City Manager Weekly Update - June 30, 2017
Police
New Police Officers
The Police Department is pleased to announce the Academy graduation of two brand new Los Altos Police recruits. Officer Josh Cottrell and Officer Brian Werner successfully graduated with the 158th Academy Class of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office in Dublin, CA. The group of 42 graduates, from various Bay Area agencies, experienced six months of intensive physical and academic training to prepare them for the challenges of a rewarding career. Both candidates will enter the Field Training Program where they will apply their new skills in real-life situations while serving the Los Altos community. Please join us in congratulating these officers on a tremendous achievement.
Community Development
New Sheriff in Town (Building Inspector)
Building Inspector Logan Ellis started his new career with the City of Los Altos June 5, 2017. Logan comes to us with experience as a building inspector with the County of Madera. Logan is a welcomed asset for the vacant position in community development which lasted 6 months plus. Logan is now out in the field performing combination building inspection services daily. In addition to Logan’s welcomed experience, Logan is a certified access specialist (CASp Certified) in the 2016 California Building Code and ADA regulations. Please welcome Logan into our community.
Assistant City Manager
Hillview Community Center Project Task Force Meeting - June 29, 2017
The Hillview Community Center Project Task Force (TF) held its third meeting on June 29, 2017. The TF continued to receive reports from staff in an effort to assimilate and discuss recent data related to the building of the new Hillview Community Center. Engineering Services Manager Christopher Lamm presented an overview of the Community Center Feasibility Assessment: STRATAap Report. Mr. Lamm summarized the scope of the STRATAap study, the outcomes of the report and its application to the Task Force. Recreation and Community Services Director Manny Hernandez followed with a presentation on the recreation and community services facilities and programs and concluded with a model “ideal community center” that would be applicable for the Hillview Community Center site. The presentation included data about the recreational facilities that are available in Los Altos, the current Community Center, usage data by program and facility, City programs and activities, and an array of photos of Hillview Community Center and other Community Centers in the bay area. The photos highlighted the design and space utilization for workspace and reception areas, activity rooms, program specific rooms, multi-use and banquet rooms, outdoor space and storage. In addition, photos also demonstrated usage of space for waiting and hallway areas that can be cleverly designed for art displays, social gatherings, device charging stations and pop-up mini programs. Mr. Hernandez also commented on 2017 program and facility trends in recreation and mapped these trends to the current program offerings by the Los Altos Recreation Department.
The design of the “Ideal Community Center” suitable for the City of Los Altos would include:
- Centrally located reception area
- Attractive facility inside and out
- Several multi-use activity rooms
- Limited specific-use rooms
- Adequate/well located storage
- Maximization of space
- Energy efficient building components
- Connection to outdoor space
- Large multi-use room connected to kitchen
Necessary space in the New Community Center include: Large Multi-use w/kitchen, Senior Space, Fitness/Dance Room, Art & Craft Room, Meeting/Activity Rooms, Preschool Room, Staff offices/workspace, Storage, Lobby/Reception, and Restrooms.
Considerations for space by the Task Force will include:
- Senior Space: Dedicated vs. flexible
- Preschool: Size
- Fitness/Dance room: Equipment & flooring
- Storage: Tables and chairs/equipment and supplies
- Specialty rooms
- Outdoor space
- Rooms with retractable walls
- Future programs
- Future increased usage
The TF will consider these reports, community input, along with site visitations to community centers in the Bay Area. These factors will be distilled by the TF for the information needed to make recommendations to Council. In addition, three members of the TF are serving on the architect (consultant) selection panel. The selected consultant team will work closely with the TF on space and exterior features of the new community center.
Los Altos residents are welcome and invited to attend TF meetings and follow the TF agendas and materials available on the City website. Residents are encouraged to reach out to staff or members of the TF to express their ideas, suggestions and opinions.
Future Meetings of the TF – July 13 and 25, 2017 at Neutra House, 7:00 p.m. Study session with City Council is scheduled for September 26, 2017 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
On May 23, 2017, the Los Altos City Council appointed the following individuals to serve on the ad hoc Hillview Community Center Project Task Force: Maria Bautista, Philip Chou, Brian Cilker, Claudia Coleman (Chair), Katherine Cushing, Stuart Eckmann, Stuart Klein, Cathy Lazarus, Barbara Loebner, Susan Mensinger and Dennis Young.
The mission of the Task Force is to 1) hold public meetings to gather community input and, 2) provide a recommendation to the City Council on the interior space allocation and exterior design and layout of the future Hillview Community Center.
City Council approved the creation of a Capital Improvement Project for the design and construction of a new Community Center on April 25, 2017. The Council approved a project budget of $25 million, which is currently available in City reserves, to fund the project. Staff will next begin the selection process for a qualified architect. To ensure the community has ample opportunity to engage in the Community Center planning process, the Council also Adopted Resolution No. 2017-15 establishing the Hillview Community Center Project Task Force. Task Force members were appointed to a temporary term for the duration of planning of the Hillview Community Center project.
Stay tuned for continuous updates and information of the progress made by the Task Force in the Weekly Updates, on the City website and other media outreach efforts.
Public Works
Foothill Expressway Improvement Project – Community Meeting
The City of Los Altos and County of Santa Clara partnered to host a Community Meeting to gather public input on the Foothill Expressway Improvement project on Thursday, June 29, 2017. The Foothill Expressway Improvement Project is part of the County of Santa Clara Expressway Plan 2040. As part of the project, the County proposes to widen Foothill Expressway between El Monte Avenue and San Antonio Road to add auxiliary lanes in each direction and provide intersection improvements at El Monte Avenue and San Antonio Road. Three design options developed using input gathered from the previous community meetings held as part of the Expressway Plan 2040 community meetings in 2014 and 2015 were presented at the Thursday Community Meeting. Meeting attendees had the opportunity to review plans, ask questions, and provide comments. Approximately 30 community members, including Council Member Jeannie Bruins and Council Member Lynette Lee Eng attended the meeting.
The design team will utilize community comments to refine the conceptual design alternatives and select a preferred alternative through the environmental review process. Public engagement is anticipated throughout the project and another community meeting is planned in fall 2017. Construction is projected to be in summer 2018 with funding from the voter approved 2016 Measure B half cent sales tax.
Hillview Community Center Request for Proposals
The City’s selection panel held a review this week of the 8 proposals submitted for the Hillview Community Center Redevelopment project. The selection panel consists of 8 members (5 City staff from various departments and 3 members of the Hillview Community Center Project Task Force). The panel short-listed 4 firms to participate in a follow up interview on July 11, 2017.
City Hall Roof Replacement
The existing roof at City Hall was in poor condition and in need of replacement. Work continues this week on the replacement. The existing roof has been completely removed, substructure prepped, and an underlayment installed. The new asphalt shingles are currently being installed and work is anticipated to be completed in the next 2 weeks.
City Hall HVAC Upgrades – Pre Construction Meeting
Engineering held a pre-construction meeting this week for the replacement of HVAC equipment at City Hall. The existing HVAC equipment at City Hall has reached the end of its useful life and is in need of replacement. New equipment is expected to be more reliable and energy efficient. Work is expected to occur this summer once material is on hand.
Recreation & Community Services
Summer Concert
Our third Summer Concert will be held on Thursday, July 6 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Grant Park. Get ready to rock out to The Shanks! Bring your family and friends, pack a picnic dinner and party to the sounds of this rock cover band!
Glorious Fourth Celebration
The City of Los Altos is proud to present this year’s Glorious Fourth Celebration on Tuesday, July 4, 2017. We invite you to celebrate Independence Day at Shoup Park while enjoying live music, kid’s games, face painting, a bounce house, food and more. The festivities take place from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Bring the family and enjoy an old fashioned good time as we celebrate our nations independence.
Senior Program Activities
Want to minimize memory loss and get your brain fit, fast and focused? Come join Memory Trainer, Usha Welaratna, Ph.D at the Los Altos Senior Center on Friday, July 7, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. in Room 12. RSVP by calling (650) 947-2797.
For more information about Recreation programs, please visit LosAltosRecreation.org or call (650) 947-2790.
Reminders
Downtown Vision Questionnaire Deadline is July 7
The Downtown Vision questionnaire remains available online at OpenCityHall. Printed copies of the survey are also available at City Hall, 1 North San Antonio Road, at the Planning Counter. You can also request printed copies by emailing us at planning@losaltosca.gov or phoning the front counter at (650) 947-2750. The deadline to submit your completed questionnaire is July 7, 2017. We look forward to learning from you about your ideas for the Downtown’s future – and thank you for participating!
Register Your Neighborhood National Night Out Event
Los Altos Police are looking forward to another great National Night Out on Tuesday, August 1, 2017! Turn on your porch lights, lock your doors and join neighbors and Los Altos Police for a night of fun and community building. Register your neighborhood National Night Out event by Friday, July 21, 2017 so Los Altos Police can make plans to stop by. More information and registration information is available online.
City Council Open Office Hours
The Los Altos City Council will host Open Office Hours on the following dates and times:
Friday, July 7, 2017
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Hillview Community Center, Room 2
97 Hillview Avenue, Los Altos
Thursday, July 20, 2017
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Grant Park Community Center, Room 3
1575 Holt Avenue, Los Altos
One City Council member will be available to the public for these two-hour periods to answer questions, receive input and discuss topics of interest with community members. Everyone is welcome.
