January 27-February 3, 2023

www.losaltoshills.ca.gov/cmwr
Stay connected
Receive these weekly updates, sign-up here 

Housing Element

On January 31, 2023, the Town adopted and submitted its Housing Element for the 2023-2031 Housing Cycle to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) in compliance with State Law and by the January 31, 2023 deadline. HCD has confirmed receipt on their Housing Element Review and Compliance Report website. Comments from HCD are anticipated in 60 days. To review the City Council adopted Housing Element, please click here.

Emergency Planning Drill with Community Partners

On February 1st, the Los Altos Hills Emergency Operations Center (EOC) hosted an emergency planning drill with response partners and community organizations.  County Sheriff, County Fire, Congregation Beth Am, Daughters of Charity, American Red Cross, California Highway Patrol,  Los Altos Hills Horsemen’s Association, Los Altos Hills Club, Hidden Villa, Cal Fire, Palo Alto Animal Control, Purissima Water, Green Waste, Foothill College, Gardner Bullis Elementary School, and other organizations accounted for 66 people participating in this event.  Faced with a disaster scenario (earthquake), the Town Staff practiced their roles in the EOC while the community partners planned out how they would respond, what help they would need, and what help they could give the Town.  During and after the scenario, participants made new connections for emergency planning, identified resources they could offer as help, and improved understanding of how everyone in our community will work together to respond to a disaster event in Los Altos Hills.  Simultaneously, the Los Altos Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers activated to practice their response.  15 Los Altos Hills CERTs reviewed their procedures and practiced with a new app to use reporting damage back to the Town.

Emergency Managers from the Cities of Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, and Sunnyvale; Foothill DeAnza Community College District Police Department; and the Santa Clara County Office of Emergency Management provided coaching to the EOC staff as well as answering questions from the community organizations.  

Planning Staffing Levels
With the loss of Sofia Mangalam (Planning Director) and Areli Perez (Assistant Planner) on leave until April, the planning staff is left with two planners, Elaine Ling (Senior Planner) and Jeremy Loh (Associate Planner).  We have retained Steve Padovan to step in on a limited bases for Planning Commission and City Council Meetings while we accelerate a recruitment for a new Community Development Director.  We have also retained a number of contract planners for project review and to step in as a Fast Track hearing officer.  We ask for patience as we get through this critical and unexpected staff shortage.

LAFCO Fire Review
On February 1st, staff attended the Local Area Formation Commission (LAFCO) virtual meeting to receive an update on the status of the County-wide fire service review. LAFCO staff shared that their consultant, AP Triton, who is leading the service review, has been meeting with the fire agencies in the county and collecting data for their review. A draft of the service review is scheduled to be released to the public in May of this year, at which time the public can comment on the findings and recommendations.

Swearing in Sheriff Bob Jonsen
City Manager Peter Pirnejad will be accompanying two members of the city council on Friday for the swearing in of newly elected Santa Clara County Sheriff Bob Jonsen on Friday afternoon.

CAL Cities City Manager Conference
City Manager Pirnejad will be attending the California League of Cities City Manager Conference in Carlsbad from Wednesday, February 8 to Friday, February 10. For any urgent matter please feel free to contact him via email or call his office line which will route to his cell phone 650-947-2514.

Past Events and Brown Act Meetings:

January 28: TEDxLosAltosHills - 2:00-5:00 pm 
January 30: City Council Special Meeting - Housing Element - 6:00 pm
February 2: Los Altos/Los Altos Hills Library Commission - 6:30 pm
February 2: Planning Commission Regular Meeting - 6:00 pm

Upcoming Events and Brown Act Meetings:
February 6: Finance and Investment Committee Regular Meeting - 4:00 pm
February 6: LA/LAH Senior Commission Regular Meeting - 4:30 pm
February 7: Emergency Preparedness & Response Committee Regular Mtg-6:00 pm
February 7: Youth Commission Regular Meeting - 7:00 pm
February 8: Open Space Committee Regular Meeting - 9:00 am

Planning and Building 

Planning Commission Regular Meeting
On February 2, 2023, Planning Commission Regular Meeting included a presentation from Santa Clara Valley Water District and one public hearing item: 10701 Magdalena Drive – File #SD22-0042 – Lands of Ng - Site Development Permit to demolish an existing dwelling for a new 4,992 square-foot two-story residence with attached garage, pool, and associated improvements. The application included a grading policy exception for the lower level and the pool patio. CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Sections 15301(1)(1) and 15303(a).

The project was continued to a date uncertain with recommended design changes from the Planning Commission. 

Los Altos Hills Senate Bill 9 Website
The Town is working on Zoning Ordinance text amendments of the Municipal Code to ministerially allow properties to develop up to four units or subdivide into two lots and develop up to two units, pursuant to California Senate Bill 9 (SB9). Residents are welcome to provide public input via the newly launched SB 9 website. 

Planning Commission Study Session for SB 9 Ordinance
Please join us on the second Planning Commission Study Session for SB 9 Ordinance, scheduled on February 15, 2023.  

Public Works 

Storm Events/Sanitary Sewer Overflow
The effects of the storm continue to plague our Town.  The most recent impact was realized on January 31, 2023, when the Town staff called in West Bay Sanitary District (WBSD) at 7:38 a.m. due to a sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) from a manhole located in an easement south of Moody Road where Old Snakey Road intersects.  SSO was caused by a sewer pipe under Adobe Creek damaged and blocked by fallen debris from the steep creek embankment impacted by storm events.  A temporary sewage bypass pump has been installed to convey sewage flow between two manholes.  Public Works staff solicited bids and found a contractor for the emergency repair/replacement of the damaged sewer main.  The work may start as early as over the weekend.   

As of February 2, 2023, the Major Disaster Declaration for the State of California (FEMA-4683-DR-CA) has been amended to include Santa Clara County for Public Assistance. The Town will work with the County as they determine with CalOES and FEMA the next steps. 

With respect to this past storm event(s), the Town is continuing to seek assistance from community members to keep an eye out for storm damages and maintenance issues on Town pathways, rights of way, and report them through the Town’s Citizen Portal to “Report an Issue” website. This would directly create work orders and alert the Public Works Maintenance team of issues. Please providing as much information, details, and pictures of the issues.

Pathway Projects

Saddle Court Pathway
Survey staking work to start and be completed first week of February. Notices were sent to residents near work to be performed.

Summerhill Pathway
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.

Sewer CIP Projects

2022 Sanitary Sewer Repair and Replacement Project 
The 2022 Sanitary Sewer Repair and Replacement bid package was posted on the Town’s website on Wednesday, February 1.  “Notice to Bidders” will be advertised on the Los Altos Town Crier beginning on February 8 for two consecutive weeks.  The bid opening is scheduled at 2PM on March 2 at the Town Hall.

Adobe Creek Sewer System Alternative Alignments Study
Freyer & Laurenta, Inc. has provided the Final Basis of Design Report of the Adobe Creek Sewer System Alternative Alignments Study to the Town on Tuesday, January 31. The final report includes the design and potenial costs for the Rhus Ridge Road bypass option.

Permits Issued

Encroachment Permits: 2
Sewer Permits Issued: 0

Maintenance

After hours or weekend callouts:  2
Fallen trees/major limbs down: 0

• Respond and assist West Bay Sanitation District with a sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) south of Moody Rd. at Adobe Creek. The permanent repair work is expected to begin next week.
• Clear mud slides and repair paths on Elena Rd, Page Mill Rd, La Paloma Rd, and Altamont Rd
• Replace multiple street signs throughout Town
• Mow turf and maintain infields at Purissima Park
• Setup for EOC drill at Town Hall
• Inspect and wash Town fleet vehicles

Finance, Human Resources, IT Services

Accounts Payable/Budget/Payroll/Receivables

• Received $2,614,599 in cash receipts and/or electronic funds transfer (EFT).
• Processed 88 invoices with a total of $461,791.

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 23-29, 2023. The Sheriff’s weekly report is always for the week prior to the City Manager’s report.

Remaining Vigilant to Potential Fraud:

The Sheriff’s Office is noticing an increase in reports of various types of fraud occurring in the area.  When it comes to staying vigilant and protecting yourself from becoming a victim of fraud or other types of financial crimes, please remember:

• Do you own research on an organization prior to making any financial contributions.
• Always be skeptical about someone who calls asking or demanding money, no matter what the situation.
• NEVER make quick decisions to make some type of payment over the phone.
• Do not pay upfront for any type of “promise”.
• Do not give personal information to anyone you don’t know or recognize.
• Anyone requesting payment in the form of gift cards, or gift card pin numbers, is most likely attempting some sort of fraud.
• Any “to good to be true” situation, probably is.

Companies will not call you with a proposition to get you, or your financial status, out of a bad situation by setting up secondary accounts or asking for money.  If someone contacts you, either in person, by phone, email, or other methods asking for any type of funds or personal information, do not provide them with any information and immediately cease contact.  Research and contact the companies yourself at a later time to confirm what is being asked of you.

Fraud type crimes often go unreported to law enforcement.  Victims tend to be embarrassed they fell for a scam or not understand that they have been a victim of a crime.  The Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone who suspects they may be a victim of fraud, or other type of financial or identify theft, to contact us for a criminal report and investigation.  We will do whatever we can to find the perpetrator and hold them accountable.