City Manager Weekly Update - June 17, 2016

Working Meetings scheduled for the Select Committee
The SC has scheduled two working group meetings for the Committee to discuss the community input that was gathered during the three community meetings and to develop a response to the FAA Northern California Initiative Feasibility Study. The working meetings of the SC are scheduled on Friday, July 15 and 22, 2016, at the City of Palo Alto Council Chambers from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The City Manager’s Weekly Update will continue to provide information on the proceedings of the aircraft noise issue.    

The Select Committee was appointed by Congressmembers Eshoo, Farr and Speier and is comprised of elected officials from many the affected localities. Additional information on the Select Committee is available on Congressmembers Eshoo's website. 

City Clerk

Renaming Community Plaza
The City has launched a new topic on Open City Hall, Los Altos’ online forum for civic engagement. The new topic poses the question ‘Do you support the renaming of Community Plaza to Veterans Plaza to honor veterans?’ A group of community members recently approached the City with this proposal, which was considered at the Parks and Recreation Commission’s regular meeting on Wednesday, June 8, 2016. The Commission felt further community input should be gathered before making a formal recommendation to City Council. Residents are encouraged to share their thoughts on the topic: Open City Hall 

Community Development

Addition to the List of Mills Act Properties in the City
On June 27, 2016, the Historical Commission will consider a recommendation to the City Council to authorize the City Manager to enter into a Mills Act agreement for the Historic Landmark property located at 220 University Avenue. The Italian Renaissance residence was built in 1927 for the original owner, Frank Marini. The City of Los Altos currently has ten Mills Act Agreements for properties located in the City. The Mills Act provides for a reduction in property taxes for qualified historic properties. The goal is to use the money saved on property taxes to invest in maintenance, preservation, and enhancement of the historic structure. The standard term of a Mills Act Agreement is for a ten-year period with an automatic renewal clause each year.  

New Inspector to Start
Veronica Tinoco, the City’s new Building Inspector, will begin her duties on Monday, June 20, 2016. Veronica was previously with the City of Palo Alto where she served as a permit technician. She brings a great deal of customer service experience and is familiar with the full array of Building Division functions. We are anxious for her to start as the Building Division will once again have a full complement of inspectors.

Register Your Neighborhood National Night Out Event
On Tuesday, August 2, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., neighbors throughout Los Altos are invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the 33rd Annual National Night Out anti-crime and drug prevention event. Los Altos residents are encouraged to participate by hosting a neighborhood potluck, ice cream social or other fun event. Register your event with the Police Department by July 22, 2016 and we’ll be sure to stop by!

National Night Out, which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and co-sponsored locally by the Los Altos Police Department, involves over 16,124 communities in all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world. Last year, approximately one million people participated in National Night Out, supported in part by the US Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance.

National Night Out is designed to:

• Heighten awareness for crime and drug prevention
• Generate support and participation in local anti-crime efforts
• Strengthen neighborhood spirit and community-police relations
• Send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back

National Night Out is an extraordinary way to build neighborhood unity and strengthen police-community partnerships. On August 2, 2016, we are inviting neighborhoods to join forces with us to “Give Crime & Drugs a Going Away Party!”

Click here for more information or to register your neighborhood event

Annual Concrete Repair
Engineering received bids on June 16, 2016 for the City’s Annual Concrete Repair Project. This project is intended to address the highest priority repair locations. The primary focus is on the replacement of damaged sidewalks that pose potential public safety hazards caused from broken or uplifted sidewalks. The award of the project is scheduled for the June 28, 2016 City Council meeting.

Stormwater Treatment Device Inspections
Public Works staff completed its annual inspection of stormwater treatment devices located throughout the City. Each year, staff from engineering meets with property owners and officials from Santa Clara County Vector Control to review the operation and maintenance of treatment devices. These inspections are reported to the State Water Resources Quality Control Board as part of the City’s annual stormwater report.

Envision Sustainable Infrastructure Training
Public Works staff attended a training seminar to better understand the Envision Sustainable Infrastructure rating system. The rating system, similar to the LEED certification for building projects, is a comprehensive tool that provides a holistic, cost effective framework for evaluating and rating the community, environmental and economic benefits of all types and sizes of infrastructure projects. Staff will evaluate future capital improvement projects to potentially incorporate aspects of the rating system.

University Avenue and Lincoln Avenue Crosswalk Improvements & El Monte Avenue Sidewalk Gap Closure Projects
The City Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2016/17 - 2020/21 Five-Year Capital Improvement Program this week, which includes a number of school route improvement projects. The University Avenue and Lincoln Avenue Crosswalk Improvements and El Monte Avenue Sidewalk Gap Closure projects are two high priority projects budgeted for Fiscal Year 2016/17. Engineering issued a Request for Proposal for the design of these two projects this week.