City Manager Weekly Update - January 20, 2017
Assistant City Manger
Groundbreaking for Permanente Creek Flood Protection Project
On Friday January 20, 2017 and in response to the heavy rain, the Permanente Creek Flood Protection Project groundbreaking was moved from Rancho San Antonio County Park to the Los Altos Community Chambers. A welcome by Norma Camacho, Interim CEO, Santa Clara Valley Water District was followed by remarks from the District Directors, Gary Kremen and Nai Hsueh and from City Officials from the Cities of Mountain View, Cupertino, Los Altos and Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District.
The groundbreaking event celebrated years of project planning and design, and launched preparations by the Santa Clara Valley Water District to construct flood protection improvements along Permanente Creek and at Rancho San Antonio County Park and McKelvey Park in Mountain View.
Once completed, the Permanente Creek Flood Protection Project will provide natural flood protection for at least 2,200 properties in Mountain View and Los Altos, create recreational opportunities and enhance the environment. This project is funded by the voter-approved Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program. Residents can sign-up to receive updates throughout the project along with information on what to expect during construction.
Opportunity to Serve on the 2017-18 Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury
The Santa Clara County Superior Court is seeking volunteers to serve on the 2017-18 Civil Grand Jury. The goal is to enlist a Grand Jury panel that is diverse and representative of the county population and ensure that the grand jury is equipped with a mixed set of skills and abilities. Residents who have lived in the county for one year, are United States citizens, and are 18 years of age or older may apply. The Court is seeking applicants of all backgrounds who are willing to make the commitment as a volunteer for a one-year term, which will begin on June 22, 2017. The deadline to submit an application for consideration for service is Thursday, March 30, 2017. The 2017-2018 Civil Grand Jury will be selected and sworn in on Thursday, June 22, 2017, at 4 p.m. Addition information is available on the City website.
2017 Aircraft Noise Meetings
There will be a meeting of the SFO Community Roundtable on February 1, 2017 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Millbrae City Hall, Chetcuit Room, 450 Poplar Avenue, Millbrae CA.
Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will be hosting three fact-finding informal airspace meetings to solicit information from stakeholders concerning the proposed modifications to “Class B Airspace Area” at SFO. The proposal would realign the airspace to provide more room for vectoring. Limited details are available on the proposal; notification was published in the November 9, 2016 Federal Register. Meeting dates include:
Monday, January 30 at 5:30 p.m.
Burlingame Public Library, Lane Room
480 Primrose Rd., Burlingame, CA 94010
Tuesday, January 31 at 5:30 p.m.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, Room 225
150 E. San Fernando St., San Jose, CA 95112
Wednesday, February 1 at 5:00 p.m.
Port of Oakland Building, First-Floor Exhibit Room
530 Water St., Oakland, CA 94607
To file a noise complaint, visit flysfo.com.
City Clerk
Commission Recruitment
The City Council invites Los Altos residents to apply for appointment to open seats on several City Commissions and Committees. Current recruitments include the Historical, Parks and Recreation, Planning and Transportation, and Senior Commissions as well as the Los Altos-Los Altos Hills Joint Community Volunteer Service Awards Committee. Each Commission and Committee contributes knowledge and expertise that helps guide and inform decisions made by the City Council. Serving on a Commission/Committee is a fantastic way to give-back to your community and residents are encouraged to take advantage of this unique opportunity. For more information and application materials, click here.
Community Development
El Camino Real Zoning Code Amendments
Staff is putting the final touches on a set of zoning code amendments for the CT zone district along the El Camino Real in preparation for the February 2, 2016 Planning and Transportation Commission meeting. Proposed amendments include modified height limits, setback requirements, open space requirements, standards for mechanical parking systems, standards for on-site areas to accommodate delivery, service, and refuse vehicles, and standards for rooftop uses among other standards.
New Single-Story Overlay District Proposed
Staff has completed its review of the proposed map for a new single-story overlay district in south Los Altos. The proposed district includes 47 properties on Larkellen Lane, Fallen Leaf Lane, Havenhurst Drive and Ravenswood Drive. The proposed one-story overlay district will now be scheduled for a public meeting before the City Council to determine if the proposed neighborhood boundary is clearly defined and meets the City’s criteria to form a one-story overlay district. The public meeting is tentatively scheduled for February 28, 2017.
Building Inspector
Staff continues the recruitment process for a new building inspector. It is critical that the Building Division have a full complement of inspectors, especially during periods like the present where there are high levels of construction activity. The Building Division staff has been doing an outstanding job of late keeping up with inspection requests and permit submittals. Returning to full staffing levels as quickly as possible will allow the continued delivery of a high level of customer service.
Police
Ongoing Training
Los Altos officers have been busy with trainings. Half our officers recently completed a 16-hour rifle course taught by our range staff. Additional recently completed trainings include Officer Kelli Janda attending a CPR/First Aid Instructor Update course and Sergeant Cameron Shearer taking part in an FYI Leadership course. Chief Galea and Captain McCrossin also participated in a Fair and Impartial Policing class. Keeping up to date on the latest trainings is an important part of our department’s focus on better serving the Los Altos community.
Public Works
Engineering and Traffic Surveys and Stop Sign Policy
Staff will be presenting the results of recently conducted speed surveys and a proposed Stop Sign Policy at the January 19, 2017 Planning and Transportation Commission meeting and the January 25, 2017 Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Commission meeting. The Engineering and Traffic Surveys (E&TS) examined speeds along 15 collector street segments in Los Altos, as required by the California Vehicle Code and the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. The E&TS results are used to confirm or modify existing posted speed limits on these street segments. The Stop Sign Policy describes the process in which Stop signs are considered and evaluated.
Foothill Expressway Operational Improvements between El Monte Avenue and San Antonio Road Project
This week, City staff attended the official project kick-off meeting between the City, the County and the project design consultant team for the Foothill Expressway Operational Improvement project. Santa Clara County is the lead agency for this project, however, City staff has been working with County staff to refine the scope of work and select a qualified consultant.
This project is designed to relieve traffic congestion on Foothill Expressway between San Antonio Road and El Monte Avenue by adding a third lane in each direction. The project will also install a second through lane for southbound El Monte, improve pedestrian crossings by “squaring off” the northwest and southeast corners of Foothill Expressway/El Monte Avenue. Dedicated right turn lanes will be designed for north and southbound El Monte Avenue. Lastly, traffic signal modifications will occur at Foothill Expressway/El Monte Avenue. This project is a Tier 1 project in the County Expressway Plan, which is also included in the recently passed Measure B.
Also included in the project is an upgrade to traffic signal controllers, software and communication infrastructure for traffic signals along El Monte Avenue. These upgrades will allow the city integration with Santa Clara County’s Intelligent Transportation Systems network, and lays the groundwork for a future Intelligent Transportation System in Los Altos. Although the work will be conducted in conjunction with the expressway project, it is funded by a Vehicle Registration Fee grant secured by the City.
Engineering and Maintenance Staff Gives Presentation to Countywide Agencies
This week, engineering and maintenance staff presented at the Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program (SCVURPPP) to a group of countywide agencies on municipal operations. City of Los Altos’ maintenance procedures for the inspection and cleaning of the City’s storm drainage trash capture device located on View Street just north of downtown has been used as a benchmark for agencies countywide who have or are considering installing similar systems.
Recreation & Community Services
Winter Registration Now Open
Registration is now open for our Winter Session of classes and activities! Please see the City website to view our Winter Activity Guide or to register! From youth to seniors and everything in between, we have a variety of programs for you to participate in.
