City Manager Weekly Update - March 17, 2017

City Clerk

New Commissioners Appointed
The City Council appointed several individuals to serve on various Commissions at their meeting on Tuesday, March 14, 2017. The following were appointed: Historical Commission - Qing Bai and Russell Bartlett; Parks and Recreation Commission - Michael Ellerin and Tanya Lindermeier; Planning and Transportation Commission - Anita Enander; and Joint Community Volunteer Service Awards Committee - Dhana Pawar. In addition, the following were reappointed to their Commissions: Parks and Recreation Commission - Jonathan Weinberg; and Senior Commission - Doris Hawks Torbeck and Bert Vincent. Congratulations to those appointed and reappointed and thank you to all those who applied.

Jardin Drive Annexation
The City has heard from the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) that the Jardin Drive Annexation application has been completed. Effective on March 15, 2017, six properties along Jardin Drive are now part of the City of Los Altos.

Community Development

Housing Nexus Fees
The Planning and Transportation Commission at its meeting Thursday, March 16, 2017, considered the recently completed housing fee nexus studies for residential and non-residential projects. In accordance with Program 4.3.7 of the City’s adopted 2015-2023 Housing Element, the City is to consider adopting a commercial development linkage fee, which if adopted will provide funding for affordable housing.

The City joined a multi-city nexus study effort headed by the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Keyser Marston Associates prepared the technical study for the 12 participating jurisdictions in Alameda and Santa Clara counties, with each community receiving specific recommendations. After taking public comment, reviewing, and then deliberating the studies, the Planning and Transportation Commission felt it was appropriate that the City maintain its multi-family affordable housing requirements and adopt housing fees to support affordable housing. The recommendations of the Commission will be taken to the City Council for consideration.

Moratorium on Development for El Camino Real Corridor Extended
The development moratorium along the El Camino Real corridor, which includes the CT zone district, was extended until November. This extension will allow the Planning and Transportation Commission to complete its review of the CT code amendments and work on the new density bonus regulations. Until the expiration of the moratorium, the City will not take in any development applications for projects in this area of the City.

Planning and Transportation Commission Continues Review of CT Zone District Amendments
The Planning and Transportation Commission took up amendments to the site development standards for the CT Zone District once again at its meeting on Thursday evening. This is the zoning designation for most of the parcels that have frontage on El Camino Real. The amendments cover an array of development standards such as height limit, setback requirements, and mechanical parking systems to name a few. Commissioners refined earlier direction on the code changes and asked staff to make the modifications. In addition to these amendments, the Commission will begin working on new density bonus regulations with their first review of these regulations expected to take place in April.

Downtown Vision
At its meeting on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 the City Council concurred with the consultant’s Community Engagement Plan for the Downtown Vision project and agreed that input from the Community would be beneficial in the formation of the future scenarios for the Downtown. These scenarios will depict how the Downtown might look in the future based on a various levels of development activity. In turn, the Community can evaluate these scenarios and determine which represents the best vision for the Downtown.

Police

Neighborhood Safety Workshop
We had roughly 45 residents join us for our first of two Neighborhood Safety Workshops held Tuesday, March 14, 2017. Those in attendance were introduced to our new Community Service Officer, Amanda Pitman, who is now overseeing our Crime Prevention and Code Enforcement functions. Amanda gave a great presentation to discuss crime prevention programs like Neighborhood Watch and Home Security Inspections. She reminded residents of the importance of situational awareness, looking out for their neighborhood and promptly reporting suspicious individuals or activities. If you missed the workshop and would like to learn more, please join us for our second installment on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. at Hillview Community Center. Please RSVP if you plan to attend.

Allied Agency Traffic Enforcement Scheduled for Next Week
In an effort to reduce pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle collisions, the Los Altos Police Department is partnering with other allied law enforcement agencies in Santa Clara County to conduct high visibility traffic enforcement operations throughout the county. The Los Altos Police Department is hosting this operation for the month of March on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Officers will be divided into 6 teams (including 2 pedestrian decoy teams) that will conduct high visibility enforcement along the San Antonio Road and Foothill Expressway corridors and in front of several school zones. Enforcement will focus on pedestrian and bicycle violations as well as unsafe speed. Officers will also be looking for other violations including pedestrian right-of-way, jaywalking, bicycle lane violations, red light/stop sign violations, speeding in school zones, mobile phone violations as well as any other dangerous violations that may occur.

St. Patrick's Day Safety Tips
While wishing you a Happy St. Patrick’s Day, we also want to remind you of the dangers of driving while impaired. California Highway Patrol data shows three people died on St. Patrick’s Day last year in California and CHP officers made 145 DUI arrests statewide. AAA reported 60 others were injured in alcohol-related crashes or collisions. If you plan to go out celebrating tonight, please keep yourself and others safe by following these easy tips:

Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin
Before drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home
If you’re impaired, call a taxi, ride share, sober friend or family member, or use public transportation to get home safely
AAA will be offering ‘Tipsy Tows’ once again this year. Drivers, passengers, party hosts and bartenders or restaurant managers can call (800) 222-4357 between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Saturday to request a tow.
Report Drunk Drivers by calling 9-1-1

And remember, if you know someone who is about to drive while impaired, take the keys and help that person make other arrangements to get to where he or she is going safely. Thank you for helping to keep our community safe.

Public Works

PG&E and AT&T – Joint Trench Relocation Project
On March 6, 2017, Underground Construction Company and West Valley (PG&E’s and AT&T’s subcontractors) began working on the relocation of a joint utility trench along Fremont Avenue between Truman Avenue and Fallen Leaf Lane. The work is anticipated to last until the end of June. This week, the contractors completed the saw cutting for the new trench and potholed existing utilities on Fremont Avenue between Truman Avenue and Fallen Leaf Lane. The trench work on this segment of Fremont Avenue is anticipated to be completed early next week. Similar work will begin on the segment of Fremont Avenue from Truman Avenue to Wessex Avenue next week.

Traffic Signal at Fremont Avenue and Grant Road
PG&E repaired vehicle loops that had been damaged due to their construction work at the intersection of Fremont Avenue and Grant Road. Upon repair, the City restored normal signal operations.

City Hall Roof Replacement
Engineering issued a bid this week for the removal and replacement of the roof at City Hall. The existing roof is in poor condition and needs replacement. Bids are due on April 4, 2017 and work is expected to occur in the late spring once the wet weather is behind us.

W. Edith Avenue and University Avenue Crosswalk Improvement
The City will advertise for construction bid improvements for a new crosswalk at the intersection of W. Edith Avenue and University Avenue on Friday, March 17, 2017. These improvements include a new continental crosswalk, enhanced electronic crosswalk device, new curb ramps, a new concrete bulb-out and minor striping. Students accessing Gardner Bullis Elementary School will benefit from these improvements. Construction is anticipated to begin at the beginning of summer.

Request for Proposals – Sewer Rate Structure Analysis
Engineering issued a request for proposals this week to perform a Sewer Rate Structure Analysis and the Administration of the Annual Sewer Service Charges. In 2013, the City adopted a 5-year rate structure with incremental increases each year to fund the operations, treatment and capital improvements of the City’s sanitary sewer system. The selected consultant will work with City staff and will be tasked with recommending a new rate structure for an additional 5-year period beginning in 2018.

First Street Utility Undergrounding Project
This week, PG&E crews completed the electrical aerial to underground conversion elements of the project. Crews energized the new power lines and removed the overhead lines and associated equipment. Utility poles have been shortened to the height just above the phone and cable lines. Comcast and AT&T will be next to remove the utility lines and the remaining associated poles. Final restoration of the sidewalks and street will occur over the next two months.

Promotions
The Maintenance Division recently held promotional interviews and we are happy to announce that the following individuals successfully secured their promotions:

Jamaane Bridges – from Maintenance Worker II to Lead-worker, Streets Section
Rogelio Baltazar – from Maintenance Worker II to Lead-worker, Parks Section
Robert Jimenez – from Maintenance Worker I to Maintenance Worker II, Streets Section
Martin Gonzales – from Maintenance Worker I to Maintenance Worker II, Parks Section
Kyle Ignaitis – from Maintenance Worker I to Maintenance Worker II, Parks Section

Recreation & Community Services

Save the Date: Spring Egg Hunt
The Annual Spring Egg Hunt is scheduled to take place – rain or shine – on Saturday, April 15, 2017. Children’s activities and visits with Fun E. Bunny will begin at 9:30 a.m., with the Egg Hunt beginning at 10:00 a.m. sharp. Free, family-friendly activities will continue afterwards. Please plan to join us for this beloved community event at the Hillview Park soccer field.