INFORMATION BY AND FOR THE TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS | |
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Hello Neighbors,
Welcome to the Weekly, your source for news in the Town of Los Altos Hills.
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Residential burglaries, broadband, events, and council recaps. There are so many reasons to subscribe and stay informed. Please spread the word!
Let's get started...
Keep reading for my ringside seat summary of the council meeting. For a more detailed overview, you can also review the RECAP, wait to review the minutes, or watch the whole video. We have the information, and its yours for the taking.
Little League Opening Day was a huge success and turned out to be a perfect day. Keep scrolling for some great pictures and updates.
It's never too late to get involved, or if you happen to be around, we have lots going on. Keep reading.
Residential burglary trends are down, but we know better than to let our guard down. The sheriff's department has a report to share and some helpful facts.
The sheriff also had some recent successes. Keep reading to hear all about it.
Supervisor Simitian’s Annual Lehigh Southwest Cement Plant and Permanente Quarry Public Meeting. Attendees will hear an update from various oversight agencies and have the opportunity to ask questions about the quarry and cement plant located in the Cupertino foothills. The meeting format is in-person with a Zoom component.
What: 2024 Lehigh Southwest Cement Plant & Permanente Quarry Public Meeting
When: Wednesday, March 27, 2024, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: in-person at Cupertino Community Hall, 10350 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, & online via Zoom.
The Utility undergrounding project by the Foothill Campus Forestation commonly known as the Rule 20A Project is underway. This is a big deal! One of the most consequential projects in the Town with many implications on safety, resilience, and more. Keep reading.
That's it for now
See you around Town!
Warm Regards,
Peter
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The City Council had their regular council meeting on Thursday, March 21st. A recap prepared by our City Clerk Arika Miller can be found HERE. It will have motions and votes. I have prepared a quick summary of the 6-hour meeting below.
Staying in the order of the agenda, here is a high-level summary of what happened:
Under Presentation and Appointments:
A Certificate of Appreciation was awarded to Jay Bradford, Assistant Community Development Director, for the work he did on the Energy Reach Code. A proclamation was awarded by the Town to Girish Balachandranon for his service as SVCE CEO. After a brief presentation from the Red Cross, we will make a proclamation at our following meeting. There was a lengthy conversation with PG&E, Comcast, and AT&T on their response to the winter storms in February and their plans going forward. This will require more conversation, and we will be inviting them back again for further discussion. Finally, the council appointed/reappointed members to the History, EIC, Open Space, and EDPC Committees. The Council then took speakers from the floor.
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The Council then took speakers from the floor.
Under Consent Calendar:
Then the council took up the consent calendar. I provided the council with a brief explanation of the creation of the Finance Director position and the current and future state of the department. We have critically low staffing levels in ASD, but we have various contracts in place to keep the business running and a plan to stabilize the department going forward. The plan is to start recruitment for the newly created Finance Director position ASAP. The council then approved the entire consent calendar.
Under Ongoing Business:
The council then had a lengthy discussion and report on residential burglaries, private security, and ALPRs, with reports being provided by our MRG consultant Brian Uhler, the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office (SCSO), the private security team (changing ownership from Genesis to PalAmerican Security), as well as speakers from the community. In the end, the council directed staff to continue budgeting for private security through the end of this fiscal year. We will be staffing up (both SCSO and private security) during holiday weekends. The council understood that these measures would require the utilization of our reserves and asked staff to bring back a conversation to discuss budget priorities going into the next two-year Budget cycle.
Under New Business:
The council then approved a new contract with the Redwood Public Law Group that will be providing legal services in lieu of Meyers Nave. Steve Mattas and his team of attorneys will continue to be our Town attorneys, serving under a new organization.
Under Staff Reports:
Staff provided reports to the council, which can be reviewed in the RECAP along with an overview of the Building Deposit Accounts and our efforts, as part of the approved work plan, to correct some of these legacy systems.
Under Reports from the Council Liasons on Standing and AdHoc Committees:
Councilmember Tyson reviewed the progress on the Rule 20A Utility Undergrounding Project, which will be coming to the council in April to approve the scope of work and potentially approve the contract if it falls within pre-defined parameters. Bottom line, the project is moving forward.
Vice Mayor Schmidt and Councilmember Swan, as the AdHoc Committee for the City Manager performance evaluation, provided a status of their review and indicated they are pleased in the positive direction things are headed and asked that their work be concluded, the AdHoc Committee be sunseted, and that the City Manager's next performance evaluation be at scheduled at or around October 2024.
Vice Mayor Schmidt then reported on Emergency Preparedness and Response Committee priorities. Finally, Mayor Mok spoke briefly about a Code of Conduct violation that occurred that has been remedied.
Under Council and committees initiated items:
The first was a discussion on whether to add broadband to the work plan, which the council agreed not to at this time. But the council did ask that the staff bring back a definitive list of what the ARPA moneys can be use for if not broadband. The second was a discussion about sponsoring a forum on how to stay safe online, which the council heard and instructed staff to first focus on residential burglaries and then to organize a forum on how to stay safe online in December after the elections. Finally, the council approved Hajime Murakami as an Associate Member of the EDPC to do site visits.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 PM
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2. Little League Opening Day | Opening Day was a HUGE SUCCESS! Mayor Mok, Councilmember Tyson, and me (City Manager Pirnejad) attended the Little League Opening Day on Sunday, the 17th. Mayor Mok threw the first pitch to catcher and rising star, Jonathan Brinkman. Mayor Jonathan Winberg from Los Altos was there, as were Town staff Emina Steta, Hector Huerta, and Oswaldo Murillo. The league's youth teams came together to soak up the sun, share laughs, and indulge in delicious food from the Papea Plates Street Eats & Beats Food Truck, the Waffle Roost Food Truck, and all the must-have baseball snacks. Special thanks to Los Altos Little League President Lori McKinney and Steve Apfelberg for putting on a great event. We wish the best of luck to all the teams this season! | |
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Drive Thru-Shred Event - TOMORROW
The Drive-Thru Shred Event is available to help residents responsibly destroy confidential documents. Residents are invited to bring up to 5 standard file boxes or 5 paper bags of documents to shred. The event is a free service for the residents of Los Altos Hills. Proof of residency will be required to access the event.
1. Remove documents from binders and binder clips, as these can damage the equipment.
2. Compile documents into file boxes or paper bags.
3. Place the documents in the trunk of your car for easy handoff at the drive-thru.
Credit cards & gift cards (packaged separately), paperclips, staples, and rubber bands are acceptable for shredding. Unacceptable items include (but not limited to): batteries, matches, electronics, metal, cardboard, binders, binder clips, x-rays, CD’s, DVD’s, plastic sleeves, e-waste, pens, etc. No garbage or non-paper items.
🗓️ Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024
🕒 Time: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
📍 Location: Town Hall Parking Lot
26379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
Greenwaste – Neighborhood Clean-Up Day
Neighborhood Clean-up Day conveniently allows Los Altos Hills residents to dispose of bulky items at Foothill College.
Acceptable Materials:
- Yard trimmings: must be containerized or bundled
- Untreated wood waste: less than 6 inches in diameter & less than 5 feet in length
- Furniture, appliances (e.g. washers, water heaters)
- 30-gal total per event of containerized rock, dirt, asphalt, concrete, and other construction and demolition (C&D) debris
- Scrap metal pieces less than 40 lbs. Each and less than 2 ft. In any dimension
- E-waste (TVs, computers, monitors)
- Recyclable Materials
Unacceptable Materials:
- Treated wood waste: no pressure-treated wood
- More than 30 gallons of construction and demolition debris
- Liquids and tires
- Fuel cans or engine parts containing oil, grease, or gasoline (e.g. chainsaw)
- Oil or gas space heaters
- Large pieces of glass
- Poison oak or ivy
- Fluorescent light bulbs
🗓️ Date: Saturday, May 23, 2024
🕒 Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Foothill College, Lot 6
12345 El Monte Road
Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
💲Fee: Free for Los Altos Hills Residents. Please bring proof of residency.
EV Showcase and E-Bike Ride and Drive
Explore cutting-edge EVs up close, test ride e-bikes, discover home electrification options, and unlock the financial benefits of going electric. Chat with experts to answer all your questions. Let’s charge into a greener future! For more information, click here.
🗓️ Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024
🕒 Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Location: Los Altos Community Center Parking Lot
97 Hillview Avenue, Los Altos, CA
Los Altos, CA 94022
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21st Annual Hoppin’ Hounds Biscuit Hunt - NEXT SATURDAY
Gear up for the 21st annual Doggie Biscuit Hunt in Los Altos Hills! Join the furry frenzy as you and your dog explore Byrne Preserve on the quest for scrumptious, dog-healthy biscuits. Before the hunt, mingle with fellow pet parents at a coffee bar serving delightful human treats.
Wagging tails are guaranteed at this on-leash event dedicated to supporting the Palo Alto Animal Shelter by Pets in Need. Secure your spot in advance by registering at losaltoshills.ca.gov/register for a day of tail-wagging, biscuit-hunting fun!
🗓️ Date: Saturday, March 30, 2024
🕒 Time: 9:00-10:30 AM
📍 Location: Bryne Preserve Open Space
27210 Altamont Road
Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
💲 Fee: $10 per entry, proceeds benefit Pets in Need’s Palo Alto Animal Shelter
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13th Annual Leadership Conference
The Los Altos Hills Youth Commission Leadership Conference invites you to come learn about leadership! The conference is geared towards middle and high schoolers; however, all are welcome. For more information and to save your spot, register at losaltoshills.ca.gov/leadershipconference.
🗓️ Date: Saturday, April 14, 2024
🕒 Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Location: Council Chambers, Town Hall
26379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
Pathways Run/Walk
Come out to celebrate the 22nd Annual Los Altos Hills Pathways Run/Walk. This annual event begins at Westwind Community Barn, travels through the Byrne Preserve, and extends into the Los Altos Hills Pathways System. The run features a hilly and challenging 5k and 10k Pathways Run/Walk and a 1-Mile Fun Run. To register, volunteer, or for more race information, contact Emina Steta at 650-947-2518, esteta@losaltoshills.ca.gov or visit the event website at lahpathwaysrun.org.
🗓️ Date: Saturday, May 11, 2024
🕒 Time: 5k/10k: 9:00 a.m.
1 Mile Fun Run: 10:30 a.m.
📍 Location: Westwind Community Barn
27210 Altamont Road
Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
💲Fee:5k/10k: $50
1 Mile Fun Run: $35
Website: lahpathwaysrun.org
Registration: Click here
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Residential Burglaries
Between March 11 and today, we have had no residential burglaries.
We had lengthy conversations about residential burglaries at the March Council meeting, and although the numbers are down and trending in the right direction, we need to continue to do more. Residential burglaries are a serious and growing problem that the Town cannot solve alone. Please remember to take appropriate steps to keep your home and your valuables safe.
Did You Know?
45% of reported cases—the time frame of occurrence is unknown and happened over the course of multiple days/weeks/months (unoccupied residence, homeowners out-of-town, etc.). Get an audible alarm and turn it on every time you leave the house.
50% of reported cases involve a rear glass door break. Be sure to get a shatter detection alarm in your home or take measures to make it harder for burglars to break a glass door and make entry into your home.
Neighborhood watch zones are statistically safer. Some are better than others, but if you are in one, you are less likely to be a victim of a residential burglary. If you are in one, retrain and engage your community. If you don't, contact us to set one up. Neighborhood Watch Group.
Our Sheriff in Action!
Last Thursday, March 14th, deputies were notified of a vehicle with a lost/stolen plate on Elena Rd. at Moody Rd. Deputies located the vehicle and initiated a car stop. Both the driver and passenger were on probation. Deputies located burglary tools inside the vehicle. The driver was arrested for possession of burglar tools and possession of a false license plate. The vehicle belonged to the driver. Event 24-072-0322L.
On March 18th, deputies were notified of a stolen vehicle on Page Mill Rd. Deputies attempted to make a car stop, but the driver failed to yield, and a pursuit was initiated. The suspect eventually crashed and ran away from the vehicle. The suspect was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle after a short foot chase. Event 24-078-0028L.
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5. El Monte Fire Station Undergrounding (Rule 20A) Project | |
The Town will be hosting a Community Outreach Meeting on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at 6:00 pm to update the residents regarding the El Monte Fire Station Utility Undergrounding (Rule 20A) Project and gather comments. Here is the meeting information:
Meeting Type: Community Outreach Meeting in Person & on Zoom
Location: Council Chambers at 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
Zoom Link: https://bit.ly/3IMV5hO (Passcode: 285356; Webinar ID: 868 0516 6054)
Time & Date: 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Wednesday, April 3, 2024
California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) Rule 20A utility underground program allows cities and counties to utilize Rule 20A credits (funded by PG&E ratepayers) to fund utility undergrounding projects at locally identified underground districts. The Town currently has $4,628,583 in Rule 20A credit allocation and has identified emergency evacuation routes near El Monte Fire Station (El Monte Road, Elena Road, and Moody Road) as the underground district area.
The design for the utility undergrounding project is 95% complete. Staff plans to seek Council authorization to advertise the project for public bid at the April 15 (or May 16) Council meeting. Construction is anticipated to start around July 2024, pending Council approvals and contractor bids obtained. The attached project information sheet has additional information regarding the project and the Community Outreach Meeting scheduled for April 3.
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