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, September 18 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.
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Welcome to Open Streets Los Altos- Only 2 Weekends Left!
You can enjoy socially-distant strolling, shopping, and dining at your favorite downtown businesses for just two more weeks at Open Streets Los Altos. Shortly after, restaurants will have the ability to build parklets, allowing outdoor dining to continue. Face masks are required while enjoying public spaces.
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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.
Public Hearing
- Building Electrification and Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Reach Codes
Discussion Items
- Resolution No. 2020-35 Citizen Police Task Force
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No-Cost COVID-19 Testing - Thursday, September 24
This testing, funded by the El Camino Healthcare District, is now available for those who live, work or go to school within the District.
Tests are required to be scheduled in advance and will be conducted on Thursday, September 24, 2020 from 8:30am to 4:20pm at the Assistance League (Los Altos, 169 State Street, Los Altos, CA, 94022/).
To schedule your appointment online through El Camino Health, visit elcaminohealth.org/COVIDtestLADowntown. You may also call 650-940-7022 and select option 4 to schedule your free test. Please mention downtown Los Altos as the testing location when calling.
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Reach Code Questions - September 22
Building Electrification and enhanced EV Infrastructure ordinance often referred to as the Reach Codes will be on the Council agenda on September 22.
How will the Reach Codes affect me?
The proposed Reach Code Ordinance currently under consideration in Los Altos will apply to newly constructed buildings for residential, commercial and mixed-use purposes. If you are planning a remodel, tenant improvement or appliance/equipment replacement, the Reach Codes will not affect your project.
The City has a webpage for the Reach Codes and to find more frequently asked questions and answers, as well as more information about the Reach Codes, please visit the Reach Codes Webpage.
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Fremont Ave Pavement Rehabilitation Project - Community Meeting on September 23
Join the City of Los Altos virtually this coming Wednesday, September 23, at 5:30PM for an opportunity to share your input on the improvements for Fremont Avenue Pavement Rehabilitation Project. We encourage residents to discuss their preferences for proposed Complete Streets elements for bicyclists and pedestrians, such as bike lanes, scenery, etc.
In 2021, the City plans to repave Fremont Avenue between Grant Road and Stevens Creek. As part of the project, the City intends to install buffered bike lanes and high-visibility crosswalks facilities. Additionally, prospect planning for expanded bicycle-pedestrian pathways off the roadway will also occur.
Fremont Avenue Pavement Rehabilitation Project Community Meeting (Online Meeting) - Wednesday, September 23, 2020 (5:30pm)
Ring Central Meeting ID No.: 148 949 8319
Ring Central Call In Only: 1(623) 404-9000
Please join the meeting with the above link and use desktop application if you wish to speak on this item during the Commission meeting. Participants joined in the browser version or the phone call-in will not have an option to speak.
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Sanitary Sewer Improvements – Sewer System Repair Program and Structural Reach Replacement Projects
The City’s contractor, EPS Inc., has substantially completed the replacement of sewer pipelines at two of the fourteen locations included in the construction contract. The completed sewer main replacements are on Julie Lane and Ranchita Drive. The contractor will be performing work on Marlbarough 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. The project is anticipated to be completed in spring 2021.
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What are microplastics? Why should we be concerned about them?
Monday, September 14 was Microplastics Awareness Day. Microplastics are very small pieces of plastic that pollute the environment. Microplastics are plastic fragments less than 5mm in length, they originate from automobile tires, cosmetics, synthetic fabrics and more. Once broken down, the small plastic particles infiltrate waterways and ecosystems.
Microplastics are so small that they cannot be picked up by water filtration and make their way to our rivers, oceans, air and food. Their small size makes them easy to digest and they have become a major health concern for both animals and humans.
These are just a few ways to reduce microplastics in our environment:
- Reduce or stop using single-use plastics
- Avoid purchasing products that contain microbeads
- Participate in beach or creek cleanups
- Choose non-synthetic eco-friendly clothing
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City Hall Council Chambers Project
The City Hall Council Chambers AV Upgrade project began on Wednesday, September 9th. This project will provide needed technological and accessibility updates to the City’s Council Chambers. These changes will also provide greater opportunities for members of the public to access and participate in City Council and Planning Commission meetings. The first steps of the project will include removal of AV equipment. The project is anticipated to be completed in November 2020. During the upgrade, City Council and Planning Commission meetings will not be live-streamed on Comcast or the City’s website. To view the meetings live, community members may either log into the virtual meeting using the link provided in the meeting agenda or watch on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CityofLosAltos. You do not need a Facebook account to watch the meetings.
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VTA Community Input Sessions - Draft 2021 Transit Service Plan
The Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is currently seeking public input on the Draft 2021 Transit Service Plan. The 2021 Transit Service Plan will have to reflect several new realities related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including lower sales tax revenues, new travel patterns, and potentially lower ridership. Three proposals are the subject of community engagement through mid-October. These scenarios reflect a 10-, 20-, and 30-percent reduction in service hours when compared to the pre-COVID network (i.e. VTA’s New Transit Service launched in December 2019). Based on community feedback and analysis, VTA staff will revise the three service plan proposals and bring to the Board for consideration on December 3, 2020.
You will find all proposals on the VTA website and be able to compare the proposed differences between the three plans by route or by city, and in multiple languages. VTA will host two virtual community meetings that will feature a presentation from staff and opportunities for the public to ask questions and provide input. Please RSVP for one of the following community meetings:
September 23, 2020 at 6 p.m.
Virtual Community Meeting
September 29, 2020 at 11 a.m.
Virtual Community Meeting
If you cannot attend either meetings, the recordings will be posted to VTA’s YouTube channel. Your participation in how we shape the future of transit is much appreciated! For more information about this effort, read the VTA Headways blog.
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Hallow-Window Family Painting
Everyone get your halloween spirit and your paint brushes! Our annual Halloween Window painting event will continue this year. Join us with your family on Oct. 15-16 (3 - 5pm) and Oct 17 (9am – 5pm) to paint positive messages to boost community morale downtown! This event is free to register and limited to one per family. Make sure to register!
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Have You Filled Out the Census?
You only have a few weeks to complete 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 by visiting www.2020census.gov/en.html.
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Civil Grand Jury Openings Have Been Relaunched
The Grand Jury serves as citizen overwatch group for the Judicial branch of the government. If you are a resident in the county, have 25 hours a week, and want to serve as an impartial, fair juror then you should apply. The Count will be accepting applications until September 25, 2020. If you want to learn more or apply, click here: Civil Grand Jury Webpage
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Registration for Recreation Classes are Opening Soon
Registration For Classes began on Monday, September 14, 2020 for all classes and programs. The fall session will begin on September 21, 2020 through December 12, 2020. Holiday programming will also take place during the following weeks:
- December 21 – December 23
- December 28 – December 31
- January 4 - January 8
We hope to see you at our new outdoor classes!
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September is National Preparedness Month! How will you celebrate?
National Preparedness Month is recognized each September to promote family and community disaster planning now and throughout the year. As our community continues to respond to COVID-19 and the recent wildfires, National Preparedness Month can help motivate us to take steps now to improve our household’s preparedness!
Week 3 is “Prepare for Disasters:”
- Limit the impacts that disasters have on you and your family: What are the most likely disasters in our area? Consider the impact of earthquakes, wildfires, and floods on your household.
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Review your insurance policies to better understand your coverage and amounts. You may feed comforted, or you may decide that you’re underinsured. Identify ways to reduce the risk to your home from local hazards. FYI: Los Altos runs a Sand Bag station during flood season, learn more here: https://www.losaltosca.gov/publicworks/page/sandbag-station
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And: sign up or update your contact info with the county emergency notification system at www.AlertSCC.org
Join us on Sept 29th, Tuesday, 7:30 pm for a webinar: "Emergency supplies: ‘Stay’ and ‘Go’ Kits.” LaVinnia Pierson, Associate Minister for Outreach and Pastoral Care at Los Altos Lutheran Church, will share her own emergency supply kits for her home, and for evacuation. LaVinnia is a member of the Los Altos faith-based organizations group working on emergency preparedness, and led the September 2019 “Emergency Preparedness Month” activities at Los Altos Lutheran.
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City of Los Altos | (650) 947-2700 | www.losaltosca.gov |
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