City Manager Weekly Update - April 14, 2017
Community Development
Downtown Vision Kickoff
The Downtown Vision Kickoff event is on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 – it will take place at Veterans Community Plaza at the intersection of Main and State Streets in downtown Los Altos. Please RSVP if you plan to attend. To learn more, please visit the Downtown Vision website at losaltosca.gov/DowntownVision or sign up for email notifications at DowntownVision@losaltosca.gov.
Loyola Corners Study Session
The City Council and Planning and Transportation Commission will hold a joint study session next Thursday, April 20, 2017 to discuss the Loyola Corners Specific Plan draft. The study session will start at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 1 N San Antonio Road.
CT Zone District Code Amendments
Following the study session on Loyola Corners, the Planning Commission will continue its review of the CT Zone District code amendments. The CT Zone District is the land use designation for many of the parcels with frontage on El Camino Real. The intent of the amendments is to achieve projects that are appropriate for this commercial corridor and provide protections to neighboring residential neighborhoods.
Planning Staff Search
Interviews for the senior planner were held this Friday, April 14, 2017 as the process to select a new member for the Community Development Department team continues. The goal is to have a candidate of senior planner caliber identified soon to assist with the numerous long-range planning projects that are currently underway.
Police
Dispatcher of the Year
April 9-15, 2017 is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, which honors the many dispatch professionals who aid in providing emergency assistance to citizens everywhere. Each year, the Public Safety Communications Managers Association hosts a banquet to honor all dispatchers. Law enforcement agencies in Santa Clara County each nominate a Dispatcher of the Year from within their agency. This year the banquet was held on Friday April 7, 2017 at the Hyatt Place Hotel in San Jose. The theme was Hawaiian Luau and each attendee had the opportunity to let their hair down and do a little hula dance.
Karyn Cuen, who began her dispatch career with Los Altos Police in 2006, was honored as Los Altos’ Dispatcher of the Year in recognition of her exemplary work as well as her pleasant and positive attitude towards both internal and external customers. Karyn often works as a solo dispatcher, which means that in addition to maintaining multiple 9-1-1 lines, she is also responsible for a variety of after-hours duties including answering phone calls to the Police business line, monitoring all radio traffic, managing walk-ins to the Police Department, handling Police Records functions and responding to calls for assistance from the Public Works Department.
Karyn has also been a member of the SWAT team as a tactical dispatcher since 2009 and trains with her team monthly. Part of her responsibilities as a tactical dispatcher also include her involvement with the City’s Emergency Operations Center. Karyn is a valuable member of our communications staff and is an asset to the Police Department. Please join us in congratulating Karyn on this well-deserved honor.
Hazard Mitigation Plan
The Santa Clara County Office of Emergency Services is requesting public review and comment on the draft Santa Clara County Operational Area Hazard Mitigation Plan. The period for public comment is through close of business, Friday, April 21, 2017. The purpose of this project is to update the 2010 Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan for the Santa Clara County Operational Area. A Hazard Mitigation Plan demonstrates a jurisdiction’s commitment to reducing risks from natural hazards and serves as a guide for decision makers as they commit resources to minimize the effects of natural hazards. By participating in the planning process, Los Altos will be eligible to apply for and receive grant funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to reduce the vulnerability of residents within the community.
Public Works
Redwood Grove Tree Maintenance Project - Postponed
The tree maintenance project in Redwood Grove originally scheduled to begin on Monday, April 17, 2017 has been postponed due to unsafe water levels in Adobe Creek. Staff will monitor the creek and set a new start date when safety conditions improve. An updated notice will be posted at that time. This project will remove or top prune 24 trees identified as dead or dying. Wood that is felled will be milled onsite. The project area is clearly marked and CLOSED to the public. Please observe signs indicating areas inaccessible prior to and during the scheduled work and exercise extreme caution in the area. Questions about this project can be directed to Parks Maintenance Supervisor Chris Costanzo at (650) 947-2895 or ccostanzo@losaltosca.gov.
Hillview Community Center Project
The City has hired STRATA a|p, a strategic architectural design studio, to develop a set of scenarios for a new or redeveloped Hillview Community Center. STRATA is reviewing information gathered as part of past facility planning efforts, as well as an updated list of prioritized programs from the City’s Parks and Recreation and Senior Commissions. This information is being used as a guide as STRATA develops three options for possible re-building or replacement of the Hillview Community Center. STRATA will provide a report of probable project costs and site development for the following scenarios:
- Major renovation of existing Community Center facility to house as much of the desired program as allowed in the existing building footprint
- Re-build a new Community Center facility on the same site including the re-utilization of an existing building or buildings for storage
- Re-build a new facility on the same site including options for future expansion to house the entire desired program
The STRATA report will be presented to the City Council on Tuesday, April 25, 2017. At that time, City Council is expected to provide direction on which option, as proposed or with modifications, they wish to move forward with.
CIPP Corrosion Rehabilitation, Project WW0100517
Engineering staff received bids on Thursday, April 13, 2017 for the annual CIPP Corrosion Rehabilitation Project. The project will line 679 ft of existing 24-inch sewer mains at Covington Road and 506 ft of existing 30-inch sewer main at Del Medio Avenue with cured-in-place pipe (CIPP). 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.
Grant Park Community Center Multipurpose Room Painting
This week a contractor completed the painting of the interior of the Grant Park Community Center multipurpose room. The room has now returned to normal programming levels.
Cal Water Work on E. Hawthorne Avenue
On Monday April 17, 2017, Cal Water will begin replacing approximately 700 ft. of pipeline on E. Hawthorne Avenue from S. Clark to the end of the of the street. This section of Hawthorne Avenue will be closed while work is taking place between April 17 - 24 (weekdays only). Road closure hours are limited to 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Cal Water contractors will perform traffic control with signs and flaggers per the approved traffic control plan. The contractor is also required to coordinate with residents for limited access during work hours.
Storm Cleanup
After a strong winterlike storm last week, Public Works crews were busy this week clearing downed trees/branches, inspecting and cleaning ditches and catch basins, and repairing damaged signage throughout the City. We are prepared for more rainy weather ahead.
Reminders
Spring Egg Hunt
The Annual Spring Egg Hunt is scheduled to take place – rain or shine – on Saturday, April 15, 2017. Children’s activities and visits with Fun E. Bunny will begin at 9:30 a.m., with the Egg Hunt beginning at 10:00 a.m. sharp. Free, family-friendly activities will continue afterwards. Please plan to join us for this beloved community event at the Hillview Park soccer field.
Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Event
Tomorrow, April 15, 2017, the Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Waste Program will host a Recycling and Disposal Event in Los Altos. Drop-off may be made by appointment only; call (408) 299-7300 or visit hhw.org. Acceptable items include Latex/Oil-based Paint, Motor Oil/Auto Fluids, Garden and Pool Chemicals, Cleaners, Batteries, Flammable Fluids, and Fluorescents.
Youth Commission Now Accepting Applications
The City is now accepting applications to serve on the Youth Commission. Applicants must be City of Los Altos residents and currently in grades six to eleven. Members are appointed to two-year terms. Five positions expiring in June 2019 are now available with two incumbents eligible for reappointment. Applications are due by Friday, May 5, 2017. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for Thursday, May 11, 2017.
City Council Open Office Hours
The Los Altos City Council will host Open Office Hours on the following dates and times:
Thursday, April 20, 2017
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Grant Park Community Center, Room 3
1575 Holt Avenue, Los Altos
Monday, May 1, 2017
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Hillview Community Center, Room 2
97 Hillview Avenue, Los Altos
Thursday, May 18, 2017
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 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.
