City Clerk

2018 June Gubernatorial General Election

The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters is looking for volunteers to assist in the June 5, 2018 Gubernatorial General Election. Volunteer roles include helping to process election materials and couriering materials on Election Day. Both opportunities provide stipends for volunteers. For more information, visit sccgov.org.

North County Library Authority Library Redevelopment Task Force

In December 2017, the North County Library Authority (NCLA), which encompasses the City of Los Altos and Town of Los Altos Hills, initiated a Task Force to explore potential redevelopment of the Main Library. The Task Force consists of a representative from NCLA, the Los Altos Library Commission, the Friends of the Library and the Los Altos Library Endowment. The purpose of the Task Force is to explore options for redeveloping the Library, either through expansion and remodel or a complete re-build. The Task Force has undertaken two initial studies: an update of the 2008 Library Space and Services Needs Assessment and an architectural feasibility study. Results of the two studies have been presented to the Task Force. The Task Force will submit a recommendation on next steps to the NCLA Board in May. To sign-up for meeting notifications and materials, visit losaltosca.gov/enotify and select the NCLA email list.

Community Development

2018 Planning Commissioners Academy

Members of the Planning Commission and one City Council member attended the 2018 Planning Commission Academy. The Academy is sponsored by the League of California Cities and provides numerous training opportunities for both new and seasoned Commissioners. In addition to training, the Commissioners had an opportunity to hear from Commissioners from other public agencies and learn how they conduct meetings and process projects in their respective cities. Cities from across the State were well represented and an attendance record was set with over 400 Commissioners and staff members learning and sharing information about the land use process.

Planning Commissioners Face a Busy April Meeting

Next Thursday, April 19, 2018, the Planning Commission will have an opportunity to put the new skills they learned at the Planning Commissioners Academy into practice. The agenda for the meeting is slated to be a busy one. On the agenda for the evening are:

Police

Public Safety Telecommunications Week

Across the country, and around the world, public safety telecommunicators are on duty 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, ready to respond to their community's needs. National Public Safety Telecommunications Week is a time for us to show our appreciation for the hard work and sacrifices dispatchers make to keep our communities safe. Each year, the Public Safety Communications Manager’s Association (PSCMA) honors Public Safety Dispatchers of Santa Clara County with a special event that recognizes the “Dispatchers of the Year” from each agency. Each agency nominates a person or group from their dispatch center to be recognized for the Dispatcher of the Year and/or Supervising Dispatcher of the Year award.

We are pleased to announce Vicky Jones was celebrated as Los Altos Police Dispatcher of the Year! Vicky joined the Los Altos Police Department in October 2006. She displays outstanding customer care in the face of difficult circumstances and is being recognized this year for her professionalism, attention to detail and positive working relationships. Vicky consistently steps-up to the plate when there is a need and with such a small division, this is critical to ensuring continuity of operations.

Los Altos dispatchers work a minimum of 12-hour shifts in a solo capacity. They are tasked with answering multiple 9-1-1 calls, handling requests from Officers in the field, talking on the radio and assisting our residents in the lobby all at the same time.  Please join us in congratulating Vicky on her award while we simultaneously celebrate the dedication of each of our amazing dispatchers for serving the Los Altos community so well.

Public Works

Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Event This Weekend

The City of Los Altos will once again partner with the County of Santa Clara Household Hazardous Waste Program to host a recycling and disposal event in Los Altos this Saturday, April 14, 2018. Drop-off may be made by appointment only. Call (408) 299-7300 or visit  hhw.org to schedule your appointment. The drop-off location will be disclosed once your appointment is made. Acceptable items to dispose of include:

Complete Streets Commission Meeting: School Route Improvement Projects

In February, the Complete Streets Commission (CSC) reviewed proposed school route improvement projects including walkway and intersection improvements at various locations near schools. Commissioners gathered input from community members during an  Open House hosted prior to the start of the meeting. The CSC directed staff to incorporate comments from the meeting, further develop the design, 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 available on Friday, April 20, 2018 at  losaltosca.gov/csc425. Questions may be directed to the Public Works Department, Engineering Division at (650) 947-2780 or  engineering@losaltosca.gov.

Navigation Apps

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) and its agency partners, which include cities within Santa Clara County, are working with navigation apps such as Waze and Google Maps to understand how their algorithms typically work, and how city staff can work within the app features to minimize traffic rerouting through residential neighborhoods. VTA is pursuing a multi-license, master partnership agreement with Waze through their Connected Citizen Program. This partnership will help individual cities within the County to address the concerns in a local and regional context.

Transportation Technology Plan Workshop

This week, staff participated in Santa Clara County Transportation Technology Strategic Plan (TTSP) workshop organized by VTA. This plan is intended to provide guidance to VTA and its agency partners in meeting the challenges of the changing mobility marketplace and seeks to identify specific technology-related strategic efforts to address these issues. The vision for the TTSP is to provide a coherent framework to help create a county-wide smart transportation region.

City Bench Mark Update

Public Works Department staff are in the process of establishing new bench marks throughout the City. A bench mark is a 3 ¼ inch diameter brass disk set into the ground that has defined horizontal coordinates and an elevation. Each bench mark disk will be stamped City of Los Altos, with a specific bench mark number. Bench marks provide important survey data in determining property lines of parcels. It is anticipated the installation of the bench marks will be complete by the end of April and the data will be available to the general public.

Cal Water Upgrade

Cal Water continues to upgrade the existing 4” water main to a new 8” water main along Covington Road between Springer Road and Miramonte Avenue. Cal Water has finished potholing in the area and installation of pipe between Seena Avenue and Spencer Way was completed this week. Work will progress towards Miramonte Avenue next week. During construction, one travel lane will be closed, however, two-way traffic will be maintained. The construction hours are limited between 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to minimize the traffic impact to the neighborhood. Please plan for some traffic delays during the construction period. The project is tentatively scheduled to be complete the by the end of May 2018. For specific construction related questions, please contact Cal Water at (650) 917-0152 or visit  calwater.com to email your questions or concerns online.   

PG&E Gas Main Upgrades

PG&E continues work to upgrade the gas line at the intersection of Jay Street and El Monte Avenue. Work includes replacing the existing gas pipe, underground vaults, controller cabinet and ventilations pipes. The gas main installation is complete and is now undergoing pressure testing. Once passed, trench restoration will begin and the intersection will be reopened to the public. During construction, Jay Street will be closed between 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with traffic control measures in place. Residents who live on Jay Street are encouraged to access Jay Street from N. Clark Avenue. The project is tentatively scheduled to be complete at the end of June.

Recreation & Community Services

A Senior Spring Fling

The Senior Spring Fling, which took place last Friday, was a great success! Ninety-two community members joined us for this fun, social event. This was the very first collaboration between the Los Altos/Los Altos Hills Senior Commission and Club 55. Congratulations to both groups for a successful collaboration! During the event, participants enjoyed time with friends, great food and beverages, and dancing. 

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!

For more information about our programs, please visit LosAltosRecreation.org or call (650) 947-2790.

Senior Program Updates

 

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.

Reminders

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.

Thursday, April 19, 2018

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

Grant Park Community Center, Room 3

1575 Holt Avenue, Los Altos

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

Commission Recruitments

City Council would like to invite residents to apply for appointment to openings on the Environmental, Complete Streets and Planning Commissions. 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 Friday, April 20. For more information, contact the City Clerk’s Office at (650) 947-2720.

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.