City Manager Weekly Update - October 14, 2016
Assistant City Manager
Annual Emergency Operations Training
Over 30 City staff from each departments gathered with Santa Clara County Office of Emergency Services personnel for annual Emergency Operations Center (EOC) training on Wednesday, October 12, 2016. Included in staff training was a tabletop exercise that simulated an earthquake incident. This training exercise provided staff an opportunity to practice emergency response skills that will be needed in times of crisis.
In conjunction with staff training, citizen volunteer groups including Block Action Teams (BATs), Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) and Amateur Radio operators (Ham), conducted field drills at three locations in neighborhoods across the city. During the drill, CERT and BAT participants used training scenarios to conduct practice neighborhood surveys and damage assessments. Hams set up transmission stations at each location and transmitted neighborhood assessments to radio operators located at the City’s EOC. Each neighborhood site received a visit from City staff, Police and the Fire Department to discuss and support the training efforts of volunteers.
The neighborhood drill results were a great success, allowing trained volunteers to set up equipment, practice disaster scenarios, and test out transmitting real-time messages via radio to Hams located at the City’s EOC. These training activities serve to improve neighborhood readiness and help ensure your disaster service workers and community emergency volunteers are prepared to respond when you need us most.
How You Can Participate
Join the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
CERT classes are conducted by Santa Clara County Fire Department. The final class for this year starts Tuesday, October 18, 2016 in Los Gatos. Los Altos residents are invited to attend. The cost is $35, which covers participant's safety equipment and training materials. For more information, click here.
Become a Licensed Ham Operator
Ham radio operators must be licensed, as Amateur Radio is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Licenses are obtained by successfully passing an exam, which is given by volunteer groups of Amateur Radio operators. Volunteers will administer and grade tests and report results to the FCC, which then issues the license. U.S. licenses are good for 10 years before renewal, and anyone may hold one except a representative of a foreign government. Learn more about getting licensed at aarl.org.
Reminder: Home Energy Efficiency Work Shop Tuesday, October 18
Residents are invited to attend a free workshop sponsored by Energy Upgrade California to learn how to make your home more energy efficient while earning up to $6,800 in rebates. The workshop will be held on Tuesday, October 18, 2016 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Hillview Community Center, 97 Hillview Avenue. Space is limited, so please RSVP at LosAltosRebates.eventbrite.com.
Aircraft Noise Upcoming Meetings
The Select Committee on South Bay Arrivals plans to produce a set of draft recommendations by October 21, 2016 followed by discussion as its next meeting on October 27, 2016. The meeting will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the City of Palo Alto Council Chambers. The committee set November 17, 2016 as the deadline for submitting a final set of recommendations to U.S. Congress members. The meeting of the Select Committee is open to the public but because it is a working meeting of the Select Committee, the public will not be invited to speak. For detailed information, click here.
City Clerk
Council Open Office Hours
The next City Council Open Office Hours will be held on Wednesday, October 26, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in Veterans Community Plaza located at the corner of State and Main Streets in Downtown Los Altos. One City Council member will be available to the public for a two-hour period to answer questions, receive input and discuss topics of interest to community members. All are welcome.
Artistic Bike Rack Design Competition
The Public Arts Commission is conducting a second Artistic Bicycle Rack Design Competition. This past spring, the City installed six artistic bike racks from the first Design Competition in the Downtown area. Designs chosen from this round will be installed at locations throughout the city. Entries should be submitted to the City no later than November 21, 2016. Late entries will not be accepted. For more information, click here.
Administrative Services
End of Year Audit
During this past week, the City’s auditing firm Maze & Associates conducted a review of the City’s financials. The City anticipates once again receiving a clean audit. The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, which contains the final, audited numbers, is anticipated to be completed and presented to the City Council in December 2016. You may sign up to receive an email notice when the report is available by subscribing to the Budget & Financial reports email list at losaltosca.gov/enotify.
VOIP Phone System
The City is in the process of evaluating vendors for a new phone system, as the current system is end-of-life and needs to be replaced with a VOIP product that offers a more robust feature set. It was discovered during this evaluation process that new data cabling is required at the Maintenance Service Center before a new phone system can be installed. The IT Division will be contracting an external vendor to re-cable the building in preparation for the new VOIP phone system.
Community Development
Planning and Transportation Commission Votes on Downtown Buildings Committee Recommendations
At a special meeting on Thursday night, the Planning and Transportation Commission voted on a group of zoning code amendments proposed by the Downtown Building Committee. There were two proposed ordinances reflecting the changes which were presented to the Commission. The first ordinance included changes to roof structure classifications, height limits and coverage limits, definitions for a penthouse and tower and a change to one of the findings for design review. The Commission voted 4-0 to recommend adoption of these code amendments to the City Council. The second ordinance includes a reduction in the height limit for the CD and CD/R3 zone districts from 45 to 30’ for commercial projects and 35’ for entirely residential projects. The Commission voted 4-0 to recommend that this amendment not be adopted and in making this recommendation noted that the Downtown Visioning effort would provide useful data that could be relied on to arrive at a height limit for these zone districts.
Economic Consultant Tour of Loyola Corners
BAE, the economic consultant selected to conduct the study for Loyola Corners as part of the Specific Plan Update met with City staff this week and took a walking tour of the Loyola Corners neighborhood. Valuable insight into the area including its mix of commercial and residential uses, circulation pattern, and challenges were gained during the tour. BAE will use the information collected during this tour and additional information provided by City staff to begin their analysis and develop recommendations that will help form the policies and programs of the Specific Plan Update.
New Single-Family Home Activity Remains High
September saw a record number of permits issued for the construction of new single-family dwellings with a total of ten permits issued during the month. The building inspection staff appreciates that it has a full complement of inspectors that will be able to handle the inspections that will be required for these homes, as well as the other projects throughout the City.
Police
Join Us for Pumpkin Carving with a Cop
Community members are invited to bring their pumpkins for an afternoon of fun with the Los Altos Police Department! Pumpkin Carving with a Cop will be held Saturday, October 29, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Los Altos Youth Center, 1 N San Antonio Road. Officers will be carving pumpkins alongside fellow jack o’ lantern enthusiasts during this free family-friendly event. We will also be available to answer questions and address concerns from community members. We ask that you bring your own pumpkins; we will provide carving tools and refreshments. Please RSVP at lapd-pumpkins.eventbrite.com.
Reminder: Personal Emergency Preparedness for 55+ Begins October 18
The City of Los Altos is pleased to offer a two-part Personal Emergency Preparedness course designed specifically for Los Altos residents age 55+. The first 48-hours following a disaster are the most critical and it’s important for residents to prepare to be self-sufficient until relief is available. This free course, taught by Santa Clara County Fire Department personnel, will cover essential emergency supplies to have on-hand, what to do when phones are out, when and how to turn off gas, water and power and basic fire safety including using a fire extinguisher. The two-part training series will be held Tuesday, October 18 & 25 from 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Hillview Community Center, Senior Program Room 10. For more information or to register, call (408) 378-4010 or email communityoutreach@sccfd.org.
Public Works
Preparing for the Storm
In anticipation of this year’s first significant storm expected to reach the Bay Area this evening, Friday, October 14, maintenance crews broke away from their routine tasks to prepare for the weather. Crews focused on inspecting and clearing known hot spots including drain inlets, ditches, trash racks and Adobe Creek.
Free Sandbag Station
The City of Los Altos provides a complimentary sandbag station to help residents protect property from flooding during the rainy season. The self-serve sandbag station is located in the parking lot of McKenzie Park, 707 Fremont Avenue. The station is accessible daily and will remain open through the end of the season. Bags, sand and shovels are provided. This resource is available to residents, and is not for commercial or contractor use and residents are responsible for the disposal of sandbags. For more information, call (650) 947-2785 or email maintenance@losaltosca.gov.
Annual Concrete Repair
This week, contractors working on this annual project to repair damaged sidewalks were working in the El Camino Real area. Demolition and replacement sidewalk work has been performed over the week. Work is expected to be complete in this area by the end of next week.
Plaza 3 Drive Aisle Improvements
Due to unacceptable work previously performed, the project contractor was required to re-grind, pave and stripe the drive aisle this week. Work was completed Thursday afternoon and re-opened for traffic. There will be some minimal work continuing into next week to complete punch list items, however traffic will not be impacted further.
Annual Street Improvement Projects
The Annual Street Improvement Project repairs and maintains pavement sections identified by the City’s Pavement Management Program. Treatment methods include resurfacing (placement of a new layer of asphalt) and cape seal (placement of emulsion with one layer of fine aggregate and capped with a layer of slurry seal). Both resurfacing and cape seal work have been completed. The striping contractor is expected to re-stripe the new street surface in a couple weeks. Additionally, the striping contractor will refresh downtown striping and curb painting, and improve striping layouts at the following locations:
- Loucks Avenue
- Santa Rita Avenue
- S. Clark Avenue
- Truman Avenue
- Intersection of Fremont & Fallen Leaf
- Intersection of El Monte & Springer
Santa Clara County Green Business Program
The City of Los Altos is host to 18 businesses which have been certified as incorporating green business practices. To be certified, participants must be in compliance with all environmental regulations and meet rigorous program standards for conserving resources, preventing pollution and minimizing waste. Over 600 businesses have been certified countywide and over 2,700 throughout the state. Benefits of becoming Green Business certified include money savings, increased profits and demonstrating community good will. For more information on how to get certified, visit sccgov.org.
Recreation & Community Services
Opening Night for Los Altos Youth Theatre
Los Altos Youth Theatre's presentation of Snow White and the Prince opens Saturday, October 15, 2016 at the Bus Barn Theater located adjacent to Hillview Community Center. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $20/adult and $15/youth and seniors. Youth who attend in a fairytale costume will receive a treat after the performance! For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.
