March 20-24, 2023

www.losaltoshills.ca.gov/cmwr
Stay connected
Receive these weekly updates, sign-up here 

Distracted Driving Town Hall

All distractions endanger driver, passengers, and bystander safety.  If you don't think distracted driving is a safety problem, please take the time to learn more.  On Sunday, March 26, 2023, Supervisor Joe Simitian and Sheriff Robert Jonsen invite you to attend a distracted driving telephone town hall.  To sign up, click here. 

Did you miss the Housing Element Town Hall

Community members were invited to attend 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. If you missed the event, you can watch it here.  During the Town Hall Community Update, participants learned more about the Housing Element and the process moving forward.

While watching the video, you will learn about the Town’s housing element process, status of the updated housing element and other related information, including:

• Background on housing policy in California
• History of Los Altos Hills housing policy development
• Builder’s remedy
• Next steps for Los Altos Hills housing policy

Santa Clara County Fire Department Webinar

Is your home prepared for wildfire? Most homes destroyed by wildfire are first ignited by embers and small flames. Take steps to harden your home in the Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) to better protect it from the threat of wildfire. Join Santa Clara County Fire on Wednesday, April 5th at 6:30 pm OR Monday, April 17th at 6:30 pm to learn how to reduce your wildfire risks in the HIZ and how to protect your home, your family, and your community from wildfire.

To register:

April 5 Webinar

OR

April 17 Webinar

Past Events and Brown Act Meetings:
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
March 20: Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting  - Cancelled
March 21: History Committee Regular Meeting - 3:30 pm
March 21: Community Relations Committee Special Meeting - 7:00 pm - Cancelled
March 23: Community Wildfire Protection Plan Meeting - 6:00 pm
March 23: Environmental Initiatives Committee Regular Meeting - 7:00 pm
March 23: Community Relations Committee Special Meeting - 7:00 pm 

Upcoming Events and Brown Act Meetings:
March 25: Los Altos Hills Clean Up Day 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
March 26: Distracted Driving Town Hall - 11:00 am
March 27: Parks and Recreation Special Meeting - 5:30 pm
March 27: Pathways Committee Regular Meeting - 6:30 pm
March 28: Community Relations Committee Regular Meeting - Cancelled
March 30: Senior Friendly Pathway Walks - 10:00 am
March 30: History Committee Special Meeting - 2:00 pm
March 31: Chamber Music Concert - 7:30 pm

Planning and Building 

Housing Element Update

On March 17, the HCD issued a comment letter to the Town requesting additional revisions and re-adoption of the Housing Element for the Town to regain compliance. Only four out of 109 jurisdictions in the Bay Area adopted a Housing Element certified by HCD, none of which are in Santa Clara or San Mateo County.  The Town is one of only eleven cities in the two counties that submitted their Housing Element by the January 31st deadline.

Together, the Town's Housing Consultant Michael Baker International, the City Attorney’s Office and the Town staff are committed to addressing HCD’s concerns and making the necessary changes to bring our Housing Element into compliance with State law. According to the law, the Town must complete all necessary rezones within one year of the statutory deadline if we do not obtain HCD’s certification within 120 days of the statutory deadline. 

The City Council has awarded Michael Baker International a contract for the preparation of the rezoning, objective design standards and Program EIR for the multi-family overlay zoning districts, so that our housing consultants can work parallel with the Housing Element certification to meet the one-year rezoning deadline by January 31, 2024. 

Public Works 

Pathway Projects

Maple Leaf Court and Middle Fork Lane 
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.

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.

Permits Issued

Encroachment Permits: 1
Sewer Permits Issued: 0

Maintenance

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

• Clear multiple storm drain inlets.
• Clear ROW roads from fallen trees and limbs, begin chipping trees and limbs on side of roads from past storms.
• Backfill erosion near Elena Road near Josefa Lane.
• Monitor and operate O’Keefe Pump Station during the power outage.
• Mow and maintain fields at Purissima Park
• Assist repairing a minor sinkhole on Elena Road

Finance, Human Resources, IT Services 

Accounts Payable/Budget/Payroll/Receivables

Received $100,246 in cash receipts and/or electronic funds transfer (EFT).
Processed 35 payroll checks with a liability of $97,231.

Active Shooter Training:
The Town received active shooter training from Santa Clara County Sheriff Lieutenant Brown on March 22.  We appreciate the partnership and cooperation with the SCC Department of Sheriff for their time.

Human Resources  Open Recruitment

Open Recruitment: 
Maintenance Seasonal Help in Public Works - Recruitment open until filled.
Summer Internships available for Planning, Public Works, and Parks & Recreation

Coming Soon:
Community Development Director
Assistant Community Development Director/Building Official

Sheriff's Weekly Report 

Visit the link to view the Sheriff's weekly report for March 13-19, 2023.
The Sheriff’s weekly report is always for the week prior to the City Manager’s report.

Residential Burglars Caught in the Act:

On Saturday, March 18th, just after 2 AM, deputies responded on a report of an in-progress residential burglary on W. Loyola Drive.  Upon arrival, deputies gave chase to two subjects running from a residence.  One of the suspects was apprehended a short time later, trying to hide in a heavily wooded area.  The second suspect evaded capture, but follow-up investigation has proven successful, and apprehension is expected soon.  

Deputies conducted a search of the vehicle associated to the two suspects and located over $15,000 worth of items that had been taken from a nearby residence, shortly before deputies responded.  The items were returned to the victims and the captured suspect was booked into jail.

This event was called in to the Sheriff’s Office by a neighbor, who noticed something suspicious in the neighborhood and called us to check it out.  This is a perfect example of how neighbors can look out for one another, which assists the Sheriff’s Office in combating criminal activity. Notifying us of something you think is suspicious is the foundation of the Neighborhood Watch program and can result in successful criminal apprehension.  The Sheriff’s Office would like to send a huge “Thank You” to this very observant resident.

Crime prevention tip of the week

One aspect of our latest crime trend includes crooks who target homes where the residents are out of town.  To address this, consider doing some things outside your home to make it look more active.  For example, many people, when leaving town, close window coverings or drapes, and move everything inside. This “buttoned-up look” sends a clear signal to thieves—nobody’s home.  Think about leaving a car parked outside (maybe even buy a “beater” for this purpose) or other items outside to make the home look “active.”  A patrolling thief may think someone’s around and go somewhere else.

Town Wide Private Security Update

We are happy to announce, Genesis Private Security are being hired on a temporary basis to bolster a prevention-oriented presence in the community. A careful review of various company quotes, background reviews, and reference checks led to this decision.  Genesis is a medium sized, San Jose based company so they are well-suited to provide extra attention to detail and top-level service.  

While it will take about 4 weeks to have the people hired and actually working, the Town plans to conduct a private security effectiveness review after 30 days of security patrols are complete. This review will help us adjust the services.