Category: Los Altos City Council

Los Altos City Council – May 2017

May 9, 2017

The City Council approved the revised University Avenue Crosswalk Improvement Project. Council provided input on the robust affordable housing program that city staff is developing for the area. The program provides incentives to developers: in exchange for greater building height and density, developers must provide affordable housing. The Council’s ambitious goal is to have 20% of the new housing be affordable to individuals and families It authorized the City Manager, Chris Jordan, to execute the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for FY 2017-18 and authorized up to $170,050 of CDBG funds for the University Avenue Project. The CDBG funds are awarded from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to the county, and then through the county to small cities to remove barriers for public safety and for the disabled, both of which were the main issues for residents on University Avenue. The Project modifies the crosswalk section of University Avenue at Burke Rd. A prior use of funds modified University and Lincoln Avenue. By approving use of the CDBG funds, $170,050 remains in the Capital Improvement Project monies for other improvement projects to the city.

The city council reviewed and concurred that the starting point for identifying affordable housing opportunities are the goals, policies and programs of the Housing Element of the city’s General Plan. The current plan continues from 2015-2023. The City Council reviewed Goal 2 – strive to maintain variety in housing by location and type – and Goal 4 – variety of densities and types are found in appropriate locations and that the housing accommodates needs in all income categories. Mayor Mary Prochnow urged council members to adopt new ordinances in order to open new housing opportunities. Several solutions were suggested such as, micro-units; offers to lease city-owned property to developers to defray costs to affordable housing; offer rent subsidies to city employees and teachers; and alternate dwelling units. Arguments pro and con on the “granny units” dominated the meeting time. Should larger size units (more than 800 square feet on less than 15,000 square feet lots) be allowed? The May 23 meeting will make final decisions.

May 23, 2017

The affordable housing decision on accessory dwelling units (granny units), assigned to the May 23 meeting for resolution, was continued.

From the Consent Calendar, the City Council awarded the construction contract to Wattis Construction Inc. to proceed with the next part of the University Avenue Crosswalk Improvement Project. The West Edith and University Avenue intersection adjacent to Foothill Expressway will be improved by constructing a crosswalk with bulb-outs and an in-road flashing light system. The council appropriated an additional $97, 318 from Capital Improvement Project monies to assign $234, 34 in total to implement the construction.

The city council interviewed 35 candidates for the Hillview Community Center Project Task Force and voted for 11 at the meeting. The council appointed the following:  Claudia Coleman (Chair), Maria Bautista, Philip Chou, Brian Cilker, Katherine Cushing, Stuart Eckmann, Stuart Klein, Barbara Loebner, Susan Mensinger, Dennis Young, and Cathy Lazarus. (Cathy Lazarus, Susan Mensinger, and Claudia Coleman are all League members.) Mary Prochnow, Mayor, stated that the council looked for a diverse group of residents, a variety of skills, and an ability to stay on task. The ad hoc committee will work for 6-8 months.

—Claire Noonan, Observer

Los Altos City Council – April 2017

April 25, 2017

Daniel Varela, Assistant Civil Engineer, presented the construction contract award proposal for the Covington Road Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements Project. Bids were initiated with direction from the comprehensive December 2010 Blach Neighborhood Traffic Study for safety and mobility needs. The low bid of $387,632, submitted by and awarded to Watt’s Construction, will cover upgrades on Covington from Miramonte to Eastwood Drive, including bike lanes on both sides, a sidewalk gap closure on the south side, and ten-foot wide driving lanes. An extra appropriation of $150,000 from the Capital Improvement Project covers the additional cost from the original budget appropriation.

Christopher Lamm, Engineering Services Manager, presented the community center feasibility assessment with an original budget of $20 million. There are three options possible.

Renovation

Because the Hillview buildings are very old renovation costs per square foot ($720) would exceed the cost of new construction.

A phased build out

This plan would include a two-story building to allow for outdoor open space for programs and an 11,000 square foot gymnasium.  A 500seat theater would be added later. The cost would be $58 million.

New community center

The staff recommended this option and the city council approved it. New construction would cost $605 per square foot and create a Capital Improvement Project budget of $25 million. As for financing, in November 2016 the staff identified $27 million unrestricted funds, and a transfer over ten years of $30-35 million can be made from General Funds to the Capital Improvement Program. The city council directed the staff to select a qualified architect.

To ensure community engagement, the city council adopted the establishment of a Hillview Community Center Plan Task Force ​consisting of 11 members appointed by the Council​.

—Claire Noonan, Observer

Los Altos City Council-March 2017

March 14, 2017

The City Council approved the draft implementation schedule for the 2017 Strategic Priorities as requested at the February 28, 2017 council meeting. The schedule includes the staff’s list of objectives and tasks with dates for implementing, and dates for stated objectives for each of the seven priorities. Also included are the financial and human resources required for implementation and completion. Staff has been divided into teams to deliver on each priority with quarterly updates and notification of changes that come up. Note that Hillview Civic Center is scheduled to break ground for the new project in December 2018 and be completed in December 2020. In addition, staff have scheduled the $2.5 million for improvement of safe school routes in Los Altos by 2018/19.

City Council concurred with the Community Engagement Plan (Priority 7) aligned with the Downtown Vision Process (Priority 1). The council heard from RRM Design Croup, represented by Debbie Rudd, and Land Econ Group, represented by Bill Lee. The presentation analyzed the strengths, challenges, constraints and offered policy recommendations. First, the consultant, Debbie Rudd, recommended ten ways to engage the community, including using an available commercial space as a “Step In” for city staff to get input, and sponsoring a “kick-off” event in March (if possible) to start the process.

Consultant Bill Lee presented four future scenarios for the downtown area, especially recommending the downtown as ideal for a pedestrian district. Scenario 1 describes small tweaks to downtown as it now stands. The next 3 describe plans with different levels of building height limits and amount of parking space per 1000 square feet. Of interest is Scenario 3 which accounts for public use like a theater and parking structures. After viewing the possible scenarios, seven recommendations from types of services to historic importance of structures were outlined. The final recommendation is to institute a review, using the community engagement strategies outlined to city council members.

March 28, 2017

Every two years the council is required by state law to reconsider speed limits in the city. Currently, Los Altos residents are troubled by the traffic on residential streets. City Council did not adopt Resolution #2017-12 that would have approved an engineering and traffic survey for raising the speed limit by 5 mph on Cuesta between Springer and San Antonio Road, one of many identified street segments of concern in Los Altos. Fourteen speakers who live on or near Cuesta said “no”, and, instead, asked for traffic calming measures, such as blinking lights at cross walks, speed bumps, raised curbs, mobile speed trailers, and increased visible speed limit signs.

Related to traffic concerns, the City Council by vote of 3/1 directed council members Jeannie Bruins and Lynette Lee Eng to act as liaisons with staff to coordinate changes for and to reconsider the responsibilities of the Planning and Transportation Commission and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission. Three speakers addressed the city’s problems with transportation commissions, suggesting a complete street commission and looking at resolutions by Fremont in the East Bay. Council member Jan Pepper requested a schedule and date when the group would come back with a result and/or options. Bruins suggested a month from now, April 2017.

—Claire Noonan, Observer

Notes for Los Altos City Council- February 2017

February 14, 2017

“Diverse Community Resolution” #2017-07 was adopted with four city council members voting yes and one abstention. The resolution reaffirms the City’s commitment to a diverse, supportive, inclusive, and protective community. Six speakers agreed on the value of the resolution. Six residents spoke against the resolution fearing an intent to impel the city to become a ‘sanctuary’ city and arguing that the rights of U.S. citizens are not held by the undocumented. The Los Altos Chief of Police came forward to advise the members and audience that nothing in the resolution conflicts with police department policies and procedures. Council member Jan Pepper reminded the audience that we are all immigrants except Native Americans and tolerance is one of the important values for a community.

City Council directed the staff to revise the six areas for involvement and action on the City Council 2017 Strategic Six priorities which were based on a discussion at the retreat on January 28, 2017. The plan was drawn up by Chris Jordan, City Manager.

• Complete a downtown vision plan with a specific involvement schedule.
• Adopt the Loyola Corners Project since the moratorium on the Specific Plan expires July 2017.
• Complete a new or refurbished Hillview Center by 2020 with specific dates for interim steps to anticipate groundbreaking by December 2018.
• Proactively review affordable housing for the city by Spring 2017 including opportunities to increase rental units and make zoning code changes.
• Complete $2.5 million of the high priority school route improvements that improve pedestrian and bicycle traffic safety by 2018/19.
• Promote a community of excellence for Los Altos with specific points of interest: reinvest city resources to maintain facilities, city streets, Grant Park center, library, and refurbish the City Hall/Police/LAYC buildings and Garden House at Shoup Park.

Several speakers requested that Halsey House and the apricot orchard be added to the list of assets to maintain. One speaker asked that affordable housing be high on the priority list. Several requested further community study before a priority list is finalized. Council members were divided about the final priorities and went back and forth with the City Manager about the details as they were listed in the Strategic Priorities, and so the City Manager agreed to meet with the staff to come up with a revision.

February 28, 2017

City Council adopted the Mid-Year Financial Plan Update with budget adjustments.

City Council unanimously adopted, after more discussion, the 2017 Strategic Priorities debated at the February 14, 2017 meeting. Chris Jordan, City Manager, with staff and council member input modified the list of 6 priorities, deleting bullets with specific steps. As the priorities come up to implement, specific details and tasks will be added to the priority. Members agreed to the downtown vision modifications. Loyola Corners moratorium will be extended. Members agreed to plans to remodel Hillview Civic Center by December 2020. The council will create and maintain a 10-year Facilities Plan for community excellence. City Council will implement measures to increase affordable housing. The city will put traffic safety issues, particularly around safe school routes, as a top priority in the 10-year Facilities plan. An additional community proactive engagement item was proposed to improve access to city information. 

–Claire Noonan, Observer

January 10, 2017

The City Council welcomed new board member, Lynette Lee Eng.

During Public Comments, members of the public urged Los Altos City to take steps to make Los Altos a sanctuary city, like hundreds of others in the country. In a letter to the City Council, 111 residents urged that undocumented immigrants should not be persecuted, threatened, or prosecuted in Los Altos by the federal administration. The request could be placed on a future council agenda.

Council agreed by a 3 to 2 vote, to consider a proposed project and to provide feedback to Los Altos Community Investments about the possibility of a public park on top of underground parking for a First Street office building.

January 24, 2017

The City Council received a report on Downtown Parking Management strategies by Jennifer Quinn, Economic Development Manager. She brought the City Council up to date on the use of iParq, parking coupons booklets sold at the Police Department so a patron can park in a space downtown all day. Problems for continued use of the program are that contractors use the permits and neither businesses nor consumers are well-acquainted with the program. Jean Mordo, Mayor Pro Tem, suggested that the queries be resolved and that the Economic Development Manager come back to another meeting with solutions.

Jon Biggs, Community Development Manager, led further discussion from the Planning and Transportation Commission, that hired Walker Planning Consultant to analyze the former City-wide Parking Committee recommendations. The main issues are loss of parking due to new projects, ratios of parking to business, and size of parking spaces. Mark Rogge and David Rock from the City-wide Parking Committee, led a presentation on the consultant’s downtown parking analysis. Their recommendations suggest to define rights and obligations of all participants in need for city-wide parking, form a standing Parking Committee, revise the city code for parking ratios, and revise the code to provide parking stalls of 8.5 feet to add 100-150 parking spaces. Since the City has discussed the issue since 2005, the City-wide Parking Committee urged City Council to stop agonizing over the problem and make decisions for solutions.

—Claire Noonan, Observer