February 13-17, 2023

www.losaltoshills.ca.gov/cmwr
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Keeping the Town Informed and Represented

The Town recently awarded contracts to two firms to help represent our interests and media relations to the string of press inquiries we have been receiving in light of our recent “Builders Remedy” applications.  Tripepi Smith has been retained as our media and communications advisor.  In addition, the Town has retained the lobbying firm of Joe A. Gonsalves and Son to help represent the Town before the California State Legislature and California State Departments.

Keeping the Town Informed

A new and improved version of this report is coming soon.  Hearing comments that residents want both more and less details, staff is taking a new approach to keeping the council and community informed.   Stay tuned and we look forward to your feedback.

SVCE Decarbonization Grant

The Town was recently awarded a $70,000 grant from Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) for a decarbonization community engagement project. The funds will be used to educate the public on a variety of electrification, renewable energy, EV, battery storage, microgrid and load shifting technologies already in use or soon to be implemented at the Town Hall facility on Fremont Road through the Battery Energy Storage System CIP. The proposal for the funds is to design & build an educational kiosk and matching website explaining the benefits (and potential challenges) of these technologies, and decarbonizing buildings in general, and will be available to the entire SVCE community. To review the proposal, click here.

Authorization for Two Additional Overtime Deputies in Town

At the City Council meeting last night, the Council authorized the City Manager to direct the Sheriff's Office to increase the number of overtime deputies patrolling the Town by two  full-time deputies. For the next two months, a total of three deputies will be patrolling the streets in Town as a response to the increase of residential burglaries. The Sheriff's Office will return to the City Council in April to review the effectiveness of this increase. 

Coffee With the Sheriff Event Series – February 21st

Please join the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office and Los Altos Hills Town Staff for the Virtual Coffee with a Sheriff event - a monthly program to enhance public safety and communication in the Town. 

This program was created to enable the Sheriff's Office the chance to interact more successfully with the citizens they serve each day. The goal is casual, one-on-one conversations between residents and Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office. There are no speeches and no agendas.  This is an opportunity for you to meet your neighborhood members of the Sheriff's Office in a relaxed environment, build bonds, and share ideas to make our communities even better.

This monthly event will take place on the 3rd Tuesday of every month from 2-3pm 

Next Meeting Information: Tuesday, February 23, 2023 at 2:00-3:00 PM

http://bit.ly/CoffeeWithTheSheriffLAH
Meeting ID: 865 1379 0200
Passcode: 94022
Phone: 669 900 6833

Generator Safety Tips from the Los Altos Hills County Fire District

Generators can be helpful when the power goes out. It is important to know how use them safely to prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and other hazards.

• Generators and fuel should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows, doors and attached garages.
• Install working carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can kill you, your family and pets.
• Keep the generator dry and protected from rain or flooding. Touching a wet generator or devices connected to one can cause electrical shock.
• Always connect the generator to appliances with heavy-duty extension cords.
• Let the generator cool before refueling. Fuel spilled on hot engine parts can ignite.
• Follow manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

LAFCO Countywide Fire Service Review TAC Meeting  

The Local Agency Formation Commission of Santa Clara County (LAFCO) had a meeting of the Technical Advisory Team on the Countywide Fire Service Review today, February 17th, at 1:00pm. The agenda and supporting documents can be seen here. The Consultant working with LAFCO staff, AP Triton, will be giving a short presentation in the preliminary findings of the service review including service delivery, finances, fire prevention, wildfire concerns in the WUI, and emergency communications. 

Past Events and Brown Act Meetings:

February 13: Emergency Preparedness & Response Committee Special Meeting - 6:00 pm
February 14: Environmental Design & Protection Committee Special Meeting - 4:00 pm
February 15: Planning Commission Special Meeting on SB 9 - 6:00 pm
February 16: City Council Regular Meeting - 6:00 pm

Sheriff’s Contract Ad Hoc Committee 

This week the Sheriff’s Contract Ad Hoc Committee met to discuss the rise in residential burglaries in Town in light of the upcoming Sheriff’s Contract. The Ad Hoc Committee began exploring options that the Town could take to help lower the rate of crime and provide more assistance in solving events after they occur. The Group also received a presentation from the Sheriff’s Office Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT). This team will include a Deputy Sheriff and a licensed clinician to safely respond and assist residents who are experiencing a crisis. The intent behind the PERT program is to assist residents with immediate psychiatric services, de-escalate incidents involving someone in crisis, and to provide the best quality of care.

Upcoming Events and Brown Act Meetings:
February 20: Presidents Day Holiday - Town Hall Closed
February 21: History Committee Regular Meeting - 3:30 pm
February 21: Youth Commission Regular Meeting - 7:00 pm
February 23: Environmental Initiatives Committee Regular Meeting - 6:30 pm

Ad Hoc Committee on Broadband
The committee comprised of Vice Mayor Mok and Councilmember Tankha will meet along with the Technology Committee to hear an update from GovTechGroup on the Broadband Feasibility Study. The meeting will be open to the public to attend. Please check our agenda center for the Tech Committee Agenda where you can get a link to attend.

Planning and Building 

Second Planning Commission Study Session on SB 9 Ordinance

On February 15, 2023, the Planning Commission held the second study session for the SB 9 Ordinance to focus on the development standards. The Ad Hoc Committee will continue to work with staff on this topic to be discussed again at a third Planning Commission Study Session.  The date will be announced. 

Public Works 

Grading Moratorium
The Grading Moratorium is in effect from October 1, 2022, to April 30, 2023. Construction inspections throughout the Town in effect throughout the Town for ongoing construction projects.

Pathway Projects

Saddle Court Pathway
Survey staking work started last week and is anticipated to wrap up this week. With the staking information, staff will be able to evaluate and plan out construction for Saddle Court Pathway in the summer.

Permits Issued

Encroachment Permits: 0
Sewer Permits Issued: 0

Maintenance

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

• Remove downed tree on Byrd Ln.
• Replace multiple street signs throughout Town
• Maintain/repair infields at Purissima Park for start of Little League Season
• Mow, clean and blow Purissima Park
• Grade and stripe gravel lot near Corp Yard
• Asphalt repair on Manuella Rd

Finance, Human Resources, IT Services

Accounts Payable/Budget/Payroll/Receivables

• Received $123,807 in cash receipts and/or electronic funds transfer (EFT).
• Processed 133 invoices with a total of $388,675.
• Management Staff held their annual Budget Retreat to prepare for the FY23-24 Operating and Capital Improvement Plan.

 Human Resources  

Open Recruitment

Maintenance Seasonal Help in Public Works - Recruitment open until filled.

Sheriff's Weekly Report 

Visit the link to view the Sheriff's weekly report for February 6-12, 2023. The Sheriff’s weekly report is always for the week prior to the City Manager’s report.

February’s Coffee with the Sheriff to be held Next Week:

Next Tuesday, February 21^st, Captain Valenzuela will be hosting the monthly “Coffee with the Sheriff” meeting with Los Altos Hills residents.  The meeting will begin at 2 PM, via Zoom, and usually lasts between 30 and 60 minutes.  The Sheriff’s Office encourages residents to join us for this informative and fun meeting where we can discuss crime trends, provide safety tips, answer questions, and discuss just about anything a local resident wants to talk about.  

 “Coffee with the Sheriff” meetings are held on the third Tuesday of every month at 2 PM, via Zoom.  For information on “Coffee with the Sheriff” and to get the Zoom link to participate in this informative meeting, please see the Town of Los Altos Hills website or contact a representative from Town Hall.