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Regular Council Meeting: 6PM May 14, 2026 (Closed Session at 5:30PM)
Agenda Highlights
[ Items of special note are highlighted in red ]
CLOSED SESSION (5:30PM)
A. CLOSED SESSION – Existing Litigation
(Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1))
Grady v. Town of Los Altos Hills, Santa Clara Sup. Ct. Case No. 25CV457402
1. AGENDA REVIEW
2. PRESENTATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
Proclamations: AAPI Month, Building Safety Month, Affordable Housing Month, National Public Works Week.
Presentation from the Pathways Committee on the two options for the DeAnza Trail (Chair: Nick Erndt)
Committee Reappointments: Mike Salameh (Environmental Initiatives); Grace Tsang (Environmental Design and Protection Committee); Amita Sachdeva, Dave Stewart and Terry Kearney (Emergency Preparedness and Response Committee)
3. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR (limited to items NOT on the agenda)
4. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS (ITEMS PROVIDED SOLELY FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES)
Routine monthly and quarterly reports
A. Treasurer's Report February 2026. Total Cash and Investment Accounts: $ 30,990,195
B. Disbursement Report $ 2,149,940.
C. Quarterly Investment Report: In PFM $ 23,168,807 in compliance with investment policy.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR (A consent calendar is a means of handling a number of routine matters with one motion and vote, and no discussion. These items can be considered separately at the request of a Council Member or a member of the public.)
A-E. Approval of the City Council Special & Regular Meeting Minutes April 10, 2026; April 16, 2026 (2); April 17, 2026; April 29, 2026.
F. Resolution Directing that the Pride Flag be Raised for the Month of June 2026.
G. Waive Reading and Adopt an Ordinance Amending Title 2, Chapter 1 “Councilmember Salaries” of the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code to Increase the Councilmembers’ Salaries to Nine Hundred Fifty Dollars a Month.
Second hearing to amend town ordinance to increase City Councilmember salaries from $300 per month to $950 per month with the increase taking effect in December 2028 with the seating of the new City Council. In a survey conducted by Los Altos Hills Info, 80% of respondents opposed the increase.
H. Waive Reading and Adopt an Ordinance Amending Title 10 (Zoning And Site Development) of the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code to Establish Reasonable Accommodation Procedures for Land Use and Zoning Decisions Consistent With Housing Element Program B-9.
Introduced at the April meeting, second reading to adopt an ordinance that formally establishes a clear, streamlined process for residents with disabilities to request reasonable accommodations to zoning or land use rules. The update fulfills a Housing Element requirement, aligns with state and federal fair housing laws, and adds annual checkins and regular reporting to the Planning Commission. It does not change development standards but ensures residents with disabilities can request necessary exceptions to use and enjoy their homes. If adopted, the ordinance will take effect 30 days after adoption.
I. Waive Reading and Adopt an Ordinance Amending Article 16 (Multifamily Development Standards) of Chapter 1 (Zoning) of Title 10 (Zoning And Site Development) of the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code to Revise Multifamily Development Standards
The City Council considered the item on April 29, 2026, adopted the Land Use Element (LUE) amendments, and introduced the ordinance with an errata sheet. Council also requested additional discussions with HCD regarding potential refinements. The ordinance updates multifamily standards by setting new setbacks, a 0.45 FAR, unit sizes between 350–1,800 sq ft, and a 0.5acre minimum lot size. Although the Council explored increasing the minimum lot size to 0.75 acres, HCD stated it would accept only 0.5 acres, so staff recommends adopting the ordinance as originally introduced.
J. Resolution Amending the Employee Handbook to Establish a July 1 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Schedule.
Council is being asked to approve a resolution updating the Employee Handbook to establish a uniform July 1 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) schedule for all Town employees. This change responds to employee feedback from the Town’s recent Stay interview process and aligns COLA timing with the Town’s annual budget cycle. Under the proposal, COLAs would occur once per year on July 1 rather than on individual employee anniversary dates. Merit‑based salary increases would continue separately under existing personnel policies. Staff believes the update improves consistency in compensation administration, aligns salary adjustments with adopted salary schedules, and enhances transparency between COLA and merit increases. The transition would result in a one‑time cost of approximately $37,000, absorbed within the existing merit contingency. There is no ongoing fiscal impact beyond normal annual COLA practices.
K. Resolution Approving Capital Budget Reallocations of $42,567 of Pathway Fund from the Summerhill Pathway and $45,136 of Transportation Development Act Article 3 Fund from the Miscellaneous Pathways to the Magdalena Road Pathway Project; Approving the Plans and Specifications for the Magdalena Road Pathway Project; and Authorizing Staff to Advertise the Project for Formal Bid.
Council is being asked to approve budget adjustments and authorize bidding for the Magdalena Road Pathway Project. The project will build about 1,300 feet of new roadside pathway, a piece of the planned Ravensbury–Magdalena pathway loop. To fully fund construction, the Town proposes reallocating Summerhill Pathway unused allocation and TDA Article 3 dollars from other projects. With plans and specifications now complete, the project would be advertised for bids in May, with construction expected to begin in July 2026 and finish by October. Estimated cost $441,400 or $340 per linear foot.
L. Resolution Approving the FY27 Project List for Annual Pavement Rehabilitation and Drainage Improvement to be Funded by State Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
Council is considering approval of the FY27 project list for the Annual Pavement Rehabilitation and Drainage Improvement Project, funded in part by State Senate Bill 1 (SB1). SB1 provides dedicated statewide funding to help cities maintain and repair local streets. The FY27 list includes pavement resurfacing and drainage improvements on multiple roadway segments throughout Town, based on recent pavement condition surveys and the Town’s five year maintenance plan. The total project budget is $1.4 million, supported by SB1, gas tax revenues, and other transportation funds. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2027. Based on the State Revenue Allocations Town has been allocated $239,844 in Road and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) and $254,356 - Highway Users Tax Account (HUTA).
M. Resolution Requesting the Santa Clara County Tax Collector to Collect Delinquent Sewer Charges and the FY27 Sewer Service Charges for Both the Palo Alto and Los Altos Sewer Basins.
Council is being asked to approve the FY27 sewer tax roll, which allows Santa Clara County to collect the Town’s annual sewer service charges through property tax bills. These charges fund the operation, maintenance, and longterm reliability of the Town’s sewer system. For FY27, the sewer rate is $2,035 (an increase of 4% from the current rate of $1,957) per Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU), consistent with the final step of the 2022 sewer rate study. Adoption of the tax roll will ensure the Town collects approximately $4.29 million in sewer revenue next year to support essential infrastructure services. Thirteen new accounts totaling 22.5 EDU’s were added in the last year.
N. Resolution Awarding a Construction Contract for the 2026 Sanitary Sewer Repair and Replacement Project to Casey Construction, Inc., the Lowest Responsible and Responsive Bidder, for an Amount of $410,365, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Construction Contract; and Approving Project Contingency Funds of $82,073, and Authorizing the Public Works Director to Approve Potential Contract
Change Orders within the Said Fund.
Council is being asked to award the construction contract for the 2026 Sanitary Sewer Repair and Replacement Project, which will upgrade damaged sewer pipes at locations throughout Town to improve system reliability and reduce the risk of sewer overflows. Casey Construction, Inc. submitted the lowest responsible bid, and staff recommend awarding the contract for $410,365, along with 20% contingency funds for any necessary field adjustments. Approximately 974 linear feet of pipes would be improved, consisting of 881 linear feet of replacement and 93 linear feet of point repairs. This annual project is funded through the Town’s Sewer Enterprise Fund and supports ongoing efforts to maintain safe, dependable wastewater infrastructure. Construction is expected to begin in June and finish by October 2026.
O. Resolution Accepting Dedication of Right-of-Way Easement (Lands of Rothkopf); 23503 Ravensbury Avenue.
Council is being asked to accept a dedication of public rightofway easements from the 2.5-acre property at 23503 Ravensbury Avenue. As part of a previously approved site development permit for a new home, the property owners are required to dedicate additional rightofway along both Ravensbury Avenue and Berkshire Drive to meet the Town’s standard 60foot roadway width. The dedication totals 15,719 square feet and will help ensure adequate emergency access and future roadway improvements. This action carries no fiscal impact and is consistent with Town policies and past practice.
P. Resolution Approving the City Manager Employment Agreement between the Town of Los Altos Hills and Cody Einfalt.
Council is considering approval of an employment agreement appointing Mr. Cody Einfalt as the next City Manager. Mr. Einfalt has served the Town since 2017 in multiple leadership roles, including Acting City Manager, and was selected following a comprehensive recruitment and interview process. Under the proposed three year agreement, he will begin service on May 15, 2026, with an annual salary of $282,000
and standard executive benefits. Funds for the position are already included in the Town’s budget.
Q. Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Contract with Selectron Technologies, Inc. to Purchase an Automatic Notification and Online Inspection Scheduling Software for a Total Purchase Price of $100,000.
Council is considering approval of a contract for new inspection scheduling and notification software that will allow residents and contractors to schedule, modify, and receive updates on building inspections online or by text message. The Selectron system integrates with the Town’s existing TRAKiT permit software and is expected to significantly improve customer service while reducing staff workload. Council is being asked to pick one of three cancellation options ranging from 1-5 years with costs raging from $100,000 to $128,710. Implementation will begin immediately upon approval.
6. ONGOING BUSINESS
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Consideration and Direction on a Draft Initiative Measure Regarding the "Green Sheets" Land Use Principles
Council will review a draft ballot initiative that would add selected “Green Sheets” principles—historic land use values dating back to the Town’s 1956 incorporation—into the General Plan. The draft measure focuses on two areas identified by the Council: clarifying which types of domestic animals are allowed in Town and prohibiting new industrial, largescale commercial, and retail uses. The Council will discuss next steps, including whether to seek additional committee review or bring the measure back for possible placement on the November 2026 ballot. Estimated election costs of $5,000–$10,000 can be covered within the Town’s existing budget.
If the measure is placed on the ballot and approved by voters, Council would have to go to the voters to allow retail, commercial or industrial developments in town, or to place limits on the kinds of animals allowed in town.
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. Receive the Cost Allocation Plan and Development Services Fee Study and Approve a Resolution Adopting the Town of Los Altos Hills Master Fee Schedule and Local Building Valuation Multiplier.
Council will consider adopting an updated Master Fee Schedule and a new local building valuation multiplier based on the Town’s comprehensive Cost Allocation Plan and Development Services Fee Study, completed with support from NBS Government Finance Group for the delivery of planning, building, and engineering services. The updated fee structure is designed to improve transparency, align fees with the true cost of service, and reduce the General Fund subsidy currently supporting private development activity. Key changes include modernized fee calculations, clearer alignment of fees with the departments performing the work, and a new valuation methodology that better reflects real construction costs in Los Altos Hills. If approved, the new fees would take effect July 1, 2026, with staff preparing updated procedures, public materials, and outreach to support a smooth transition. In most cases, proposed fees are substantially higher than in the past. Attachments provide the study and proposed fees with comparisons. Overall, on an annual basis, total fees collected are expected to double.
B. Emergency Preparedness Response Committee Request for Reconsideration of Support for AB2517 .
On March 19, 2026 the City Council considered and decided not to submit a letter of support for AB 2517 aims to improve the Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) designation process. The Emergency Preparedness and Response Committee (EPRC) is in favor of supporting the bill and is requesting the Council revisit the issue.
C. Consideration of a Resolution of the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills Calling a Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and Requesting Consolidation and Performance of Services from the County of Santa Clara Registrar of Voters
Council will consider adopting a resolution to formally call the Town’s General Municipal Election for November 3, 2026, and to consolidate it with the Santa Clara County election. This election will include two City Council seats, each for a four year term ending in December 2030. The resolution also authorizes required election procedures. The projected cost of the election is $40,000, which will be included in the Town’s FY 2026–27 budget.
D. Resolution Approving a Three-Year Concessionaire Agreement with Victoria Dye Equestrian, LLC for the Operation of Westwind Community Barn
Council will consider approving a new three year agreement with Victoria Dye Equestrian (VDE) to continue operating the Westwind Community Barn. VDE has managed the Barn for more than a decade, providing horse boarding, riding instruction, youth programs, and community events. The proposed agreement updates and clarifies maintenance responsibilities, strengthens safety and insurance requirements, and introduces a more structured capital improvement plan to support long term facility upkeep. It also adjusts the management payment and revenue sharing structure to better reflect current operating needs while maintaining public access and community programming. Renewing the contract ensures continuity for boarders, riders, and Town programs, and supports the Barn’s role as a valued community asset.
9. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, SUB-COMMITTEES, AND COUNCILMEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES
A. Formal Closure of Completed Ad Hoc Committees
Review of outstanding Ad Hoc Committees to establish current status and determine if any have completed their work and can be retired.
B. Alternate Sites Ad Hoc Committee Discussion on how to Approach Applications for Potential Multi-Family Sites
The ad hoc committee will seek guidance from Council on how to engage with residents who are open to converting their parcels to multi-family zoning.
10. STAFF REPORTS
Reports by City Attorney, City Clerk, Planning Director, Finance Director, Public Works Director, City Manager
11. COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS
A. Consideration to Implement Code Enforcement Fines and Charges for Service in the Town (Mayor Bhateja)
12. ADJOURN

