June 13
The City Council approved increased Sanitary Sewer Rates after a public hearing. Considerable public comment concerned the financial hardship of the new rates for senior citizens living in single family homes. Comments also questioned the salary increases for workers who maintain the system. Delaying the Adobe Creek sewer replacement by a year was suggested to reduce fee increase. Palo Alto rate increases were found to be less than in Los Altos, however, the Los Altos municipal code authorizes sewer service charges to fund costs associated with the City’s sanitary sewer system. Sewer rates are established for five years at which time the rates are reviewed and increases may be imposed.
The City Council conducted several more public hearings for city projects during the meeting. Of most interest to the community, the City Council adopted the use of substantial Park-In-Lieu funds for parks and recreation facility improvements. Under AB1359 (2013) developers can pay an ‘in-lieu’ fee to place in a fund for parks and recreational areas in the city instead of dedicating land being developed for parks. In Los Altos the fees are in a fund for the development of or rehabilitation of existing parks and recreational facilities.
Projects for 2023-24 can request use of park-in-lieu funds for specific upgrades in eight parks and community areas. At this meeting a resolution authorized specific upgrades to Grant Park and another resolution authorized general parks and recreation facility improvement projects. For example, many park pathways need to be rehabilitated and park drainage and drinking fountains need to be replaced.
June 27
Along with the park-in-lieu provisions to improve city parks discussed at the June 13 council meeting, City Council addressed several other community landscaping projects.
The City Council approved Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds to improve and enhance access to the Hetch Hetchy Path project. Improvements include crossing signage to alert vehicles and stop markings, pavement markings, and warning signage for bicycles at the street frontage for the Hetch Hetchy path.
The City Council also authorized Grassroots Ecology for a two-year term to continue management and restoration at Redwood Grove Nature Preserve. It includes an option for another three years on review of the restoration. Grassroots removes invasive weeds through scything or hand-pulling, rather than chemical means. They have transplanted native plants to the area that require attention when initially planted for the root system to gain a foothold. They provide irrigation for the redwoods growing outside of the natural coastal fog belt.
The City Council authorized a three-year agreement with the Los Altos History Museum for the heritage apricot orchard maintenance supervised by the Orchard Commons Committee of the museum. The funds will be used to install a drip irrigation system as well as tree care such as planting, pruning, fertilizing, rototilling, and harvesting to restore the orchard to good condition.
The City Council discussed the feasibility of the Library Patio Project which is fully funded by private donations through the Los Altos Library Endowment. Additional interactive outdoor space creates opportunities for library patrons to read and study and attend educational events. Public comment concerned the size of the project which would intrude on a small part of the Los Altos Heritage Orchard and supplant the fountain in front of the library that was a community gift to recognize the city’s 25th Anniversary. With assurances from the council members that there are ways to work around the orchard and move the fountain or incorporate both in the outdoor space, the Council directed the Development Services Director for review and necessary approval.
The City Council authorized a letter of support with amendment for CA SB4 (Wiener). This measure would streamline the building process to make affordable housing easier, faster, and cheaper on land owned by faith-based institutions and nonprofit colleges. The amendment asks to maintain housing height and parking requirements as they are now regulated by the state.
Claire Noonan, Observer