City Manager Weekly Update
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Virtual City Offices Closed Friday
Los Altos City Hall, the Maintenance Services Center and Recreation & Community Services front office will be closed virtually on Friday, April 3, 2020 as part of the Defined 9/80 Schedule. A complete list of public counter and administrative office hours, as well as a schedule of Friday closures, are available on the City’s website at
www.losaltosca.gov/hours.
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Earlier this week, Santa Clara County Public Health Officials announced a new, stricter Shelter-in-Place Order, which extends the shelter-in-place until May 3, 2020. For the health and safety of our entire community, it is important that we all follow the County’s Order. We urge residents to stay in their homes as much as possible. When leaving your home, remember social distancing is now mandatory; please leave a 6ft. distance between you and other individuals. If you need help grocery shopping, we provide a list of organizations and community members who are offering their assistance, under the section, ‘Lend a Helping Hand’.
Additionally, the Order increases restrictions on the following areas:
- Before April 3, essential businesses that continue to operate facilities in the County must complete, post, and implement a social distancing protocol for each facility that remains open.
- Essential businesses must maximize the number of employees who work from home and must scale down any non-essential operations.
- Any shared public recreation facilities, such as dog parks, picnic areas, basketball courts, park parking lots, and pools, are closed.
- Any sport that requires the use of shared equipment may only be engaged in by members of the same household.
- Most construction – resident and commercial – is prohibited (The City has decided to suspend construction on the Los Altos Community Center).
The City is thoroughly examining the latest Order and will release modifications to City services as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please contact Sonia Lee at
slee@losaltosca.gov.
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Business Resource Page
Are you a business owner that has been affected by COVID-19? The City of Los Altos created a page with the different resources available to you. There are various Federal, State, and County resources that can assist with rent, payroll, and other crucial payments. Follow the link for the
business resource page
. If you have a more specific questions, please reach out to our Economic Development staff at (650)947-2620 or email Anthony Carnesecca at
acarnesecca@losaltosca.gov
.
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Santa Clara County Town Hall
Santa Clara County Supervisor Simitian is hosting a telephone Town Hall this Sunday, April 5 at 11AM with Public Health Director Dr. Sara Cody, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, and frontline healthcare professionals. We strongly urge the community to participate, as a portion of the Town Hall will be dedicated to a Q&A with the public. To participate, please call (855) 866-6313.
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Staying Healthy
There are a variety of ways that you and your family can stay healthy. We strongly urge the community to listen to public health officials and shelter-in-place to help slow the spread of COVID-19. In addition to staying home, these 5 tips can keep you and your family healthy.
TIP #1:
Maintain a 6ft away from another individual.
TIP #2:
Cover coughs and sneezes with your elbow.
TIP #3:
Wash your hands with warm soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
TIP #4:
Disinfect frequently touched areas (doorknobs, handles, light switches).
TIP #5:
Refrain from touching your face.
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Professional Landscape Maintenance
The new Order from the County also includes the following about landscape maintenance:
Landscapers and similar service professionals may only provide services necessary to maintain the sanitation, habitability, or operation of residences or businesses, or for safety reasons. They may not provide services that are cosmetic or for general upkeep.
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Community Services Agency
The Community Services Agency (CSA) of Mountain View, Los Altos, and Los Altos Hills is here to help. CSA offers assistance with rent, utilities, and food for individuals on low incomes, seniors, and those affected by homelessness. Whether you are looking to volunteer or need support, we strongly encourage you to reach out:
Need Help?
Call (650) 968-0836 and please leave a message.
Volunteer:
If you are not in a high-risk category (age 65+ and/or having an underlying health condition) and wish to help with food distribution, please call (650) 964-4630.
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Los Altos High School Students Helping Seniors with Groceries
A group of Los Altos high school students are helping seniors with grocery delivery. This service is completely free (except for reimbursement for the groceries) and seniors can sign up easily. This is a great way for seniors to get groceries without leaving their home. If you are interested,
fill out your information here.
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Community and Senior Connection Helplines
The City’s Recreation and Community Services’ launched two community helplines to assist Los Altos and Los Altos Hills residents with additional COVID-19 information and resources. If you are looking for technical help, transportation services, food assistance, or would just like someone to talk to, City staff and volunteers are available to answer questions and connect residents to the best support.
Senior Connection
is available Monday through Friday from 9AM to 1PM. Please call (650) 947-2797 to connect with City staff.
Community Connection
is available Monday through Friday from 8AM to 5PM. Please call (650) 947-2790 to connect with City staff.
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Virtual Town Hall
Join Mayor Jan Pepper and City Manager Chris Jordan for a virtual town hall this Tuesday, April 7 at 5:30pm. They will be giving a short introduction on the latest COVID-19 updates, what the City is doing, and ways you can help, then there will be a Q&A session with the directors, Mayor, and City Manager. If you have any COVID-19 questions, this is your time to ask them!
Register for the event here
. The webinar link will be posted before next week’s event.
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Prevent A Clogged Sewer
As residents spend more time in their homes, we may see an increase in sewer backups caused by non-toilet paper products, fats, oils, and grease entering the sanitary sewer system. Here are 4 tips to help prevent a sewer emergency:
TIP #1:
Never pour cooking oils or grease into a sink, toilet, or drain.
TIP #2:
Collect fats, oils, and grease in a container to cool and harden. When the container is full, cover it tightly and place it in a bag to prevent leakage, then dispose of it in the garbage.
TIP #3:
Wipe food scraps or grease from pots, pans, and plates into the garbage before washing.
TIP #4:
Place a wastebasket in the bathroom for items that cannot be flushed.
What items cannot be flushed down the toilet?
- Disposable Diapers
- Personal Hygiene Products
- Cotton Swabs
- Paper Towels
- Tissues
- Wipes (even those that claim to be flushable)
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Fire Safety at Home
Fire safety at home has never been more of a priority than during the State and County mandatory Shelter-in-Place orders. While we are all at home with our families working, homeschooling, and cooking, now is the time to evaluate the safety features of our homes and examine our portable fire extinguishers and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Here are some FAQs and general guidelines to consider.
Smoke alarms are required to be installed outside every sleeping area and must be replaced if they're older than ten (10) years,
see the City's handout for more information
. It's a good habit to put a reminder in your calendar to change the batteries in all your smoke alarms concurrently annually.
What are the different classes of fire extinguishers and how do they differ?
The four different classes of fire extinguishers are classified as A, B, C, and D. Class A fire extinguisher is ideal for putting out fires that start from ordinary combustibles, including wood and paper. Class B fire extinguisher is suitable for flammable liquids such as oil, gasoline, and grease. Class C fire extinguisher is ideal for electronics, and Class D is best for flammable metals.
Why do fire extinguishers work?
The powder/foam that comes out of the fire extinguisher is formulated to smother a fire and cut off its oxygen supply. The fire will go out once there is no more oxygen left to fuel it since it needs three things to thrive: heat, fuel, and oxygen.
How long do fire extinguishers last?
Most fire extinguishers need to be refilled or refurbished every 5-6 years. It’s best to check your fire extinguishers every month in case you need to use it unexpectedly. Check the date of manufacture before use to make sure the fire extinguisher is still functional.
How do I use a Fire Extinguisher?
P -
PULL the pin between the extinguishers handles.
A –
AIM the nozzle at the base of the fire. You should stand 6-10 feet away from the fire.
S -
SQUEEZE the handle of the fire extinguisher.
S -
SWEEP the nozzle from side to side across the base of the fire.
Visit the Santa Clara County Fire Department
website
for more information about fire extinguishers.
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Over the last couple of weeks, the Los Altos community has banded together to bring light to a time of darkness. Mayor Jan Pepper concluded her recent letter to the community, "Los Altos, we are strong, and we will get this through together." We wholeheartedly believe that. The City is encouraging participation in various campaigns that we hope will bring comfort, happiness, and smiles. So, our neighbors know you are not alone, and we will get through this together.
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Lights for Life
Holiday lights bring with them comfort, cheeriness, and a sense of community. During our Lights for Life campaign, we want to encourage our residents to rehang their winter decorations, especially house lights! If you hang your lights, make sure to post a picture on social media with the #LightUpLosAltos and the City will repost your pictures!
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Kindness Rocks
Kindness rocks are small rocks that are sprinkled in public areas with uplifting messages written on them. These fun, colorful rocks can be a fun activity for kids and spread positivity throughout the community. They are also a good way to get out and get some fresh air. Please share your rocks that you create (or find) through social media with #LosAltosKindness and the City will repost your picture on our social media sites!
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Things To Do
Stuck at home with your family? The City of Los Altos is here to provide a list of fun activities that you can do by yourself or with your family. From live streams of museums and zoos to educational games for children, we include a variety of options.
View a full list here
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Activity Of The Day
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We advise community members to monitor updates from the
County Public Health Department
and the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) for the latest information on COVID-19 guidance, and everyday actions to slow the spread of COVID-19 within our community. Additionally, the City releases regular updates on our social media channels, website, emails lists, and through physical signs.
City of Los Altos:
County Public Health Department:
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City of Los Altos | (650) 947-2700 | www.losaltosca.gov
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