September 5-9, 2022

Week 36
www.losaltoshills.ca.gov/cmwr
Stay connected
Receive these weekly updates, sign-up here

Vice Mayor Swan and City Manager Pirnejad at League of California Cities Annual Conference

City Manager

Volunteer Dinner

This week, we honored the committed volunteers that dedicate their time and and service to the Town of Los Altos Hills. We thank them for their service.

League of California Cities Conference
Vice Mayor, Linda Swan and City Manager, Peter Pirnejad attended the Annual Conference and Expo at the Long Beach Convention Center from September 8-9.

EPRC Agrees on New Charter
The Town’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Committee (EPRC) met on September 6^th. Decisions included recommending a new EPRC charter to City Council. For more information, please review their agenda and minutes or reach out to their Council Liasion Lisa Schmidt.

Flags at Half Staff

We were deeply saddened to hear of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and send our condolences to the Royal Family. The flags at Town Hall have been lowered at the direction of a Presidential Proclamation to honor the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Link to White House Statement.

The flags will remain down in Honor of Patriot Day 2022 (remembering September 11)

Get Ready, Set, Go!—Wildfire Preparedness
Recent wildfires across California remind us that we need to be aware of wildfire risks here in Los Altos Hills.

Have you prepared your household for wildfires? Take the first steps:

AlertSCC: Register your home address and contact information with the Santa Clara County emergency notification system at www.alertscc.org This signs you up for alerts targeted to your neighborhood.
Evacuation Routes: Check your zone on community.zonehaven.com and study the map. Where is your normal route out of your neighborhood? Where is a 2^nd route? How would you walk out if you had to? Review these with household members and discuss where you’d reunite if you get separated.
Go Bag: Make a “go bag” for everyone in your household—including pets—to grab if you need to evacuate. See example here: https://bit.ly/prepandgo

And—take steps today to make your home more resistant to wildfire.

Learn ways to protect your home from wildfires in this video series from PG&E: Safety experts will show you how to create defensible space, fire-resistant landscaping, evacuation plans and more. Watch 7 Saturdays to a More Fire-Resistant Home.
Los Altos Hills County Fire District offers multiple programs to help you, including brush chipping to reduce the amount of flammable yard waste on your property: www.lahcfd.org

Learn more about steps to wildfire preparedness with Ready, Set, Go! at https://bit.ly/wfready

Stanford Development
The County is updating the Stanford Community Plan which is part of their General Plan and works like a "mini general plan" for Stanford. To stay informed and provide feedback residents can reach out to County Supervisors, participate in study session meetings with
the County Planning Commission, engage with the HLUET Committee, or contact County Planning staff (See list of dates and contacts below). Specific email address to provide feedback are listed below as well.

Stanford is seeking an extension to their General Use Permit with the County of Santa Clara.

Past Brown Act Meetings and Events
September 5: Town Hall Closed - Labor Day
September 5: Finance & investment Committee Regular meeting - Cancelled
September 5: LA-LAH Senior Commission Regular Meeting - Cancelled
September 6: Emergency Preparedness and Response Committee - 6:00 p.m.
September 6: Youth Commission Regular Meeting - 7:00 p.m.

Upcoming Brown Act Meetings and Events
September 10: Los Altos Hills Hoedown 4:00-7:00 pm
September 12: Public Art Committee 5:00 p.m.
September 12: LA/LAH Joint Community Volunteer Awards Committee 7:00 pm
September 13: Environmental Design and Protection Committee 5:45 p.m.
September 13: COVID Testing at Town Hall 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
September 14: Open Space Committee 9:00 a.m.
September 14: Technology Committee 5:00 pm
September 15: City Council Regular Meeting 6:00 pm

*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

Last Week's Non-Brown Act Ad Hoc Meetings
None

Next Week's Non-Brown Act Ad Hoc Meetings

None

Regional Updates

Sewer: News regarding the Fish kills due to the recent algal bloom in the Bay.
What Causes Algae Blooms? Source EPA

Harmful algal blooms need:

Sunlight
Slow-moving water
Nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus)

Nutrient pollution from human activities makes the problem worse, leading to more severe blooms that occur more often.

What can we do to improve the health of our Bay?
Reduce the amount of nutrients that go to the bay as result of human activities, these are primary results of wastewater treatment processes that don’t have the technology to remove these nutrients.

Why is important to support investment in better treatment of our wastewater?
The wastewater from Los Altos Hills is treated at the Regional Water Quality Control Plant – Palo Alto (Plant). This year we implemented new rates to support a significant Capital Improvements Plan to improve many of the systems of the plant, including projects to reduce the nitrogen loads in the treated water.

If you want to learn more about this issue you can find additional information on these sites:

EPA and San Francisco BAYKEEPER

Planning and Building

Planning Permits*
Applied: 3
Approved: 0

Building Permits*
Applied: 10
Issued: 13

Inspections*
Building: 30

Code Enforcement Cases*
Open: 0
Closed: 3
*September 2-8, 2022

Public Hearing on Development Projects

Site Development / Fast Track Public Hearing

There were no public hearings this week.

Ongoing Projects Status

Housing Element
The State mandated Public Review Draft of the 6th Cycle Housing Plan 2023 – 2031 Housing Element (draft) for the Town of Los Altos Hills was published online for public review and comments for a 30-day comment period. The comment period ended on September 8, 2022.

Other updates:

Senior Planner, Elaine Ling, attended the SCCAPO Santa Clara County Association of Planning Officials Monthly Meeting on September 7, 2022. The agenda items included newly adopted/proposed state laws regarding zoning and housing. Roundtable Table Discussion included waivers and concessions related to density bonuses for affordable housing projects and transportation demand management (TDM) programs. In addition, all participating jurisdictions exchanged information regarding Housing Elements, SB9, and staff retention.

Planning Director Sofia Mangalam and Senior Planner Elaine Ling attended Santa Clara County Collaborative Monthly Meeting on September 8, 2022. The agenda items included a presentation regarding the process and experience of how LA County Housing Elements received HCD’s approval. In addition, the Redwood City planning official went over the HCD’s comments regarding the City’s draft Housing Element.

Corp Yard Site Improvements

Public Works

Personnel:

A new assistant engineer is scheduled to start on 9/12/22.

Engineering:

Page Mill Road Tree Survey – The Consultant updated report in August. We are currently in discussion with the consultant to receive final report.

CIP Projects

Matadero Creek Erosion - Mitigation and Monitoring Plan Was Submitted to the Board on September 6, 2022

On July 19, 2022, the Town sent a letter signed by the Mayor, to the Water Board to request they expedite the review and approval of our permit. The Water Board responded on August 10, 2022. The Water Board's response was, “we are confident that a permit can be issued in a timely manner because on July 15, 2022, we gave conceptual approval of the Town’s latest compensatory mitigation proposal.” And “Once we receive an acceptable mitigation and monitoring plan, we will issue a water quality certification for the Project.”

East Sunset Drive Roadway Widening

Project COMPLETE! Request that the project be accepted by City Council on the September Council meeting.

2022 Pavement Rehabilitation and Drainage Improvement Project

Construction to start on 9/12 and complete by the end of October 2022. For the areas of work please follow this link.

Existing Town Hall Rennovation and Improvement Plan

The Town has received two bids for the Town Hall renovation project. The lowest bidder is being recommended for approval. The award of this contract will be on the agenda of the September 15 City Council meeting.

Corp Yard Site Improvements

Silicon Valley Paving, Inc. (SVP) mobilized onsite on Monday, 8/29. The scheduled completion for this project is Tuesday, 9/13. The improved site at the Corporation Yard will contain storm runoff onsite and prevent direct runoff into the storm drain and Deer Creek. The runoff will drain into two new retention basins onsite. The retention mix, vegetation, and plants will filter the runoff and remove pollutants. Excess flow discharged from the retention basins into the storm drain system and ultimately into Deer Creek will be clean water.

New EV Chargers at Town Hall - Open and Operational

The Town currently has six fully operation EV chargers, with two ChargePoint and four Powerflex chargers. These chargers are fed by renewable energy generated by solar panels onsite.

Prop 68 contract award and schedule

The plans have been approved for the Concession Stand Building project on Tuesday, September 6. This allows the Town to obtain a building permit and schedule construction for this project.

Adobe Creek Sanitary Sewer Study

Engineering had a Team meeting with Freyer & Laureta, Inc. on last Friday, 9/2, with the intent to finalize the Basis of Design Report. Engineering has also requested the consultant to include a feasibility study for a new sewer bypass to increase sewer capacity and eliminate capacity deficiencies identified in the Wastewater Collection System Master Plan (March 2018) for the Adobe Creek Sanitary Sewer network.

Sewer root foaming 2022

Duke’s has completed root foaming on all 46,525 LF identified for this year. Root foaming for the remainder will be done in next week. Root foaming will stunt the growth of protruding roots at sewer joints for at least two years and reduce the risk of sanitary sewer overflows.

Purissima Park and Westwind Community Barn Water Wells

Cal Engineering & Geology, Inc. has completed the final desktop study and provided the Town with the final report on Wednesday, 9/7. The report includes subsurface conditions at these two locations. Findings from this report will be used to develop an improvement plan to replace the existing water well at the Westwind Community Barn and install a new water well at the Purissima Park.

Tree Assessment Survey

The tree assessment scope has been compiled, as well as a list of potential arborists. Will be contacting arborists in order to determine capacity and availability.

Pathway Projects

2022-23 Pathway Projects

No change.

Summer Hill Pathway

The City Council awarded a contract to Lea & Braze, Engineers for design services on August, 18 City Council meeting. Staff sent contract agreement to Lea & Braze via email on 8/26/2022.

Edgerton Path

Staff has reviewed and approved a preliminary pathway alignment proposed by a consultant. Staff has also provided review comments to improve pathway design.

Fremont to Redwood Grove Pathway

Nothing new to report.

Page Mill Road Crosswalk at Foothills Park

Staff received one proposal for design services and waiting for additional proposal.

South Fork Lane to Natoma Oaks Subdivision off road path

Giuliani & Kull surveyor will mark the easement boundary with wooden stake between 9/9 and 9/15/2022.

Barley Hill Road to I-280 off road path

Giuliani & Kull surveyor will mark the easement boundary with wooden stake between 9/9 and 9/15/2022.

Encroachment Permits: 1
Sewer Permits Issued: 1

Maintenance

After hours or weekend callouts: 0
Fallen trees/major limbs down: 1

Routine Maintenance

0 after hour/weekend callouts this week
1 fallen trees/major limbs down for the week - Wallace Stegner Path
ROW brushing and raising trees on streets to be resurfaced by engineering
Assisted WB Sanitation Contactor in locating lost manholes
Prep for Volunteer Dinner and Hoedown events
Friday, trash pickup, turf mowing, and riding arena dragging at Purissima Park, continued ROW brushing and raising trees

Fallen Tree on Wallace Stegner Path

Right-of-Way brushing streets

Tree Clean Up

Finance, Human Resources, IT Services

Accounts Payable/Budget/Payroll/Receivables

Processed 36 payroll checks totaling the amount of $91,995.
Received $34,973 in cash receipts and/or electronic funds transfer (EFT).

Human Resources

Open Recruitment:
Maintenance Seasonal Help in Public Works. Recruitment open until filled.
Accounting Technician – Recruitment open until filled.
Deputy Building Official/Plan Examiner. Recruitment closes September 23, 2022
Assistant to the City Manager. Recruitment closes September 9, 2022.

IT Services
Jonathan Reichental will present the 3-5 Year IT Strategic Plan at the September 15 City Council meeting.

Join us Saturday 4-7 pm for the Los Altos Hills Hoedown at Westwind Community Barn!

Join us Saturday for the Los Altos Hills Hoedown at Westwind Community Barn!

Community Services

Upcoming Events:

Floral Pop-Up Photo Frame In Partnership with Hidden Villa
This Saturday, September 10 and Sunday, September 11 at Black Mountain and Altamont Roads.

Due to high temperatures, the floral frame installation has been postponed until Saturday morning (9/10). The installation will be ready for photoshoots on Saturday at 10 am (September 10) through Sunday (September 11).

The Town is partnering with Hidden Villa for the third year on a Pop-Up Flower Frame located at Black Mountain and Altamont Roads! Neighbors, hikers, and families can stand behind the frame and take a photo. This partnership promotes the stunning backdrop of Byrne Preserve Open Space and showcases Hidden Villa’s blooms. This free installation will be ready for photoshoots on Saturday at 10 am (September 10) through Sunday (September 11). Parking available at Westwind Community Barn, 27210 Altamont Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 (see photo below).

Hoedown
Saturday, September 10, 2022 4-7 pm at Westwind Community Barn
Banners are now installed around town. Mark your calendar for the Los Altos Hills Hoedown Saturday, September 10th from 4-7 pm at Westwind Community Barn. The event will include Equestrian Expo, Live Music, Line Dance Caller, Capelo’s BBQ, and arts and crafts. See you there!

Drive Thru Shred Event
Saturday, September 24 8-11am at Town Hall
Mark your calendar for the next Shred Event at Town Hall!

Touch a Truck
Saturday, October 1 9-11 am at Town Hall Parking Lot
Do you know a kid (of any age) who loves trucks? This is their chance to learn hands-on how they work and take pictures with trucks that service the Town of Los Altos Hills. Trucks attending: Town of Los Altos Hills Public Works, Santa Clara County Fire, Santa Clara County Sheriff, and GreenWaste Recovery, and Palo Altos Animal Services!

Fall-Winter Activity Guide Release
The Los Altos Hills Parks and Recreation Activity Guides has arrived in resident mailboxes. A digital version of the Activity Guide is available at losaltoshills.ca.gov/activity-guide.

Recreation Registration
All fee-based classes & events have been uploaded to https://secure.rec1.com/CA/los-altos-hills-ca/catalog.

Adult Horseback Riding and Playdates and Ponies Camps
These camps are fully booked and started this week and next week respectively.

Floral Pop-Up Photo Frame In Partnership with Hidden Villa

Sheriff's Weekly Report

Visit the link to view the Sheriff's weekly report for August 29 - September 4, 2022.
The Sheriff’s weekly report is always for the week prior to the City Manager’s report

Residential Burglaries Continue to Trend Up

Residential Burglary Numbers Continue Trending Up in 2022. Please be aware, West Valley Patrol continues to see an upward trend in the number of residential burglaries reported. Affluent communities remain a criminal target, and not all, but a large majority of the cases involve homes where residents were away from the home for an extended period, leaving the property vulnerable.

Knowing when the crime occurred, and a smaller window of criminal opportunity helps detectives utilize the automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras. In one case, because there was relative certainty as to when the crime occurred, detectives were able to use these cameras and track down the vehicle used by suspects to get to the residence they burglarized. However, that vehicle was cold-plated, meaning the suspects placed stolen license plates on the vehicle used during the commission of the crime to avoid detection, a fast-growing trend as more and more municipalities install ALPR cameras. Unfortunately, those stolen plates did not activate the ALPR cameras because the owner of the vehicle the plates were stolen from did not yet discover the theft, nor report it to the agency of jurisdiction.

In our continued efforts to combat this crime, and in partnership with the community, we ask that residents be mindful of the license plates affixed to their cars. Be sure to look for the plates on your car and make timely reports of license plate thefts. You may also want to consider using anti-theft screws to secure license plates to your vehicle to make it more difficult to remove them.

Finally, as always, we continue to ask that residents call 9-1-1 immediately to report any suspicious activity.