City Manager Weekly Update - February 24, 2017

Economic Development

Downtown Green
On February 21, two town hall meetings were held at the Los Altos Youth Center regarding the proposed Downtown Green. Over 40 people attended the two sessions with attendees representing a mix of merchants, residents and property owners. The feedback gathered was invaluable and the meeting allowed time for questions and concerns to be addressed. Additional ideas also came forward that may help support the programming and advance the goal of the Green, which is to build a deeper sense of community, raise awareness of the Downtown throughout the region, and boost business during the slower summer months. The 2017 Downtown Green will go before the City Council on February 28 for consideration.

Public Works

Rosita Avenue / Springer Road Ponding
Last August, a catastrophic failure in a California Water Service (CalWater) water main resulted in a large amount of pavement being removed and replaced at the intersection of Rosita Avenue and Springer Road. It was the intention of CalWater and their contractor to repave the area back to its existing conditions. This January, following a series of storms, it was discovered that a low point was created at an existing curb ramp at the northwest corner of the intersection. The City has been coordinating with CalWater and their contractor to ensure the necessary repairs are made. Following a field meeting with the three parties in late January, the area was re-surveyed by CalWater’s contractor on February 21, 2017. Weather permitting, West Valley Construction will be onsite next week (March 1-3) to grind existing pavement and re-pave in order to establish a swale to convey water to the appropriate drainage inlet located across Rosita Avenue.

PG&E and AT&T – Joint Trench Relocation Project on Fremont Avenue
Work to relocate the joint trench along Fremont Avenue (between Truman Avenue and Fallen Leaf Lane) will begin on March 6, 2017 and should be completed by the end of June. PG&E’s subcontractor (Underground Construction Company) will perform all the required trench work and installation of new substructures during the months of March and April. PG&E’s electric department will follow, pulling cabling in May and June. Additionally, AT&T’s subcontractor (West Valley) and AT&T’s crews will be performing work concurrently. The work hours will be 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Fremont Avenue. Traffic control devices will be in place during the various phases of the project.

Sewer Improvements – Structural Reach Replacement
This week, the City’s contractor worked on the replacement of the sewer main on Middlebury Lane. Minor restoration work will be completed on Middlebury Lane and Santa Barbara Avenue by the end of the week. This capital improvement project replaces segments of pipes throughout the City which have been identified as having moderate to severe structural defects.  

Abandoned Septic Tank Site Restoration
An abandoned septic tank was discovered in Plaza South as part of the First Street Utility Undergrounding Project. City crews worked to make the area safe by filling the space with a self-compacting cementitious material.

Reminders

Santa Clara County Fire Department Community Workshop
SCCFD is hosting a Community Workshop to gather input and ideas about how they can improve communications with residents:

Tuesday, February 28, 2017
9:30 a.m. – noon
The Garden House
400 University Avenue, Los Altos

Participants are welcome to drop-in anytime during this 3-hour session. In addition to the workshop, County Fire’s newest fire engine will be on display – a unique “Type 6” wildland fire engine designed to access the surrounding open space areas. For those unable to attend the workshop in-person, please consider sharing your thoughts via an online survey. Your involvement in this process is important, as it helps SCCFD better serve the Los Altos community.