City Manager Weekly Update - February 10, 2017

Flooding in Redwood Grove

Public Works

Storm Responses
Public Works crews have worked diligently this week attending to storm-related issues. They are monitoring known hot spots, including drain inlets, ditches, trash racks and creeks, and have ensured sufficient sandbags are available for residents. The storm this week required the closure of Redwood Grove until further notice due to high water levels in Adobe Creek.

Engineering and Traffic Surveys at 15 Collector Street Segments
At the Tuesday, February 14, 2017 City Council Study Session, staff will present proposed engineering and traffic surveys at 15 collector street segments. Engineering and traffic surveys are used to establish speed limits and are required in the use of radar or lidar (laser) speed enforcement. Staff will provide background on survey development and enforcement requirements relating to the engineering and traffic surveys and speed limits.

Traffic Loop Repair
Vehicle traffic loop repairs will be made by the subcontractor of PG&E at the intersection of Fremont Avenue and Grant Road on Monday, February 13, 2017. The traffic loops became non-functional during PG&E’s utility work along Grant Road in late 2016. Traffic loops are used to detect the presence of vehicles or cyclists at a signalized intersection.

2017 Sewer Projects
Engineering has been working with various consultants on the design of three different sewer projects that will be under construction this summer. These projects will include the rehabilitation and replacement of approximately 7,500 linear feet (1.4 miles) of sewer mains throughout the City of Los Altos as recommended in the City’s Sanitary Sewer Master Plan.

Construction Site Stormwater Inspections
Every year, and specifically over the past few weeks, Engineering staff review and inspect the erosion control measures at active construction sites throughout the City to make sure sites are in compliance with Storm Water Pollution Prevention regulations during the rainy season.

Addition to Maintenance Staff - Facilities Section
The Facilities Section recently welcomed Jose Valadez to the team as a Maintenance Worker I. Jose brings a wealth of experience along with a “can do” attitude. He comes to us from the City of Santa Clara. Jose will be assigned to Hillview Community Center and he is very excited to be part of the City of Los Altos teams. 

Apply for a City Commission

City Clerk

Apply for a Los Altos Commission
The City Council invites Los Altos residents to apply for appointment to open seats on the Historical, Parks and Recreation, Planning and Transportation, and Senior Commissions as well as the Los Altos-Los Altos Hills Joint Community Volunteer Service Awards Committee. Each Commission and Committee contributes knowledge and expertise that helps guide and inform decisions made by the City Council. Applications are due by Friday, February 17, 2017. For more information and application materials, click here.

Recreation & Community Services

Senior Center Speaker Panel
The City will be hosting a Speaker Panel to remember and appreciate the rich history of the Los Altos Senior Center! Guest Speakers include King Lear, Paul Gonella and Stan Ferris, a long-time member and volunteer. Come and join us on Thursday, February 16, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in the Hillview Senior Center, Room 11. This event is free to Senior Program Members (donations accepted). A reception will follow.

Community Development

Review of Larkellen Single Story Overlay District Proceeds
An application has been received from property owners in the Larkellen Neighborhood that seeks to have a single-story overlay district applied to their neighborhood. Staff has completed its preliminary review of the application and will be taking the request to the Council on February 28 for confirmation of the neighborhood boundary. If approved, future development in this neighborhood, which encompasses properties on Larkellen Lane, Fallen Leaf Lane, Havenhurst Drive and Ravenswood Drive, will be limited to single-story structures.

CT Zone District Amendments to Receive Further Review by Planning & Transportation Commission
Next Thursday, February 16, the Planning and Transportation Commission is set to continue their review of amendments to the site development standards for the CT Zone District. This is the zoning designation for most of the parcels that have frontage on El Camino Real. The revised ordinance incorporates the suggestions of the Commission at their meeting on February 2 and incorporates revised height limits and change to the list of permitted uses, which would allow multi-family residential buildings and mixed-use buildings (commercial and residential) without having to receive approval of a conditional use permit first.

Santa Clara County Fire Department Public Workshop

Assistant City Manager

Join Santa Clara County Fire for a Community Workshop
The Santa Clara County Fire Department has served the Los Altos community for 20 years and continually strives to deliver the highest level of service possible. The Fire Department’s Strategic Plan serves as the guiding document for organizational decision-making. The #1 goal in the plan is to improve communications with residents. As a step to accomplish this goal, the Fire Department will host a Public Workshop:

Tuesday, February 28, 2017
9:30 a.m. - noon
The Garden House, 400 University Avenue, Los Altos

Participants are welcome to drop-in anytime during this 3-hour session. The Fire Department is interested in gathering your ideas and feedback about how they can better communicate with you, respond to neighborhood priorities, and provide meaningful information about their services. In addition to the workshop, County Fire’s newest fire engine will be on display – a unique “Type 6” wildland fire engine designed to access the surrounding open space areas.

For those unable to attend the workshop in-person, please consider sharing your thoughts via an online survey. Your involvement in this process is important, as it helps Santa Clara County Fire Department better serve the Los Altos community.

Silicon Valley Clean Energy

Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) Launches Electrical Power in Los Altos
Ten important facts to know about SVCE:

  1. SVCE will begin an automatic rollout of electrical power supply to some residential and business customers in April 2017
  2. Remaining customers will be automatically enrolled in SVCE in July and October 2017
  3. Customers will be automatically enrolled in SVCE GreenStart, 50% renewable and 100% carbon free electrical power
  4. GreenStart rates are slightly lower than current PG&E rates
  5. Customers will continue to receive billing, customer service and transmission service from PG&E
  6. Residents and business customers will receive 4 notification flyers from SVCE – 2 before service commences and 2 after service starts
  7. Residents and business customers are able to opt-out of SVCE enrollment at any time to remain with PG&E electrical power supply
  8. Customers can opt-up to GreenPrime to receive 100% renewable and 100% carbon free electrical power
  9. GreenPrime rates are slightly higher that current PG&E rates
  10. Using SVCE renewable energy is an easy, economical way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve our carbon footprint. It’s the single most effective way to accomplish the Los Altos communities’ climate action goals.

Learn More at an Upcoming Community Meeting

Wednesday, March 1, 2017 – 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Grant Park Community Center, Multipurpose Room
1575 Holt Avenue, Los Altos
Hosted by the City of Los Altos

Wednesday, March 15, 2017 – 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Los Altos Main Library, Orchard Room
13 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos
Hosted by GreenTown Los Altos

For more information, please visit SVCleanEnergy.org or call (844) 474-SVCE.

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