6. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR - Comments are limited to two (2) minutes per speaker.   

The strict two minute time limit for public comment, irrespective of context,  may not comply with state law or Town ordinance.   Efforts to explore increasing time limits to three minutes are underway.

7. 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 removed from the group and considered separately at the request of a Council Member or a member of the public.)

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This month there are several items of note on the consent calendar:
C. Approval of Treasurer’s Report for the Month Ended March 2024

Treasurer's Report shows two large transfers from the General Fund, approximately $450K to the COPS Fund and $1 million to the General Service Fund (overhead?).  COPS fund negative balance declined from $-351K to $-43K, as a result of the transfer from the General Fund.  LAIF balance is unchanged from the prior month, which suggests interest earnings of roughly $35,000 was not reported.  LAIF interest rate is about 4%, now.   Building Deposit Liability declined by $375K as approximately 120 refunds were made totaling $465K.  The Street Fund Balance still has a negative balance of more than $-850K and needs transfer from General Fund.

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D. Consideration of a Resolution Approving the Plans and Specifications for the Matadero Creek Restoration and Bank Stabilization Project; Approving the Plans and Specifications for the Matadero Creek Restoration Offsite Mitigation Planting and Fencing Project at Byrne Preserve; Authorizing Staff to Advertise the projects for formal bids; and Approving Covenant and Deed Restrictions on Town Parcels APN 182-32-008 and APN 182-32-021 (Staff: W. Kim)

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High flows in Matadero Creek in 2009/2010 eroded a section of the embankment adjacent to the southbound lane of Page Mill Road approximately one-quarter mile west of Interstate 280 downstream of the Matadero Creek bridge crossing. The road was shored up shortly thereafter to prevent further erosion, however the project to stabilize and restore the section of Matadero Creek will require regrading of the creek, installation of a soldier pile retaining wall, and placement of new riprap for creek bedding. The project requires mitigations per the requirements of corresponding regulatory agencies.

This estimated $1.5 million project 14 years in the making appears on the consent calendar without any discussion of the cause of delay, selection of mitigation measures or sole source award of $230,000 construction management contract to the same firm that required 14 years to obtain permission.   Construction Management services proposals should be requested at the same time as the bidding for the repair and mitigation work.  Repair costs have doubled over the 14 years, the offsite mitigation measures in Byrne Park appear of questionable value, operationally difficult, and expensive.  Offsite mitigation work consists of installing approximately 500 native plants in an eroding creek channel, with wire protection cages, installing a wooden two rail fence around a portion of the planting area, and maintaining plants for two years. An option to add an additional 1231 LF of two rail wooden fence is included.

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E. Consideration of a Resolution Approving the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Project List for Annual Pavement Rehabilitation and Drainage Improvement to be Funded by State Senate Bill 1, The Road and Accountability Act of 2017 (Staff: W. Kim)

Resolution is required to obtain funding from the state.

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F. Consideration of a Resolution Approving Plans and Specifications for 2024 Pavement Rehabilitation and Drainage Improvement Project and Authorizing Staff to Advertise for Formal Bid (Staff: W. Kim)

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This is the routine, annual process of maintaining roads. Approximately 4.5 miles of road pavement are included for this year’s pavement rehabilitation and drainage improvement project. The list of street segments and type of treatment for each street can be found here https://losaltoshillsca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3504/files/report/244

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K. Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with Palo Alto Animal Control Services (Pets In Need) for animal control services in Los Altos Hills (Staff: C. Einfalt)

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As has become the norm with this staff, notification of the need for a new contract comes too late to afford exploring options and with insufficient information.  The current contract expires next month, and the proposed new contract shows a threefold increase in cost.  No indication that other alternatives or mitigation methods were considered. 

A few years ago, to prevent the recurrence of insufficient notice of major contract renewal dates, Town implemented a process to maintain a list of major contracts with termination dates to ensure adequate notice and time for review and investigation. The list appears unmaintained, is out of date, and apparently not used for its intended purpose.

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M. Consideration of a Resolution Adopting the First Amendment to the Agreement between the Town of Los Altos Hills and Kevin W. Harper CPA and Associates to increase the not-to-exceed amount from $60,000 to $120,000. (Staff: P. Pirnejad)

 

Original agreement is not attached so terms are unknown.  No payments to the vendor have been recorded in the last few months.  Remaining balance on $60.000 original contract is unknown.  The need for increase contract is caused by excessive delay in hiring finance personnel.  Unclear how amount of increase was determined. 

9. PUBLIC HEARINGS

A. Consideration of an Ordinance Amending various sections under Chapters 1 and 2 of Title 10, Zoning and Site Development, of the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code to: amend regulations relating to Accessory Dwelling Units in conformance with Government Code Section 66314 et seq: amending the Grading Ordinance under Article 4, Chapter 2, Title 10 to clarify City Engineer authority to consider wet season grading moratorium exceptions; to establish Low Barrier Navigation Centers as a permitted use within the Residential-Agricultural (R-A) zoning district in accordance with Government Code Section 65660 et seq: and to update regulations pertaining to Emergency Shelters in accordance with Government Code Section 65583. (Staff: B. Evanson)

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These are changes in ordinances required by new Housing Element as dictated by the state.  They were reviewed and approved as amended by the Planning Commission last week.

10. NEW BUSINESS

A. Review the 2023 Housing Element Annual Progress Report and Authorize Transmittal of the Report to the Department of Housing and Community Development (Staff: B. Evanson)

Town’s Housing Element approved one year ago by the State requires a series of tasks to be completed over the eight-year cycle with periodic reporting.  This report provides required reporting status of the Town’s progress during the first year.   Report shows the Town is making progress on its Housing Element requirements with many tasks required to be completed at this time complete and a few slightly behind schedule. Town website is static, does not show progress, and does not contain all information required to be included at this time.