City Manager Weekly Update |
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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.
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COVID Testing in Los Altos - October 15
Next Thursday, October 15, COVID-19 testing will be available at the Los Altos Youth Center (1 N. San Antonio Road). Individuals must schedule an appointment to receive a COVID test; those without an appointment will not be served. Schedule an appointment
Through the appointment portal, you will answer several questions, provide your email, and then will be sent a link at which you can book your test appointment. Once all appointments are filled, the location will no longer appear for scheduling on the website. If your insurance is not listed or they cannot verify you, please try again.
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. Please visit www.sccfreetest.org for additional testing locations.
If you would like to help with line management and other administrative tasks to support testing staff, visit https://bit.ly/LAYCtesting to sign up for volunteer shifts.
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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
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Census extended through October
You have until October 31 to fill out the census. 1 in 6 Los Altos residents haven’t filled out the Census, and we know we can do better! Ensure that you are counted and complete the census: www.2020census.gov/en.html.
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What's happening during the next Council meeting?
Here’s a preview of the upcoming Council meeting agenda. Residents can speak on each of these issues, as well as anything not on the agenda.
Discussion Items
- Changing the Municipal code to allow for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s)
- Los Altos Emergency Operations Center (EOC) recommendation from the Planning Commission.
- 425 First St. Modification
- Resolution 2020-35: Park in-lieu fees
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Power Washing & Mobile Cleaners
In Los Altos and most parts of the San Francisco Bay Area, storm drains travel directly from streets, gutters, and other paved surfaces to local creeks and into the Bay and the Ocean. Wash water from surface cleaning activities carries pollutants—like soaps, heavy metals, oil, and grease—that can harm the numerous wildlife species that depend on healthy waterways for their survival.
Allowing polluting substances into storm drains is prohibited by local, state, and federal laws. Surface cleaning is best performed by dry methods, like sweeping. However, if you hire power-washing services, ensure that they are compliant with environmental regulations by choosing a provider that is certified by the BASMAA training program. This fact sheet on mobile cleaning also provides great tips on preventing pollution.
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History Museum Reopens on October 15 with Expanded Exhibit
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.
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Reducing our Investment Portfolio for Infrastructure Improvements
The City has been accomplishing so much in our efforts to improve the City’s infrastructure and remedy the years of neglect to our assets. Improving our assets also reduces our ongoing maintenance costs year over year. Of course, this results in a reduction in the investment portfolio. Timing is key as the cost of construction is much greater than the interest earned in our portfolio. $55M is currently in our portfolio as we continue to spend on the Community Center Fund to build our brand new state-of-art Community Center which was in disrepair for many years and is our biggest project to date for the City. We have spent about $15M to date on the Community Center and we also purchased 999 Fremont for $2.85M.
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Hallow-Window Family Painting - 3 Spots Remaining!
Due to COVID, the Halloween Window Painting event has been transformed into a virtual activity now open to families. There are only 3 slots (1 family per slot) left to paint participating business windows.
Each family will do a Halloween-themed window, painting a positive message to boost community morale. Painting will occur October 15-17. On Saturday, October 17, families will take a picture of their artwork and send into staff; these pictures will be posted up on our website.
A full set of painting times, rules, and regulations are available online at www.losaltosca.gov/recreation. Window assignments will be made by Recreation & Community Services and emailed to participating families on or before Monday, October 12, 2020.
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Virtual Wine and Art Festival
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 runs the month of October, with a special “live” event weekend on 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 or call (650) 949-5282
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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.
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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
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Flood Preparedness
With what's currently happening, floods are the last natural disaster on Los Altans' minds. But it is crucial to remember the high risk of flooding during the rainy season- which is right around the corner! 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.
Know the Hazards at your Home
Use the “MyHazards” tool from the California Office of Emergency Services to better understands hazards in your neighborhood (earthquake, flood, fire, and tsunami) and learn steps to reduce personal risk. Go to the MyHazards website https://myhazards.caloes.ca.gov/ and enter your address, city, or zip code, or select a location from a map to view information on the risks identified within the search radius.
These websites also offer resources in becoming flood prepared:
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City of Los Altos | (650) 947-2700 | www.losaltosca.gov |
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