City Manager Weekly Update - August 26, 2016
Assistant City Manager
Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority (SVCEA)
A special meeting of the Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority Board of Directors will be held this Saturday August 27, 2016 in the form of a Power Supply Workshop. The workshop is open to the public and will be held at Sunnyvale Community Center, located at 550 E Remington Drive in Sunnyvale from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Key topics to be discussed include an overview of how the electricity grid works, who’s in charge of generation, transmission and distribution, and energy procurement products and processes. To stay up-to-date on SVCEA events, activities, special announcements and Board of Director agendas, sign up for automatic email updates.
Aircraft Noise Update
The Select Committee on South Bay Arrivals, a group of elected officials appointed to study aircraft noise in the region, 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. The Select Committee’s next meeting is on September 1, 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.
City Clerk
City Council Open Office Hours
The Los Altos City Council has scheduled two Open Office Hours events in September:
Tuesday, September 6, 2016 - 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Veterans Community Plaza, Corner of Main and State Street, Downtown Los Altos
Wednesday, September 21, 2016 - 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Woodland Library, 1975 Grant Road, Los Altos
At each event, 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
Have you been looking for a way to give-back to your community? Do you have an interest in bicycle/pedestrian safety, local history, finance, reading or art? If so, you might be the perfect candidate for a Los Altos Commission! The City is currently recruiting for openings on the following Commissions: Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory, Financial, Historical, Library, and Public Arts. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, September 20, 2016. Applications are due on Friday, September 9, 2016 and may be submitted online here or in person to the City Clerk’s Office. For more information, click here.
Community Development
4880 El Camino Real
Since receiving Council direction on Tuesday, staff has been modifying the resolution for this project so that it reflects the comments of the City Council, both with respect to the modifications to the building height as agreed to by the applicant plus the changes and additions to the conditions of approval for the project. To view the Council discussion regarding this topic, click here.
Design Review Commission
As noted last week, the Design Review Commission is slated to review projects that have previously received design approvals next Wednesday, August 31, 2016. This special meeting will give Commission members an opportunity to compare the plans they reviewed against the home that has been constructed, which can be quite revealing.
Downtown Vision
Interviews of the three finalists for the Downtown Vision effort were conducted this week and a consulting firm to lead this effort was identified by the interview panel. Staff is now reaching out to the firm to finalize some details so that a formal recommendation can be brought to the City Council at its meeting on September 13, 2016.
Downtown Parking
A consultant, who has not conducted parking studies for Downtown Los Altos in the past, has reviewed the recommendations of the former City-wide Parking Committee and has agreed to assist staff with its evaluation of the parking recommendations. The consultant is now preparing a cost estimate for that work.
Planning and Transportation Commission to Consider Downtown Building Committee Height Recommendations
At its meeting next Thursday, September 1, 2016, the Planning and Transportation Commission will take up the recommendations of the Downtown Buildings Committee on changes to height limits and findings for the design review permits of commercial, mixed-use, and multi-family projects. The recommendations are being watched closely and an interesting discussion with the community is expected at this meeting.
Updated Building Code
Building Division staff continues its efforts on the Building Code update. These updates are projected to come before the City Council later in the year.
Economic Development
Final Weekend of Third Street Green
We hope you will enjoy the final weekend of the Third Street Green! There will be several activities to participate in. First, Amy Dabalos will perform this evening, Friday, August 26, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. On Saturday, Bike Day will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the Green, with a Bike Rodeo planned at Hillview Community Center at the same time. In the evening, come watch Star Wars: The Force Awakens at 8:30 p.m. And on Sunday, enjoy a free scoop of ice cream provided by Tin Pot Creamery at 12:00 p.m. followed by Skateworks’ 5-Year Anniversary Party. Please come and partake in all the fun on the Green before it rolls up on Monday, August 29. We hope you will also consider providing feedback about the Third Street Green via our Open City Hall survey.
Downtown Employee Parking Permits
Be a part of the “White Dot” Employee Parking Permit Program by purchasing your permits through iParq – the new way to get your permits quickly and conveniently anytime and anywhere online! Employee Parking Permits will go on sale on September 6, 2016 and permits will be active on October 1, 2016. Permit fees remain the same; Annual Permits are $36.00 and Quarterly Permits are $12.00. Please have your business license or designated non-profit number ready when you go online to register. Please visit https://losaltos.thepermitstore.com to purchase your permits beginning September 6, 2016.
Cycle Saturday
On the Second Saturday of every month, the City will host “Cycle Saturday”, where residents and visitors are encouraged to come downtown utilizing alternative modes of transportation. The City will provide free bike valet stations at the following locations: Peet’s Coffee, Voyageur de Temps, Red Berry Coffee and Manresa Bread. Cyclists of all ability levels are encouraged to head down to enjoy perks at participating locations and use the bike valet stations while enjoying all of the amenities downtown has to offer. Watch the video to learn more about Cycle Saturday. Remaining dates for 2016 are September 10, October 8, November 12, and December 10.
Police
Financial Contribution to WomenSV
At its meeting on Tuesday, August 23, 2016, the Los Altos City Council approved funding in the amount of $15,000 for WomenSV, a nonprofit that serves women and children in Los Altos and the surrounding area whose lives have been impacted by domestic violence. The Police Department actively responds to and investigates reported incidents of domestic violence and working with the District Attorney, aggressively prosecutes offenders. WomenSV offers a vital community service by partnering with the Police Department to augment domestic violence public education, prevention, intervention, and victim care efforts. WomenSV is committed to helping women-of-means find the means to break free from abuse and go on to build healthier lives for themselves, their children, and ultimately our community. Photographed is Mayor Jeannie Bruins and Police Chief Tuck Younis presenting a check to WomenSV Director Ruth Patrick.
Back to School Bike Rodeo this Saturday at Hillview Community Center
As a complement to the Bike Day event on the Third Street Green, Los Altos Police Department is sponsoring a Bike Rodeo for school age kids this Saturday, August 27, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Hillview Community Center.
Safe Moves, a non-profit organization recognized as the leading authority in traffic safety education in the country, will host the popular kids' Bike Rodeo. A traffic safety rodeo course will be constructed in the Hillview parking lot, providing an interactive exercise that allows youth to learn about safety by walking and bicycling through a miniature city called “Safe Moves City”.
“Safe Moves City” consists of streets, sidewalks, intersections, crosswalks, traffic signals, traffic signs, residential areas, business districts, cars, trucks, buses and a railroad track with signals, crossing gate and train. “Safe Moves City” is designed to simulate the diverse traffic environments youth will encounter while biking in order to create “problem solving” experiences. Youth will walk and/or ride a bicycle through “Safe Moves City” while trying to avoid over twenty traffic hazards. After the course is complete, Safe Moves staff evaluates the participants’ performance and discusses the results in order to educate and inform.
Safe Moves ask that kids bring their own bikes, although they will have some to loan.
Bike Day on the Third Street Green
For more information about the Bike Day event on the Third Street Green, which will feature ABC bike safety checks performed by GreenTown Los Altos, Calfee Designs and Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition as well as a bamboo bike display and the popular bike-powered blender, visit www.ThirdStreetGreen.com.
Coffee with a Cop
We were pleased to see so many community members stop by to enjoy a cup of coffee with us on Wednesday at our 3rd Coffee with a Cop event. Roughly 100 individuals stopped by during the two-hour event at Peet’s Coffee downtown. Although our goal with hosting these events is to get to know our residents and learn more about their concerns and how we can help, we were humbled by the praise and thanks we received. We look forward to hosting our next Coffee with a Cop event in the near future. To see more photos from Wednesday’s event, visit our Facebook page.
Public Works
Storm Preparation
It is not too early to prepare for the rainy season. In fact, City crews began systematic cleaning of over 1,300 storm drain inlets this week. Other measures, such as inspecting and clearing debris in difficult to access storm water ditches and preparing sandbag stations will take place as we get closer to the rainy season.
Grant Park Community Center Exterior Painting
The Grant Park Community Center is getting a fresh coat of paint during its 2-week closure. Work is ongoing to repair damage to the exterior surface and will finish up with new paint on both the Multipurpose and classroom buildings. The contractor is making good progress and the exterior of the building is looking much better even with the primer coat just being applied! This is the second project (a roof replacement occurred earlier this year) of several to come seeking to improve the facilities at the Grant Park Community Center.
Downtown Capital Improvement Projects
Parking Plaza Driveway Approach Improvement Project
Construction began this week on the Parking Plaza Driveway Approach Improvement Project, which will upgrade driveway approaches in Parking Plaza 1 (along First Street) and Plaza 10 (along West Edith Avenue) to create Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant sidewalks across the driveway approaches. Construction is anticipated to be complete by mid-September. Next week, base preparation, forming and concrete placement for the first half of each driveway location will be performed.
Parking Plaza 3 Drive Aisle Improvement Project
This week, a new storm drainage inlet and piping was installed and base preparation for paving began. Paving and striping will occur early next week. Access and parking will be temporarily impacted as a result of the required work. Alternative access routes and caution driving through the construction zone is recommended.
First Street Utility Undergrounding Project
PG&E and its subcontractor, Accubore, continue work on the aerial to underground utility conversion project on First Street. The project will be constructed in three sections, Plaza 1 to Whitney Street; Whitney Street to Lyell Street and Lyell Street to San Antonio Road. Although through traffic will be maintained throughout the project, parking restrictions and traffic controls will be in place in the section where active construction is occurring. The project is expected to be completed in its entirety by the end of November 2016.
Recreation & Community Services
Senior Programs
The Los Altos Senior Program (both Grant and Hillview Community Centers) will be closed Monday, August 29 through Monday, September 5, 2016. The Los Altos Senior Program will re-open on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Grant Drop-in will resume on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Activity Registration
Registration is now underway for fall 2016 classes and camps. If you haven’t received your copy of the new activity guide yet, pick one up at either branch of the Los Altos library, any city facility or at several of our parks. Classes start the week of September 12. We’re gearing up for a fabulous fall! Join us!
Volunteers
Our Interim Volunteer Coordinator is actively recruiting for the following volunteer opportunities:
- Bike Valets – September 16, 2016 Cycle Saturday. This monthly downtown bike event is hosted by the Economic Development Department to encourage bicycle ridership. 1-2 volunteers will staff four bike valet locations at Red Berry Coffee, Manresa Bread, Peet’s Coffee and Voyageur du Temps in Downtown Los Altos.
- Project Manager – Demonstration Garden Project; an effort to showcase drought resistant plants, grasses and a rain garden at Woodland Library. The main themes of the project are water conservation and drought tolerance. The project team will be comprised of two volunteers who will report to the Assistant City Manager. The other volunteer is a local high school senior who pitched her Girl Scout Gold Award project idea of a demonstration garden. Between now through November, the goals are to develop and finalize a project plan so that planting can take place in the spring. The ideal volunteer will have an academic or professional background and/or demonstrated interest in environmental sciences or a related field with some grant writing experience.
- Chefs – Senior Friday Lunches; 1-2 volunteers are needed to assist with cooking on September 16 and October 21, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Call the Volunteer desk at (650) 947-2848 to volunteer or for more information.
