July 4-8, 2022

Week 27
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Ribbon Cutting La Paloma / Robelda Pathway

City Manager

Ribbon Cutting for La Paloma / Robleda Pathway
The Town is delighted to open the La Paloma / Robleda Pathway. Thanks to the dedicated partnership of the Pathways committee, the patience of our gracious neighbors along the path, and the hard work of our maintenance and Engineering divisions, we are pleased to mark this pathway complete, which was initially funded in the CIP back in 2019. Come join us as a celebrate this beautiful pathway.

KMVT Discussions
Staff has been talking with representatives from KMVT to bring government access programing to local channels in the Hills. This would mean City Council, Planning Commission, and other local government programming could be brought to a television station in Town. Staff plans to bring this topic to the Council for discussion later this year.

New Gardner Bullis Principal
Staff met with the new Gardner Bullis principal, Kate Schermerhorn. to discuss opportunities for greater partnership and collaboration. Our 4th of July Parade ended on the Gardner Bullis campus thanks to their continued generosity.

Town Community Surveys

The Town has now completed two surveys. Stay tuned for a third survey in the works. To review results or register to take the Next Town Survey visit here.

Community Facilities Needs Assessment

An opportunity to provide individual input on Community Facilities Needs Assessment on both indoor and outdoor space needs can be done on this form . A second virtual Town Hall meeting on Community Needs will be held on July 20th at 7:00 pm - Register here. The Town has taken out 5 ads in print and online with the Daily Post to raise awareness about the upcoming meetings. A final report will be presented to the City Council on August 18th.

Get Involved - Join a Town Committee

There are still openings on Town Committees. To view a list of openings, please click here. Appointments will be made at the August 18, 2022 regular City Council meeting. To be considered, please submit an application no later than Thursday, August 11, 2022. Have questions about what committee would be best for you? Please contact the City Clerk by phone 650-947-2513 or email. dpadovan@losaltoshills.ca.gov

Emergency Preparedness and Response Committee
On July 5th the newly formed Emergency Preparedness and Response Committee was formed marking the latest committee to add our esteemed list of community volunteers. We thank our newly Elected Chair, Mr Terry Kearney. They have elected to meet the first Tuesday of the month at 6pm.

Drought
On July 7th staff meet with Purissima Hills Water District and the Bay Area Water Conservation Agency to discuss our collective efforts to respond to the worsening drought conditions. On July 11th Town staff, PHWD and CalWater are also meeting to discuss measure the two water districts along with the town can take to be more water wise. For more information about what you can do to save water visit your water provider’s website attached herein.

Past Brown Act Meetings and Events
July 4:   4th of July Parade
July 5:   Emergency Preparedness and Response Committee Special Meeting
July 7: Library Commission
July 7:   Planning Commission

Upcoming Brown Act Meetings and Events
July 11: Finance and Investment Committee Special Meeting - 4:00 p.m.
July 11: Public Art Committee - Cancelled
July 12: Environmental and Design Protection Regular Meeting - 5:45 p.m.
July 13: Open Space Committee Regular Meeting - 9:00 a.m.
July 13: Technology Committee Regular Meeting 5:00 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
On Wednesday July 6, the Newsletter Review Ad Hoc Committee met to discuss the future of the Town's newsletter. More information will be provided in the coming months.

Disaster Council
This week the Los Altos Hills Disaster Council held its first meeting since the pandemic. Attendees included the Director of Emergency Services, Peter Pirnejad: City Manager, Mayor of Los Altos Hills: George Tyson, Management Analyst: Cody Einfalt, and Emergency Management Consultant: Ann Hepenstal. At least one annual meeting of the Disaster Council is required to remain in compliance with state regulations.

Emergency Management

Staff met with the Town’s Emergency Management Consultant this week and discussed LAH’s emergency policies and procedures. Items included the Disaster Preparedness and Response Committee charter, large animal evacuation plans, notifications during wildfire emergencies, and Disaster Service Workers (DSWs).

Upcoming Non-Brown Act Ad Hoc Meetings

Ad Hoc Meeting for Westwind Community Barn Concessionaire Agreement
Monday, July 11 at 11:00 am
This is the first meeting scheduled to discuss contract negotiations. Attendees will include representatives from the Parks and Recreation Committee: Kejun “Ben” Xu, Finance and Investment Committee: Kjell Karlsson and Allan Epstein, and Open Space Committee: Kit Gordon along with Town staff and Concessionaire Torie Dye.

Ad Hoc Community Survey
Currently being scheduled date: TBD
Invited two representatives from the Parks and Recreation Committee

4th of July Parade - Check out the highlight video here!

Regional Updates

County of Santa Clara Housing Element Update

During the meeting, staff will provide a brief presentation to introduce the Housing Element Update to the County’s General Plan, its timeline and the targets to be achieved within the eight-year implementation cycle, and solicit your inputs on housing-related opportunities, challenges and priorities in the unincorporated parts of the County. Your input on housing priorities is important to us. The purpose is to solicit your feedback on housing-related opportunities and challenges in the County. To register for these workshops, please visit the County Housing Element website and register under “Upcoming Events” at https://www.sccgov.org/housing-element

Planning and Building

Planning Permits*
Applied: 0
Approved: 0

Building Permits*
Applied: 9
Issued: 8

Inspections*
Building: 24

Code Enforcement Cases*
Open: 0
Closed: 0
*July 1-July 7, 2022

Public Hearings on Development Projects

Site Development / Fast Track Public Hearing

No Site Development / Fast Track meeting was held this week.

Planning Commission Public Hearing

On July 7, 2022, Planning Commission held a public hearing to review the following four (4) items:

12051 Moody Springs Court – File # SD22-0010 – Lands of Eggers - Site Development Permit for landscape screening for an approved two-story accessory structure. The project was approved with conditions.
26896 Alejandro Drive – File # SD22-0024 – Lands of Lam and Stepanov - Site Development Permit for landscape screening and hardscape improvements for an approved addition and remodel to an existing residence. The project was approved with conditions.
27600 Altamont Road – File # TM21-0001– Lands of Auqui and Putnam - Consideration of a motion to continue the public hearing to the Planning Commission Special meeting of July 21, 2022, to consider a request for a tentative map to create a two-lot subdivision of an existing 2.20 gross acre parcel and consideration of a potential conditional exception to the Lot Unit Factor requirement. The subdivision of the 2.20 gross acre parcel into two lots will result in 1.010 net acre (Parcel A) and 1.073 net acres (Parcel B) with Lot Unit Factors of 0.956 and 0.951. The public hearing was continued to July 21, 2022, Planning Commission Special meeting.
26379 Fremont Road – File # SP22-0002– Town of Los Altos Hills - An update to Town’s existing Outdoor Lighting Policy to include temporary construction lighting and revisions to tree lights. Planning Commission made recommendation to the City Council to adopt amendments to the Outdoor Lighting Policy.

Ongoing Projects Status

Housing Element Update

Staff is working with the consultant on the draft of the Housing Element to be released for public review in the last week of July or first week of August. Stay tuned!

Other updates:
Planning Commission had a swearing-in ceremony and reorganization. Alisa Bredo and Rajiv Patel were sworn in as Planning Commissioners. Jim Waschura was selected as the chair and Rajiv Patel as the vice-chair of the Planning Commission.

Public Works

CIP Projects

East Sunset Drive roadway widening

Contractor is installing concrete laggings retaining wall and will complete by early next week. They will start construct road subbase and asphalt concrete pavement section to widen the road on the week of July 11. Staff anticipates the project complete by end of July 2022.

2022 Pavement Rehabilitation and Drainage Improvement Project

The construction contract for this project was advertised on the Los Altos Crier on July 6. Staff also posted the contract documents on the Town website and notified Builders Exchange and qualified contractors. Bid opening on July 27, 2022, at 2 PM.

Corp Yard Site Improvements
Contract drawings have been finalized, and staff has reached out to several contractors requesting a bid. This project is also on the agenda of the planning commission public hearing scheduled on July 19, as the area of improvements is greater than 3,000 sf.

EVSE Town Hall

The Electrical contractor has pulled and terminated wires from the electrical room to the EVSE electrical subpanel. Wires have also been pulled from the subpanel to the electrical pull box at the charging stations. The contractor is scheduled to make a cut-over for the existing ChargePoint charging station to provide two 40-amp circuits for the two charging ports with one 40-amp circuit for each port and increase charging capacity of by 100%. This will allow charging two vehicles at optimal speed. The remaining three charging stations will be installed subsequently after the City Council approves an agreement with Powerflex.

Prop 68 contract award and schedule - Concession Stand at Purissima Park

Contract was awarded on May 25, Engineering has drafted a response to address individual comments provided in the second building plan check review, and provided design changes as required.

Sewer CIP 2022

Engineering staff has identified twenty (20) critical locations that require immediate attention to prevent sanitary sewer overflow. At eight (8) of these locations, root blockages in the sewer main pipes are over 90%. Staff has prepared a work scope and reached out to a contractor to remove tree roots and clear blockages in sewer mains at these locations.

Encroachment Permits Issued: 2
Sewer Permits Issued: 2

Maintenance

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

10401 W Loyola pine tree fell. PGE cleared road and staff removed debris from ROW

Routine Maintenance

Right of way mowing and brushing on Elena Rd near Delson Ct, Altadena Dr near Manuella Rd, and Stonebrook Ct
Reduced fire hazard on tree near Byrne Preserve gate. Mulched small limbs and mowed area
Worked 4th of July Parade
Installed water bars on steep slope of La Paloma /Robelda pathway
Inspect inverts of sewer manholes for Engineering
Purissima Park: mowing, field dragging, and trash pickup
Installed wire handrail on steep La Paloma path, and prepare Robleda Pathway for ribbon cutting

East Sunset Widening

Brush Removal

Pathway Work

Adopted FY22-23 Operating Budget and FY2023-2027 Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan

Finance, Human Resources, IT Services

Accounts Payable/Budget/Payroll/Receivables

Received $2,705,559 in cash receipts and/or electronic funds transfer (EFT).
Processed 59 invoices totaling $446,067.
The FY 2022-23 Operating Budget and the FY 2023-2027 Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan is posted on the webpage.

Human Resources

Open Recruitment:
Maintenance Seasonal Help in Public Works. Recruitment open until filled.
Maintenance Worker I/II Recruitment open until filled.
Building Inspector in Planning. Recruitment open until filled.

IT Services
Eaton & Associates have been updating our cybersecurity software to ensure we are safe and secure from phishing and ransomware. They will be implementing Multifactor Authentication next.

Staff has purchased laptops with docking stations to deploy for employees in the next few weeks. The current desktops have a 3–5 year life span. This will enable employees to use their laptops for meetings and telework if necessary.

Other
Once the City Council approves the furniture staff report at the July 18 Special Council Meeting, staff will proceed in ordering the furniture for the reorganization of employee workspace. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds will fund the cost of the furniture.

Mayor Tyson and LAHCFD President Spreen

Community Services

Past Events/Activities:

4th of July Parade

Monday, July 4th 9:30-11:00 am
The Town celebrated its eleventh annual Los Altos Hills 4th of July Parade. We gathered at Town Hall at 9:30 am. Our red, white and blue parade started at 10:00 am. The parade went down Fremont Road and conclude at Gardner Bullis School where everyone met and enjoyed friends refreshing beverages, and a juicy watermelon treat! Special thanks to Gardner Bullis elementary school for letting us use their facilities to host the end of the parade. Be sure to thank newly appointed Principal, Kate Schermerhorn next time you see her.

Victoria Dye Equestrian Summer Riding Camp

This week marked the fifth week of Summer Riding Camp at Westwind Community Barn. The roster was full with a total of 18 riders. See photos here !

Upcoming Events/Activities:

Movie Night at the Park

Friday, August 5th 8:30-10:00 pm
Join your neighbors and friends for Movie Night at the Park. Spend a warm summer evening under the stars for Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon displayed on a giant outdoor movie screen. Volunteers from the Los Altos Hills Youth Commission will be serving guests their famed buttery popcorn and refreshments. RSVP is required: www.losaltoshills.ca.gov/MovieNight

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.

Highlight Video from the 4th of July Parade!

Sheriff's Weekly Report

Visit the link to view the Sheriff's weekly report for June 27-July 3, 2022.
The Sheriff’s weekly report is always for the week prior to the City Manager’s report

License Plate Readers Continue to help stop crime:

On Tuesday July 5th at about 3:17 AM, a license plate reader was triggered by a vehicle displaying a lost or stolen license plate. Deputies found the vehicle and a pursuit was initiated. The pursuit spanned several cities until it was discontinued in the interest of public safety.

License plate readers will send immediate notification to deputies when they are triggered by vehicles displaying plates that match the following criteria:

Lost or Stolen
Stolen Vehicle
Missing Person
Felony Vehicle
Locally Wanted Vehicle