June 13-17, 2022

Week 24
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Vegetation Fire reported at 26201 Elena Road

City Manager

Vegetation Fire reported at 26201 Elena Road

At 1808 Sunday the 12^th, a vegetation fire was reported at 26201 Elena Road. A second alarm structure fire response brought two Battalion Chiefs, 4 Type 1 Engines (inclusive of R74) and two type 3 engines (wildland capable engines) for a total of 6 Engines and 2 Battalion Chiefs. There was minor smoke and heat damage to a deck, cinder block retaining wall and cyclone fence. No injuries or fatalities.

Town Community Surveys

The Town has now completed two surveys. To review results or register to take the Next Town Survey visit here.

Community Facilities Needs Assessment

An opportunity to provide individual input on Community Facilities Needs Assessment on both indoor and outdoor space needs can be done on this form . A final report will be presented to the City Council on August 18th.

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

Staff continues to work with the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) on a grant submission to FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). The Town’s proposal for a home hardening and roof replacement program has advance to a higher round of reviews and will soon be sent off to FEMA for a final determination.

Neighborhood Watch Program

In the past few weeks staff has assisted three Neighborhood Watch Groups hold an orientation with the Sheriff’s Office, install Neighborhood Watch Street signs, and foster interest in new neighborhoods around Town. Staff would like to remind the community that active neighborhood watch groups have an annual requirement to hold at least one meeting a year to maintain good neighborly connections with one another.

International Shipment of Recycles Forum

This week staff attended a regional webinar discussion on the international shipment of recycles. The cities of San Jose and Palo Alto are exploring how to best address recyclables that are being sent to international markets that may not constitute recycling and may be polluting the environment, creating human health issues and/or social welfare issues. Attendees included waste haulers, processors, and brokers in addition to fellow government colleagues.

Art Sculpture at Town Hall

Staff has been working with the architect and sculpture artist to assemble the building plan set for the sculpture that will be installed in the roundabout of the Town Hall parking lot. Turnaround time for building plan review is estimated at 30 days.

Emergency Operations
In the past couple weeks, staff has been holding meeting with the Town’s new consultant Emergency Manager to discuss how to best prepare the Town for the upcoming fire season, as well as any other emergency response situations that would need the involvement of staff and the community. Currently, staff is completing their FEMA training on their respective functions within the EOC so that a Town Hall wide tabletop exercise can be successfully held.

Past Brown Act Meetings and Events
June 13: Finance and Investment Committee 4:00 p.m.
June 13: Public Art Committee 5:00 p.m.
June 14: COVID Testing 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 113 Tested
June 14: Environmental Design and Protection Committee 5:45 p.m.
June 15: Technology Committee 5:00 p.m.
June 16: City Council Meeting 6:00 p.m. Recap

Upcoming Brown Act Meetings and Events
June 18: Monthly Brush and Yard Trimming Drop Off 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
June 20: City Council/Planning Commission Special Meeting Housing Element 5:00 p.m.
June 20: Parks and Recreation Committee 5:30 p.m.
June 21: Coffee with the Sheriff 2-3 p.m.
June 21: History Committee 3:30 p.m.
June 23: Environmental Initiatives Committee 6:30 p.m.
June 24: Art Walk and Talk Tour of the Exhibit by Pat Ley 2-4 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

Non-Brown Act Ad Hoc Meetings

There were no Council Ad Hoc Meetings this past week.

June 22: GreenWaste Ad Hoc Committee Meeting
Discuss potential changes to the Franchise Agreement.

Homeowner's Guide to Wildfires, Pick up yours at Town Hall

Regional Updates

Wildfire Season

We are also heading into wildfire season. Please regularly check the Santa Clara County Fire Department or Cal Fire Facebook pages for wildfire safety and preparedness information. Don't forget to also sign up for AlertSCC and the Town's Nixle notification system.

Homeowners Guide to Wildfires
The Town received 200 copies of the homeowner's guide to Wildfire Prevention by Santa Clara County Fire Department. Visit Town Hall during normal business hours to pick up your free copy while supplies last.

PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS)

Extreme heat and weather may require a PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff to help prevent a wildfire. PG&E customers can prepare now for PSPS event by updating their contact information, sign up for alerts, make a plan and build an emergency supply kit. To learn more about a PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff, please click here.

Planning and Building

Planning Permits*
Applied: 5
Approved: 2

Building Permits*
Applied: 4
Issued: 10

Inspections*
Building: 31

Code Enforcement Cases*
Open: 2
Closed: 2
*June 10-June 16, 2022

Public Hearings on Development Projects

Site Development / Fast Track Public Hearing

On June 14, 2022, planning staff held a public hearing to review the following two (2) items:

24005 Oak Knoll Circle– File #SD22-0016 – Lands of Davila

Site Development Permit for landscape screening and fencing for an approved new residence. The project was approved.

12815 Deer Creek Lane – File #PM22-0002 – Lands of Sattar and Imam

Site Development Permit Modification to modify a previously approved residence and construct a 6,469 square foot, two-story residence with an attached 433 square foot garage and an attached 1,090 square foot ADU. The project was approved.

Planning Commission Public Hearing

On June 15, 2022, Planning Commission held a special meeting to review the following items:

Study Session to consider text amendments to the Zoning Ordinance (Title 10, Chapter 1) of the Municipal Code;
Study Session to consider an update to the Outdoor Lighting Policy to include regulations for outdoor lighting at construction sites in Town;
Housing Element – Goals, policies, and implementation programs;
Received a presentation form staff and provided input on “indoor and outdoor spaces needed” in the Town.

City Council Public Hearing
On June 16, 2022, the City Council held a public hearing to review the following items:

12869 La Cresta Drive - File #SD21-0079

Appeal of the Planning Commission Imposed Conditions of Approval for a Site Development Permit for Landscape Screening. City Council granted the appeal with modified conditions of approval and directed staff to work on the fence ordinance.

Westwind Community Barn – Ordinance 601 designating the barn as a historical landmark was adopted. Also, the Council directed staff to add State Historic Landmark Designation for Westwind Community Barn as a 2023 City Council priority.

Ongoing Projects Status

Housing Element Update

Staff will be presenting sites inventory at the Joint Special City Council and Planning Commission on June 20, 2022, at 5 pm. The meeting details are as follows:

https://bit.ly/HousingElementMeeting

Webinar ID: 822 3912 0136

Passcode: 250311

East Sunset Widening

Public Works

CIP Projects

East Sunset Drive roadway widening

Contractor constructed all 43 soldier pile piers. They will start installing concrete laggings retaining wall on the week of June 20th. Staff anticipate the project complete in middle of July.

2022 Pavement Rehabilitation and Drainage Improvement Project

The construction contract for this project will be advertised on the Los Altos Crier on July 6 and July 13, 2022. Bid opening on July 27, 2022, at 2 PM. Staff will also notify the Builders Exchange and paving contractors of the upcoming bid.

Engineering and Traffic Study (E&TS) Speed Limit Report

Hexagon Transportation Consultants, Inc. completed Engineering and Traffic Study Speed Limit Report. The report includes 30 collector road sections with recommended posted speed limit.

EVSE Town Hall

Building permit has been approved. Getting new quotes from vendors for the correct quantity of chargers.

Prop 68 contract award and schedule

Contract awarded on May 25, building permit has been submitted and under review. Expect construction to start in September. Submitted request to PG&E to upgrade the electrical service panel, lead time for a new electrical panel is 120 days.

Matadero Creek Repairs

Awaiting response from the water board to our letter from 5/19/22.

Adobe Creek

No change

West Bay Contract

New five-year contract approved by City Council on May 25, the new contract starts on 1 July 2022.

Sewer CIP 2022

Continue work to prepare the contract package including contract drawings and specs.

Pathways Projects

Robleda / La Paloma trail
95% complete, Maintenance crew working on the weekend to clean up the path and to brush, weed the section on the La Paloma side.

Summer Hill Pathway
Town has received 3 qualified proposals and is currently selecting a designer. Design is anticipated to start by July with the final Issue for Bid plans due in October.

Encroachment Permits Issued: 0

Private Pathways Projects
La Cresta Sewer Main Extension
Has been approved.

Camino Hermoso Sewer Main Extension
Comments have been released.

Maintenance

After hours or weekend callouts: 0
Fallen trees/major limbs down: 0

Crew continues the work building the new Robleda La Paloma pathway while keeping up with the regular day to day work.

Routine Maintenance

Install four neighborhood watch sigs along Fremont Rd.
Performed irrigation repairs at Town Hall
Repaired the gate at the dog park
Provided support for the council meeting
Completed the weekly maintenance to Purissima park facilities and provided support to celebrate the wellness event at Town Hall.
Provided support for the celebration for the Wellness Closing Ceremonies.

Robleda / La Paloma Pathway

Jesus' Last Day

Finance, Human Resources, IT Services

Accounts Payable/Budget/Payroll/Receivables

Received $87,603 in cash receipts and/or electronic funds transfer (EFT).
Processed 4 invoices totaling $126,206.
A/R invoices 4 totaling $20,556.
There were 37 Payroll Checks issued totaling $101,705.

Human Resources

Open Recruitment:
Maintenance Seasonal Help in Public Works. Recruitment open until filled.
Building Inspector in Planning. Recruitment open until filled.
Associate or Senior Planner in Planning. First round of interviews is scheduled for the week of June 20.
Accounting Technician in Administrative Services Department. Second round of interviews is scheduled for the week of June 20.

IT Services

Jonathan Reichental is meeting with the stakeholders to review the Design phase of the Strategic Plan and will present to the City Council the final report in August.

The City of Redwood City will conclude their contract by the end of June. Staff took long-time IT provider Jesus Reyna from City of Redwood City to lunch for his last day. Jesus has done so much for the Town, especially during COVID. He truly will be missed.

Committees
The FIC held a special committee meeting on Monday, June 13. Sarah Robustelli presented the Community Facilities Needs Assessment and provided a motion that the Town has adequate indoor space for their meetings and would like to reassess this after COVID has settled. The staff arranged for Dan Edds, from Capital Accounting Partners to discuss what he will be doing for the Building Fee Study. Once the study is completed, he will return to the FIC with a report of findings. Staff presented comments from Allan Epstein and Roddy Sloss pertaining to the FY23 Proposed Budget. Staff would like the FIC committee to contribute comments as a committee rather than individuals.

The Technology committee met on Wednesday, June 15. The committee reviewed the Design Phase of the Strategic Plan and presented the results to Jonathan Reichental. Girish Balachandran from Silicon Valley Clean Energy presented and Sasha Zbrozek and Andreas Bibl presented the micro-grids & power for information.

Team Building/Community Service Day at Hidden Villa

This week the Town of Los Altos Hills staff had to opportunity to participate in team building activity with Hidden Villa's Community Supported Agriculture team. We planted sweet potatoes and harvested garlic we planted in the Fall.

Team Building/Community Service Day at Hidden Villa

Summer Riding Camp

Community Services

Summer Activities and Events

Staff sent a mailer to our email distribution list. View the message and join the mailing list visit here.

Victoria Dye Equestrian
Staff met with VDE to review contract on Monday, June 13th. Staff has followed up with the representatives from FIC, Parks and Recreation, and Open Space Committees regarding next steps.

Community Pop-Up Frame
Take an iconic Los Altos Hills selfie or group photo! The Pop-Up Frame rotates to various locations across Town throughout the year and has just been installed at Purissima Park (27500 Purissima Road) behind center on field two. The frame has been decorated with summer emojis for the season! Share your photos here.

Past Events/Activities:

Victoria Dye Equestrian Summer Riding Camp

This week marked the second week of Summer Riding Camp at Westwind Community Barn. The roster was full with a total of 18 riders. See photo above!

Upcoming Events/Activities:

4th of July Parade

Monday, July 4th 9:30-11:00 am
Come join us for the eleventh annual Los Altos Hills 4th of July Parade. We will gather at Town Hall beginning at 9:30 am. Our red, white and blue march will start at 10:00 am. We will parade down Fremont Road and conclude at Gardner Bullis School where you can meet your friends and neighbors for a refreshing beverage and a juicy watermelon treat! Please, no fossil fueled vehicles or horses. For more information contact Sarah Robustelli at 650-947-2518.

Movie Night at the Park
Friday, August 5th 8:30-10:00 pm
Join your neighbors and friends for Movie Night at the Park. Spend a warm summer evening under the stars for Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon displayed on a giant outdoor movie screen. Volunteers from the Los Altos Hills Youth Commission will be serving guests their famed buttery popcorn and refreshments. RSVP is required: www.losaltoshills.ca.gov/MovieNight

Adult Softball Game
Saturday, August 20 1-3 pm
Root, root, root for the home team in the 4th Annual Softball Game. Must be 18 years or older to play. Game day snacks and refreshments will be available for purchase! Interested in playing? Visit Losaltoshills.ca.gov/softball for player application and more information.

Visit Purissima Park Pop-Up Frame

Sheriff's Weekly Report

Visit the link to view the Sheriff's weekly report for June 6-12.
The Sheriff’s weekly report is always for the week prior to the City Manager’s report

Preventing Telephone Scams

Do some research on the organization
Always be skeptical of the caller who wants something from you
Never make quick decisions on the telephone
Do not believe your caller ID
Do not pay upfront for a promise
Talk to someone before making any decisions
Hang up on robocalls
Do not give any personal information to the caller
Call 9-1-1 to report the fraud