Message from the City Manager - Hillview Community Center and Park
July 7, 2015
Dear Los Altos Residents,
The City has spent the last several years working with the community to develop a plan to replace the Hillview Community Center for the benefit of Los Altos residents. Hillview Community Center and Park has been, and remains, a City Council priority. Acknowledging that a prior plan was not in line with our community’s expectations, the past year was spent re-engaging with residents. Numerous meetings, focus groups, charrettes and polls helped us to better assess the needs and desires of the community. The result is a significantly scaled back plan, which is sensible, financially prudent and directly benefits all members of our community – children, youth, families, seniors and adults.
The Plan
The proposed plan for Hillview Community Center and Park includes three project components:
- Replacing the existing 70-year old Hillview Community Center with a new multi-use facility for recreational, social and educational programs and services
- Building community pool facilities
- Improving Hillview Park, open space, and sports fields
This plan differs from past plans by focusing on facilities that are heavily used by our residents. The plan does not include relocating, rebuilding or expanding the police or administrative (City Hall) facilities, theatre, history museum or library.
Financing the Plan
A finance subcommittee was formed to carefully review the project cost estimates, bond financial analysis, and City finances in order to identify and recommend City funding that could be applied to help finance the project. The recommendation from City staff and the finance subcommittee is to finance the plan with a combination of existing City funds and funds secured through the approval of a general obligation bond.
Considering a Bond Measure
An education subcommittee was formed to assess the priorities of each of the three project components included in the plan, consider the merits of a single bond measure or multiple measures, and determine the feasibility of placing a bond measure on the ballot as early as November 2015. The subcommittee worked with an experienced consultant to develop recommendations. The City Council held two public study sessions to discuss a potential bond measure. The recommendation is for one measure on the November 2015 ballot that includes all three project components.
Next Steps
The deadline for placing a measure on the November 3, 2015 ballot is August 7, 2015. The following actions are scheduled to take place at the next two City Council meetings:
Tuesday, July 14, 2015 Consider adopting a “Resolution of Intention” to issue bonds
Tuesday, July 28, 2015 Consider adopting an ordinance calling for a bond election
If you have any questions about the City’s plans regarding Hillview Community Center and Park, please don’t hesitate to contact me at communitycenter@losaltosca.gov or (650) 947-2740. More details about this project can also be viewed online at www.losaltosca.gov/communitycenter.
