City Manager Weekly Update - March 10, 2017
Administrative Services
Mid-Year Budget Update
The Mid-Year Budget update was presented and approved at the February 28, 2017 City Council meeting. The Council assigned $8.5 million of fund balance to various reserves including $4.9 million into our Capital Improvement Program reserves. Other highlights of the Mid-Year adjustments include the addition of a Senior Planner position within the Community Development Department and the addition of a Project Manager position within the Public Works Department. These positions will focus on our Council priorities such as Downtown Visioning and various infrastructure projects including the Hillview Community Center.
Employment Opportunities
Human Resources is actively recruiting for several vacancies in many different areas of the City. Please see the employment section of our website for many exciting opportunities within the City. Additionally, the City is partnering with San Mateo County and currently has two Management Analyst Fellow positions available for a term of one year. More information is available on our employment pages linked above.
Community Development
Downtown Vision Update
Join us for a Downtown Vision Update on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. The Update will be part of the City Council Meeting, held in the Community Meeting Chambers at Los Altos City Hall, 1 N San Antonio Road. Discussion topics will include community engagement and economic vitality strategy options. For more information, view the City Council staff report. To stay up-to-date on the project, be sure to sign up for the Downtown Vision email list at losaltosca.gov/enotify.
Fallen Leaf Historic District Informational Meeting
Staff is preparing for a community meeting to explain and share information about historic districts, how they are established, and what happens if they are formed. Over the past two years there has been some discussion about the establishment of a historic district in the Fallen Leaf neighborhood in recognition of the Eichler homes that were constructed there. The informational meeting is slated for late March or early April and will be held in one of the community rooms at Grant Park.
Planning and Transportation Commission Reviews CT Zone District Amendments
The Planning and Transportation Commission will once again consider proposed amendments to the site development standards for the CT Zone District at their meeting on March 16, 2017. This is the zoning designation for most of the parcels that have frontage on El Camino Real. The amendments cover an array of development standards such as height limits, setback requirements, and mechanical parking systems to name a few. After considering public testimony, the Commission developed modifications to the draft ordinance at its meeting on February 16, 2017 and requested that staff return to them with a revised draft incorporating the modifications. In addition to these amendments, staff will be developing a new set of density bonus regulations, which will be brought forward to the Commission at a future meeting.
Public Benefits and Development Projects
A public benefit program is one method that cities can use to acquire public benefits from new development projects. These benefits exceed those that are available through the typical or standard development process and they are received in exchange for incentives (exceptions to development standards) that increase the value of a given project. The City Council is slated to have a joint workshop with the Planning and Transportation Commission on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 afternoon to hear a staff presentation and then provide guidance on if a public benefit program should be evaluated further.
Public Works
City of Los Altos – Cupertino Union School District Meeting
A subcommittee of Los Altos City Council and Cupertino Union School District Board Members, along with staff, met on March 9, 2017 to kick-off a discussion on improving traffic safety around Montclaire Elementary School and Los Altos routes that lead toward Cupertino Middle School and Homestead High School. This is the first meeting between these two combined groups and it is anticipated that both agencies will meet on a quarterly basis moving forward. The next meeting date is to be determined.
Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Event
The Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Waste Program will host a Recycling and Disposal Event in Los Altos on Saturday, April 15, 2017. Drop-off is by appointment only; schedule today by calling (408) 299-7300 or visiting www.hhw.org. Acceptable items include Latex/Oil-based Paint, Motor Oil/Auto Fluids, Garden and Pool Chemicals, Cleaners, Batteries, Flammable Fluids, and Fluorescents.
Sewer Bid – CIPP Corrosion Rehabilitation
Engineering issued a bid this week for Cured-In-Place Piping (CIPP) installation on close to 1,200 feet of the City’s sewer system. CIPP is a trenchless technology that uses a resin saturated felt tube which is pulled through the existing pipe. Steam is then used to cure the resin and form a tight-fitting, jointless and corrosion resistant replacement pipe. Bids are due on April 13, 2017 and work is expected to occur in the early Summer.
Sewer Bid – On-call Sanitary Sewer Spot Repairs and CCTV Inspections
Engineering also issued a bid this week for On-call Sanitary Sewer Spot Repairs. This bid will establish a list of 1 to 2 contractors that can be called upon to perform work throughout the City, as-needed. This contract will be used to make spot repairs to damages on the City’s sewer system mainlines and lower laterals, and to perform CCTV inspections of sewer lines to determine locations of blockages, breaks, etc.
Crosswalk Repair on San Antonio Road
The illuminated crosswalk safety features on San Antonio Road at the intersection of Hillview Avenue and Loucks Avenue have been repaired. We thank the community for their patience as we worked to replace the malfunctioning system components.
Recreation & Community Services
Spring Activity Guide
Our Spring Activity Guide is now available! Check out the City website or pick up a hard copy at our Hillview Community Center Front Office. Courtesy registration for Los Altos residents begins Tuesday, March 14, 2017. Registration for all other begins Friday, March 17, 2017.
City Council
City Council Open Office Hours
The Los Altos City Council will host Open Office Hours on the following dates and times:
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Grant Park Community Center, Room 3
1575 Holt Avenue, Los Altos
Saturday, April 8, 2017
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Hillview Community Center, Room 2
97 Hillview Avenue, Los Altos
Thursday, April 20, 2017
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Grant Park Community Center, Room 3
1575 Holt Avenue, Los Altos
Reminders
Neighborhood Safety Workshops
Community members are invited to join us for a series of Neighborhood Safety Workshops:
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Grant Park Community Center, Multipurpose Room
1575 Holt Avenue, Los Altos
RSVP for March 14 here: neighborhoodsafety.eventbrite.com
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Hillview Community Center, Multipurpose Room
97 Hillview Avenue, Los Altos
RSVP for March 21 here: neighborhoodsafety2.eventbrite.com
Join us on either date to meet your new Community Service Officer, Amanda Pitman, and learn more about crime prevention programs and strategies. We will be discussing topics such as Neighborhood Watch, home security inspections, situational awareness and reporting suspicious activity. We hope to see you there!
Cycle Saturday
Tomorrow will be the second Saturday of the month, which means its Cycle Saturday! From 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., four valet bike stations will be set up throughout Downtown to encourage cyclists to come through our downtown and take a break from their ride. Volunteers will staff the stations while cyclists can rest easy. Take advantage of the improving weather and get on your bike and ride!
