Hillview Community Center Project Update

The Hillview Community Center Project Task Force (TF) held its final meeting Thursday, November 30, 2017. Noll & Tam Architects presented two variations of the previously selected building design Concept C along with a conceptual cost estimate. Recreation & Community Services Director Manny Hernandez provided the TF with input on the functionality of each design. After deliberation, the TF selected Concept C1, providing recommendations and feedback on how to enhance the design and optimize the Community Center design and layout. Noll & Tam will incorporate the TF feedback into the conceptual design, which it will present to the City Council on December 12, 2017. Vice Mayor Jean Mordo provided closing remarks, thanking the TF members for their valued service and leadership on the Task Force and providing the group with Certificates of Appreciation from the City of Los Altos, signed by Mayor Prochnow. To review meeting materials, click here. To be notified of project updates, please subscribe to the Hillview Community Center email list at losaltosca.gov/enotify.

Community Development

Downtown Vision Workshop & Community Questionnaire

At a community workshop this past Wednesday, four scenarios depicting how Downtown Los Altos could evolve over time were presented to an audience of nearly 100 community members who gathered to review the scenarios and share their thoughts. Prior to collecting into working groups, the Consultant Team, led by RRM Design Group, provided an explanation of each of the scenarios and information about how each of the four scenarios were developed. Included in the presentations were an overview of the economic components of the scenarios and the results of the economic analysis completed to date.

With information and data in mind – the attendees broke into groups at 12 tables where they could evaluate each of the scenarios and identify which one, or which combination of attributes, best reflected how Downtown Los Altos should evolve. Each table was challenged to try and achieve consensus on their selections and preferences, which resulted in some lively debates and focused evaluation of information presented. At the end of the session, a representative from each table shared the outcome of their effort with all in attendance.

Those who were unable to attend are encouraged to review the scenarios and provide feedback via an online questionnaire available on Open City Hall until December 17, 2017. The Consultant’s presentation at the workshop and the PowerPoint slide was videotaped and will be available shortly on the project website as well, so that everyone reviewing the future scenarios online can have the benefit of the background information that went into the development of the scenarios. We look forward to hearing from everyone and all the input provided will help form the vision for Downtown Los Altos.

Foothill Safeway Seeks Revised Delivery Hours

The Safeway located in Rancho Shopping Center has applied to amend the delivery hours approved through the use permit process when the market was an Andronico’s store. Safeway has noted a different delivery schedule is needed given that shipments of goods to the store are provided by an alternate supply line. The request being considered by the Planning Commission on Thursday, December 7, 2017 is for a temporary change to the delivery hours to address the holiday season, with the likelihood that a permanent change to the delivery hours will be requested in the near future. The neighbors of Safeway have been notified and their input will be important at the meeting.

Parking Committee Recommendations

On December 7, 2017, staff will be providing the Planning Commission with information regarding the former Parking Committee recommendations and how the recommendations can be put in ordinance form. The Commission will then need to hold a public hearing on the Ordinances and develop a recommendation on the work of the Parking Advisory Committee to the City Council.

Police

Festival of Lights

The Police Department activated most of its personnel to assist with security, road closures and even a motorcycle escort for Santa’s sleigh at the 40th annual Festival of Lights Parade last weekend. After securing the route, members of the Traffic Enforcement team led the parade as excited attendees cheered on.

Holiday Tree Lighting

Chief Andy Galea will be attended the Los Altos Village Association’s annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony this evening. The Chief apparently made the good list, as Santa has invited him to assist with the great honor of lighting the tree. Some of the Chief’s Elves…or, um…Officers will also be in attendance and display their own customized sleighs, with a police car and motorcycle available for viewing. The event will be held at 6:00 p.m. tonight in Veterans Community Plaza located at the corner of State and Main Street in Downtown Los Altos. All are welcome to this free, family-friendly event.

Public Works

Dead Tree Removal on Main & Foothill Scheduled for Saturday

A large dead tree located in the median at the intersection of Main Street and Foothill Expressway is scheduled to be removed on Saturday, December 2, 2017. The tree must be removed as it is dead and posing a safety hazard. Temporary lane closures are anticipated to accommodate workers in the area. The City is evaluating traffic safety and median conditions to determine if a replacement tree will be planted in the same area. Questions about this work can be directed to Chris Costanzo, Parks Supervisor at (650) 947-2895. 

Holiday Lights Preparation

City crews have been busy getting the Downtown ready for the holidays. Crews completed decorating the two palm trees at W. Edith Avenue and San Antonio Road last weekend just in time for the Festival of Lights Parade and continued to work on holiday tree decorating this week in Downtown. The crews also worked on decorating the oak trees adjacent to the History Museum this week.

Sewer Bid – South Sewer Main Replacement (Fremont Avenue)

Engineering issued a bid this week for the South Sewer Main Replacement Project on Fremont Avenue between Truman Avenue and Fallen Leaf Lane. The project includes pipe reaming of approximately 805 feet of existing 12” sanitary sewer mains with a new 18” pipe, disconnecting and reinstating lateral connections, bypass pumping of sanitary sewer flow and traffic control. Pipe reaming is a trenchless technology that is used to replace existing pipes. Bids are due no later than 2:00 p.m. on January 11, 2018 and work is expected to occur in the spring or early summer.

Community Rating System (CRS)

The City of Los Altos, together with nine other cities, the unincorporated County of Santa Clara and Santa Clara Valley Water District have been active participants in the Community Rating System (CRS) for almost 20 years. CRS is a voluntary program of FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) that allows participating communities to earn flood insurance premium discounts for their residents and businesses by agreeing to adopt and enforce an ordinance that meets or exceeds FEMA’s requirement to reduce the risk of flooding. Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO) completed the review of the documents submitted by the City of Los Altos on August 11, 2016 for the 5-year CRS cycle visit. The City recently received the official notification letter from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security FEMA stating that it maintained its CRS Class 8 rating based on the requirements of the FEMA 2013 NIFP/CRS Coordinator's Manual. This rating results in a 10% discount in the premium costs for NFIP policies issued or renewed in Special Flood Hazard Areas.

Reminders

Winter Wonder at Hillview Community Center

Join us for our Holiday Tree Lighting Event on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. There will be caroling, refreshments and fun activities. This activity will be held on the Senior Center Patio at Hillview Community Center, 97 Hillview Avenue. There is a $4.00 donation requested for the refreshments. In addition, Artventures Group will be having an art display in Room 12. 

City Council Open Office Hours

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

Monday, November 20, 2017

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

Grant Park (Room 3)

1575 Holt Avenue, Los Altos

Thursday, December 7, 2017

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Hillview Community Center, Room 2

97 Hillview Avenue, Los Altos

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Los Altos Main Library, Orchard Room

13 S. San Antonio Road, 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.