January 16-20, 2023

www.losaltoshills.ca.gov/cmwr
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Housing Element
Next week the Town begins the process of responding to the comments from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) with the goal to adopt a compliant Housing Element for the Planning period 2023 - 2031 by January 30. For more information, click here. 

Be Ready. Be Safe. Be Prepared.
In January many of us make a resolution for the year ahead. This year resolve to be ready. Some ways you can do this is:

• Make an emergency plan: chose a safe place to meet, learn evacuation routes, and establish an out-of-town contact.
• Take a current photo of you and your pet in case you get separated.
• Snap photos of important documents and save them in a secure place or online.
• Take a class in CPR and first aid.
• Keep and update emergency supplies, remember to include cash.
• Have back up power sources available to charge devices.
• Check your insurance for coverage on disasters; such as floods, wildfires, earthquakes.
• Sign up for AlertSCC.org

"Why Go Firewise" Virtual Meeting

For more information, please go here https://www.lahcfd.org
January 31, 2023 at 7:00 pm
Zoom Meeting Link
Meeting ID: 885 8215 7214
Passcode: 106482

Los Altos Hills County Fire District Virtual Update Meeting January 24, 2023 at 6:30 pm

The District looks forward to discussing their use of cutting-edge technology such as Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Photogrammetry to capture vegetation types, fuel loading, and other advanced intelligence for vegetation management projects. The District's Technology Consultant, Jackson Ricketts, is excited to share how these technologies can improve outcomes in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) communities' vegetation management projects.   

For more information, please go here https://www.lahcfd.org
Date: January 24, 2023
Time: 6:30 pm
Join Zoom Meeting Link
Meeting ID: 872 3258 8271
Passcode: 716458

*New* Standing Monthly Broadband Ad Hoc Committee Meeting

In response to the ongoing effort by the Broadband Ad Hoc Committee to finish the Broadband Feasibility Study, the group has established a monthly meeting time on the Fourth Thursday of every month. The next meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee will take place next week on Thursday, January 26th. The group will continue to discuss potential changes to the Town's Wireless Telecommunication Facility Ordinance, the use of ARPA funds for broadband, and potential grants the Town may pursue for its broadband needs. 

City Council Priorities

On Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. the City Council will begin the process to set their priorities for 2023.  The agenda for the day will walk the Council and the community through a process that starts with introductions and grounding principles followed by a detailed explanation of the proposed Council Work Plan. Then following another round of public comments, and Council deliberation, they will vote for their most pressing additional items to the proposed Council Work Plan.  To view the supporting documents for the meeting, please click here.

Past Events and Brown Act Meetings:

January 16: Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday - Town Hall Closed
January 17: History Committee Regular Meeting - 3:30 pm
January 17: Community Relations Committee Special Meeting - 7:00 pm
January 17: Los Altos Hills County Fire District Meeting - 7:00 pm
January 18: Technology Committee Special Meeting - 5:00 pm

Upcoming Events and Brown Act Meetings:
January 23: Parks and Recreation Committee Special Meeting - 5:30 pm
January 23: Pathways Committee Regular Meeting - 6:30 pm
January 24: City Council Special Meeting - 6:00 pm
January 24: Community Relations Committee Regular Meeting - Cancelled
January 25: City Council Special Meeting - Goal Setting Session - 9:00 am
January 26: Environmental Initiatives Committee Regular Meeting - 6:30 pm'
January 27: Planning Commission Special Meeting - 5:00 pm
January 27: TEDx Los Altos Hills - 2:00 pm

Planning and Building 

Planning Permits*
Applied: 3
Approved: 2

Building Permits*
Applied: 6
Issued: 9

Inspections*
Building: 19

Code Enforcement Cases*
Open: 1
Closed: 1
*January 13-19, 2023

Housing Element
There are two (2) upcoming public hearing meetings for the adoption of the Housing Element, Planning Commission meeting on January 27, 2023, at 5 pm and City Council meeting on January 30, 2023, at 6:00 pm for the adoption of Housing Element 2023-2031 of the General Plan.

The January 27th, 2023, Planning Commission meeting will be live streamed on the Town’s website and via zoom at the following location: 

Videoconference Link: https://bit.ly/LosAltosHillsPC 
Meeting ID: 810 7639 7750 
Passcode: 574533 

The January 30th, 2023, City Council meeting will be live streamed on the Town’s website and via zoom at the following location: 

https://bit.ly/Jan30HousingElementCCMeetingLAH 
Meeting ID: 871 8220 8363 
Passcode: 94022 

For details on Housing Element update, please visit: https://www.losaltoshills.ca.gov/537/Housing-Element-Update-2023-31 

Public Works 

Storm Events 
On January 4th, the Town declared local emergency and activated the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) due to storm events. Town received numerous calls largely due to fallen trees and limbs. This week, Public Works maintenance group continued to address fallen trees over the weekend and focused on tree and drainage clearing. 

Sinkhole at Page Mill Road
The sinkhole on Page Mill Road that was discovered on January 6 was repaired and the roadway restored as of 4:00 p.m., Thursday, January 19. Both traffic lanes on Page Mill Road are open. Contractor to clean up the site and remove construction debris on January 20.  Photo of the finished work is below. 

Pathways 

Edgerton Pathway
Another formal letter was sent to the resident/property owner at 27525 Edgerton Road earlier in January cordially requesting an easement for the Edgerton Pathway alignment. Staff has not heard back but will continue to reach out to the property owner for the pathway easement needed. 

Saddle Court Pathway
Survey work anticipated to start end of January 2023. 

Summerhill Pathway
The Town’s consultant surveyor has completed pathway topographic survey. The survey information has been forwarded to the design consultant to complete the construction drawings to be submit to the County for their approval and encroachment permit.

Permits Issued

Encroachment Permits: 1
Sewer Permits Issued: 0

Maintenance

After hours or weekend callouts:  0

Fallen trees/major limbs down: Multiple locations.

• Storm Response. Limbs down, trees down, drainage, etc.
• Prepare Purissima Park for beginning of Little League

Finance, Human Resources, IT Services

Accounts Payable/Budget/Payroll/Receivables

• Received $18,114 in cash receipts and/or electronic funds transfer (EFT).
• Processed 151 invoices in the amount of $669,116.

Human Resources  Open Recruitment
Open Recruitment: 
Maintenance Seasonal Help in Public Works - Recruitment open until filled.

Sheriff's Weekly Report 

Visit the link to view the Sheriff's weekly report for January 9-15, 2023. The Sheriff’s weekly report is always for the week prior to the City Manager’s report.

January Coffee with the Sheriff:

On Tuesday, January 17th, Captain Valenzuela facilitated the monthly “Coffee with the Sheriff” virtual meeting with Town residents.  Captain Valenzuela took questions from residents, with most of the questions being on the topic of residential burglaries and what residents can do to keep their properties safe from thieves.  Please remember the following tips to help keep your residence safe from would be burglars:

• Lock all windows and doors, especially when away from home
• Activate you home alarm system
• Install motion lights on the exterior of your home
• Ensure home surveillance systems are operational and provide clear video
• Dogs who bark at strangers tend to scare away potential burglars
• Place a hold on mail and newspaper delivery when out of town
• Notify trusted neighbors that you will be away from home and ask them to report suspicious activity
• To the extent possible, make your home appear as if someone is there.  Burglars do not want confrontation and avoid residences where they feel someone may be inside.  
• Complete a patrol check request with the Sheriff’s Office so that we can check on your property while you are on vacation

The Neighborhood Watch program has proven to be a great tool for keeping neighborhoods safe.  Statistics show that communities with active Neighborhood Watch programs tend to see a reduction in criminal activity.  For more information on starting or becoming involved in your local Neighborhood Watch program, please contact a representative from the Town of Los Altos Hills for more information.

Additionally, we encourage all available residents to join us for the monthly Coffee with the Sheriff virtual meeting, held on the third Tuesday of every month at 2 PM. 

Residents are provided important updates from Captain Valenzuela and can ask questions on issues in their neighborhoods.  Information on upcoming meetings, as well as the link to participate, can be found on the Town of Los Altos Hills website.