February 27-March 3, 2023

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February 28, 2023 Special City Council Meeting
On Tuesday this week, the City Council called a special City Council meeting to discuss what actions the Town can take to curve residential burglaries occurring in Los Altos Hills. The Council received a presentation from Public Safety consultant Brian Uhler, on the immediate, medium  term, and long-term solutions that Town can take. The Council passed four motions that evening:

• Authorize the City Manager to negotiate a contract for private security in Town for the next 90 days, not to exceed $150,000; 
• Increase the investigative hours dedicated to detective wok with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office  with a full-time detective for 3-months; 
• Engage in a community outreach campaign to educate residents on the crime trends in Town and what they can do to protect their property; and
• Direct the Sheriff's Office to include an additional full time deputy for the upcoming 2023-24 fiscal year.

A recording of the City Council Meeting can be seen here.

Public Service Announcement – Post Card coming to your mailbox

Be on the lookout for a City issued Postcard with information and instruction on what you can do in light of the recent trends in residential burglaries.  Be vigilant, arm your home, protect your valuables, and don’t hesitate to call 911 if you see something suspicious.  

HOLD THE DATE – March 15, 6PM - Housing Element and Builders Remedy Town Hall  

The Town will be hosting a Town Hall to take questions and discuss our Housing Element, recent builders remedy applications submitted to the Town, and our efforts to comply with State Law while protecting local decision making and the character of our community. We have a panel of experts and a moderator to get through the 1-hour session.  Stay tuned for virtual meeting instructions and details about how to submit questions.

Use Rodent exclusion not poison to reduce rodents

Midpen Regional Open Space recently reported a dead coyote and bobcat at Rancho San Antonio Preserve. The cause of death was rodenticide. These top predators provide invaluable services to our community by eating thousands of rodents a year. Rodent exclusion techniques, not poison, are best to keep rodents away. Read on

Past Events and Brown Act Meetings:

February 27:Parks and Recreation Committee Special Meeting   - 5:30 pm
February 27:Pathways Committee Regular Meeting - 6:30 pm
February 28: City Council Special Meeting - 6:00 pm

March 2: Library Commission Regular Meeting - 6:00 pm
March 2: Community Relations Regular Meeting - 7:00 pm
March 2: Planning Commission Regular Meeting - 6:00 pm
March 3: Art Exhibit Inflection Points - 10:00 am

Upcoming Events and Brown Act Meetings:

March 5: Newcomers Welcome Reception - 1:00-3:00 pm  

March 6: Finance and Investment Committee - Cancelled 
March 6: LA/LAH Senior Commission - 4:30 pm
March 7: Site Development/Fast Track -10:00 am
March 7: Emergency Preparedness and Response Committee - 6:00 pm  
March 7: Youth Commission - 7:00 pm
March 8: Open Space Committee - 9:00 am
March 8: Technology Committee - 5:00 pm

Planning and Building 

Public Hearing

 Site Development Hearing

25020 Oneonta Drive – File #SD20-0066 – Lands of Ting

A request for Site Development Permit for an 865 square-foot second-floor addition over a 233 square-foot first-floor addition and 673 square-foot attached ADU at an existing single-story residence; project includes a detached 650 square-foot workshop in the backyard and new decking.

CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Sections 15301(e) and 15303(e)

Project Approved

 26929 Almaden Court – File #SD22-0076 – Lands of Hogben

A request for Site Development Permit for an 375 square-foot second-floor addition and two covered decks over an existing detached garage; project includes conversion of 185 square feet of garage square footage into a covered patio.

CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Sections 15301(e)

Project Approved

Other Update

Senior Planner Elaine Ling attended Santa Clara County Planning Official Monthly Meeting on March 1, 2023. The agenda included Affordable Housing Ordinance and a call for a joint nexus study across San Mateo and Santa Clara County.  

Public Works 

Pathway Projects

Saddle Court Pathway
Staff is evaluating and planning out construction for Saddle Court Pathway in the summer.

Summerhill Pathway
Staff is working with the design consultant to address few comments on the design plans before submitting to the County for the encroachment permit.   Currently, the engineer’s estimate on the design is well over the project budget and some value engineering may be required. 

New Pathway Segments for 2023
For the Town’s goal to construction 3.6 miles of new pathways in 2023, staff plans to present the work plan, pathway segments to be considered, project timeline, and budget needs at the March 16 meeting for Council’s consideration. 

Sewer CIP Projects

2022 Sanitary Sewer Repair and Replacement Project 
The bids for the 2022 Sanitary Sewer Repair and Replacement project bid package were due at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 2.  The Town received seven (7) bids.  The total bid amounts ranged from $467,220 to $817,400.  The Engineer’s Estimate for the project was $550,000.  Staff will seek Council’s approval for an award of the construction contract to the lowest responsible bidder at the March 16 Council Meeting. 

Staff is also preparing the plans and specifications for the 2023 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation project for bid later this year.

Permits Issued

Encroachment Permits: 2
Sewer Permits Issued: 1

Maintenance

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

• Clear multiple storm drain inlets.
• Replace heavy manhole lids with light-weight lids for worker safety as recommended by West Bay Sanitation District.
• Remove worn out reflectors on El Monte Road guardrail and replace with new reflectors.
• Clean up of tree debris at Purissima Park path from storms.
• Mow, blow, and infield maintenance at Purissima Park

Finance, Human Resources, IT Services

 Accounts Payable/Budget/Payroll/Receivables

• Received $144,397 in cash receipts and/or electronic funds transfer (EFT).
• Processed 94 invoices for a total of $735,097.

 Human Resources  Open Recruitment

Open Recruitment: 

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

Staff will be starting recruitment for a Community Development Director and asking Council to approve the creation of a new Assistant Community Development Director/CBO at the March 16^th Council meeting.

Sheriff's Weekly Report 

Visit the link to view the Sheriff's weekly report for February 20-26, 2023. The Sheriff’s weekly report is always for the week prior to the City Manager’s report.

Another Successful ALPR Event:

•  On Saturday, February 25^th, at 6:04 PM, deputies received an ALPR hit on a vehicle displaying stolen license plates in the area of W. Edith Avenue and W. Fremont Road.  
• Deputies located the vehicle parked on Purissima Road, near Robleda Road, occupied by two subjects.  
• The subjects stated they had borrowed the vehicle from their grandfather, who was the registered owner and currently out of the country.
• Neither subject knew anything about the stolen license plates, as they were not the normal drivers of the car.
• Deputies were able to confirm this information.  
• Deputies collected the previously reported stolen license plates as found property and removed it from the system.
• The vehicle, as well as the two occupants, were released at the scene.