October 15, 2020
City Manager Weekly Update
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, October 16 as part of the Defined 9/80 Schedule. A complete list of our virtual 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.
County Guidance for a Safe Halloween
Bay Area health officials remind residents that October holiday festivities (Halloween, Día de Los Muertos, etc.) carry a high risk for spreading COVID-19. Focusing on decorations, limiting activities to the people you live with, and virtual costume parties/contests will help keep our communities safe this season. Together, we need to do as much as we can to protect ourselves and those around us.  

Visit the County’s website to learn fun and safe alternatives to celebrate the fall season. 
COVID Testing in Los Altos - October 29 
El Camino Health’s Mountain View hospital will be offering no cost COVID-19 testing for those who live, work, or go to school within the El Camino Healthcare District. This pop-up testing will be hosted in Downtown Los Altos at the Assistance League of Los Altos (169 State Street, Los Altos, CA, 94022) on Thursday, October 29 from 8:30AM to 4:20PM.   


This testing site is not designed to test individuals with symptoms of COVID-19. Individuals with symptoms should contact their healthcare provider for evaluation and testing. 

If you want to make an appointment, please visit their eligibility and appointment page or call them at 650-940-7022 and press option 4. Online appointment scheduling closes three days prior to the test date. You may schedule by phone up to one day prior to the test date.  
Get the Flu Shot! No Appointment Needed.  
Free flu shots are administered every Saturday through mid-December from 9AM-4PM at the SCC Fairgrounds. Shots are available for everyone age 3 years and older. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Younger children should receive a shot from their regular pediatrician. 
 
  • Car entrance for general parking: Gate D, 2542 Monterey Road, San Jose, CA 95111 
  • Pedestrian entrance and disabled parking: Gate B, 344 Tully Road, San Jose, CA 95111
Heat Warning Issued - Stay Cool and Safe 
A Heat Advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) and is valid from 11AM Thursday through 9PM Friday. Hot daytime temperatures and mild to warm overnight lows are forecasted. Near record temperatures are possible for a few areas. This will result in continued increased risk of heat related illness. These tips can keep you and your family safe: 

  • Limit outdoor strenuous activities during the hottest time of the day. 
  • Do not leave kids, elderly, or pets in vehicles. 
  • Stay in air-conditioned areas. 
  • Drink plenty of fluids. 
  • Extra care for pets, crops, and livestock. 
  • Watch for hot pavement when walking pets.
UPDATE: Census Will End Tonight 
The Census will end on October 16 at 3:00AM. The courts have decided against the extension; thus tonight is your last chance to be recorded. Many of your neighbors have been counted, don’t be the last one! Ensure that you are counted and complete the census: www.2020census.gov/en.html.
Summary of Council Agenda 
Did you miss the City Council meeting last Tuesday? The City Council appointed residents to the Police Task Force, moved forward with their ADU ordinance, and discussed Community Center funding.
COMMUNITY UPDATES
MasterCarver (Annual Police Pumpkin Carving Event with a Twist)
Tune in next Saturday, October 24, from 3:00 to 4:30PM, as officers race against the clock to create a pumpkin masterpiece. Grab your pumpkin and carving tools for an afternoon filled with virtual Halloween fun. Learn carving tricks, safety tips, meet Captain Krauss’ new puppy, and much more! 

Join us virtually: Registration Link
Foothill Expressway Project Lane Closure
The left lane on the northwest-bound (turning right on San Antonio) side of Foothill Expressway will be closed from October 20th to the 25th. Traffic will be impacted and we are recommending that residents find a different way. Thank you for your patience!
Ballot Box Locations
With our election ballots being delivered, the City of Los Altos wants to remind residents about our safe ballot box locations. All of these locations are valid, safe, and accessible. Drop off your ballot outside City Hall, the Civic Center Library, and Woodland Library. Make sure your vote is counted early and safely at our drop off locations! 
Sewer Improvements – Sewer System Improvement and Structural Reach Replacement Projects
The City’s contractor, EPS Inc., has substantially completed the replacement of sewer pipelines at three of the fourteen locations included in the construction contract. Sewer main replacement work was completed at Julie Lane, Ranchita Drive, and Marlbarough Avenue.  The contractor will be performing work on Richardson Avenue throughout the next several weeks. The replacement of the remaining sewer segments in the project will be completed sequentially, completing the work at one location before proceeding with work at the next location. Efforts are being taken to minimize the impact on residents and the public, and provide access during construction.
History Museum Reopens - TODAY
Los Altos History Museum opens its indoor main gallery to visitors for the first time since March, with an expanded version of its exhibition, “Rise Up! The Fight for Women’s Suffrage,” beginning October 15. The exhibition and the lobby gift shop will be open Fri-Sun, 12pm - 4pm, with special hours reserved for seniors/vulnerable visitors on Thursdays, 12pm - 4pm.

"We're thrilled to welcome visitors back to the Museum, and to share the complete version of our Rise Up! exhibition, which was originally scheduled to open in our gallery back in July,’” said Exhibition Curator Dr. Amy Ellison. “The outdoor exhibit was just a sneak peek-- the indoor exhibition offers even more stories about the local, state, and national movements for women's suffrage. We'll also have historic artifacts related to women's suffrage, local women's clubs, and women's rights movements on display.”

To ensure the safety of its visitors, the Museum is reducing the number of people who may enter at any one time to no more than six people. Everyone over the age of two must wear a mask and use the hand sanitizer provided at the entrance, and practice safe 6-ft physical distancing. Masks will be sold in the Museum's store if a visitor arrives without one. Anyone exhibiting signs of COVID-19 will not be admitted. Public bathrooms will be closed. Thursdays are set aside for seniors and at-risk visitors, with reservations required through the website. For a full list of what to expect at your visit, see the Museum’s website at losaltoshistory.org/visit/schedule.
Pollution from Construction Activities 
If there is a construction project going on at your home or business, be sure your contractor keeps the site clean and keeps dirt, trash, and debris out of the street and storm drain. Your contractor should always: 

  • Cover exposed materials, debris, and stockpiled soil with a tarp at the end of each day, and especially before rain.
  • Keep hazardous materials like paints or solvents closed and under cover.
  • Prevent soil from tracking off the site (e.g. by maintaining a stabilized construction entrance). 
  • Place temporary sanitation (port-a-potties) as far away from storm drains as feasible.
  • Protect the perimeter of the site and areas susceptible to erosion (e.g. with wattles).

Contractors should be aware of these best management practices, as these requirements are standard throughout the Bay Area, and the “Blueprint for a Clean Bay” sheet is included in every set of plans approved by the City. Over the coming months, City staff will be conducting routine inspections of construction sites for compliance with stormwater pollution prevention practices. Remember, only rain down the storm drain!
COMING TOGETHER
Hallow-Window Family Painting
Due to COVID, the Halloween Window Painting event has been transformed into a virtual activity. This year we will not be having a contest and this event has been opened to families. 16 slots /1 family per slot to paint participating business windows. The family will do a Halloween themed window with a positive message to boost community morale. Painting will take place Thursday, October 15, Friday, October 16 and Saturday, October 17. On Saturday, October 17, 2020 families will take a picture with their artwork and send it to staff. These pictures will be posted on our website. 

A full set of painting times, rules & regulations are available online at LosAltosRecreation.org. Window assignments will be made by Recreation & Community Services and have been emailed to the families that are participating on Monday, October 12, 2020. 

Below are the stores that are participating this year. We truly appreciate the support from them and from LAVA (Los Altos Village Association):
  • Aldo’s 
  • A Runner’s Mind 
  • Baskin Robbins 
  • Hygia Nail and Spa 
  • IKB Design 
  • Kua Body 
  • Lulu’s 
  • Paper Whirl 
  • Pet’s Delight 
  • Pompeii 
  • Skateworks 
  • Spot Pizza 
  • Uncommon Threads 
  • Webtown Drycleaners
Virtual Wine and Art Festival - This Weekend! 
The 2020 Los Altos Virtual Arts & Wine Festival is your online place to celebrate all that is good about our live festival, including art displays and sales, musical entertainment, kids’ activities and, of course, wine tasting. 

The virtual festival goes ‘live’ this weekend (October 17-18)! Make sure to pre-order your wine and limited-edition wine glass, then plan to sit back and enjoy vintner-led tastings, alongside performances from some of our favorite Arts & Wine entertainers. The 2020 version is an online replacement for our annual Downtown Arts & Wine Festival, the Los Altos Village Association’s largest fundraising event of the year. We look forward to returning to the streets of Los Altos on July 10-11, 2021.  

For more information, please feel free to reach out to www.losaltosartsandwine.org or call 650-949-5282. 
Come Share Your Lovely Harvest Creations Online 
You are invited to share your harvest decorations with us and be part a part of a moment of friendship and kinship. There will be prizes awarded during a fun drawing on Thursday, October 29 from 11am to 12pm. Call the 50+ program (650) 947-2797 to register for the event and receive the zoom link.  
50+ Programs
Technology Resource Tutor 
Need tech support? Join your Tech Tutor, Ellen via Zoom or Phone on Tuesdays, Thursdays from 1:00pm-3:00pm. 
Sign-up for a one-hour session by calling us at (650) 947-2797 
Be Prepared
Flood Preparedness 
During rainy season California’s roads, bridges, and levees are put to the test. Even mild flooding can force roads to close potentially compromising evacuation routes and impacting power grids. In preparation for Flood Preparedness Week (October 17-24), we offer guidance and essential resources to keep your family and home safe in case of a flood.

Safety on the Streets 
Make sure you’re prepared with these tips: 
  • If you encounter water on the road no matter how shallow it seems, do not drive into it. More than half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. 
  • Do not attempt to cross flowing water that may be more than knee deep. If you have doubts, don't cross. 
  • Turn around, don’t drown. 6” of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control and possible stalling.
City of Los Altos | (650) 947-2700 | www.losaltosca.gov