August 25, 2017
City Manager Weekly Update
City Manager
Community Center
The City of Los Altos currently leases many of its facilities to outside organizations, such as both library buildings, both Fire Stations, the Nuetra House, the History Museum, and many other indoor and outdoor facilities that are available for short term rental. One of the longer lessees (almost 40 years) is the non-profit Children’s Corner, a pre-kindergarten program at the Hillview Community Center.

At the first few meetings of the Community Center Project Task Force, the Task Force heard from several community members about the need to dedicate space in the new community center for the Children’s Corner. Because the Task Force’s assignment includes space allocation, but does not include determining how, or by who, services will be provided, staff offered to discuss the situation with representatives from Children’s Corner and report back to the Task Force regarding any space issues.

Since that time, staff has met with Children’s Corner representatives 3 times in an effort to determine if there is an opportunity for a public/private partnership. Also, it has become clear that there will not be adequate space in the new community space to commit as much as 3,000 square feet for leasing to the Children’s Corner. Therefore, the Children’s Corner has proposed to the City an arrangement that includes:

  1. Providing the City with a portion of the cost to build the needed dedicated space up front.
  2. The remaining cost to the City would be paid over a period by a long-term, market-rate lease.
  3. Any outdoor space needed for Children’s Corner would be available to the public during all hours that the Children’s Corner is not operating.
  4. The City would permanently own this asset as part of the community center.

Any additional revenues received by the City as part of this potential arrangement would be used to offset the cost of the City providing other community programs that do not meet the City policy of full cost recovery. None of the City allocated $25 million will be used for any space for Children’s Corner.

If these discussions appear to provide a reasonable return on the City’s investment, while providing the community with the opportunity to have the services of the Children’s Corner continue at the new community center, staff will discuss the proposal with the Task Force. If the Task Force believes there is merit to the proposal and it could be accommodated as part of the new community center, the proposal will be provided to the City Council for its consideration. Any and all decisions will be made by the City Council.    
Assistant City Manager
City Commissions Provide Input on Community Center Project
During the month of August, each of the City’s Commissions were asked to review a report regarding the Hillview Community Center Project Task Force. Commissioners were provided an update on the Community Center project and were asked the following question: “Within the focus (jurisdiction) of your Commission, are there considerations for the Hillview Community Center Project you would like the Task Force to know?” All Commission input is being collected by City staff and compiled in a report that will be presented to the Task Force in early September.

The Hillview Community Center Project Task Force will meet on Saturday, August 26, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Hillview Community Center, Social Hall. Task Force (TF) members will work with the Noll & Tam design team to decide on interior space allocation and develop two or three site plan options. The TF plans to report their progress to City Council at a Study Session scheduled for September 26, 2017. City Council will have an opportunity to provide comments, ask questions and provide direction to the TF.

To stay up-to-date on the Community Center project, subscribe to the Hillview Community Center Project email list at www.losaltosca.gov/enotify. You may also share your thoughts with the Task Force by emailing [email protected].
Community Development
Downtown Vision
At the City Council meeting on Tuesday, August 22 nd, staff and the Downtown Vision consultant team presented the City Council with drafts of three future scenarios that have been developed according to feedback gathered from community members. Each scenario reflects varying degrees or intensity of development in the Downtown. The future scenarios are intended to serve as tools to further engage the community and gather feedback as the project team works towards developing a Downtown Vision to present to Council. Following the presentation, City Council provided direction and asked that the consultant team develop a fourth scenario that provides some “out of the box” ideas on changes to the Downtown. The consultant team and staff are now updating the draft scenarios, developing a fourth scenario, and drafting a schedule to begin engaging the community to obtain its input and feedback on the scenarios. The PowerPoint of the consultant’s presentation is available online.

On-Call Environmental Consultant
The selection process for a consultant to provide the City with environmental review consulting services as needed future public and private development projects has been completed. After reviewing the qualifications from eleven interested firms and interviewing the top four, David J. Powers and Associates out of San Jose and EMC Planning Group out of Monterey were selected as the City’s on-call environmental consultants. Both firms are well qualified when it comes to environmental review and the preparation of documents that comply with the California Environmental Quality Act, and they each have extensive experience with jurisdictions of a similar size and demographic as Los Altos. 

Larkellen Lane Single-Story Overlay District
At its meeting on August 22 nd, the City Council voted to introduce and waive further reading of an ordinance to establish a single-story overlay zoning district that includes forty-seven properties located on Larkellen Lane and portions of Fallen Leaf Lane, Ravenswood Drive and Havenhurst Drive. The ordinance will go back to City Council for adoption on September 12th and go into effect 31 days after adoption. This overlay will limit development in this neighborhood to single-story structures with a maximum height of 20 feet.
Economic Development
Downtown Green
The Downtown Green’s summer festivities include the following upcoming events:

August 25: Vintage Noise Performance - 6-8:00 p.m.

August 26: Saturday Cinema: Guardians of the Galaxy - 8:30-10:00 p.m.

August 27:
Yoga - 8:00 a.m.
Pilates - 10:00 a.m.
Safe Moves! Bike Safety & Repair for Back to School - 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Barre 3 - 12:00 p.m.
Community Supper with Covington School Group - 4:00 p.m.

August 28: Vinyl on the Green - 6-8 p.m.

August 29: The Underground: Live Concerts!
5:30-6:30 p.m. - Crow Eats Man
7-8:00 p.m. - Shallow and Pedantic

August 30: Downtown Green Turf Removal

August 31: Pop-Up Skate Park

For more information, visit www.downtowngreen2017.com, like us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram @DowntownGreen2017. 
Public Works
Foothill Expressway Improvement Project
The City Council received an update from the County of Santa Clara on the Foothill Expressway Improvement Project at its August 22 nd meeting. This project seeks to ease congestion on Foothill Expressway between El Monte Avenue and San Antonio Road. The County is leading the project with assistance from the City. The project is currently in conceptual design phase with construction anticipated to begin in summer 2018.

As part of the project, the County proposes to widen Foothill Expressway between El Monte Avenue and San Antonio Road to add auxiliary lanes in each direction, which are designed to prevent bottlenecks caused by drivers attempting to enter or exit the expressway. Intersection improvements will also be provided at El Monte Avenue and San Antonio Road, including:

  • Addition of a second through lane on westbound El Monte Avenue while keeping the dedicated right turn pocket
  • Possible third left turn lane from eastbound El Monte Avenue to northbound Foothill Expressway
  • Possible addition of a second right turn lane with bicycle accommodations from southbound Foothill Expressway to El Monte Avenue
  • Elimination of right turn islands and slip ramps on selected corners of the Foothill Expressway /El Monte Avenue intersection and squaring off the intersection to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety   
  • Road widening, geometric modification, modification of traffic signals, pavement resurfacing, pavement delineation, landscaping and other related improvements

On June 28, 2017, City and County staff presented the project to the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC). County staff also presented the project to the VTA BPAC on July 12, 2017. Additionally, City staff provided a project update to the Planning and Transportation Commission on July 20, 2017. On June 29, 2017, a public outreach meeting was held at the Hillview Community Center where County staff presented three design alternatives to the public. They discussed the advantages and tradeoffs of each alternative and gathered input on the alternatives from meeting attendees.

County staff presented the proposed alternatives, summarized comments received from various public meetings, and described how they will address the comments at the August 22, 2017 Council meeting. Comments received from the Council will be used to refine the design alternatives. Public engagement is anticipated throughout the project. The public can sign up for project updates at the County’s website and send comments to [email protected]. Another public meeting is planned in October 2017.
Grant Park Community Center Facility Improvements
Over the next ten weeks, construction crews will be making improvements to both the multipurpose room and the classroom wings of the Grant Park Community Center. This week crews will be refinishing the hardwood stage and installing new flooring in the multipurpose room. Once the multipurpose room work is completed, crews will commence work in the classrooms and restrooms. The improvements are designed to address both ADA access concerns and enhance the facility for recreation program users. Senior programs will continue at the Center throughout the construction period.

City Hall HVAC System Upgrades Project
A Capital Improvement Program (CIP) project has been approved to upgrade to the HVAC system at City Hall; the current system has reached the end of its useful life. Work will include the replacement of existing air handler and return air fans with new air conditioning units, re-balance of the air distribution system, replacement of heating hot water boiler and pump and installation of a direct digital control (DDC) panel. The City’s contractor, Omni Construction Services, Inc., began mobilization this week with the installation of a temporary construction fence to enclose the work area outside City Hall. Minor work will occur in the upcoming weeks in preparation of the air conditioning units which will arrive in approximately eight weeks.
City-wide Street Improvement Projects
The first phase of the city-wide street improvement project (pothole repairs) is approximately 90% 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 .

Transportation Projects Construction Update
Illuminated Lighted Crosswalk: This project will replace three non-functioning in-pavement illuminated crosswalk systems at Almond Avenue and Forway Court, Grant Road and Morton Avenue, and Springer Road and Rose Avenue. Construction is substantially complete and the contractor is expected to wrap up a few punch list items by the end of this week. 

Covington Road Bicycle/Pedestrian Improvement Project:  Construction is now complete on this project, which provides ADA compliant ramps, sidewalks, curbs/gutters, signs, and striping along Covington Road between Miramonte Avenue and Eastwood Drive.

Annual Pathway Rehabilitation Project:  Construction is now complete on this project, which included rehabilitation of pathways at three locations: Hawthorne Avenue and San Martin Place, S. Clark Avenue and Benvenue Avenue, and Fallen Leaf Lane Pathway.

W. Edith Avenue and University Avenue Crosswalk Improvement Project:  Construction is currently underway on this project. Improvements include a new continental crosswalk, enhanced electronic crosswalk device, new curb ramps, a new concrete bulb-out and minor striping. Students accessing Gardner Bullis Elementary School will benefit from these improvements. Concrete work including curb ramps and bulb-out have been completed. We are experiencing a delay in the delivering of electrical equipment including the in-pavement lighted crosswalk and the LED signs. The installation will take a few days once the equipment is on-site.

University Avenue Crosswalk Improvements at Lincoln Avenue and Grant Road:  This project includes installation of a raised crosswalk with a rapid flashing beacon warning system at the intersection of University and Lincoln Avenue as well as a curb ramp and crosswalk improvements at the intersection of Burke Road. Construction is underway and the raised crosswalk and curb ramps have been installed and are now usable by pedestrians. The storm drain installation is delayed due to utility conflicts with a PG&E gas main. Staff is actively working with PG&E to resolve the conflict and complete the project. 
Recreation & Community Services
Yoga on the Green
Yoga on the Downtown Green
The Downtown Green will host Yoga at the Park on Sunday, August 27, 2017 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.
Reminders

City Council Open Office Hours
The Los Altos City Council will host Open Office Hours on the following dates and times:

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.
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.

Upcoming Emergency Preparedness Training
September is National Emergency Preparedness month and the City of Los Altos is pleased to partner with Santa Clara County Fire Department to bring emergency preparedness training to Los Altos. Life-threatening emergencies can happen fast and they can happen anywhere. Learn how you can help yourself and others, until help arrives.

Personal Emergency Preparedness (PEP) Training
PEP training covers workplace and home safety, earthquake preparedness, when and how to turn gas, electrical and water off and basic fire safety. This free, 3-hour PEP course is being offered on Saturday, September 23, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. – noon at Hillview Community Center. To register, contact Santa Clara County Fire Department at (408) 378-4010 or email [email protected] . 

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training
CERT training educates people about basic disaster response skills like fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations. Using classroom and simulation based education, CERT members learn how to assist others in their neighborhood or workplace immediately following an event when emergency responders may not be immediately available to help.

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. Residents are encouraged to prepare for such emergencies by taking a CERT or Personal Emergency Preparedness training course.

Hillview Senior Program Update
The Senior Center located at the Hillview Community Center will be having their scheduled summer break between Monday, August 28 and Monday, September 4, 2017. The Senior Center will re-open on Tuesday, September 5 th.

Tiny Tots
The Recreation & Community Services Department’s pre-school program, Tiny Tots, is gearing up to start the week of September 5. The Kinder Prep program is held at the Hillview Community Center and the Terrific 3’s and Fabulous 4’s programs are held at nearby San Antonio Club. This historic building has a spacious yet quaint indoor area and a large outdoor area with a covered picnic area, playground, garden, sandboxes, play house and “raceway” which is perfect for the Tiny Tots participants. There is limited space still available in the 3’s and 4’s programs. Those interested in enrolling are encouraged to call (650) 947-2890 to learn more about the program.
City of Los Altos | (650) 947-2700 | www.losaltosca.gov