City Manager Weekly Update - April 21, 2017

Assistant City Manager

Provide Input on Draft Plan Bay Area 2040 by June 1
After two years of public discussion and technical work, the draft Plan Bay Area 2040 is available for public comment through June 1, 2017. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) want to hear from citizens on this regional plan that addresses how the Bay Area will grow over the next two decades. The Plan identifies transportation and land use strategies to enable a more sustainable, equitable and economically vibrant future. Lend your voice to the discussion on future actions and transportation funding priorities that the Bay Area can take to encourage more efficient and effective transportation and adequate housing supply while protecting the environment. Citizens are encouraged to share what they think of the Plan’s goals, proposed growth pattern, transportation investment strategy and key actions identified to address ongoing and long-term regional challenges.

Input can be provided at upcoming public hearings:

Friday, May 12, 2017 - 9:40 a.m.
Joint MTC Planning with the ABAG Administrative Committee
Bay Area Metro Center – Board Room, 375 Beale Street, San Francisco

Tuesday, May 16, 2017 – 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
San Jose State University, Dr. Martin Luther King Library
150 E. San Fernando Street, San Jose, CA 95112

Monday, May 22, 2017 - 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Santa Clara County Open House
Marriott Hotel, San Jose Ballroom IV-VI
301 South Market Street, San Jose, CA 95113

For a full list of public hearings, visit planbayarea.org.

Police

Crime Prevention Talk with Seniors
On April 19, 2017, Los Altos Police personnel attended the Senior Program’s Luncheon at Grant Park Community Center. Chief Andy Galea, Community Service Officer Amanda Pitman, and Sergeant Katie Krauss presented a one-hour workshop to provide information on crime prevention, home security and scams. The class was well attended and the participants had some excellent questions and suggestions for the Police Department. We look forward to attending again soon.

Public Works

Civic Center Orchard Maintenance
With the recent ending of the drought, the City is finally able to plan for planting of replacement trees in the Civic Center orchard. In preparation of the planting, a soil test was conducted in January. The soil report provided a list of recommendations amending the soil which will be implemented prior to new tree planting. This week, we placed an order for 100 new apricot trees, which will be available to us late this year or early next year.

Loyola Corners Signal Operation
The City recently retained a traffic consultant to conduct a study to evaluate the feasibility of stop-control at the intersections of Fremont Avenue/A Street and Fremont Avenue/Miramonte Avenue in Loyola Corners. These closely spaced intersections that have historically been signalized had an unexpected opportunity to experience a stop-controlled scenario during the Loyola Bridge Renovation project completed by the County of Santa Clara between the summers of 2015 and 2016. As part of that project, new signal equipment was installed at these two intersections. During construction, the intersections were controlled by stop signs. After the bridge project was completed in late summer of 2016, because of technical issues with the newly installed signals, the signals were set on flashing red for several months. Once the signals returned to normal operation in November 2016, the City received many requests to keep them in “flashing red” mode, as motorists reported increased traffic delays with normal signal operation. The findings of the traffic study will be presented to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission at its April 26, 2017 meeting.

Bid - City Hall HVAC Upgrades
Engineering opened bids this week for the replacement of HVAC equipment at City Hall. The existing HVAC equipment has reached the end of its useful life and needs replacement. New equipment is expected to be more reliable and energy efficient. Work is expected to occur in the late spring/early summer.

Wayfinding Sign Project
Next week, the City’s Contractor, VKK Signmakers will be installing new wayfinding signage for parking downtown. Wayfinding signs are directional signs that guide people to key destinations and help them locate important resources within the area. The new signs will direct motorists on Main Street and State Street to nearby Parking Plazas. Signs will be mounted to existing street light poles. The intent of this project is to update and organize a new sign program that beautifies and simplifies wayfinding to and within the commercial districts of Los Altos for both visitors and residents. Additional monument signs and pole mounted signs will be installed in the coming weeks throughout the City.