City Manager Weekly Update - October 7, 2016

Assistant City Manager

Home Energy Efficiency Workshop October 18th
Homeowners are invited to attend a free home energy efficiency workshop sponsored by Energy Upgrade California. Learn how to make your home more energy efficient while qualifying for up to $6,800 in rebates. This complimentary workshop will be held on Tuesday, October 18, 2016 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Hillview Community Center. Space is limited, so please RSVP at LosAltosRebates.eventbrite.com.

Aircraft Noise Upcoming Meetings
The Select Committee on South Bay Arrivals’ next meeting is on October 13, 2016 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the City of Palo Alto Council Chambers, 250 Hamilton Avenue. The meeting is open to the public but because it is a working meeting of the Select Committee, the public will not be invited to speak. For more information and to review materials from past Select Committee meetings, click here.

Community Development

Reminder of Public Hearing Date Change
Review of the Downtown Buildings Committee recommendations has been rescheduled for a Planning and Transportation Commission Special Meeting on October 13, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. The Commission will develop a recommendation to the City Council on a reduction in height limits for the CD and CD/R3 Zone Districts, modifications to roof structure classifications, height and coverage limits, an amendment to the Design Review Findings, and the addition of “penthouse” and “tower” definitions.

Planning and Transportation Commission Study Session Cancelled
A study session of the Planning and Transportation Commission to consider the proposed 35-unit five-story condominium project at 4846/4856 El Camino Real has been cancelled. The developer agreed that a cancellation of the meeting was appropriate in light of the recently adopted development moratorium for the El Camino Corridor. The moratorium will give the community time to determine the appropriate site development standards for the properties in the CT zone district, which principally fronts along El Camino Real.

Economic Consultant to Tour Loyola Corners
Staff from Bay Area Economics, the consultant selected to conduct the economic analysis for Loyal Corners, will take a walking tour of the Loyola Corners commercial area with the City’s Economic Development Manager and staff from the Planning Division next week. They are in the process of collecting data needed to conduct this economic analysis and the tour will provide an overview of the businesses and physical features/development of this area.

Police

Walk to School Day 2016
The Los Altos Police Department was pleased to participate in the 20th Annual National Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 5, 2016. Police personnel attended Walk to School Day events at several local school sites, providing traffic control as well as encouragement to participants. To view photos, visit our Police Facebook page.

Congratulations Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Graduates
The Police Department is excited to announce the first Los Altos Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) graduation under the instruction of the Santa Clara County Fire Department. The class of 20 dedicated residents selflessly set aside time for 3 weeks, learning basic emergency response skills to supplement first responders in the event of an emergency. Mayor Jeanne Bruins attended the event and expressed the City’s gratitude for the dedication and engagement of its residents. Chief Tuck Younis also provided comments to the group. The lead instructor, Jim Yoke of Santa Clara County Fire Department Community Education Division, yielded loud applause and expressions of gratitude at the conclusion of the ceremony. The City, County and community volunteers have teamed up over the last several years to bring about this great accomplishment. This is another step in strengthening the City’s emergency preparedness efforts.

Two-part Personal Emergency Preparedness Training for 55+
The City of Los Altos is pleased to offer a two-part Personal Emergency Preparedness course designed specifically for Los Altos residents age 55+. The first 48-hours following a disaster are the most critical and it’s important for residents to prepare to be self-sufficient until relief is available. This free course, taught by Santa Clara County Fire Department personnel, will cover essential emergency supplies to have on-hand, what to do when phones are out, when and how to turn off gas, water and power and basic fire safety including using a fire extinguisher. The two-part training series will be held Tuesday, October 18 & 25 from 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Hillview Community Center, Senior Program Room 10. For more information or to register, call (408) 378-4010 or email communityoutreach@sccfd.org.

Public Works

Loyola Corners Traffic Signals
Traffic signal lights in Loyola Corners which had previously been flashing red while the Loyola Bridge project was underway were recently reactivated. Following reactivation of the signals, the City received reports of traffic back-ups in the area during morning and afternoon commute hours. City traffic engineers have been observing traffic patterns over the last week and have made modifications to signal timing in order to optimize traffic flow. Police Officers in the traffic division also visited the site to observe the traffic situation and made recommendations to further optimize the signal timing. Based on the City’s most recent observations yesterday evening, the traffic flow in Loyola Corners has improved. Engineering staff will continue to monitor and make adjustments as needed.

The City will be conducting a traffic study in the next few months in this area as part of the Loyola Corners Specific Plan Update. In response to recent community input, the City will ensure the traffic study also includes an analysis of the safest, most effective means to move traffic through these intersections. Based on results of the traffic study, staff will plan to take the appropriate steps to ensure the safest mode of travel through Loyola Corners.

Parking Plaza 3 Drive Aisle Improvement Project
Asphalt grinding will take place beginning Monday, October 10, 2016 in Parking Plaza 3. Work is expected to continue into Wednesday, October 12 to allow time for repaving and striping. Access to Plaza 3 from San Antonio Road and some parking in this Plaza will be temporarily impacted as a result of the required work. Alternative access routes and parking is encouraged during this time. Prior work recently completed by contractors did not meet City standards, which is why this follow-up asphalt work is planned. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we work to complete the project as expeditiously as possible.

Annual Concrete Repair
The primary focus of this annual project is on the replacement of damaged, broken or uplifted sidewalks which pose potential public safety hazards. This week, the contractor is working in the Los Altos Avenue area and has been performing demolition and replacement of sidewalk. Due to the number of repairs required along this stretch of street, work in this area is anticipated to be completed in two weeks.

Welcome New Junior Engineer, Zubair Trabzada
The Engineering division is happy to welcome Zubair to the engineering team. Zubair joins us from the private sector and has knowledge of many aspects of civil engineering. He has worked both in the field, coordinating work on construction projects, environmental remediation, and soil and groundwater investigations as well as in the office writing technical reports such as Phase I ESA, daily field progress reports and final engineering reports. Zubair will assist our Associate Engineers in the completion of capital improvement projects, front counter service at City hall and development plan check review.

Recreation & Community Services

Halloween Window Painting
Mark your calendars for our 53rd Annual Halloween Window Painting Contest, taking place October 20- 22, 2016. Youth in grades 4-12 are invited to be part of this annual Halloween tradition! Prizes will be awarded for each grade level. For more information and to register, click here.

Preschool & Youth Theater
The Los Altos Tiny Tots Preschool Program is in full swing! Our Fabulous 4s class is looking forward to their upcoming field trip to the Los Altos High School Pumpkin Patch! There are still spaces available if you would like to join in the fun! Contact Recreation Coordinator Candace Avina for details at (650) 947-2890 or cavina@losaltosca.gov.