May 2-6, 2022

Week 18
www.losaltoshills.ca.gov/cmwr
Stay connected
Receive these weekly updates, sign-up here

Riding a Car Bike (VW beetle converted to bicycle)

Riding a Car Bike at Earth Day Celebration

City Manager

Sign up to take Town Surveys

We're not done with Town Surveys so be sure to not miss an opportunity to have your voice heard. The next Town Survey will be coming up soon. Sign up and view past survey results here.

May City Council Meeting Rescheduled

The May 19, 2022 Regular City Council meeting has been cancelled. A Special City Council meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.

Office Hours with the City Manager

The City Manager has insituted new virtual office hours The fourth Friday of each month at 11 a.m. has been dedicated to hear from you. To join, please see the Town's online calendar.

Battery Backup Energy Storage System (BESS)
The Town has an agreement with Syserco Energy Solutions for the design and build of this project at Town Hall. Please see the hyperlink below for weekly updates on the project. Weekly Updates

Public Safety Roundtable with the Sheriff
Councilmember Tankha continues to host Neighborhood Public Safety Roundtable talks this week with the Santa Clara County Sheriff. Discussions took place on recent crime trends and how residents can best defend their property from residential burglaries. Recordings of the meetings, along with notes and a copy of the presentation can be found on the Town’s Crime Prevention Webpage.

New Emergency Management Consultant
The Town entered into an agreement with Ann Hepenstal for emergency management consulting services. One of the first projects Ms. Hepenstal will take on is hosting a tabletop emergency drill for Town staff. To learn more about Ann, please click here.

Emergency Communications Committee
The Emergency Communications Committee had their final meeting on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. They discussed the transition to a new Emergency Preapredness and Response Committee with a new charter. The item is scheduled to be heard and discussed at the May 26, 2022 Special City Council meeting. Stay tuned for more info.

Broadband Ad Hoc Committee
The first meeting of the Broadband Ad Hoc Committee happened this week. The Committee discussed its mission statement, goals, and reviewed proposals from broadband consultant to assist the Committee throughout their work. We are in the due diligence phase, collecting and understanding the current state of affairs and assessing next steps.

GreenWaste Ad Hoc Committee
This week Councilmembers on the GreenWaste Ad Hoc Committee met with the GreenWaste Exec Team to discuss the next steps in the negotiation process. A rough timeline for late summer 2022 was set for when to return to Council with a recommendation on how to proceed.

Held Meetings and Events

April 30: History Walk 10:00 a.m.- 2:30 p.m
April 30: Emergency Preparedness Fair 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
May 2: Finance and Investment Committee - Cancelled
May 2: Los Altos/Los Altos Hills Senior Commission 3:30 p.m.
May 3: Emergency Communication Committee 7:00 p.m.
May 3: Youth Commission 7:00 p.m.
May 5: Planning Commission - Cancelled
May 6: Pathways Run/Walk Packet Pick-up 3:00-7:00 p.m.

Upcoming Meetings and Events
May 6: Special City Council Meeting - Closed Session - 4 p.m.
May 7: Pathways Run/Walk 9:00 a.m.
May 9: Special Finance & Investment Committee - 4:00 p.m.
May 9: Public Art Committee - 6:00 p.m.
May 10: Environmental Design & Protection Committee - 5:45 p.m.
May 11: Technology Committee - 5:00 p.m.
May 11: Open Space Committee - Cancelled
May 12: Planning Commission Special Meeting - 6:00 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

Regional Updates

Santa Clara County Sheriff - The Sheriff’s Office is hosting two free Teen Academies between June 13, 2022 - June 23, 2022 (Monday through Thursday) and July 25, 2022 – August 4, 2022 (Monday through Thursday). The Teen Academy will provide students with an overview of the Sheriff’s Office with classes ranging from Criminal Law, K-9 Demo, & Crime Scene Investigations. For further information and to apply, please complete an application here. Hurry…applications are due by May 13!

Emergency Preparedness Fair: Was held at Town Hall on April 30 from 10am -1 pm, at Town Hall. Attendees experienced a simulated earthquake in our "Shake Room." Topics also included how to make your home hazard free, inside and out. Los Altos Hills County Fire District (LAHCFD) hosted this event with the Town's partnership.

Emergency Preparedness Fair held at Town Hall

Planning and Building

Planning Permits*
Applied: 6
Approved: 1

Building Permits*
Applied: 7
Issued: 5

Inspections*
Building: 40

Code Enforcement Cases*
Open: 1
Closed: 11
*April 29 - May 5, 2022

Public Hearings on Development Projects

Site Development / Fast Track Public Hearing

No Site Development/Fast Track Hearing was held this week

Planning Commission Public Hearing

Planning Commission regular meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 05, 2022, was cancelled and a Special Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 12, 2022.

Ongoing Projects Status

Housing Element Update

The consultant team concluded focus group interviews for the Housing Element update. The consultant team contacted 25 organizations and community stakeholders. There were three (3) focus groups with nine (9) participants.
Planning Director attended a roundtable discussion among affordable and market-rate developers on the constraints and opportunities for housing development in Santa Clara County for the Housing element update.

Other updates:

Implementation of Climate Action Plan - Staff is coordinating with the Environmental Initiatives Committee (EIC) on the preparation and issuance of Request for Qualifications (RFQ) from vendors for home electrification assessment. Staff will also start work on the electrification permit streamlining with the consultant.

Public Works

Engineering

Robleda-La Paloma pathway: Updated plans, and Mitigation Monitoring or Reporting Program notes, these documents are posted on the Town website. Staff conducted a final preconstruction meeting and evaluating staff availability to schedule the start of start construction.
Saddle Court Pathway: Received plat and legal for new proposed pathway easement, coordinating with homeowner on notarizing.
Received Topographic survey files from surveyor for the Corp Yard.
Gardner Bullis Crosswalk Signage/Lighting Improvements: Contractor to complete work this week.

CIP Projects

East Sunset Dr roadway widening – Steel beams for the project delivered on 4/28/22. The construction duration is from 5/9/22 to 7/1/22. Last week, residents received a notification of the work.
2022 Pavement Rehab Project- Plans completed, working on specifications and bid documents. Staff will take to Council for approval on May 25.
Traffic Speed Survey: Town traffic engineering consultant performing this work at various roads in Town.
The permanent repairs for Town roads on work performed by Purissima Water District scheduled for 5/31 to 6/2, with striping in middle of June.
Altamont Plunge: Construction has started this week. Pathway segment to be complete before striping scheduled for 5/13.
Town Hall Addition: Contractor completing remaining punchlist item this Friday. Staff preparing to close out the project.
Prop 68, Improvements to Snack Shack Building – Bid opening held on May 5, received four bids. Staff is evaluating all bids. If a selection is made on a responsible bid, contract award is scheduled for May 25.

Sanitary Sewer
Purissima Pump Station – staff is working to add one new pump to provide three pumps total, with one as a spare, and service two existing pumps.

Private Development Projects

Natoma Oaks subdivision – Town of Los Altos Hills completed the final walk of subdivision, contractor to rectify remaining items, staff preparing to hold a deposit for the bioretention planting and to close out the project.

Tree Removals

13800 Robleda Road – A dead pine was found in front of 13800 Robleda Road, that needs to be removed. A letter has been sent to the property owner to take action. The Committee agrees this tree needs to be removed.
West Loyola Road and Chardonnay Lane – A tree whose roots have been cut for the pavement improvement project, was stated to be a potential hazard by an arborist. However, the committee does not see a strong hazard due to the way the tree is leaning.

Maintenance
Prepared the course for Saturday Pathways Run, worked with Santa Clara County Ag Department to remove invasive weeds in Mary Stutz Pathway. Work on Altamont Plunge Pathway started and completed grading & retaining walls 80% complete, the path will be blocked until the crosswalk striping is complete. Oversaw Curtis horticulture work to refresh mulch at town hall landscape areas this will help to keep weeds down and retain moisture. Completed irrigation repairs at the Heritage house. Completed brush cleanup and wood chipping on Moody Rd, and completed turf mowing, field arena dragging and cleanup at Purissima Park.

Altamont Plunge

Pathways Clearing

SCCA to remove invasive weeds

Refreshed Mulch at Town Hall

Finance, Human Resources, IT Services

Accounts Payable/Budget/Payroll/Receivables

Received $1,021,751 in cash receipts and/or electronic funds transfer (EFT).

Payroll checks issued 36 for a total of $95,563.

Budget adjustments for April:

$81,231 – Installing new EV Charging Stations

$20,000 – Annual picnic event costs

$60,000 – Dedicated art sculpture

$45,000 – Supplemental Deputy for additional patrol

Staff continues to work on the FY22-23 Budget and plan to present a DRAFT to the FIC on Monday, May 9 at 4pm.

The Joint City Council/FIC Budget meeting will be held on Thursday, May 26.

Human Resources

The Intern interviews are scheduled for next week and will tentatively start in June.
Staff welcomed Emina Steta, Administrative Clerk/Technician, who will be assisting the City Manager, City Clerk, and the Public Works Director.

IT Services

Dr. Jonathan Reichental is winding down with the Discovery Phase of the IT Strategic Plan project. He will be meeting with the Technology Committee on Wednesday, May 11 to gather their information and then provide the staff with a Discovery Report. The next phase of the process will be the Design Phase.

Community Services

Upcoming Events:

Pathways Run/Walk - Saturday, May 7 at 9 am for 5K and 10K and 10:30am for the 1-Mile at Westwind Community Barn. Registration is still available for the 5K, 10K and 1 Mile Fun Run here. As of Friday morning there are 471 registered runners and walkers. Below find photos of the preparation completed for the event.

Cornhole Tournament - Sunday, May 22 Noon-3 pm
Hosted by the Parks and Recreation Committee. Register to play here.

Town Picnic - Sunday, June 5 12:30-4:00 pm
The Town Picnic mailer was finalized and is at the printer. All residents will receive the mailer next week. Registration is open to Los Altos Hills residents only and can be done here. The Classic Car Show invites were sent this week.

Past Events:

MIND Diet - Check out the latest virtual workshop added to the Town of Los Altos Hills Senior/Adult Programming Resources. The MIND Diet shares the best foods for brain health and wellness. Originally presented Wednesday, May 4, 2022 by Healthy Communities in Santa Clara County in partnership with Parks and Recreation.

CERT Trailer Deployed for the Pathways Run/Walk

Youth Commission Pathways Run/Walk Packet Prep

Pathways Run/Walk Course Prep Completed

Sheriff's Weekly Report

Visit the link to view the Sheriff's weekly report for April 25 - May 1, 2022.
The Sheriff’s weekly report is always for the week prior to the City Manager’s report

Los Altos Hills Bicycle Safety:

Recently, Los Altos Hills motorcycle traffic deputies have been conducting bicycle safety education contacts throughout the Town and will continue to do so each month. As a reminder, when riding your bike:

Always wear a helmet and other proper safety equipment
Follow all standard rules of the road, including stopping at stop signs
Ride on the proper side of the road (same direction as vehicle traffic)
In case of emergency, carry some form of identification
Watch for hazards in the roadway or bike paths