December 12-16, 2022

Week 50
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City Council Reorganization

At the December 15, 2022 Regular City Council meeting, the Council reorganized and selected Linda Swan as Mayor and Stanley Q. Mok as Vice Mayor for 2023. Additionally, Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian administered the Oath of Office to Councilmembers Kavita Tankha and George Tyson who began their second term on the City Council.

Lifetime Service Awards
Jitze, Duffy, and Carol

Lifetime Volunteer Awards

The Council awarded Lifetime Volunteer Awards to Jitze Couperus, Nancy Couperus, Carol Gottlieb and Duffy Price. The award winners attended the City Council meeting on December 15th and expressed their appreciation for being recognized for volunteerism.

Lifetime Service Award
Nancy

Santa Clara County City Manager Luncheon in Milpitas

(From left to right) Sarah Robustelli, Sarina Revillar, Deborah Padovan, Cody Einfalt, Sofia Mangalam, Peter Pirnejad and Frank Benest

Santa Clara County City Managers Association Luncheon
On Wednesday this week, Town staff accompanied the City Manager to the annual Santa Clara County City Manager’s Association Holiday Luncheon in Milpitas. The City of Milpitas hosted a great event filled with food and networking with other local city administrators in the County.

End of year Council Goals Recap
The City Manager provided the council with an end of the year recap of the progress made to date on all the council goals and initiatives identified in January of this year as well as the many additional goals that were added throughout the year. City Manager Pirnejad thanked the Council, committees, commission and of course the staff for their hard work and diligence in making 2022 such a success and looks forward to caring over the remaining work items to 2023 as part of our Council Goal setting meeting on January 25, 2023.

Westwind Community Barn and VDE Contract Discussion
This week staff had separate meetings with members of the Finance Committee and Victoria Dye to discuss amendments to the contract as well as with Nancy Couperus and friends to discuss the Westwind Riding Institute to hear respective feedback and perspectives in an effort to revise the contract that is coming due in Q2 2023. We anticipate bring this item to council for review in Q1 2023

Quarterly Newsletter
Be on the lookout for a new publication coming your way via USPS in January/February. This new newsletter will complement “Our Town” but focus entirely on Town Government news. If your one of the several hundred residents that read this weekly update you will have one more source Town updates. Stay Tuned and tell us what you think.

Our Town AdHoc Newsletter Committee
The AdHoc Committee meet on Tuesday December 13 to discuss progress on the publication and steps to move the item forward to council. The committee was also given updates on the Quarterly Newsletter and its publication in the January timeframe.

Meeting With GreenWaste to Discuss Amendment #3
This week Town staff had a meeting with the Town’s Attorney to discuss implementing Amendment #3 to the Solid Waste Franchise Agreement with GreenWaste. This amendment will help residents who have shared driveways and pay for optional walk-on/drive-on charges as well as cap the annual increase in rates come 2024 to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). These changes are targeted to take place in the new year. If there are any question, you can contact Cody Einfalt, Management Analyst for the Town at ceinfalt@losaltoshills.ca.gov

Earthquake Country Alliance

Money to help your Neighborhood, School, Workplace, or Facility Improve Earthquake Readiness
Apply now for an Earthquake Country Alliance Mini Award to get a predefined “mitigation kit.” Any public and private sector organization (agency, institution, business, neighborhood association, etc.) may propose a project and apply for a Mini Award. The mitigation kits (valued at $500) include items to help reduce the risk of earthquake damage in your building such as furniture straps, TV and electronics straps, special picture hooks, cabinet door latches, QuakeHold! putty, gas shut off wrenches, and more. Learn more about the program and apply at https://www.earthquakecountry.org/miniawards/
Application deadline: January 9, 2023

Invasive Plant Guide for Los Altos Hills

The Open Space Committee would like to distribute the Invasive Plant Guide for Los Altos Hills to the residents. This guide provides information about plant species that property owners should know. For more information, please contact the Open Space Committee at openspacecommittee@losaltoshills.ca.gov

Open House with LAHCFD Commissioners and local agencies
J. Logan held an open house for the LAHCFD Commissioners and local agencies on December 15 to show appreciation and good will to the extradentary contributions and collaboration enjoyed this last year. Thank you to J. and the commissioners for everything they do to serve the Town.

Holiday Closer of Town Hall Dec 26 – Jan 2
Please be advise that the Town Hall will be closed January 26 and reopening for customer service on January 3. Although many staff will be working at that time we are using the downtime to catchup, keep up and get ahead for the new year.

City Council Meeting Recap

The City Council held their regular meeting on Thursday, December 15. A recap of the meeting can be found here.

Past Brown Act Meetings:

December 10: Series: Native Plant Garden Workshop 10:00-Noon
December 12: Finance and Investment Committee 4:00-6:00 pm
December 12: Public Art Committee 5:00-7:00 pm
December 12: Planning Commission Special Meeting 6:00 pm
December 13: Environmental Design and Protection Committee 5:45 pm
December 14: Open Space Committee - Cancelled
December 14: Technology Committee 5:00 pm
December 15: Crime Prevention & Home Fire Safety 11:00 - Noon
December 15: City Council Reorganization Meeting 5:30 pm

Upcoming Brown Act Meetings and Events:

December 17: Community Relations Committee Special Meeting - 2:00 pm
December 19: Parks and Recreation Committee Regular Meeting - 5:30 pm
December 20: History Committee Regular Meeting - 3:30 pm
December 22: Environmental Initiatives Commitee Regular Meeting - Cancelled

Planning and Building

Planning Permits*
Applied: 4
Approved: 3

Building Permits*
Applied: 3
Issued: 8

Inspections*
Building: 53

Code Enforcement Cases*
Open: 2
Closed: 0
*December 9-15 2022

Public Hearings on Development Projects

Site Development Public Hearing

On December 13, 2022, planning staff held a public hearing to review the following three items:

27983 Central Drive – File #SD22-0049 – Lands of Viam Central Partners, LLC Site Development Permit for landscape screening for an approved new residence. The hearing was continued to a date uncertain.

24160 Dawnridge Drive – File #SD22-0029 – Lands of Andrews - Site Development Permit for landscape screening for an approved new residence. The project was approved with conditions.

27772 Lupine Road – File #SD22-0067 – Lands of Klein - Site Development Permit for a new 1,206 square foot pool and spa with associated hardscaping.The project was approved with conditions.

Planning Commission Study Session

Study Session to consider 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).

The video recordings of the two meetings can be found at here under the specific date.

Public Works

CIP Projects

Town Hall Renovation
The Town Hall Interior Renovation project is complete. Special thanks to the staff that worked tirelessly to make this happen and the apologies to all those inconvenienced by our renovation.

Pathways

Briones Way Pathway
Town sent notices to homeowners for construction of the Briones Way pathway. The project is scheduled to begin in late Winter, with completion in early Spring as weather allows. Weather has postponed this project until further notice.

Concepcion Road Pathway
Town to send out notices to in early 2023 regarding construction of the Concepcion Road Pathway.

Edgerton Pathway
Town staff has finished revising construction plans for the Edgerton Pathway. Town staff is performing construction cost estimates.

Fremont Rd. - Redwood Grove Pathway
Town is awaiting response from the City of Los Altos.

La Paloma Pathway
Town to send out notices to in early 2023 regarding construction of the La Paloma Pathway.

Saddle Court Pathway
Town has sent out emails requesting bids for the survey staking of the Saddle Court Pathway. The Town will wait for bids and award the winning bid to the lowest bidder.

Summerhill Pathway
Town has entered into agreement with surveying contractor for additional topography. Additional survey work to be done in late December, 2022/early January, 2023. Notices have been sent out to homeowners via mail.

Permits Issued:

Encroachment Permits: 4
Sewer Permits Issued: 1

Maintenance:

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

PW Maintenance Crew

Storm response and 2 fallen trees in weekend’s storm
Assisting Town staff in moving back to Town Hall
Clear drains
Debris pick up on Elena Rd.

Drain Clearing

Litter pick up

Drain Clearing

Finance, Human Resources, IT Services

Accounts Payable/Budget/Payroll/Receivables

Received $1,260,031 in cash receipts and/or electronic funds transfer (EFT).
Processed 121 invoices for a total of $1,215,980.
Processed 36 payroll checks with a liability of $96,609.

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

Caroling in the Hills 12/20 at 7:30

Community Services

Upcoming Events:

Caroling in the Hills

Tuesday, December 20 from 7:30-9 pm at Town Hall
Join with your neighbors in bringing fun holiday cheer to the neighborhoods. Drinks and treats will be provided to warm our voices up before heading out on pathways. Carolers should wear warm clothes and bring a flashlight. In case of inclement weather caroling will be held at Town Hall only. For more information, please contact Scott Vanderlip at 650 793-0475 or email at scott@inet-sciences.com.

Grand Reopening of Town Hall
Wednesday, January 4 at 9:00 am
Join us at the Grand Reopening. Take a tour of the renovations, grab an espresso from the coffee cart, and a donut hole.

Senior Scam Stoppers at Town Hall
Wednesday, January 11 11:00-Noon
The Contractors State will be teaming up with our own Santa Clara County Sheriff to deliver pertinent information to keep our residents safe and scam-free! For more information about Senior Scam Stoppers visit https://www.cslb.ca.gov/consumers/senior_scam_stoppers/. RSVP requested, losaltoshills.ca.gov/scamprevention

Tech for Seniors
Saturday January 14 from 9-Noon:
The Los Altos Hills Youth Commission will hold their intergenerational event. Sign up today here: losaltoshills.ca.gov/techtutoring.

TEDxLosAltosHills

The Town of Los Altos Hills is hosting our very first TEDx event on January 28, 2023. Speakers will be announced this month. This week tickets are sold out. For more information visit tedxlosaltoshills.com.

Community Events & Activities.
Sign up for the Parks and Recreation mailing list here.

Sheriff's Weekly Report

Visit the link to view the Sheriff's weekly report for December 5-11, 2022.
The Sheriff’s weekly report is always for the week prior to the City Manager’s report

Vacation with Safety in Mind:

We are moving along toward the end of the year, and many of us will be taking special vacations or trips to spend the holidays with loved ones who live out of the area. Having that in mind, follow these suggestions when traveling to deter thieves and prevent crimes while you’re on vacation.

Purchase special clothing or accessories to hide passports, identifications, money, or credit cards. Keep your valuable hidden.
Leave excessive jewelry at home.
Keep handbags in front of you and closed with the fasteners toward your body. If possible, keep your wallet in your front pants pocket.
Be careful when you use your cell phone. Don’t leave it out on a table and keep it in your purse or pocket.
Place valuables in a hotel or room safe. Don’t leave them out in the open.
Familiarize yourself with escape routes in vacation rentals or hotels so you can act quickly in case of an emergency.

While being on vacation for the holidays is fun, please ensure you take the necessary steps to keep you and your valuables safe when you’re away from home.