City Manager Weekly Update - December 23, 2016

Administrative Draft of the Loyola Corners Circulation Study Submitted
Two studies of the Loyola Corners area are currently being conducted by consultants, these include an economic analysis and a circulation evaluation. Key elements of the Loyola Corners Specific Plan Update hinge on the results of these studies as they will provide background information and data needed to support the policies and goals of this guiding document. An administrative draft of the Circulation Study has been submitted, which staff is in the process of reviewing and will be providing edits and notes to the consultants. This information will help form certain portions of the Loyola Corners Specific Plan, which will be reviewed again at a joint public workshop with the City Council and Planning and Transportation Commission in early 2017.

Larkellen Neighborhood Single-Story Overlay District
As noted in an earlier update, the City has received an application for a single-story overlay district in the Larkellen neighborhood. Staff has been reviewing the application and the next step in this process is to conduct a physical review of the area in an effort to determine that the boundaries of this overlay area have been appropriately established. If the overlay designation is approved – future development in this neighborhood, which encompasses properties on Larkellen Lane, Fallen Leaf Lane, Havenhurst Drive, and Ravenswood Drive, will be limited to a single-story.

Public Works

First Street Utility Undergrounding Project
PG&E and its subcontractor, Accubore, have been working diligently to convert all overhead utility lines (PG&E, AT&T, and Cablecom) to underground and removing utility poles on First Street from Parking Plaza 1 to San Antonio Road. Soon after the project was initiated, the contractor unexpectedly encountered a cluster of five underground storage tanks (UST). This discovery resulted in the contractor modifying their work sequencing to work around the UST site, which provided the City time to address this unforeseen condition. The City has since retained a qualified firm for UST removal and successfully removed all five tanks last week. All required UST removal procedures were followed and necessary remediation was performed. The PG&E contractor regained full access of the site and was able to complete all the conduit installation this week. It is anticipated they will return in early 2017 to perform the installation of cabling and transformers. The utility poles and associated wiring are expected to be removed in spring 2017.

Stormwater Funding Initiative – Public Outreach, Polling and Financial Engineering
The City of Los Altos has issued a request for proposals from qualified firms to assist in the development of a viable public financing mechanism for citywide stormwater management activities and capital needs as identified in the City’s Stormwater Master Plan. The City is seeking technical assistance to evaluate available funding options for stormwater quality programs and capital needs, gauge public support, provide public outreach and education, and if supported, pursue implementation of the preferred funding mechanism to meet stormwater program needs. Proposals will be due and evaluated in January 2017.

Sewer Improvements - Structural Reach Replacement
This capital improvement project replaces segments of pipes throughout the City which have been identified as having moderate to severe structural defects. This week, the City’s contractor, EPS, Inc. dba Express Plumbing completed work on the replacement of the sewer main on Granger Avenue and following the holiday break will begin work on Stonehaven Drive.