May 9-13, 2022

Week 19
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Altamont Plunge Crosswalk and Pathway completed

City Manager

Altamont Plunge Crosswalk and Pathway Completed

Special thanks to the Maintenance Team and the Pathways Committee.

Public Safety Roundtable Talk with the Sheriff
Councilmember Tankha hosted her 4^th Neighborhood Public Safety Roundtable talks this week with the Santa Clara County Sheriff. The discussion centered on recent crime trends and how residents can best defend their property from residential burglaries. Recordings of the meetings, along with notes and a copy of the presentation can be found on the Town’s Crime Prevention Webpage.

Broadband Ad Hoc Committee
The Broadband Ad Hoc Committee met with two broadband consulting firms this week to discuss proposals that were submitted to the Town for a broadband master plan study. Staff will bring forward a contract with one of the firms at the May 25th City Council meeting.

GreenWaste Negotiations
This Town staff met with the GreenWaste Team this week to discuss a data and information request to bring back to the GreenWaste Ad Hoc Committee. The next meeting for the larger Ad Hoc Committee, which includes the residential representatives, is planned for the end of the month.

May City Council Meeting Rescheduled

The May 19, 2022 Regular City Council meeting has been cancelled. A Special City Council meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.

LAH participates in a Global Smart City Study
The Town of Los Altos Hills is part of a study being conducted by Thought Labs to analyze and compare the best practices, investment plans, digital strategies, and performance results of 200 worldwide cities striving to become more sustainable, resilient, and future ready. City Manager Pirnejad was interviewed this week to share thoughts, trends and perspectives on the changes affecting cities throughout the world

City Manager Office Hours

The City Manager has instituted new virtual office hours The fourth Friday of each month at 11 a.m. has been dedicated to hear from you. To join, please see the Town's online calendar.

Emergency Preparedness

Staff met with Ann Hepenstal, the Town's new Emergency Preparedness Manager, to discuss transitioning from Consultant Marsha Hovey. Come to the May 25th City Council meeting to meet Ann and hear about efforts the Town is taking to prepare for the next natural disaster.

Committee Vacancies

Get Involved, Meet Other Residents, and Join a Committee. There are openings on a number of Town Committees. To apply, please complete an application by June 9, 2022 at 5:00 pm. Appointments are scheduled for the June 16, 2022 Regular City Council meeting. Questions about the committees, please contact the City Clerk.

Held Meetings and Events

May 6: Special City Council Meeting - Closed Session - 4 p.m.
May 7: Pathways Run/Walk 9:00 a.m.
May 9: Special Finance & Investment Committee - 4:00 p.m.
May 9: Public Art Committee - 6:00 p.m.
May 10: Environmental Design & Protection Committee - 5:45 p.m.
May 11: Technology Committee - 5:00 p.m.
May 11: Open Space Committee - Cancelled
May 12: Planning Commission Special Meeting - 6:00 p.m.

Upcoming Meetings and Events
May 16: Parks and Recreation Committee - 5:30 p.m.
May 17: Coffee with the Sheriff - 2:00 p.m.
May 17: History Committee - 3:30 p.m.
May 17: Youth Commission - 7:00 p.m.
May 19: City Council - Cancelled
May 23: Cornhole Tournament - Noon - 3:00 p.m.

*Agendas will be posted a minimum of 72 hours in advance

For a complete list of and more information, visit www.losaltoshills.ca.gov/calendar

Regional Updates

Altamont Road evacuation route project

LAHCFD and FireSafe Council and a contractor crew (team) will start the Altamont Road evacuation route vegetation mitigation project on Monday, May 16.The Altamont Road evacuation route project is the same as the recent project on Moody/El Monte Rd. and the prior two phased project on Page Mill Road. These projects aim to clear dead brush, tree limbs for the sides of the road to enable evacuation for vehicles and ingress and egress for emergency responders. The project explanation can be found here.

Planning and Building

Planning Permits*
Applied: 4
Approved: 4

Building Permits*
Applied: 13
Issued: 9

Inspections*
Building: 46

Code Enforcement Cases*
Open: 3
Closed: 5
*May 6 - May 12, 2022

Public Hearings on Development Projects

Site Development / Fast Track Public Hearing

On May 10, 2022, planning staff held a public hearing to review the following items:

12023 Adobe Creek Lodge Road – File #LLA21-0001 – Lands of 12023 Adobe Creek Lodge LLC

Lot-Line Adjustment between Parcel A: 12023 Adobe Creek Lodge Road (1.258 acres), Parcel B: vacant lot APN 351-37-014 (1.265 acres) and, Parcel C: 26220 Moody Road (4.376 acres) to adjust property lines between parcel A and B, and Parcel B and C.The project was continued to a later date.

14221 Miranda Road. File #SD21-0011 – Lands of Irani

Site Development Permit for landscape screening and trellis for an approved new residence. The project was approved with conditions.

26875 Nina Place – File #SD21-0061 – Lands of Bowers.

Site Development Permit for a new 4,971 square-foot two-story residence with a 1,684 square-foot basement, a detached 782 square-foot accessory dwelling unit (ADU), and a 560 square-foot swimming pool. The project was approved with conditions.

The video recording of the meeting can be accessed here: https://www.losaltoshills.ca.gov/501/Public-Meeting-Resources under the meeting date.

Planning Commission Public Hearing

On May 12, 2022, Planning Commission, at its Regular meeting held a public hearing to discuss the following three (3) items:

25560 Fernhill Drive – File #SD21-0050 & VAR21-0005 – Lands of Hollenbeck

Site Development Permit for a new 800 square-foot pool; Variance request to allow the proposed pool to encroach 15 feet into a required 30-foot side setback as measured from a driveway easement. The project was approved with conditions.

12869 La Cresta Drive – File #SD21-0079 – Lands of Sutardja

Site Development Permit for landscape screening, fencing, driveway gate and new outdoor kitchen for an approved new residence. The project was approved with conditions.

25240 Cantata Way – File #SD21-0104 – Lands of Deco Homes LLC Site

Development Permit for a new 7,551 square-foot, two-story residence with attached garage, swimming pool and spa, and 1,114 square-foot detached ADU with a firetruck turnaround and private road improvements to create a conforming emergency access roadway with a 20-foot width. The project was approved with conditions.

Ongoing Projects Status

Housing Element Update

Planning Director attended Santa Clara County Collaborative Monthly Meeting. The discussion items included: language for policies and programs for Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing, Electrification, etc., for the Housing Element document. Baird + Driskell Community Planning, presented PBot (Housing Policy Bot) beta version, a software to help with potential policies and programs for the Housing Element.

Public Works

Engineering

Robleda-La Paloma pathway: Updated design drawings, and Mitigation Monitoring or Reporting,

CIP Projects

East Sunset Dr roadway widening: Contractor started work on May 9, 2022. Work includes installing construction signs, soil erosion and sedimentation control measures, and construction staking.
2022 Pavement Rehab Project: Staff had completed plans, specifications, and bid documents. Staff will request city council to authorize for advertisement on May 25 meeting.
Traffic Speed Survey: Town traffic engineering consultant performing this work at various roads in Town.
Town Road Work: The permanent repairs for Town roads on work performed by Purissima Water District scheduled for 5/31 to 6/2, with striping in middle of June.
Saddle Court: Complete breakdown of up-to-date costs and future costs
Summerhill Pathway: Preparing RFP for Design Services package
Altamont Plunge Pathway: This project provides a link between the existing pathway on the top of the slope and an existing path across the street on Altamont Road. Construction for the switchback transition with wooden retaining walls and handrails was completed last Friday. Installations of a pedestrian crosswalk, pavement markings and street signs were completed on Wednesday, 5/11/22. This project is compete and is open for public use.
Town Hall Addition - Phase 1: Coordinate with contractor to complete final punchlist item regarding lighting schedule.
Gardner Bullis School Crosswalk Signage/Flashing beacons Upgrade: A new set of street signs and flashing beacons were installed in front of Gardner Bullis School on Fremont Road, replacing the old street signs and flashing lights. The intent of this project is to improve safety for parents and students using the crosswalk. The flashing beacons are activated to warn oncoming traffic when pedestrians are present at the crosswalk.
Town Hall Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations: The underground scope to install conduits and pull boxes for new EV charging stations at the Town Hall is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, 5/18/2022. The estimated duration is two weeks.
Prop 68, Improvements to the Concession Stand Construction Project: Four bids were received on last Thursday, May 5, at 2 PM. The bid amounts vary from $213,870 to $387,000. The review panel reviewed all bids and bid protests. The low bid was deemed non-responsive and was rejected. MTW Builders, Inc. from Burlingame was the lowest responsible bidder. The construction contract for MTW Builders will be on the agenda for City Council’s approval on May 25.

Tree Removals

10545 West Loyola Drive, an oak tree poses a hazard and should be removed.
10701 Blandor Way, a dead pine tree must be removed.
13800 Robleda Road, a dead pine tree must be removed.

Encroachment Permits: 7 (non-sewer) 1 sewer issued this period

Maintenance
Completed Altamont Plunge Pathway Construction. Continued with right of way and pathways maintenance. This week the crew completed mowing tall grass along Arastradero Rd, raised low trees and brush on Altamont Rd. Saddle Ct. pathway mowed and repaired pathway and Fence on Moody Rd. And completed ongoing maintenance at Purissima park facilities.

Altamont Plunge

Moody Fence Repair

Altamont Plunge Crosswalk and Pathway completed

Finance, Human Resources, IT Services

Accounts Payable/Budget/Payroll/Receivables

Received $140,734 in cash receipts and/or electronic funds transfer (EFT).

Staff continues to work on the FY22-23 Budget and presented a DRAFT to the Finance and Investment Committee (FIC). The Joint City Council/FIC Budget meeting will be held on Thursday, May 26 at 4 pm.

Human Resources

Maintenance Seasonal Help in Public Works. Recruitment closes May 27, 2022.
Building Inspector in Planning. Recruitment closes June 10, 2022.
Associate or Senior Planner in Planning. Recruitment closes June 10, 2022
Accounting Technician in ASD. Recruitment opens until filled.

The Regional Internship Summer 2022 Program interviews took place this week. The Town hopes to onboard 5 interns this summer in the City Manager’s Office, Admin Services Dept., Public Works Dept., Planning Dept., and Community Services Dept. This program will tentatively start in June.

IT Three Year Strategic Plan

Dr. Jonathan Reichental met with the Technology Committee to receive feedback for the discovery phase for the strategic plan. That completes the Discovery Phase of stakeholder interviews. The next step is for Dr. Reichental to provide staff with the draft Discovery Phase report in the next few weeks.

Community Services

Facility Needs Assessment and Community Engagement

This project is one of the City Council's priorities for this year, and the project team is working to collect input from across the community. Below are upcoming ways to participate. MIG, Inc. were hired to prepare a Facility Needs Assessment grounded in rich and broad-reaching community engagement

Two Virtual Community Conversations are scheduled about indoor and outdoor space needs. Save the dates for Tuesday, May 31 from 6-7 pm and Wednesday, July 20 from 7-8 pm. A town-wide mailer was approved this week and will be sent to each resident. The Town also placed an ad in next week's Town Crier to advertise the events.
Committee/Commission Agendas: Town staff requested 20 minutes spots in every committee meeting agenda in May or June to gather citizen thoughts on the indoor and outdoor spaces needs in Los Altos Hills.
MIG, in concert with the Town, has reaching out to a broad spectrum of community thought leaders to explore the Towns existing indoor and outdoor spaces and options and possibilities for the future.
This week MIG wrapped up management staff interviews on current and future staff space needs.
We're not done with Town Surveys so be sure to not miss an opportunity to have your voice heard. The next Town Survey will be coming up soon. Sign up and view past survey results here.

Upcoming Events/Activities

Cornhole Tournament - Sunday, May 22 Noon-3 pm
Hosted by the Parks and Recreation Committee. Register to play here.

Senior Walks are Back
Join staff Thursday, May 26th at 9:00am at Town Hall (last Thursday of each month). Each walk is roughly 2 miles and begins at Town Hall, designed for "Seniors." Questions, contract, Chris at 650-927-2506.

Town Picnic - Sunday, June 5 12:30-4:00 pm
All residents received the mailer this week, see image below. Registration is open to Los Altos Hills residents only and can be done here.

Past Events/Activities

Be Ready: Be Prepared
The Town partnered this week with Santa Clara County Fire Department’s to hold a workshop on Thursday, May 12th in the Council Chambers. Follow Santa Clara County Fire Department on Eventbrite to stay informed about upcoming safety classes and community events: http://sccfd.eventbrite.com

Senior Recourse: The MIND Diet
Check out the latest virtual workshop added to the Town of Los Altos Hills Senior/Adult Programming Resources: https://vimeo.com/706296950. The MIND Diet shares the best foods for brain health and wellness. Originally presented Wednesday, May 4, 2022 by Healthy Communities Santa Clara County in partnership with Parks and Recreation.

Pathways Run/Walk took place on Saturday, May 7 at Byrne Preserve with 514 registrations. This was one of our largest run/walks to-date. Below find photos of the event and a highlight video!

Pathways Run/Walk Highlight Video

Be Ready Workshop

Town Picnic Mailer

Senior Resource: The MIND Diet

Sheriff's Weekly Report

Visit the link to view the Sheriff's weekly report for May 2-8, 2022.
The Sheriff’s weekly report is always for the week prior to the City Manager’s report

Detective Case Update:

In January of this year, a local resident reported mail was taken from their mailbox, which contained various personal identifying information. The suspects used this information to open multiple bank accounts, cell phone accounts, and purchase two vehicles in the victim’s name. Through investigation, deputies were able to identify three suspects out of Sacramento County, with ties to the Bay Area. Earlier this month, the District Attorney’s Office issued arrest warrants for all three suspects on identify theft, fraud, and forgery charges in relation to this case.