commission. Each Commission advises the City Council on its respective area of expertise. Serving on a Los Altos Commission is a tremendous opportunity to give-back to your community by engaging in the civic process. Applicants must be residents of the City of Los Altos to be considered for an appointment and applications are due by Wednesday, August 30, 2017. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, September 5, 2017. For more information and application materials, call (650) 947-2720 or click here.
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CT Zone District Amendments and Density Bonus Regulations Review
At its meeting on August 17, the Planning and Transportation Commission will again consider the amendments to the CT Zone District Regulations and the proposed Density Bonus Ordinance. Consideration of each was continued to allow the City Attorney and staff an opportunity to closely review a letter submitted by the State Department of Housing and Community Development on the draft density bonus ordinance. The letter also commented that the current height (story) limit in the CT zone district provided opportunities for housing in-line with Certified Housing Element of the Los Altos General Plan.
4880 El Camino Real
At its meeting on August 22, the City Council will consider a request by the developer of the multi-story residential project at 4880 El Camino Real to allow an increase in the height of the elevator enclosure that is on the roof of the building. There was an error in the original plans and an elevator enclosure that is taller than that originally proposed is claimed to be necessary. The Planning and Transportation Commission reviewed the request and has forwarded a series of comments on to the City Council. A common theme in the comments is that Commissioners were left questioning whether all options to achieve the lowest structure possible had been explored.
Larkellen Lane Single-Story Overlay District
At its meeting on July 20, the Planning and Transportation Commission voted unanimously to recommended approval to the City Council of Rezoning Application 16-Z-02 for a single-story overlay zoning district for properties located on Larkellen Lane and portions of Fallen Leaf Lane, Ravenswood Drive and Havenhurst Drive. This ordinance will be considered by the City Council at its meeting in August. If approved, the ordinance will limit development in this area to single-story structures. The majority of property owners in this neighborhood have voted in support of this ordinance.
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Downtown Green
The Downtown Green’s summer festivities include the following upcoming events:
August 11: Club 55 and Up! - 6-9:00 p.m.
A Pop Up Nightclub for folks 55 and up with music, food and friends!
August 12: Saturday Cinema: Moana (PG) - 8-10:00 p.m.
August 13:
Pilates - 10:00 a.m.
Skin Cancer Screenings, El Camino Hospital - 12-2:00 p.m.
Barre 3 - 12:00 p.m.
August 15: Los Altos Police Drunk Buster Carts - 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Los Altos Police will lead users through an educational exercise to demonstrate the dangers of impaired driving. Wear various goggles, each simulating varying levels of alcohol and/or drug intoxication while maneuvering pedal carts.
August 16: ULI/SVEDA Mixer - 6-8:00 p.m.
August 17: Grape Escape - 5-7:00 p.m.
Vote for the most beautiful bunch of grapes and guess the number of grapes in the Giant Bunch!
August 18: Live Concert with Amy Dabalos - 6-9:00 p.m.
August 19: Saturday Cinema: La La Land - 8:30-10:00 p.m.
August 20: Yoga - 8:00 a.m.
Pilates - 10:00 a.m.
It’s Electric! Energy Day - 12-4:00 p.m.
Barre 3 - 12:00 p.m.
City Council Open Office Hours - 12:30-2:30 p.m.
For more information, visit www.downtowngreen2017.com, like us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram @DowntownGreen2017.
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School Starts Next Week – Plan Ahead for Increased Traffic
Summer break is coming to a close and that means the lighter morning traffic in town will soon end as well. Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead for the increase in traffic and to leave enough time for morning commutes so you’re not tempted to speed and endanger others on the road.
School Start Dates
- Los Altos School District: Wednesday, August 16, 2017
- Cupertino Union School District: Monday, August 14, 2017
- Mountain View Los Altos High School District: Monday, August 14, 2017
- Fremont Union High School District: Monday, August 14, 2017
There will be many children and families driving on our roads, riding their bikes and walking to school. Let’s keep them safe by observing the 15 MPH speed limit in school zones and driving carefully.
Back to School Safety Tips
- Drivers are encouraged to leave earlier than usual to accommodate increased commute time
- Observe posted speed limits, especially 15 MPH school speed zones
- Watch for crossing guards around most elementary schools who will be stopping traffic so children can safely cross the street
- When dropping off children, please do so in designated school drop off areas
- Reminder: There will be NO Stopping signs posted on Almond Avenue in front of LAHS
- Review street safety tips with your children and newly licensed drivers. For a list of great tips, visit http://www.nsc.org/safety_home/SafetyObservances/Pages/BackToSchoolSafety.aspx.
- Above all, drivers are encouraged to remain patient during any travel delays and remember the goal is for everyone to arrive at their destination safely.
If you observe unsafe driving please contact the Los Altos Police Department at (650) 947-2770 or dial 9-1-1.
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Water Main Upgrade Project
California Water Service Company (CalWater) plans to upgrade the water mains on Arboleda Drive, Los Pajaros Court and La Prenda Road. Construction will begin on Monday, August 14 and take approximately 3 months to complete. Notifications have been sent to the residents in the vicinity. Work on Arboleda includes trenching into and across Cuesta Drive. During this activity, traffic control may be in place restricting 2-way traffic to one lane. Updates will be provided ongoing as available.
City-wide Street Improvement Projects
The first phase of the city-wide street improvement project is approximately 50% complete and is expected to wrap up in early September. Phase two, beginning shortly after, will consist of various street treatments including rubberized chip seal and micro surfacing. Each of these treatments is designed to replace, repair or preserve the condition of existing roadway. If you have any questions about the project, please contact the City of Los Altos Engineering Division at (650) 947-2780, or check the Project webpage for updates at losaltosca.gov.
Construction Near Village Court Shopping Center
Two separate private construction projects are scheduled to be performing roadwork near the Village Court shopping center located on San Antonio Road and El Camino Real. An update on each project follows:
San Antonio Road/El Camino Real Intersection Improvement
On Monday, August 7, intersection improvements began on the Los Altos side of El Camino Real at San Antonio Road as part of the San Antonio Shopping center project located in the City of Mountain View. Planned work includes adding a new left turn lane from northbound San Antonio Road onto westbound El Camino Real. This will require relocation of the median island, installation of new traffic signal poles with underground utilities and ADA ramp improvements. The contractor will be closing a maximum of one lane per direction on San Antonio Road between Monday, August 14 to Friday September 15. Through traffic will be allowed at all times, however, drivers should expect minor delays during peak commute times.
Sherwood Avenue at San Antonio Road Mixed Unit Project
On Monday, August 14 and continuing to Friday September 1, the north side of Sherwood Avenue will be closed for construction. The remaining lane on the south side will be open for traffic from the San Antonio Road to El Camino Real direction only. The public improvements include underground utility connections (gas, water, electricity, communication and storm water), sidewalk, parking duck outs, crosswalk and curb and gutter.
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Recreation & Community Services
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Yoga on the Downtown Green
The Downtown Green will host Yoga at the Park on Sundays (8/13, 8/20 and 8/27) from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Start your day with a yoga class led by an instructor from Yoga Bharti, which teaches holistic yoga practice that includes breath and body synchronization, body poses and meditation with simple sounds to enhance awareness. For more information, call instructor Joseph at (917) 753-1317.
Fall Activity Guide Coming Soon
The release of the Fall Activity Guide will be taking place during the week of August 17. Registration for Fall Classes will begin for residents on August 17 and will open to all others on August 21.
Summer Concerts Come to a Close
The last summer concert of 2017 took place on Thursday, August 3. “LYIN I’s”, an Eagles Tribute Band, performed for around 300 residents at Grant Park. Thanks to all who joined us for another successful Summer Concert Series!
Farewell Summer
This is the last week of camp for Redwood Grove and Camp Shoup. It has been a wonderful summer with a variety of activities offered! A camp staff appreciation BBQ took place at Patriots Corner on Thursday, August 10. This is the Recreation & Community Services Department’s way of saying thank you to all the hard work put forth by our fabulous summer staff. We thank all the families who allowed their children to join us for some good times and lifelong memory making this summer!
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Reminders
City Council Open Office Hours
The Los Altos City Council will host Open Office Hours on the following dates and times:
Sunday, August 20, 2017
12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Downtown Green
Third Street between State and Main Streets
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Hillview Community Center, Room 2
97 Hillview Avenue, Los Altos
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Grant Park (outside picnic tables)
1575 Holt Avenue, Los Altos
One City Council member will be available to the public for these two-hour periods to answer questions, receive input and discuss topics of interest with community members. Everyone is welcome.
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City of Los Altos | (650) 947-2700 | www.losaltosca.gov
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