November 7-10, 2022

Week 45
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City Manager

Public Art Dedication and Ribbon Cutting at Town Hall

Public Art Dedication and Ribbon Cutting

The new public art dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting was held on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at 5:00 pm at Town Hall. It was well attended and we want to thank all the volunteers and donor who made it possible.

The Dedication was perfect! I was delighted with the turnout, the sculpture itself, and the reception! BIG THANKS for all you did to make it perfect!

- Resident and Financial Donor for the Art Karen Druker

Town Hall Renovations

Please excuse the Dust and Public Counter Hour Disruptions while we renovate Town Hall. Staff has temporarily move into the Council Chambers now through the week of December 5, 2022. Some staff will be working from home during this time period, but will be available be phone and email. Please save the date of January 4, 2023 for the grand reopening of Town Hall.

Past Brown Act Meetings:
November 7: Senior Commission Meeting 3:30 pm
November 7: Finance and Investment Committee Meeting - 4:00 pm
November 8: Environmental Design & Protection Committee - 5:45 pm
November 9: Open Space Committee Meeting - Cancelled
November 9: Technology Committee Meeting - Cancelled
November 9: Dedication of the New Public Art Sculpture - 5:00 pm
November 10: SOD Blitz Survey Results Webinar - 6:00 pm
November 11: Veterans Day Holiday - Town Hall Closed
November 11: Veterans Day Celebration 2-4 pm

Upcoming Brown Act Meetings and Events
November 14: Public Art Committee Regular Meeting - Cancelled
November 15: History Committee Special Meeting - 1:15 pm
November 15: History Committee Regular Meeting - 3:00 pm
November 16: Technology Committee Special Meeting - 5:00 pm
November 17: Senior Friendly Pathway Walks - 10:00 am
November 17: City Council Regular Meeting (Virtual Only) - 6:00 pm

Regional Updates

County of Santa Clara

The County of Santa Clara is updating its Safety Element. What is a Safety Element? The Safety Element is a mandatory element of the General Plan that primarily addresses the various natural and human-caused hazards affecting the unincorporated areas in Santa Clara County. This includes, but is not limited to, seismic and geologic hazards (earthquakes, landslides, liquefaction), flooding (including dam failure), wildland and urban fires (including evacuation assessments), hazardous materials, emergency management, and climate adaptation. There is a stakeholder meeting scheduled for tonight (November 10th) at 6:00 pm. To join, please click here.

Cal Water

As part of Cal Water’s commitment to our communities and desire to institute water-wise behavior at an early age, they just launched their ninth annual Cal Water H20 Challenge, a project-based learning program to engage students in local water issues in your community. The Classroom Challenge invites fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade classrooms to develop and implement solutions for local water issues. The Individual Challenge is an art competition for K-12 students. The Grants Program, a year-round opportunity, offers $100 grants to teachers proposing unique classroom water projects that fit into their curriculum.

Flu Shot

The Public Health Department recommends the following steps to protect against flu:

Get a flu vaccine
Wear a mask in indoor public places, or when you are crowded close to other people
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your elbow when you cough or sneeze
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub
Try to avoid close contact with sick people
If you are sick, stay home from work or school
If you are sick, monitor your symptoms and contact your medical provider if your symptoms are getting worse
If you are seriously ill and at risk for complications from the flu, contact your medical provider because you may need additional treatment or hospital care

Shots are free to patients while supplies last at County pharmacies, and available via insurance reimbursement or out-of-pocket payment at retail pharmacies and other medical facilities. Immigration or insurance status does not affect vaccine eligibility.

Planning and Building

Planning Permits*
Applied: 4
Approved: 2

Building Permits*
Applied: 7
Issued: 7

Inspections*
Building: 48

Code Enforcement Cases*
Open: 0
Closed:1
*November 4-9, 2022

Site Development Public Hearing

On November 1, 2022, planning staff held a public hearing to review the following item:

26724 Palo Hills Drive – File #SD22-0046 – Lands of Wen

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

Other Updates

Don’t miss out on filling the sign-up form for Home Electrification Assessments. We have a limited number of home assessments, please sign up here.

Sign-up form is now live and close as soon we reach the limit of home assessments. If we have more residents, then we will create a waiting list.

Public Works

Grading Moratorium
Grading Moratorium in effect from Oct. 1, 2022, to April 30, 2023. Construction inspections throughout the Town in effect throughout the Town for ongoing construction projects.

CIP Projects

Town Hall Renovation
Makeshift workstations are now setup in the Chambers will be used as a temporary workspace for staff during the Town Hall’s renovation. We expect to be back in Town Hall the week of December 5^th.
Prop 68 Contract Award & Schedule Concession Stand Building at Purissima Park
This project is on schedule. The contractor has replaced the existing roof shingles with new roof shingles. The contractor has also replaced rotted rafters with new rafters.

Town Hall Parking Lot CCTV Camera
Due to the rain on 11/8, the contractor has rescheduled the installation of a new pole and CCTV cameras to the following week.

Adobe Creek Sanitary Sewer Study
Staff received an update from Freyer & Laureta that they were finalizing a survey crew to collect additional survey data for existing manholes on Moody Road and Altamont Road.

Pathway Projects

Briones Way Pathway
Town sent notices to homeowners for construction of the Briones Way Pathway, beginning in mid-November.

Edgerton Path
Staff has value engineered the design for the pathway and is currently under internal review. The tentative schedule is to request the council’s approval to advertise the construction project in December, advertise the project in January, open bids in February, award a contract in March, and begin construction in April or May.

La Paloma Road Pathway

Town sent notices to homeowners for construction of La Paloma Rd. Pathway, beginning between late October and mid-November.

Saddle Court Pathway
Grant of Pathway (Trail) easement document is complete. Staff has two resolutions for the November 17, 2022 City Council meeting. 1) Vacating of existing Trail Easement; 2) Accepting new Pathway (Trail) easement.

Page Mill Road Crosswalk at Foothills Park
Staff has received topographic survey points of Page Mill Road from the surveyor. This will allow the staff to design a pathway across Page Mill Road with ADA compliant ramps.

Permits Issued:

Encroachment Permits: 0
Sewer Permits Issued: 0

Maintenance:

After hours or weekend callouts: 1
Fallen trees/major limbs down: 2

PW Maintenance Crew

Maintenance staff finished an online seminar covering green and regenerative landscaping principles
Storm drain and ditch clearing throughout town
Downed trees removed
Responding to minor flooding throughout town
Installed new and replaced on warning marker signs on Sunhills Dr.
Assisted staff at Town Hall and moved items to storage to prep for renovations.
Purissima Park mowed and clean up

Demolition contractor started at Town Hall

Responding to minor flooding throughout town

Downed trees cleared

Finance, Human Resources, IT Services

Accounts Payable/Budget/Payroll/Receivables

Issued 100 Accounts Payable checks in the amount of 718,260.
Received $37,536 in cash receipts and/or electronic funds transfer (EFT).

Human Resources

Open Recruitment
Maintenance Seasonal Help in Public Works - Recruitment open until filled.
Maintenance Worker I - Interviews are in process.
Deputy Building Official/Plan Examiner - Recruitment open until filled.
Public Works Director - Closed and in review.

Veterans Day Celebration

Community Services

Town’s Pop-Up Frame
The frame has been seasonally decorated for the fall. Located in the picnic area next to the Westwind Community Barn parking lot, the frame highlights the stunning backdrop of Byrne Preserve. Stop by for a photo!

Conquer the Clutter's
Fall session concluded this week.

Spring Summer Activity Guide Proposals
Parks and Recreation has begun soliciting activity proposals for the 2023 Spring-Summer activity season. Interested providers are encouraged to contact Parks and Recreation to learn more or visit losaltoshills.ca.gov/proposalform.

Community Events & Activities.
Sign up for the Parks and Recreation mailing list here.

Veterans Day Celebration
Friday, November 11 from 2-4 pm in Veteran's Plaza in Los Altos

Join the City of Los Altos and Town of Los Altos Hills for snacks and entertainment, and to hear testimonials from local veterans. We are encouraging our residents to give back to the veteran community. There was a planning meeting held this week.

Barn Lighting
Sunday, December 4 from 2-5 pm at Westwind Community Barn
Banners were installed this week around Town. Spend the afternoon in the fresh air at Westwind Community Barn, sampling cookies and hot cider and/or wine tasting while kids participate in seasonal games, craft tables, face painting, pony rides and a petting zoo. Santa will be available for last minute holiday wish lists and photos. A community countdown to light up the Barn will begin at 5:00 pm.

Caroling in the Hills

Tuesday, December 20 from 7:30-9 pm at Town Hall
Join with your neighbors in bringing fun holiday cheer to the neighborhoods. Drinks and treats will be provided to warm our voices up before heading out on pathways. Carolers should wear warm clothes and bring a flashlight. In case of inclement weather caroling will be held at Town Hall only. For more information, please contact Scott Vanderlip at 650 793-0475 or email at scott@inet-sciences.com.

TEDxLosAltosHills

The Town of Los Altos Hills is hosting our very first TEDx event on January 28, 2023. Speakers will be announced this month. To purchase tickets, and for more information visit tedxlosaltoshills.com.

Sheriff's Weekly Report

Visit the link to view the Sheriff's weekly report for October 31-November 6, 2022.
The Sheriff’s weekly report is always for the week prior to the City Manager’s report

Cryptocurrency Related Scams

Cryptocurrency scams are on the rise throughout the world. Unfortunately, due to tactics used by the suspects, these scams are extremely difficult for law enforcement to investigate. Scammers are always finding new ways to steal your money using cryptocurrency. To steer clear of a “crypto-con”, here are some things to know.

Only scammers demand payment in cryptocurrency – No legitimate business is going to demand you send cryptocurrency in advance – not to buy something, and not to protect your money. That’s always a scam.
Only scammers will guarantee profits or big returns – Don’t trust people who promise you can quickly and easily make money in crypto markets.
Never mix online dating and investment advice – If you meet someone on a social media or dating site/app, and they want to show you how to invest in crypto, or asks you to send them crypto, that’s a scam.

Investment scams often promise you can “make lots of money” with “zero risk”, and often start on social media or dating sites/apps. These scams can also start with an unexpected text, email, or phone call. Watch out for so-called “investment managers” contacting you out of the blue or for scammers pretending to be “celebrities” who can multiply any cryptocurrency you send them. These types of contacts are always a scam. If you transfer cryptocurrency to their online accounts or click on a link they send requesting cryptocurrency, that money will go straight to the scammer and it’ll be gone.