City Manager Weekly Update - November 10, 2016

Planning and Transportation Commission to Review Past Projects
Each year, the Planning and Transportation Commission spends a good part of one of its meetings reviewing projects that they either approved or recommended approval of to the City Council. At its next meeting on Thursday, November 17, the Commission will be reviewing several projects that they have considered at past meetings. This process gives them some insight on how best to evaluate projects they will consider in the future.

Building Inspector Adds to Knowledge Base
Veronica Tinoco, our newest building inspector, recently passed another one of the building inspection certification tests, which acknowledges and records her proficiency at plan checks and inspections for residential structures. The testing program is designed to ensure that inspectors have a working knowledge of the building codes that they use day to day. This is just one of a number of exams that inspectors can take to expand their knowledge base and apply to the inspections they conduct to make sure homes and businesses in Los Altos are safe for residents and visitors.

“While we are sad to see Chief Younis leave the City, the Police Department is in excellent hands with Chief Galea,” said Jordan. “Chief Galea brings years of experience and a life-long commitment to public service and is more than up for the task of filling Chief Younis’ shoes.”

Galea spent the majority of his police career with the San Jose Police Department rising to the level of Deputy Chief before becoming Chief Younis’ second-in-command in 2009. Chief Galea’s law enforcement experience includes assignments as Chief of Field Operations and Chief of Investigations, in addition to developing a strong commitment to working closely with business and neighborhood groups. As a Captain in Los Altos, Chief Galea’s primary focus has been on the oversight of the Department’s day-to-day operations, including patrol, traffic and investigations.

Public Works

Shoulder Paving Policy
The City adopted a Shoulder Paving Policy in 2001 with the primary goals to narrow streets, define the street edge, and provide traffic calming. The “shoulder” refers to the portion of the public right-of-way between the property line and the improved roadway. Recently, the City Council directed staff to re-evaluate the Shoulder Paving Policy for opportunities to incorporate current stormwater management best practices and to address aesthetic and other concerns associated with the implementation of the Policy. Working with the Environmental Commission, staff has completed the evaluation and made modification recommendations to meet the study goals. The recommended changes will be presented to the City Council at its study session on November 15, 2016. To view the staff report, click here.

First Street Utility Undergrounding Project
PG&E and its subcontractor, Accubore, continue work on the aerial to underground utility conversion project on First Street. The project will underground all overhead utility lines (PG&E, AT&T, and Cablecom) and remove utility poles on First Street from Parking Plaza 1 to San Antonio Road. This week PG&E, AT&T and CableCom continued work to transfer existing utility facilities to the new temporary pole installed in Parking Plaza 1. The temporary pole will allow for the removal of sidewalk anchors which currently block pedestrian sidewalk access adjacent to the Parking Plaza. The pole and its anchor will be removed at the end of the project.