SHARE:  
Join Our Email List
April 18, 2019
City Manager Weekly Update

Community Development
The Nail Bar Ribbon Cutting
The City of Los Altos hosted a ribbon cutting event for The Nail Bar in Loyola Corners at 981 Fremont Avenue this afternoon. Mayor Lee Eng, City staff and community members celebrated and welcomed this new business to town with a ceremonial ribbon cutting. We wish the owner, Gigi much success with her new business.
Engineering Services
Community Meeting: Cuesta Drive – Arboleda Drive Traffic Calming Project
The City of Los Altos is presenting an update on the Cuesta Drive-Arboleda Drive Traffic Calming Project at the Complete Streets Commission meeting on Wednesday, April 24, 7 p.m. at the Los Altos Youth Center (1 N San Antonio Road). The refined design concept plan - developed based on public input from the last community meeting held in March - will be presented. To view the revised plans, visit the project webpage or click here to view a PDF. This is the third presentation on this item to the Complete Streets Commission. Staff will be requesting the Complete Streets Commission to forward a recommendation to the City Council to approve the refined design concept plan so that final design can continue through the spring. Join us to learn more about this project, or visit losaltosca.gov/CuestaDrive-ArboledaDrive .
Valley Water News: Low-Income Seniors May Apply for Property Tax Exemption
Applications are now available for the Safe, Clean Water parcel tax exemption. Qualifying low-income seniors age 65 years or older may be eligible to receive an exemption from the special parcel tax, approved by voters in November 2012. Eligibility requirements are as follows:

  • Born before June 30, 1955
  • Total household income for 2018 was less than $53,854
  • Own your home and live in it as your primary residence
  • Note: mobile homes in parks and homes in an irrevocable trust are not eligible

The enrollment period is open from April 15 through June 30. Seniors who are already receiving the exemption do not need to re-apply. New applicants must mail or deliver a  signed application  to Valley Water headquarters by June 30 to be exempt from the upcoming property tax year.

Mail or drop off address:
Santa Clara Valley Water District
Senior Exemption Program
5750 Almaden Expressway
San José, CA 95118

If you have any questions regarding this program, please email  seniorexemption@valleywater.org  or call the Valley Water tax hotline at (408) 630-2810 and leave a message. The Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program is a countywide special parcel tax that was overwhelmingly approved by Santa Clara County voters in 2012. The Safe, Clean Water Program ensures Valley Water can continue reducing flood risks and providing a safe, reliable water supply for residents and businesses in Santa Clara County. It was developed based on the community’s needs and values and identifies five priorities to support a thriving Silicon Valley with clean water, a healthy environment and flood protection. To learn more about the Safe, Clean Water Program  click here .
Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Event is This Saturday
The City of Los Altos will once again partner with the County of Santa Clara Household Hazardous Waste Program to host a recycling and disposal event in Los Altos this Saturday, April 20, 2019. Drop-off may be made by appointment only. Call (408) 299-7300 or visit hhw.org to schedule your appointment. The drop-off location will be disclosed once your appointment is made. Acceptable items to dispose of include latex/oil-based paint, motor oil/auto fluids, garden and pool chemicals, cleaners, batteries, flammable fluids and fluorescents.
Police
National Public Safety Telecommunications Week
The Los Altos Police Department would like to congratulate Audrey Bates, Los Altos Dispatcher of the Year! Audrey was honored during a western themed awards banquet hosted last week by the Santa Clara County Public Safety Communications Manager's Association. Over her 42-year career in public safety, Audrey has served the communities of Los Altos, Mountain View and Palo Alto. She is a highly dependable member of our team and is always willing to lend a helping hand. We are so grateful to Audrey for all her hard work and the calmness and positivity she exudes. We wish her and our entire team of Communications Officers a happy National Public Safety Telecommunications Week!
Wildfire Preparedness Community Meeting
In partnership with the Los Altos Police Department, Santa Clara County Fire Department (County Fire) hosted a Wildfire Preparedness Community Meeting on April 16, 2019. County Fire provided an overview of their Ready, Set, Go program, which encourages residents to Ready their home by creating defensible space, free from flammable vegetation or firewood, around the perimeter. Set their family up to be prepared with an evacuation action plan and be ready to Go when evacuation orders are issued. Los Altos Police Captain Scott McCrossin discussed emergency evacuation coordination and alerting through AlertSCC . If you missed the meeting and want to learn more, County Fire will be hosting additional meetings, the closest being in the Town of Los Altos Hills on Tuesday, April 23. For more information and additional dates, visit sccfd.org or call (408) 378-4010.
Congratulations to D.A.R.E. Graduates
Los Altos Police recently celebrated the graduation of St. Simon School’s 2019 D.A.R.E. program graduates. During the graduation ceremony, School Resource Officer Josh Cottrell provided students with certificates and special awards for exemplary work throughout the program. D.A.R.E. is a National Program, originally geared toward teaching children how to resist drugs and violence. Curriculum evolved in 2009 to include a component to instruct kids on how make safe and responsible choices, covering a variety of topics including how to deal with peer pressure, effective listening, developing “Help Networks,” responsible use of the Internet and recognizing and reporting bullying and cyber bullying. St. Simon School was the first of several local schools to have their D.A.R.E. program graduation. We look forward to three more before the end of the school year.
Recreation & Community Services
Spring Egg Hunt is This Saturday
Enjoy the fresh air, hunting eggs and carnival games at the City of Los Altos Egg Hunt at Hillview Community Center Soccer Field (97 Hillview Avenue) this Saturday, April 20, 2019. Games and a visit from Fun E. Bunny begin at 9:30 a.m. The Egg Hunt starts at 10:00 a.m. sharp! Children who are walking and up to age 10 are invited to participate. We hope you will join us for this free family-friendly event! 

For more information, visit losaltosrecreation.org or call (650) 947-2790.
Reminders
City Offices Closed Friday
Los Altos City Hall, the Maintenance Services Center and Recreation & Community Services front office will be closed on Friday, April 19, 2019 as part of the Defined 9/80 Schedule. A complete list of public counter and administrative office hours, as well as a schedule of Friday closures, are available on the City’s website at  losaltosca.gov/hours .

City Council Open Office Hours
Interested in speaking with your elected officials about a specific topic or issue? If so, please plan to attend City Council Open Office Hours for an opportunity to personally connect with a member of the Los Altos City Council. One City Council member will be available to the public for a two-hour period to answer questions, receive input and discuss topics of interest to community members. All are welcome to attend. City Council Open Office Hours are scheduled as follows:

Wednesday, May 1, 2019
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Hillview Community Center, Room 2
97 Hillview Avenue, Los Altos

Thursday, May 16, 2019
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Downtown Los Altos Farmer's Market
2nd Street, Los Altos

Friday, May 31, 2019
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Wildberry Frozen Yogurt
656 Fremont Avenue A, Los Altos

Sunday, June 9, 2019
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Red Berry Coffee Bar
145 Main Street, Los Altos

Sunday, June 23, 2019
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Coupa Café
4748 W El Camino Real, Los Altos
City Council Meetings Relocated to Los Altos Youth Center
City Council meetings scheduled during April and May will be temporarily relocated to the Los Altos Youth Center located at 1 N San Antonio Road. The existing Council Chambers will temporarily serve as the City Hall front office while the building undergoes minor renovations. Meetings will continue to be recorded and live streamed, however, live streaming will be available via the City’s Facebook page at facebook.com/CityofLosAltos . Please note that you do not need to have a Facebook account to view the livestream on Facebook. During this temporary relocation, KMVT will be unable to air the meetings live on Comcast Channel 26, however, archived meeting footage will air as follows: Wednesday and Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at noon.
City of Los Altos | (650) 947-2700 | www.losaltosca.gov