City Manager Weekly Update |
|
Recently, Santa Clara County has seen an upward trend in COVID-19 cases and positivity rate. As we enter flu season, it is more important than ever to stay healthy. We are fighting COVID as a community, and urge residents to participate in low risk, at-home, online, or car-based activities.
How else can you lower the risk?
- Avoid gatherings and large get-togethers
- Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer
- Wear a face covering
- Maintain physical distancing
- Stay home if you feel sick
- Get COVID tested at one of our many pop-up locations (listed below)
- Get the flu shot at your local store pharmacy, the County flu shot location, or your healthcare provider
|
|
Who will serve the Los Altos community?
While ballots were cast this past Tuesday, November 3, the results of the Los Altos City Council election could take up to 30 days to process. The County Registrar's Office will provide regular updates on its website.
The first meeting of the newly established City Council will take place December 8, 2020 at 7PM, for the City Council reorganization. Council members will take the Oath of Office and be virtually seated on the City Council, the City Council will then elect a Mayor and Vice Mayor.
|
|
City Council Agenda
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. Council Meetings start at 7PM, and can be viewed through Facebook or RingCentral.
Public Hearing
- Limitations on Non-Reusable Food Service Ware Accessories
Discussion Items
- Policing Task Force Initial Report
- Off leash hours Pilot Program at Hillview Baseball Field and Heritage Oaks Park
- Bocce Ball/Grant Park Master Plan
Members of the public are encouraged to submit written comments prior to the meeting at PublicComment@losaltosca.gov with the subject line in the following format: PUBLIC COMMENT AGENDA ITEM ## - MEETING DATE. Correspondence must be received by 2:00PM on the day of the meeting to ensure it can be distributed prior to the meeting. Emails received prior to the meeting will be included in the public record.
|
|
COVID Testing Coming in November
COVID testing sites are coming to Los Altos and Los Altos Hills November 13, 19, and 23. If you are planning on traveling or visiting family for the holiday season, we urge you to save the date and schedule an appointment.
The scheduling portal for the November 19 testing is currently not available. When it goes live, we will distribute it accordingly.
Volunteer Opportunity
We are currently looking for volunteers to support the testing staff. Volunteers will help with line management and other administrative tasks. To sign-up, visit our Volunteer Portal.
|
|
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; younger children should receive a shot from their regular pediatrician. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- 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
|
|
Sewer System Improvement and Structural Reach Replacement Projects
The City’s contractor, EPS Inc., has substantially completed the replacement of sewer pipelines at five of the fourteen City streets included in this project. Sewer main replacement work was completed at Julie Lane, Ranchita Drive, Marlbarough Avenue, Richardson Avenue, and Nightingale Court. The contractor will be performing work at Grant Road between Fremont Avenue and Richardson Avenue throughout the next several weeks. The construction activities will impact traffic on Grant Road, and traffic detours will be implemented as the work progresses. It is recommended to allow for extra time while traveling through the construction area.
|
|
Green Stormwater Infrastructure
In natural landscapes, most rainwater soaks into the soil. However, in our urban areas, paved surfaces prevent rain from soaking into the ground. As rainwater flows over these surfaces, it can pick up pollutants such as motor oil, metals, pesticides, and litter. It also flows more quickly over these surfaces and in storm drains, causing erosion when it flows into the creeks.
Los Altos is working together with residents, businesses, and other Cities and Towns in Santa Clara County to create sustainable or green streets, buildings, and parking lots that mimic natural landscapes by incorporating green stormwater features. These features allow rainwater that flows over buildings, streets, and parking lots to soak into the ground and be filtered by soil. This reduces the quantity of water and pollutants flowing into storm drains and local creeks.
Green stormwater infrastructure often provides multiple other benefits, including air quality improvements by creating more vegetative surface area to remove pollutants, natural habitat for birds and insects, and beauty for the community to enjoy.
|
|
Silicon Valley Clean Energy’s Education Fund Now Open
Calling all high school and college students in our community– the Education Fund is now open for applications! Silicon Valley Clean Energy’s Education Fund provides support to high school and community college student-led projects that address our community’s goal to fight climate change by reducing the use of fossil fuels. If your school club, organization, class or team is working on a project related to climate awareness and reducing local carbon emissions, or if you want to start a new project focused on climate change, you can apply for the Education Fund! Learn more and apply at www.SVCleanEnergy.org/education-fund.
|
|
Coming Soon: Los Altos Community Center Sneak Peek
The City invites residents for a special look into the progress of the new Los Altos Community Center. Join Mayor Jan Pepper, the Design Development Working Group, and others that have been instrumental to this project's success. They will take you behind-the-scenes and reveal the catalyst for building community through art, culture, recreation, and a sense of place for all.
Tune in on Sunday, November 29, at 2PM to see what all the excitement is about. The Community Center Sneak Peek will be streamed on the City's Facebook page.
|
|
Adopt a Holiday Tree
The City alongside the Los Altos Village Association and the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce are eager to announce our inaugural Trim a Tree @ Los Altos program. Residents, community organizations, and businesses have the opportunity to adopt and decorate a holiday tree that will be placed in one of our business districts for the month of December. There is no cost to adopting. Decorations can be store-bought or hand-made; be as creative as possible!
Applications are due Monday, November 16, with decorating taking place December 1-6, 2020.
For more details on rules and to sign-up for a holiday tree, please visit our application page.
|
|
Alpha Girls: A Conversation with Author Julian Guthrie and SV Female Trailblazers
Los Altos Celebrates Women's Suffrage presents an engaging conversation with Julian Guthrie and a panel of Silicon Valley female trailblazers. Hear what motivated and inspired the trailblazers and female venture capitalists Julian writes about in her book, and how they successfully navigated their respective fields.
Tune into the Alpha Girls' discussion on November 9, 2020, from 7PM - 8:15PM by registering online.
|
|
Los Altos History Museum to Focus on Race and Suffrage
The Los Altos History Museum hosts Dolores Davison, Professor of History and Women’s Studies at Foothill College, in a talk entitled “Race and the Suffrage Movement,” held on the Zoom platform, November 10 at 12PM.
"100 years ago, after years of struggle, women in the United States received the right to vote. While some of the leaders of that movement have been universally recognized, others have been ignored or dismissed, including most women of color,” said Davison. “As the US continues to struggle with questions of systemic racism, it is imperative that the roles and sacrifices of women suffragettes of color receive their due; this talk is an attempt to start that process."
|
|
David Mariani and Schola Cantorum Lend Talents to Museum Event
The Los Altos History Museum goes online for its annual “Catch the Spirit” event slated for Wed, November 18 at 1PM. Local author David Mariani will share stories from his book, “Poverty of Affluence,” which traces the history of Santa Clara Valley. Following the talk, choral group Schola Cantorum Silicon Valley will join up with Lyric Theater for virtual caroling at 2PM.
All attendees to “Catch the Spirit” will receive a free “goodie bag” to be picked up at the Museum by November 29 during store hours, Thursday-Sunday, 1-3PM. David Mariani will be on hand to sign copies of his book at the Museum, Saturday, November 21 from 1–2PM.
|
|
Virtual Socials
The 50+ Adult Program team has planned two special events to virtually bring our community together in November. If you are Interested in participating, please call (650) 947-2797.
- Monkey Toys Online Social | Thursday, November 12, 2020, at 11:00AM
- Thankful Thanksgiving Social | Thursday, November 19, 2020, at 11:00AM
|
|
Need Tech Help?
Schedule a one-hour session with our tech tutor, Ellen on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 1PM through 3PM; sessions are done through Zoom or over-the-phone. To make an appointment, call (650) 947-2797.
|
|
City of Los Altos | (650) 947-2700 | www.losaltosca.gov |
|
|
|
|
|
|
