City Manager Weekly Update - January 6, 2017

Assistant City Manager

Upcoming Block Action Team Leader Training
Los Altos PREPARE, a community emergency preparedness program of the Los Altos Community Foundation, invites community members to an upcoming Block Action Team (BAT) Leader training:

Monday, January 16 or Thursday, February 16
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Neutra House - 181 Hillview Avenue, Los Altos

During the training, participants will receive training and tools to develop an emergency response plan for their neighborhood, implement safety and crime prevention measures, and create community-building social events. Co-leaders are encouraged - bring a neighbor, friend, spouse or willing assistant. For more information, visit losaltosbat.org.

City Clerk

City Council Election
The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters has concluded the automatic recount for the Los Altos City Council election held on November 8, 2016. The results can be found on the Registrar of Voter’s website. The three individuals elected to the City Council include Jan Pepper, Jeannie Bruins and Lynette Lee Eng.

City Council Reorganization and New Mayor Reception
The City Council will host a special reorganization meeting on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. in the Community Meeting Chambers at Los Altos City Hall, 1 N. San Antonio Road. Please join the Los Altos City Council in honoring outgoing Councilmember Megan Satterlee and for the annual Council reorganization in which the new Mayor will be selected and new Council members sworn-in. A community reception will follow at the Los Altos Youth Center.

Community Development

Downtown Vision Team Conducting Interviews
The Downtown Vision team will be holding interviews next week with a number of residents to listen and learn of ways to best reach members of the community and get them involved in the Downtown Vision project. This is in preparation for the community outreach planning effort, which will be brought to the City Council for review. Each community is unique and outreach strategies must be tailored to each city. The goal here is to customize an outreach plan that will engage as many people in the process as possible so that the Downtown Vision is truly a Community Vision – as Petula Clark melodically noted – “Downtown - everything's waiting for you.”

New Building Codes for the New Year
With the start of the new year, the 2016 California Building Codes became the new construction standards. Plans submitted with building permit applications will need to comply with these new standards. In preparation for these code changes, the Building Division staff has been reviewing the new codes so they can conduct their reviews and inspections of projects that need to comply with the new codes.

Police

Weekend Storm Advisory
The National Weather Service, Bay Area is warning that a significant storm is headed our way. Light rain is expected to begin Saturday then become heavy Saturday evening lasting through Sunday. Heavy rainfall may overwhelm waterways and roadway drainage systems, leading to flooding. High winds from 15-30 mph are also expected, with gusts up to 40 mph, which may lead to downed trees and power lines.

Residents are urged to prepare in advance of the storm:

Stock up on flashlights and batteries to be prepared for a power outage. Visit the PG&E website for essential information about power outages: pge.com/outages
If you have flood-prone areas around your home, consider stocking up on sandbags now. A complimentary Sandbag Station is available 24/7 for Los Altos residents at the City’s Maintenance Service Center located at 707 Fremont Avenue in Los Altos.
Secure outdoor items that can be blown about by strong wind.
Stock up on food and water in order to avoid unnecessary driving during heavy rain and wind.
Report down trees, power lines, flooding or other hazards by calling our 24-hour non-emergency number: (650) 947-2770

Additional flood preparedness tips:

Charge mobile devices in advance of possible power outages
Turn Around, Don't Drown® - Avoid walking or driving through flood waters; just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down and 2 feet of water can sweep your vehicle away.
If you receive a flash flood alert, move immediately to higher ground. Flash floods are the #1 cause of weather-related deaths in the US.
Get more flood safety tips at ready.gov/floods
Get National Weather Service Updates at wrh.noaa.gov

In the event of an emergency, call us by dialing 9-1-1. For non-emergency calls, dial (650) 947-2770.

Helping Hands
We would like to thank local emergency preparedness workers who recently assisted the City in moving antennas at our Emergency Operations Center. The antennas had to be temporarily removed in preparation for routine building fumigation scheduled to take place over the holidays.

Public Works

Preparing for the Storms
In anticipation of a series of storms expected to reach the Bay Area in the next few days, maintenance crews have been busy preparing for the weather. Crews have been checking and clearing areas known to be troublesome in the past, including drain inlets, ditches, trash racks and creeks. Crews also inspected all the vehicles and equipment used for storm response to ensure they are fully fueled and in good working order. Staff will be on standby, responding to weekend flood calls as needed.

Mandatory Recycling and Organics
Assembly Bills 341 and 1826 and the City of Los Altos Municipal Code require commercial businesses and multi-family residences provide recycling and organics collection. These services are provided free of charge from the City’s franchise garbage hauler, Mission Trails Waste Systems. Letters have been issued to non-compliant businesses/landowners with instructions of how to begin service collection. If you feel your business or property received a letter in error, please contact the number provided.

Illuminated Crosswalk Improvement Project
Project plans and specifications are out for bid for replacement of three illuminated crosswalk devices on Almond Avenue, Fremont Avenue and Springer Road. Bids are due on January 25, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.

Pedestrian Improvement Project on State Route 82 - El Camino Real
City staff is reviewing proposed pedestrian improvement plans by the California State Department of Transportation. The project proposes the installation of pedestrian hybrid flashing beacons, upgraded crosswalk striping, and upgraded curb ramps on El Camino Real at Distel Circle and Monroe Drive. These improvements are part of a larger pedestrian improvement project along El Camino Real in San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. Construction of the proposed improvements has yet to be determined.

Recreation & Community Services

New Year’s Day Rogue Run
The City of Los Altos was one with the Force on January 1, 2017 for the Rogue Run! Top finisher Andy Sartor, currently attending UCSD, completed the 5K in 16 minutes and 17 seconds. A close second was Kevin Burks, a high school senior, who finished at 16 minutes and 25 seconds. A special thanks to Boy Scout Troop 37 and the Decathlon Sports Club for their contribution to this fun and successful event. Cheers to a healthy new year!

Senior Program Celebrating 40^th Anniversary
Community members are invited to “Catch the Wave” and join in on special events and activities scheduled as part of the 40th anniversary of the Los Altos Senior Program! We will kick off the New Year with our 40th anniversary luncheon on Friday, January 13 at 12:00 p.m. For more information or to reserve your spot, contact the Senior Program at (650) 947-2797.