City Manager Weekly Update - July 8, 2016
City Council
The City Council will meet for its regularly scheduled meeting on July 12, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. The Council will then go on a short summer hiatus. The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for August 23, 2016.
Administrative Services Director
Susan Stark, the Interim Administrative Services Director, started this week. Also this week, several staff members met with the recruiter for this position. We anticipate that the position will be advertised beginning in the next few weeks.
Assistant City Manager
Water Conservation Update
The City’s water service provider, California Water Service Company (Cal Water) was recently required by the State Water Resource Control Board’s revised regulations to complete a “stress test” of available water supplies. That analysis shows sufficient water supplies to meet expected demand over the next three years. Despite this, the fact remains that much of the state continues to experience severe drought conditions.
In light of these factors, Cal Water will be establishing an interim water-use reduction requirement from the current 32% to 20% for customers in its Los Altos service area. Concurrently, Cal Water will be seeking approval from the California Public Utilities Commission (Commission) to move from Stage 2 to Stage 1 of its Water Shortage Contingency Plan, which will allow Cal Water to suspend the imposition of Drought Surcharges on customers who exceed their monthly water budgets. Customers will continue to see their monthly water-use targets on water utility bills to assist them in meeting the new interim conservation targets. These targets will continue to be based on a customer’s same-month water usage from 2013, except for unique situations.
The City of Los Altos Environmental Commission (EC) will be meeting on Monday, July 11, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. and is scheduled to review reports and updates on status of the drought. Water conservation efforts will also be presented and discussed, in addition to other topics. Interested parties may review agenda materials online and are welcome to attend the EC meeting on Monday at City Hall.
Aircraft Noise Update
The Select Committee appointed to meet with the communities affected by aircraft nose has concluded its public meetings. The Select Committee will now convene working meetings to discuss the community input that was gathered and develop a response to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Northern California Initiative Feasibility Study.
The working meetings of the Select Committee are scheduled for Friday, July 15 and 22, 2016 at the City of Palo Alto Council Chambers from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The meetings are open to the public, but because it is a working meeting of the Select Committee, the public will not be invited to speak.
Community Development
An Addition to the List of Mills Act Properties
On July 12, 2016, the City Council will consider authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Mills Act agreement for the Historic Landmark property located at 220 University Avenue. The Italian Renaissance residence was built in 1927 for the original owner, Frank Marini. The City of Los Altos currently has ten Mills Act Agreements for properties located in the City. The Mills Act provides for a reduction in property taxes for qualified historic properties. The goal is to use the money saved on property taxes to invest in maintenance, preservation, and enhancement of the historic structure. The standard term of a Mills Act Agreement is for a ten-year period with an automatic renewal clause each year.
Interest Shown in the Downtown Vision RFP
Last week, a notice requesting proposals from qualified consulting firms was released for the Downtown Visioning effort. Staff has been contacted by a number of consulting firms that have expressed an interest in submitting proposals for the Visioning effort. A number of meetings have been scheduled with representatives from these firms who are seeking a better understanding of what the City is seeking. This is all in an effort to submit complete and relevant proposals for the City’s consideration.
Police
Weekend Arts & Wine Festival
This weekend (July 9 and 10, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.) marks the 37th Annual Los Altos Arts & Wine Festival. The Los Altos Police Department would like to take this opportunity to wish you a safe and enjoyable time perusing the food, shopping and entertainment offered throughout the festival.
Please also be aware of the following road closures, parking restrictions, and Tow-Away Zones associated with this event:
Street Closures
- Main Street, between First Street and San Antonio Road
- State Street, between First Street and Main Street
- Second and Third Streets, between Plaza South and Plaza North
- Fourth Street, between State Street and Plaza North
Parking Restrictions/Tow-Away
- No parking signs have been posted and the Police Department will begin towing vehicles located in Tow Away Zones today, Friday, July 8, 2016 at 3:00 p.m.
- Disabled Parking will be located in Plaza North, accessible via Fourth Street from Edith Avenue.
- All impacted streets will reopen on Sunday, July 10, 2016 at 9:00 p.m.
Officers will be assisting with security and bicycle patrol over the weekend festival. Please stop by and say hello at the Los Altos Police booth, located adjacent to the Wells Fargo Bank on Main Street.
Also assisting with communications during the event will be local Santa Clara County Ham radio operators, hosted by the Los Altos Amateur Radio Emergency Service (LAARES). Ham radio operators will be a valuable asset in locating lost children (and parents), as well as facilitating emergency communications involving medical episodes, public accidents, or law enforcement requests.
Public Works
Thank You for 12+ Years of Service
Terry Murdock, the City’s Public Works Inspector will retire this week following 12+ years of service to the City and its community. Terry was involved in all facets of construction work in the public right-of-way, ensuring private development work was completed properly as well as inspecting the City’s own Capital Improvement Projects. Public Works and the rest of the City wish Terry the best in retirement!
Sewer Project - Repair Maintenance Problem Areas
The Repair Maintenance Problem Areas Project began Thursday, June 23, 2016 and is the first of two sewer projects that will be under construction starting this summer. This project consists of replacing nine existing 6-inch and 8-inch sewer mains with 8-inch sewer mains using the open cut construction method. The work will be performed within the public right-of-ways on Fremont Avenue, Country Club Drive and Frontero Avenue. This week, the contractor, Cratus Inc., completed replacement of 1 of 2 segments on Fremont Avenue including trench backfill and temporary pavement restoration.
Maintenance Team Updates
The City’s Sewer Crews focused on hotspot cleaning this week and we are happy to report that there were no sanitary sewer overflow from City maintained sewers in the last two months. The Street Crews continued to perform street cracking sealing as part of the City’s pavement management program. The Park crews have been busy preparing downtown for this weekend’s Arts & Wine Festival.
Foothill Expressway Improvements
Staff reviewed and provided comments to the County regarding its Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Foothill Expressway Improvements Project and the Intersection of El Monte/Foothill Expressway. The County will solicit proposals from 3 pre-approved consultants beginning July 8, 2016 with a submission deadline of July 22, 2016. The design of this project is funded by the City and it is anticipated to be complete in approximately 6 to 8 months.
Bus Traffic Concerns
In response to an increase in resident concerns regarding bus travel by high tech companies through Los Altos, staff has contacted the Transportation Managers at VMware and Google to request their buses use alternate routes such as arterial streets if they should travel through the City. Both companies have agreed to make the route change. Staff will also contact Apple and Facebook to make the same request.
Recreation & Community Services
Technology Tutoring
Active Senior Program members are eligible to bring in devices and meet one-on-one with volunteer John Cardoza who will help them understand the basic concepts of their device. Seniors should be ready with questions to make the most out of the session. Appointments are available on Mondays for thirty minutes beginning at 1:00 p.m. Please call (650) 947-2797 for an appointment.
Day Trip to the Cantor Arts Museum
Enjoy a self-guided tour of Richard Diebenkorn: The Sketchbooks Revealed and Edward Hopper: New York Corner at the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University on Wednesday, July 13, 2016. Attendees will depart from the Hillview Community Center at 10:00 a.m. and return at approximately 3:30 p.m. There will be a no host lunch at the Cool Café followed by a guided tour of the Rodin Garden Sculptures. The fee is $22 for Senior Program members and $32 for all others. The Richard Diebenkorn exhibit presents sketchbooks of 20th-century painter Richard Diebenkorn. His 29 books span 50 years of the artist's career and contain 1,045 drawings. The Edward Hopper exhibit showcases the painting New York Corner. Please call (650) 947-2797 for more information or to register for this trip.
Youth Programs
Our popular Redwood Grove Nature Camp and Camp Shoup day camps continue. Camps are offered through August 19, 2016 and space is filling quickly. Currently, we still have space in our Combo Camp for those that would like to attend both Redwood Grove and Camp Shoup.
Camp Jelly Bean is in full swing. This fun summer camp is open to ages 3-5. It is held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the San Antonio Club. Each week has a fun and whimsical theme that carries over to the many fun activities that are planned. Space is still available so come and join us for some fun!
- ABC Dinosaur: July 25 – 29
- Pirates & Princesses: August 1 – 5
- Astronauts & Rockettes: August 8 – 12
Summer Concert
Our fifth Summer Concert will be held on Thursday, July 14, 2016 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Grant Park. Come out to enjoy the sounds of Phil’n The Blanks. Bring your family and friends, pack a picnic dinner and rock out to the music of this high-energy, classic and modern rock band!
Volunteers
Our Volunteer Coordinator is also actively recruiting for the following volunteer opportunities:
- Senior Center Front Desk Receptionist
- Senior Center Friday Luncheons
- Senior Center Dinner & Music on the Patio and Summer BBQs
- “Teens on the Green” – High School students to cover the 3rd Street Green event in August by writing articles
Those interested in volunteering may contact Barbara Smith at (650) 947-2897, bsmith@losaltosca.gov, or visit losaltosca.gov/volunteer for more information.
County of Santa Clara Survey
The Santa Clara County Department of Public Health is conducting an evidence-based county wide survey of seniors’ needs to inform each of our cities of the opinions, needs and challenges of older adults. The survey is based on the Livable Communities survey of AARP. The survey can be completed online or residents may make an appointment with a Los Altos volunteer for assistance filling out the survey.
Survey appointments are available:
- Hillview Senior Program Room 10: Monday, July 18 and Thursday, July 21 at 11:00 a.m.
- Grant Park Senior Program: Monday, July 25 and Wednesday, July 27 at 11:00 a.m.
Contact the Senior Program to make an appointment at (650) 947-2797.
