City Clerk

Resident Satisfaction Survey

The City of Los Altos recently contracted the services of Godbe Research to complete Los Altos’ first-ever Resident Satisfaction Survey. Conducted in December 2017, the results of the survey were presented to City Council at their Annual Retreat on January 20, 2018. The survey sought feedback from a representational group of residents regarding important issues in Los Altos. The City will utilize the results of the survey to better address the needs and desires of Los Altos residents. Results of the survey are available online.

Assistant City Manager

Community Discussion: Silicon Valley Clean Energy

GreenTown Los Altos is hosting a GreenTalk at the Los Altos Library, February 1, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. This month’s talk, “We Have Electricity, let’s ‘Switch’ to Using it,” will include special guest speaker, Don Bray, Manager of Account Services at Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE). Bray will update attendees about the latest SVCE program developments, focusing on promoting fuel switching to help residents use clean, renewably generated electricity and move away from burning fossil fuels. A resident of Los Altos, Mr. Bray also serves on the Los Altos Environmental Commission. 

Economic Development

Smoke-Free Los Altos Outreach Plan

On Tuesday, March 13, 2018, City Council will consider an ordinance to expand the scope of existing smoking restrictions and make Los Altos a Smoke-Free City. Should City Council approve the new ordinance, smoking and the use of smoke- or vapor-generating tobacco and cannabis products would be prohibited in both enclosed and unenclosed, publicly accessible areas within Los Altos city-limits. City staff is developing a community outreach and education plan to keep residents and business owners informed of the new ordinance and its potential impacts on life in Los Altos. Outreach includes but is not limited to:

If the ordinance is adopted, the City will also work with Breathe California of the Bay Area to provide window decals and a Secondhand Smoke Helpline by which individuals can receive education on the smoke-free law and report complaints. For more information, please visit losaltosca.gov/smokefree. 

Community Development

Downtown Vision Pop-Up Workshop

On Wednesday, January 31, 2018, the Downtown Vision consultant team will hold a pop-up workshop at Grant Park Community Center (1575 Holt Avenue). This workshop will provide the community another opportunity to share thoughts and ideas on a vision for Downtown Los Altos. The workshop will take place from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and the future scenarios for the Downtown will be available for review and comment.

Planning Commission to Review Accessory Structure Regulations

The rules governing height, size and placement of accessory structures (garden sheds, workshops, etc.) on residential properties will be considered by the Planning Commission at its next meeting on Thursday, February 1, 2018. The Commission will be reviewing the regulations and will develop a recommendation to the City Council. The accessory structure regulations are being evaluated because these structures have the potential to be converted to accessory dwelling units, so their placement on a property needs to be carefully selected to help minimize potential impacts to adjacent properties.

Public Works

Hillview Community Center Update

The Hillview Community Center project is nearing completion of the first of three phases of design. The Hillview Community Center Project Task Force presented recommendations for Phase 1 Schematic Design to the City Council on December 12, 2017. For Phase 2 Design Development, a Design Development Working Group (DDWG) has been formed to advise and provide input on the next stage of design. The DDWG met for its kick-off meeting on January 25, 2018 and also hosted a Teen Focus Group. The DDWG discussed what other focus group input should be solicited and gathered additional feedback from the Teen Focus Group regarding what types of activities would attract teens to the new community center.

Geotech boring activities are scheduled to take place on the Hillview Community Center site on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 in support of the Geotech report being developed. There will be up to five boring sites in and around the community center building. The City’s Facilities team will block-off parking around the boring sites in the parking lot to prevent vehicles from parking in those spaces. The boring operations will produce a loud hammering noise, so to reduce disruptions, the boring closest to the City’s Kinder Prep program will be completed prior to the start of classes. The other boring sites located next to the north side of the building will be completed before noon. Notifications to community center users have been posted and sent out.

Miramonte Avenue Path Project

A public outreach meeting was held on January 22, 2018 to gather input on the Miramonte Avenue Path Project. Meeting notifications included letters to residents within 500 feet radius of the project, notifications via Nextdoor, City Manager Weekly Updates, City website and social media channels. Over 30 community members attended the meeting. The consultant team and City staff presented an overview of the project and details of Phase 1 design, which extends from the City limits to the north and Berry Avenue to the south. Community members asked questions and provided feedback during the Q&A session following the presentation and during the open house session before and after the presentation.

This project was brought to the Complete Streets Commission (CSC) on January 24, 2018 for their review and feedback. Community members also attended the CSC meeting and provided comments. The CSC supported the key proposed design elements of the project. All meeting materials are available on the project webpage. The public comment period is open until February 28, 2018. Staff will gather input received from the meeting and any subsequent comments until the comment period closure and will modify the design as appropriate before finalizing plans for construction.

Sewer Bid: Sewer System Repair Program

The Engineering Division received and opened two bids this week for the Sewer System Repair Program, Project WW0100117. The project includes the rehabilitation of six (6) sanitary sewer segments. Three (3) segments are located in residential areas and will be replaced using the pipe reaming method. The remaining segments, located in the South Parking Plaza in downtown Los Altos, will be replaced using the open trench method. The project will be awarded at the February 13 City Council meeting.

Orchard Tree Planting

The City has purchased 100 new apricot trees for planting this spring. City crews and our orchard maintenance contractor have been preparing the orchard for new tree planting over the last couple weeks. Fertilizers have been applied and the crews are working on removing old stumps to make room for the new trees. Tree planting is currently scheduled for mid-February, weather permitting.

Maintenance Safety Trainings

As part of the City’s ongoing safety program, our maintenance staff attend Hearing Conservation and Lockout Tagout trainings presented by a certified trainer this week. Workplace safety is a high priority for the City and our crews routinely receive training in accordance with a comprehensive training program.

Recreation & Community Services

Tiny Tots Preschool Program

Enrollment for all Tiny Tots Preschool Programs (Terrific 3’s, Fabulous 4’s, and Kinder Prep) begins on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Deposit forms and more information are available online. Tours may be scheduled by calling Recreation Coordinator, Candace Avina at (650) 947-2890.

Kinder Prep Field Trip

Kinder Prep students took a field trip this week to a performance of The Ugly Duckling, presented by the Peninsula Youth Theatre at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. The children enjoyed the performance and were excited to meet the cast afterwards!

February LAYC Dance

The next LAYC Dance for Los Altos middle schoolers is scheduled for Friday, February 2, 2018 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This activity will take place at the Los Altos Youth Center located in the Civic Center complex at 1 N San Antonio Road. Teens can play ping pong or dance as the D.J. plays their favorite songs! 

Senior Program Reminders

Inter-Generational Tech-Tutor Workshop: Need help with your laptop, tablet or cell phone? Join us for this popular Workshop run by local high school students on February 21 at 3:30 p.m. at Hillview Community Center. The cost for Senior Center members is $1, and $3 for non-members.

Tax Preparation Program: This activity will be taking place each Monday beginning February 1 through the month of April from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Hillview Community Center, Room 8.

Fall Prevention: Christine Moore and Gina Cali from the Santa Clara County Fire Department will be advising seniors on how to prevent falls in the home. This activity will be held on February 21 at 12:45 p.m. at Grant Park Community Center, 1575 Holt Avenue.

Mini Trip: Join us on a whimsical adventure to The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco on Thursday February 22. The museum features the life and legacy of Walt Disney shown through interactive galleries that include early drawings and animation. The cost for Senior Center members is $35.00; non-member cost is $45.00. Price includes entrance fee, transportation, and gratuity. Space is limited, please sign-up early.

To register or for more information about Senior Programs, call (650) 947-2797.