City Manager Weekly Update - September 9, 2016

Water Conservation Update
Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) has released their Drought 2016 Monthly Status Report for the month of August. Valley Water reminds customers in its Los Altos service area their water conservation goal has been updated to 20% (less than 2013 use). The report contains helpful information about weather and rainfall statistics, local reservoir levels, groundwater storage totals and more. Learn more about these topics as well as landscape rebate programs and other drought related information at valleywater.org.

Aircraft Noise Upcoming Meetings
The Select Committee on South Bay Arrivals, a group of elected officials appointed to study aircraft noise in the region, next meeting is on September 29, 2016 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the City of Palo Alto Council Chambers. 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.

The Select Committee is now in working-group mode and is meeting with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to discuss options and to formulate recommendations to local members of Congress. Councilmember Jean Moro is an alternate member of the Select Committee and has been in attendance at both the public and working group meetings.

Quiet Skies Norcal/Los Altos will hold a community meeting on September 14, 2016 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Grant Park Multi-purpose room. The meeting is open to all.

The SFO Community Roundtable meeting is October 5, 2016 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Millbrae City Hall, Chetcuit Room.

The City Manager’s Weekly Update will continue to provide information on the proceedings of the aircraft noise issue.  

City Clerk

City Council Open Office Hours
The Los Altos City Council has one remaining Open Office Hours event in September:

Wednesday, September 21, 2016 - 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Woodland Library, 1975 Grant Road, Los Altos

One City Council member will be available to the public for a two-hour period to answer questions, receive input and discuss topics of interest to community members. All are welcome.

Commission Openings – Last Day to Apply
Today is the last day to apply for appointment to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory, Financial, Historical, Library, or Public Arts Commission. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, September 20, 2016. Applications are due today, Friday, September 9, 2016 and may be submitted online or in person to the City Clerk’s Office. For more information, click here.

Community Development

Transition to Office Space
The transition of the building that used to house the Boardwalk Restaurant to an office complex is nearly complete. The contractor for the project, which is located at 4940 El Camino Real, has requested final building and planning inspections this week. A few items need to be completed before the final sign-off on the permits can be granted and the occupancy can be issued. A tenant for the office space has not been identified to date.

Pinewood School Ready for School Year
The Pinewood School project on Fremont Avenue was ready for the start of this school year and children were eager to attend classes in the new buildings at the site. The staff from the Building and Planning Divisions has been conducting the final inspections the last few weeks as the contractor was completing the various stages of the project. With a few minor items left to finish, staff was able to issue a temporary certificate of occupancy given that all the life-safety elements of the project were complete and in place, as were the improvements to circulation and parking at the site. It is estimated that the final certificate of occupancy can be granted within three to four weeks.