August 8-12, 2022

Week 32
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Management Staff attended a Cultural Reset w/Frank Benest

City Manager

Cultural Reset
Management Staff attended the second session of the Cultural Reset with Frank Benest. Talking about ways to we can improve service to the community and support for the City Council while creating a healthier staff culture.

Interns
On August 8^th Staff got to hear about all the exciting and helpful projects our three interns have been working on. They have helped in areas including social media/communications, drafting our financial policy, reviewing options for a cold EOC, a comprehensive review of our sewer system for blockages and maintenance, and much more. We are delighted and appreciative for their dedicated help and will be honoring them at the next council meeting.

Bag Check Day
On Tuesday, August 9^th, Ann Hepenstal, our contract Emergency Services Manager walked staff through our emergency preparedness bags and helped us identify ways we can better prepare for an emergency. The more prepared staff is for an emergency the better equipped they are to help the Town in the event of an EOC activation.

Santa Clara County Emergency Preparedness Fair
Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 10 and visit the County’s Emergency Preparedness Fair in San Martin from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.
The Emergency Preparedness Fair will bring County departments and partner organizations that provide direct emergency resources and services to one place and allow community members the opportunity to familiarize themselves with these organizations. By doing so, community members will know who to contact for emergency resources and services in the event of an emergency or disaster. The Emergency Preparedness Fair is also a great opportunity for community members to learn more about how to prepare for emergencies and disasters as well as the potential risks and hazards in Santa Clara County.

Get more information here:
https://emergencymanagement.sccgov.org/residents/2022-emergency-preparedness-fair

Wildfires!
Recent wildfires across California remind us that we need to be aware of wildfire risks here in Los Altos Hills.
Take a few moments now to strengthen your household’s preparedness and awareness:

Register for emergency notifications: www.alertscc.org
Make a family communications plan (if you have children, make sure that the know who you’ve listed for their emergency contacts with their schools)
Take steps to make your home more resistant to wildfire.
1. Learn ways to protect your home from wildfires in this video series from PG&E: Safety experts will show you how to create defensible space, fire-resistant landscaping, evacuation plans and more. Watch 7 Saturdays to a More Fire-Resistant Home.
2. Learn how to reduce wildfire risk and better prepare your home, your family, and your neighborhood: sign up for the “Ready, Set, Go” webinar with Santa Clara County Fire Department, August 25th, 6:30 – 8:00 pm. Register here.
3. Check on programs from Los Altos Hills County Fire District including brush chipping to reduce the amount of flammable yard waste on your property: www.lahcfd.org
Download the Watchduty app to receive real-time updates on wildfires in California
Download the App another great resource to get the latest information from dispatch

Emergency Operational Area Council (EOAC) meeting
The August 2022 Emergency Operational Area Council (EOAC) meeting is scheduled for August 25th from 1:30-3pm (location still TBD). These are public meetings of emergency managers from municipalities and special districts throughout the County. Topics range from planning upcoming events to emergency management tips and tricks.
Past Meeting Agendas, Agenda Packets and Minutes are available here: https://sccgov.iqm2.com/Citizens/Board/1394-Santa-Clara-County-Emergency-Operational-Area-Council

LAFCO Fire Service Review Meeting
This week Santa Clara LAFCO resumed their Technical Advisory Committee and held a meeting on the Countywide Fire Service Review. A replacement consultant has been chosen to pick up the work that has already been started, and an updated timeline in available on page 7 of the following link: CLICK HERE. Below is the latest schedule LAFCo has released relative to this important Fire Review. Stay tuned and informed.

LAFCO Fire Service Review Meeting

PG&E Service Reliability Report.
Click here to review the June service report from PG&E. Power was on 99.97% of the time in our County!

PG&E Service Reliability in Santa Clara County

Past Brown Act Meetings and Events
August 8: Public Art Committee - Cancelled
August 8: Special FIC Meeting 4:00 p.m.
August 9: COVID-19 Testing 9:30-4:00 p.m.
August 9: Site Development/Fast Track Public Hearing 10:00 a.m.
August 9: Environmental Design & Protection Committee 5:45 pm
August 9: Emergency Preparedness and Response Committee 6:00 p.m.
August 10: Open Space Committee - Cancelled
August 10: Technology Committee 5:00 p.m.

Upcoming Brown Act Meetings and Events
August13-14: Los Altos Rotary Fine Arts in the Park
August 15: Parks and Recreation Committee 5:30 p.m.
August 16: History Committee 3:30 p.m.
August 16: Coffee with the Sheriff 2:00 p.m.
August 16: Site Development/Fast Track Public Hearing 10:00 a.m.
August 18: City Council Meeting 6:00 p.m.
August 19: City Council Special Meeting 10:00 a.m.
August 20: Brush and Yard Trimming Clean Up 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
August 20: Adult Softball Game 1:00 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

Past Non-Brown Act Ad Hoc Meetings

Broadband Ad Hoc Committee – Monday, August 8^th
This week the Broadband Ad Hoc Committee met with representatives from AT&T to discuss ways in which AT&T might help the Town complete its Broadband Feasibility Study with Government Technology Group. Additional meetings with AT&T were planned for the upcoming weeks.

Legacy Giving Ad Hoc Committee – Tuesday, August 9^th
The Legacy Giving Ad Hoc Committee met this week to discuss the next steps in setting up a donation fund for Los Altos Hills. The group decided that they would like to hear the findings of the community facility needs assessment, being presented at the August 18^th City Council meeting next week, before moving to the next steps in the fund planning process. Additional meetings will be scheduled soon.

Upcoming Non-Brown Act Ad Hoc Meetings

Victoria Dye Equestrian Contract Ad Hoc Committee - Monday, August 15th
Overview of financials.

Ad Hoc Newsletter Committee Meeting-Wednesday, August 17th
Discussion regarding next steps with Duffy Price and Maddie Chang from the Community Relations Committee.

GreenWaste Ad Hoc Committee Meeting – Monday, August 22^nd
Meeting to discuss potential service changes to the Town’s solid waste franchise agreement with GreenWaste

Regional Updates

2023 Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury Annual Recruitment

The Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara is now accepting applications for service on the 2023 Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury. To be considered please visit the Santa Clara County Court's website and complete the application. The deadline to apply is September 16, 2022.

Los Altos Rotary Fine Art in the Park
Los Altos Rotary’s “Fine Art in the Park” will be taking place next weekend August 13-14, 2022 in Lincoln Park, 199 University Ave., Los Altos. Over 150 juried artists will display and sell quality paintings, sculptures, textiles, wood and glass work and jewelry and more! You can meet and talk to the artists! See all the details at rotaryartshow.com
This event, under the beautiful redwoods of Lincoln Park, also features all-day entertainment including jazz and rock music on the stage. You will find crepes, Chef Chu's chicken salad, delicious foods, ice cream, and fine wine and craft beer.

Planning and Building

Planning Permits*
Applied: 8
Approved: 3

Building Permits*
Applied: 24
Issued: 16

Inspections*
Building: 54

Code Enforcement Cases**
Open: 1
Closed: 0
*August 5-August 11, 2022
**August 5-August 10, 2022

Public Hearings on Development Projects

Site Development / Fast Track Public Hearing
On August 9, 2022, Staff held a public hearing to review the following two (2) agenda items:

26685 Purissima Road – File #SD22-0035 – Lands of Stemm and Hsia Trustee

Site Development Permit landscape screening of an approved new residence.
The project was approved with conditions.

27577 Samuel Lane – File #SD22-0021 – Lands of Spowhn

Site Development Permit for a new 680 sf swimming pool and spa, and 2-foot retaining wall.
The project was approved with conditions.

The video recording of the meeting can be accessed here: https://www.losaltoshills.ca.gov/506/Agendas-Minutes-and-Packets under the specific meeting date.

Housing Element
The State mandated Public Review Draft of the 6th Cycle Housing Plan 2023 – 2031 Housing Element (draft) for the Town of Los Altos Hills has been released for public review and comment. The Town invites community members, residents, and anyone with housing interests in the Town to review the draft and provide written comments to City staff by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 8th.

The Draft will be available for 30 calendar days from August 10 to September 8, 2022. The draft Housing Plan is available on Town's website, click here to view or download.
https://www.losaltoshills.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5553
In addition, physical copies are available for review at Town Hall located at 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022. Written comments may be submitted during the 30-day Public Comment Period via

Online Feedback Form (https://www.losaltoshills.ca.gov/564/Public-Review-Draft)
email your comments to housingelement@losaltoshills.ca.gov
Fill the Feedback Form in-person on August 22 and 29, between 5 pm and 7 pm at Town Hall located at 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022

Other updates:
Senior Planner, Elaine Ling attended Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Coordinators meeting on August 10, 2022, organized by the Santa Clara County. Multiple home loan programs for low-income/first-time home buyers were introduced, especially for purchasing multi-family units and townhomes.

On August 9, 2022, Planning Director, Sofia Mangalam along with Environmental Initiatives Subcommittee met representatives from Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) regarding potential Reach Codes amendments.

Public Works

Engineering
Page Mill Road Tree Survey
Consultant updated that report may take until end of August currently in discussion with consultant to receive an updated date.

CIP Projects

Matadero Creek Erosion
One July 19, 2022, the Town sent a letter to signed by Mayor Tyson, to the Water Board to request they expedite the review and approval of our permit. The Water Board responded on August 10, 2022. The town is happy to report that in this latest attempt to coordinate a response from the Water Board we feel we may have made progress. Their response to the Mayor was the water board is, “confident that a permit can be issued in a timely manner because on July 15, 2022. The next steps is staff are preparing a mitigation and monitoring plan for a proposed riparian enhancement project at Moody Creek. Once complete, we will submit for review and approval by the Water Board.

2022 Pavement Rehabilitation and Drainage Improvement Project
Staff received five bids on July 27, 2022. Staff will bring the project to City Council and recommend awarding a contract to the responsible low bidder on August 18 regular meeting.

Phase One Town Hall Addition
Waiting for final Change order documentation to process final invoice and to close the project. This will be on the Council agenda in September to close the project.

Corp Yard Site Improvements
Staff reached out to three contractors and received two bids. The low bidder was selected and notified. A recommendation to award the contract for this project will be on the agenda of the August 18 council meeting. Since the contract amount for this project is below $200,000 and the procurement process for a construction contract is based on the Town Bidding procedure 2-4.04 (section b-1) and Public Contract Code section 22032.
EVSE Town Hall – Construction for the underground scope for the EV charger scope is complete on August 8. The work scope includes the concrete bases for three additional

EV chargers.
Construction for the underground scope for the EV charger scope was complete on August 8. The work scope includes the concrete bases for three additional chargers Staff has issued a work order for an electrical contractor to redirect the power feed for the Parks & Rec building from the current PG&E overhead line to the Town Hall’s electrical room. After the cutover, the utility bill for the Parks & Rec building will be reduced by at least 53%.Staff will present the “Resolution Approving the Designation of System Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) Credits to PowerFlex” at the council meeting in August. . If approved look for four (4) new charging ports at Town Hall for public use.

Prop 68 contract award and schedule
Contract awarded on May 25, Engineering has drafted a response to address individual comments provided in the second review and provided design changes as required. We expect construction to start before the end of the year.

Adobe Creek Sanitary Sewer Study
To address capacity deficiencies of public sewer mains on Adobe Lane identified in the Wastewater Collection System Master Plan, Final Report, prepared by Woodard & Curran in March 2018, and Basis of Design Report prepared by Freyer & Laureta, Inc. on March 5, 2021, Engineering has developed a conceptual improvement plan to alleviate capacity deficiencies identified in the Woodard & Curran report by constructing a new 10-inch sewer main on Moody Road, from Chaparral Way to Altamont Road. The improvement will divert some sewage flow away from the existing sewer network to the new sewer main. This will eliminate capacity bottlenecks on Adobe Lane. Staff has reached out to surveying firms soliciting their service to collect survey points and develop topographic survey on Moody Road. Engineering plans to prepare design and develop construction drawings for the sewer main extension on Moody Road in house.

Sewer root foaming 2022
Staff completed a comprehensive review of sewer maintenance reports for the past four years and identified 46,525 linear feet of sewer mains for root foaming this year. Root foaming will stunt the growth of protruding roots at sewer joints and reduce the risk of sanitary sewer overflows. Root foaming will be performed in two stages. On 7/22/22, staff finalized and submitted a list of sewer mains, (23,729 LF) identified for root forming. Staff has identified additional 22,796 LF of sewer mains for root foaming. The list will be finalized and provided to West Bay within the next few weeks.

Purissima Lift Station
As of 7/28/22. both sewage pumps in the wet well at the Purissima Lift Station have been upgraded. The upgrade includes installing a brand-new pump and a rebuilt pump. The Town now owns three sewage pumps for the wet well. The third pump will be rebuilt and kept in the Corp Yard as a spare. In an event a sewage pump fails, the spare pump will be used to replace the failed pump and keep the lift station operational.

Purissima Park and Westwind Community Barn Water Wells
Staff reached out to four firms requesting their professional service to prepare a geology report that depicts water table levels and underground conditions at these two locations. Findings from this report will be used to develop an improvement plan to replace the existing water well at the Westwind Community Barn and drill a new water well at the Purissima Park.

Encroachment Permits: 5

Maintenance

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

Routine Maintenance

Hot Crack Fill for Annual resurfacing project in conjunction with the engineering department: Roughly 3.5 centerline miles completed this week
Small limb down on Magdalena Rd and Stonebrook Rd.
Replace damaged sign on Page Mill Rd.
Pathways Maintenance
Equipment Maintenance
Built new path posts
Purissima Park: mowing, field dragging, arena dragging, and trash pickup.

Pathways Maintenance

Equipment Maintenance

Pathways Maintenance

Interns: Serena, Noah, and Natalie

Finance, Human Resources, IT Services

Intern Project Presentations

As part of the Regional Intern Program the Town of Los Altos Hills had three interns throughout the summer working in the following departments: Engineering, Community Services, City Manager's Office and Administrative Services Department. This week the interns presented to the management team their projects.

Accounts Payable/Budget/Payroll/Receivables

Processed 3 invoices totaling the amount of 100,083.
Accounts Receivable in the amount of $74,859.
Processed 37 payroll checks totaling $97,569.

Human Resources

Open Recruitment:
Maintenance Seasonal Help in Public Works. Recruitment open until filled.
Building Inspector - Recruitment open until filled.
Accounting Technician - Recruitment open until filled.

Maintenance Worker I is scheduled to start 8/22/22.
Made an offer to a candidate for Assistant Engineer.

IT Services
Jonathan Reichental presented his IT Strategic Plan to the Tech Committee this week and will be presenting the draft IT Strategic Plan to the City Council in September. This week, the draft report was presented to the Technology Committee.

Committees
An overview of the license and permit fees were presented to the FIC by Dan Eds.

Happy Birthday Chris!

Community Services

Happy Birthday Chris!
Staff celebrated August birthdays and it just so happens that Chis is our only birthday in August.

California Parks and Recreation Webinar
This week, staff participated in California Parks and Recreation Society’s webinar.

Morgan Manor Tour Planning Meeting
Staff met with a subcommittee from the History Committee to discuss options for the Morgan Manor Tour for May 2023. We plan to meet with the owner in September.

Review WWB Finances
Staff met with FIC members of the Victoria Dye Equestrian Contract Ad Hoc Committee to prep for the meeting scheduled with the full Ad Hoc Committee on Monday, August 15.

Upcoming Events/Activities:

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.

Past Events/Activities:

Pam’s Yoga-Fitness

Pam’s Summer session concluded on Wednesday, and the Summer-Fall Session will begin 8/17. Students interested in joining can visit losaltoshills.ca.gov/register to learn more and register.

Movie Night at the Park

About 100 people attended Disney's Raya Movie Night at Purissima Park on Friday, August 5. Attendees were primarily LAH residents and members of the Los Altos Hills Youth Commission served their famed buttery popcorn and provided refreshments and glow in the dark SWAG. Instagram Reel available at: https://www.instagram.com/p/ChI3zcnjAzh/.

Movie Night at the Park

Python Ron at the Park

Participants met on Wednesday, August 10th at Purissima Park for Python Ron’s Reptile Safari. Participants were treated to up close encounters with amazing creatures, and of course the perfect photo opportunity. Check out Recreation’s Instagram Reels highlighting the experience: https://www.instagram.com/p/ChFuqckLETa/

Python Ron’s Reptile Safari Program at Purissima Park

Sheriff's Weekly Report

Visit the link to view the Sheriff's weekly report for August 1-7, 2022.
The Sheriff’s weekly report is always for the week prior to the City Manager’s report

ALPR Assists in Missing Persons Case:

On August 3, 2022, deputies received an ALPR hit on a license plate related to a previously reported missing person.

A deputy was able to locate the vehicle and contact the driver.
The driver, who was also the reported missing person, had already been deemed “located” and was no longer considered “missing”.
The deputy completed a welfare check of the subject and determined they were safe and no longer in need of assistance.
With this information, the deputy was able to remove this license plate information from the ALPR system as being related to a missing person.

The ALPR system continues to be used by the Sheriff’s Office for a wide variety of situations. This incident is a great example of the system serving as a platform to aid local citizens, not only in protecting them from potential criminal activity, but also when they need assistance.