March 6-10, 2023

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Housing Element & Builders Remedy Town Hall 
March 15, 2023 at 6 pm   

Community members are invited to join Town of Los Altos staff and a panel of Housing Element experts for a virtual Town Hall on Wednesday, March 15, from 6 pm to 7 pm. To participate, access the following Zoom link or dial-in with the phone number 1-669-900-6833 and the Webinar ID 874 0618 5077.

During the Town Hall Community Update, participants can learn more about the Housing Element and have their questions answered by City staff and representatives involving current Builder’s Remedy applications, state housing regulations, and more. Questions can be submitted ahead of time by emailing housingelement@losaltoshills.ca.gov with the subject line “Housing Q&A” or can be asked live via Chat during the webinar’s Q&A session.

SVCE Decarbonization Grant
This week staff facilitated a meeting with Syserco and a subcommittee of the Environmental Initiatives Committee to discuss plans to use a recently awarded grant from Silicon Valley Clean Energy. The Town was awarded $70,000 to construct an educational kiosk that will display energy information about the Town's ongoing Battery Energy Storage System Capital Improvement Project. The project is tracking to be completed sometime in Q2 or Q3 of this year, depending on the weather. 

Residential Burglaries
The Town sent a postcard with tips to harden your home from burglaries. Town staff has also been working to onboard a private security team to patrol the Town as well as working cooperatively with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s department to boost detectives and deputies focused on LAH.  The City Manager will be providing an update to the Council on March 16 during the regular City Council.

Past 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: AdHoc Committee on Standing Committee Resolution to discuss how to improve working relationship with Councilmembers Tyson and Schmidt – 2:00 pm
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

Upcoming Events and Brown Act Meetings:
March 13: Environmental Design & Protection Committee Special Meeting -3:00 pm
March 13: Public Art Committee Regular Meeting - Cancelled
March 13: Joint Volunteer Awards Committee Special Meeting - 7:00 pm
March 15: Housing Element Virtual Town Hall - 6:00 pm
March 14: State of the Town at LAH Club featuring Mayor Swan - Noon
March 14: Environmental Design & Protection Committee Special Meeting - 7:00 pm
March 15: Housing Element and Builders Remedy Town Hall - 6:00 pm
March 16: City Council Special Meeting - Closed Session - 5:00 pm
March 16: City Council Regular Meeting - 6:00 pm
March 18: Drive-Thru Shred Event - 8:00-11:00 am
March 18: Brush and Yard Trimming Clean Up - 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
March 18: Chess Expo - 2:00-4:00 pm

Planning and Building 

Public Hearing

Site Development Hearing
14330 De Bell Road – File #SD22-0058 – Lands of Lextera Los Altos LLC - Site Development Permit for landscape screening and fence for an approved new residence. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Sections 15303 (e) and 15304(b) - The Project was Approved

Planning Commission Hearing

27790 Stirrup Way – File #SD22-0032 – Lands of Parikh - Site Development Permit for a new 5,000 square-foot residence with 2,861 square-foot basement. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303(a) - Project Continued to a date uncertain

Other Updates
Senior Planner Elaine Ling attended Santa Clara County Community Development Block Grant monthly meeting on March 8.  

Public Works 

Pathway Projects

Edgerton Road
Staff is working with the homeowner on Edgerton Road to obtain a pathway easement for the Edgerton Road Pathway Project.

Fremont/Redwood Grove Pathway
Staff is investigating an alternate route to keep new pathway on Town right-of-way. Staff to work with Town residents to relocate existing fences for the new alignment.

Maple Leaf Court and Middle Fork Lane
Staking work is currently being performed from 3/6/2023 to 3/10/2023, weather permitting.

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.

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. 

El Monte Fire Station Underground Project (Rule 20A)

On March 8, staff attended a job walk with the PG&E estimating team.  Having a PG&E estimator assigned to a project is a step towards completing PG&E environmental reviews and engineering design process to finalize PG&E composite plans for the Rule 20A underground project along El Monte Road, Moody Road, and Elena Road near the El Monte Fire Station.   

Permits Issued

Encroachment Permits: 3
Sewer Permits Issued: 2

Maintenance

After hours or weekend callouts:  1
Fallen trees/major limbs down: 10

• Multiple hour response to atmospheric river storm clean up
• Clear multiple storm drain inlets.
• Replace heavy manhole lids with light-weight lids for worker safety as recommended by West Bay Sanitation District.
• Respond to facility needs - water leak and HVAC issues at Town Hall.
• Clear ROW and clear drainage ditches on Ravensbury Ave.

Finance, Human Resources, IT Services

 Accounts Payable/Budget/Payroll/Receivables

• Received $175,351 in cash receipts and/or electronic funds transfer (EFT).
• Issued 36 payroll checks with a liability of $108,059.

 Human Resources  Open Recruitment

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 27 - March 5, 2023. The Sheriff’s weekly report is always for the week prior to the City Manager’s report.

Increased Patrols Around Town

In an effort to maintain visibility and reduce recent crime trends, the Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols in town.  Additional deputies in patrol cars will be driving town streets, parked near major intersections, and checking on suspicious activity in an effort to reduce crime.  Higher visibility and more frequent contacts with unknown vehicles in town can have a huge impact reducing criminal activity.  If you see one of our deputies around town, feel free to give a wave or stop by to say hi.