October 27, 2022 Council Neighborhoods Committee

Video

Transcript

[00:00:13] Anna: Welcome everyone. Um, I am listener. and

[00:00:22] Member Alison Hicks: actually 3 members of the council neighborhoods committee. Um, uh, that would be. So members show Walter and the mayor,

[00:00:32] Anna: the mayor will be arriving in a few minutes. And so for now, it's just. Um, subsequent. Be me. I will start by, uh, giving disclosures regarding, uh-oh. You know, Vice Merricks, we're having a hard time hearing you. Do you think you could call in? It looks like we've, uh, Vice Maro Hicks is gonna, Call back in. Um, In that case, Uh, does anyone know if I can read the disclosures or shall we just, um, Take a moment. Michaela,

[00:01:24] Kimber McCarthy: please take a moment, just a 2nd. Thanks

[00:01:27] Anna: all for your patience. Well, so I'm going

[00:01:52] Member Alison Hicks: to start with disclosures regarding delivering this meeting virtually, um, during the declared state of emergency. This meeting will be conducted in accordance with the California government code section 5493E as authorized by resolution. Please contact city clerk. At Mountain View.gov to obtain a copy of the Applicable Resolution. All members of the council, neighborhood committee, will participate in the meeting. And by video conference with no physical meeting location. Members of the public, which, To observe the live meeting, may do so at HTS alone slash slash mountain view.gov slash meeting or HTTPS colon slash slash mountain view.legistar.com. Uh, we have Spanish interpretation of this meeting. You can click the interpretation, I, On

[00:02:55] Anna: and select Spanish. I will, I can go ahead and and repeat that in Spanish, para personas, esta, tabe. que occupen interpretación en Español, por favor y, again, clique en elicono que dice interpretación para podero year, la interpretación, la presentación, hoy en Español. Anna,

[00:03:47] Anna: could you please send me

[00:03:48] Kimber McCarthy: the script? I'm sorry, everyone. We're having some pretty major technical difficulties here. I'm Kimber McCarthy. I'm the city manager. Um, so, uh, vice mayor. I am not sure if she can hear us, but I'd like to help us move this along. Um, so if you can send me that, um, in the meantime, if there's any, uh, specific information that the vice mayor needs to say, then we'll certainly say that after I, uh, give an update, um, welcome mayor. Uh, we're having some technical difficulties, unfortunately, with this uh, meeting tonight, but I do want to start off by welcoming all of you here. It's great to see so many of you in the attendee box. One of the things that I wanted to start off by talking about and there's a couple things, a couple updates that I'm going to give, but one of the foremost things that I want to talk about, something that we have received a lot of questions about. Um, on everyone's mind is uh, just this past Tuesday on our city council's closed session agenda. Uh, there was consideration of real property negotiations for the properties at 538 Thompson Avenue and 544 Thompson Avenue and uh, while I can't uh, confirm all the details. I do want to let the neighborhood know that the city is interested in purchasing those properties for potential uh, future park space in park area. So we are, um, uh, interested in that. And like I said, there's, there's, um, confidential, uh, negotiations underway right now, but we are very excited that we are looking into that, and we know that this has been something that's been top of mind for the neighborhood for many years. Uh, some of you may recall that the city has been actively looking for the past, I'd say, 2 years, um, very hard at potential property in Monteloma to purchase. Uh, many of you probably received mailers from the city, uh, where we were seeking, uh, whether anyone was interested in, uh, purchasing or in the city purchasing their property. So, this is something that has been very important for our city council, and for our city to expand our parks and open space in the city. So, I did want to confirm that for everyone. Um, then the next update that I would like to give is, uh, some of you may have heard that Governor Newsom is set to end the statewide state of emergency due to the pandemic on February 28th of next year. So we currently have a local state of emergency that's been in place since March of 2020. Our local emergency will also end at the same time that the governors statewide state of emergency ends. Uh, it doesn't necessarily do, um, too much for us other than uh, the state of emergencies are typically tied to federal funding. Um, and many of you may be aware that the federal government enacted, uh, several funding streams such as the Cares Act, um, and the American Rescue Plan Act funds, which the city has received and has put to good use for very, uh, a lot of programs these past couple years for our most vulnerable residents and our small businesses. Uh, but that state of emergency is set to end in February. And uh, our city council will uh, be coming back to in-person meetings. And it's likely it will probably be, um, at the turn of 2023. Uh, city council has not yet determined that yet, um, but we anticipate that that's, uh, the time frame. So I will turn it back over to you, Anna, it looks like I'm joined by our vice mayor. Um, I hope you all could hear me because I was having some distortion on my end for the audio. Uh, so thank you very much. App appreciate it. Thank

[00:07:54] Anna: you, Kimbra, for that. App appreciate it. And I know since our vice mayor is back. I don't know, uh, vice mayor, did you want to say a few words before I uh, go through some housekeeping and instructions. Or maybe, uh, Mayor Ramirez, if you would like to welcome or say a few words. Uh, and uh,

[00:08:19] Member Lucas Ramirez: 1st my apologies for signing in a couple of minutes late, I hit traffic on the way home from work. Um, I I think this may have already been said, uh, so my apologies, if I'm saying it again, but, um, this is a phenomenal opportunity that is unique to Mountain View. Um, I think many of you may have participated in previous, uh, town hall, uh, life sessions. Um, we do this uh, for every neighborhood group in the city, and it's uh, a fantastic opportunity to really hone in on what's going on in your neighborhood and to have direct access to, uh, the staff who handled the day-to-day operations of the city. So, um, it's always a pleasure to participate and learn about what's going on in your neighborhood. Um, but really it's, it's, uh, it's our phenomenal staff who, uh, who, who really do the, the lion share of the work and answering your questions on the fly. Uh so please take advantage of the opportunity. Ask any questions um that you would like to about what's going on in your neighborhood or in the city. Um, the uh, council subcommittee uh, will listen very carefully and if there are policy implications. We happy to take a look. Um, but uh, but really I think uh, I just want to thank you for participating and uh, thank the staff for, for joining and and answering your important questions. Thank you. Thank

[00:09:36] Anna: you so much, Mayor Ramirez, we appreciate that. Um, so before I pass it along to our office of emergency services, I do want to go through some housekeeping issues. Um, and and instructions. So medium participants are going to remain muted through the entirety of tonight's meeting. To participate members of the public can submit questions and comments through the Q and A box at any time during the meeting, beginning now. The Q and A box may vary depending on your version of Zoom and the type of device you are using. It may be at the top or the bottom, but it will look like the box displayed on the slide. Um, our Q and A portion will be divided into 2 sections. We have received some questions ahead of time and we will respond to those 1st. Once all of the pre-semitic questions have been responded to. We will move to the questions submitted through the Q and A. Uh, staff will be monitoring the Q and A through the entirety of the meeting. Uh, we ask for everybody's patience while questions are reviewed and submitted, and um, please note that not all the questions will be answered immediately after they have submitted. And I know um, I have different question topics. So once I ask the question, I know appropriate staff will repeat the question in detail. So everybody can hear what exactly was the question. Um, we appreciate everybody's patience as we navigate this meeting virtually, and we will do our best to get all of the questions answered during this 2 hour period. And with that being said, I will pass it over to Robert Maitland, um, or some remarks. Thank

[00:11:16] Robert Maitland: you, madam. I appreciate it. Like Anna said, I'm Robert Maitland. I serve as your office of emergency services coordinator and I want to take a moment to talk to you about our cert program. If you're not familiar with sir, It is our community emergency response team, and some of you may be members of our community emergency response team, we have a very prolific presence in your neighborhood. And it's a FEMA program, centered around educating individuals about disaster preparedness, and it organizes teams of volunteers that would be able to support the communities before during an after disaster and emergency. We have academies, refresher trainings and drills. For example, we just finished an academy on Saturday. We have another academy scheduled for March, and then the Saturday after this coming Saturday on the 5th, we're going to have a citywide cert neighborhood drill, which Mona Loma is going to be participating in. The goal for our cert program is to get people to think about some disaster preparedness before it happens, prepares our citizens to take care of themselves, and it creates a core of trained volunteers and encourages a community to come out and interact with the great fire department and police department. Go to the next side, please. If you have any questions, or if you want to join in our next academy coming up early next year, or if you want to come to a couple of our refresher trainings that already have scheduled, or maybe you want to come to that academy, reach out to me again, Robert Maitland, that's my telephone number. Send me an email. Visit us online, or please follow us on social media. We post often to Facebook, Twitter, and next door. And I look forward to seeing you in class. Thanks again. Thank

[00:12:53] Anna: you so much for those remarks, Robert. We appreciate it. Um, so we'll go ahead and get started with the pre-submitted questions just as a reminder, any members of the public that wish to ask a question, may do so using the Q and A box. Uh, for those who are listening to the interpretation in Spanish. Um, You may type in your question in Spanish and I can go ahead and read and and interpret it. Um, if that helps. Um, so I will go ahead and start off with our 1st pre-submitted questions. Um, that's, uh, speaks to, um, crosswalk access, um, and Monteloma Park. Hi,

[00:13:32] Robert Gonzalez: Anna, Robert Gonzalez, principal, civil engineer in the public works department. Um, I'll start by reading the question and then we'll move on from there. So, the question is, can we get curb cuts at the crosswalk at the Monte Loma Park access between 2240 and 24, excuse me, 2440 and 2444, Laura Lane. Also, at the park Access at Anna and Elka. Both have driveways, driveways adjacent, but the sidewalks are narrow and might be difficult to navigate. The 2nd part of the question. Secondly, the Anna Elka access is very narrow, but it still has poles in the middle of the path. Are these to prevent vehicles from driving through the path? Because it's already super narrow. It makes it difficult to get carts or strollers and presumably wheelchairs through this access. So 1st of all, thank you for the question. I really appreciate it. I've been here 2 years and I'm familiar with Monteloma Park, but this is the 1st time I had really gotten familiar with these 2 neighborhood access points. So staff can definitely, my team can definitely evaluate both of these locations. Um, so speaking 1st about the lower lane location. There's an existing crosswalk at this location. So we can definitely look at adding ADA compliant curb ramps on both sides of that existing crosswalk. I went out there today to measure the entrances. There will be some challenges here as the question remarks is, um, they're both very narrow. They both have adjacent driveways. So there's going to be some geometry challenges here, but we'll look into adding these to either the next concrete and sidewalk curb ramp project, or a street rehabilitation project. The 2nd part of the question was regarding the poles or the ballards that are placed in the middle of both paths. Both entrances have these ballards there. I went out there and measured both entrances, and they are both very narrow. They're different, but they're both very narrow. Um, I'd like to make sure I confer with our traffic team and our transportation team, but it does look like these were placed once upon a time, um, probably to protect against um, cars driving into this location. But it doesn't really look like they're appropriate for this location. I think we're going to after I confer with traffic and transportation. I think we can move to remove both of these. Thank you, Anna.

[00:15:59] Anna: Thank you for that, Robert. Appreciate it. Our next pre-semantic question is regarding an estimated timeline for RingStore Avenue slash Central Expressway.

[00:16:13] Don Cameron: Thank you, Anna. Um, this is Don Cameron, public works director. So the question is, as Anna was saying, what is the estimated timeline for the ring store Avenue, Central Expressway? Great separation project. I see that the Caltrain websites list late 2022 as final design, but I don't see a timeline for construction and completion. So this is a very timely question because we're very excited to, you know, announce that. We have just completed the preliminary design and environmental clearance base for this project. And we're finishing up the final details with both Caltrain, who will be the project manager and lead on final design and construction. And with the Valley Transportation Authority, that is going to be providing be sales tax funding towards final design and eventually construction of the project. to enter into an agreement with, with both of them, so that the project will move on to its next phase. And the next phase is final design and right away acquisition. We expect that to start by January 2023. That will take about 2 years to complete. And as we continue to pull together our construction funding. If everything comes together in time, we could expect construction to begin. By July 2025 or in that time frame, and that will also take about 2 years to construct. So we would hope to see it completed by mid 2027. Oh, and I'll just mention also, we are working to put together a community meeting on the project in early 2023 so we can bring all residents fully up to date on the project and what to expect as we proceed into the next phases.

[00:18:05] Anna: Thank you for that, Don. Um, just want to make sure before I move to the next pre-submitted question that, um, want to remind members of the public that you may, uh, enter any questions you have into the Q and A box in that is located on the bottom of your screen or in the top, depending on the version, but, um, if, For those that are listening in Spanish, if it's easier for you to type in your question in Spanish, you may type in your question in Spanish and we'll be sure to, um, address it.

[00:18:37] Anna: The next question I have is uh, regarding traffic barriers.

[00:18:46] Carlo Ochoa: Good evening. Um, I'm Carlo Ochoa. I'm a senior traffic engineer, and the question was a follow-up to uh, ask Mountain View request that had previously been submitted, um, with regards to victory and dale, the rubber curves that we have, the question, was, um, I have attached examples of what I've seen in Palo Alto, when they renovated the Midtown bike boulevard, these barriers are much more attractive and their permanence would prevent people from ignoring them and running over them. Can you please check the status of my request? Um, and are there plans to upgrade or improve the traffic barriers? So the rubber curves and the markers that we currently have at this intersection and a couple others in the neighborhood, uh, mostly fit within the existing center line. Um, The, the mediums from the example, which is in Palo Alto at the intersection of Ross Road and Loma Verde Avenue. Um, they're much wider, 7 to 8 feet approximately. Um, so they require a whole engineering analysis. We have to evaluate drainage, irrigation needs, um, emergency, vehicle impacts, turning impacts, driveway access, um, possible irrigation. So all those would require engineering evaluation. Uh, at this time, we don't have a project for medians at these locations. However, we can, they can be considered as part of the development of a future 5 year capital improvement program. Um, where the projects are evaluated for workload and prioritization with other projects.

[00:20:29] Anna: Thank you, Carla. App appreciate that. Um, the next question we have is regarding uh, athletic fields.

[00:20:36] Christine Crosby: All right, thank you, Anna. My name's Christine Crosby. the recreation manager for the city of Mountain View. The question is from regards to um, currently in Mountain View athletic fields are given priority to professional teams. How do we provide more space and time for non-professional players? Um, so thank you for the question. The city does have an athletic field use policy, which governs the use and reservations of our athletic fields. The policy does outline which sports receive priority reservation by season, and within that, what groups receive priority. The upcoming parks and recreation strategic plan process will look at this policy, and in general, how parks across the city are used, and the consultant may provide the city with recommendations related to this policy and general use of parks, through the review of best practices, and based on the feedback that they receive through the community outreach process. In the meantime, the recreation division has paused athletic field use permits on Sundays for the soccer field at Mona Loma, which provides for additional time for unstructured play on the open grass space. We do anticipate having a consultant on board for the parks and recreation strategic plan in the spring and hope to begin the community outreach process in the summer. I really hope that those that are engaged in this topic would like to get involved in that process. Um, and I will put, um, the website or the parks and recreation strategic plan in the chat, um, where you can visit to receive updates, and you can also sign up, um, to get updates emailed to your inbox. Um, so thank you again for the question.

[00:22:19] Anna: Thank you so much, Christine. Appreciate it. The next question we have is regarding, um, a corner with blind curves.

[00:22:30] Carlo Ochoa: Thank you and I think that's... The question is regarding the properties at 538 and 544 Thompson. That corner has a blind curve and big rigs in and out of the Safeway. Please be aware that it would be an unsafe location for park and for visibility. So, Traffic safety and access is, including visibility are reviewed as part of the park designs. Um, the parks often have uh, street improvements as well that come with it as part of that we would evaluate for any new striping needs, signage needs, um, red curbs, uh, potentially any new traffic controls that might be warranted or warning signs. So all that's looked at as part of the design.

[00:23:22] Anna: Thank you so much for that, Carla. Um, again, just, uh, want to remind, um, the public that to submit questions, please use the Q and A, function on your screen, and if you feel more comfortable typing in your question in Spanish, you, you may do so, and we will make sure to, um, interpret it. Um, Next pre-submitted question I have is as it relates to some of the high density developments.

[00:23:50] Lindsay Hagan: Hi everyone, my name's Lindsay Hagan. I'm the assistant community development director with the community development department, the city, and um, this question, the city continues to approve high density developments in the San Antonio, California area. Why does this growth continue without commiserate infrastructure improvements for the inevitable traffic? San Antonio is already backed up in both directions at all hours. Um, so this is a great question as new development comes in and is proposed. The city does, um, do some analysis to determine what kind of impacts that development may have on our existing utility infrastructure, our existing roadways. Um, we also, uh, are big supporters, obviously, of trying to, to implement, um, Different alternative modes of transportation that sort of encourage folks to get out of their cars and use bikes and other modes of transit. Um, and so that is always part of what we're also looking at with new development. Um, I will say what can be really challenging is some of these major thoroughfares like San Antonio, El Camino, Real, Central Expressway. Those are really regional connectors that travel through many cities. And so it's really hard for us to control all the traffic that might come through those areas, but, um, as part of reviewing and assessing new development, we definitely look at, um, ways that those projects can improve any, um, infrastructure that they may be impacting. Um, and then one last thing I'll say about it is, uh, sometimes some of the infrastructure improvements, um, The burden isn't sort of carried by one project. So it may take, um, sort of multiple projects to contribute towards an improvement. And so sometimes that's why you don't always see new development. Um, necessarily improving everything all at once. It might come through a public works capital project that's coordinated for that area based on funding that comes from multiple projects. Um thanks.

[00:25:53] Anna: Thank you, Lindsay, for that. Appreciated. So that concludes our pre-submitted questions. So now that we've completed our pre-submitted questions, I will go ahead and move over to the live questions, um, if for some reason, um, there's not a response or we need to do some more research, I will make note of that question and we will post uh, the response at a later time on our website. Um, and again, just as a reminder, questions can be submitted in English or in Spanish, using the Q and A function. So, uh, the 1st uh, question I have is regarding uh, transportation study.

[00:26:36] Carlo Ochoa: Hi Anna, me again, Carlo Choa, senior traffic engineer. Um, the question is is there a transportation study? For construction, impact on the neighborhood, um, so traffic isn't diverting through. Um, Montaloma, um, we do have, um, a neighborhood traffic management program. Um, that is exactly to address cut through traffic. So if you're interested on a specific street, um, I encourage you to visit our website for the neighborhood traffic management program, um, and it outlines the process to apply for it, um, for with a petition and. Um, we would evaluate, if we, once we receive the petition, we evaluate to see if it qualifies for traffic, uh, management measures.

[00:27:23] Don Cameron: So thank you, Carla. I think that's really good information and general information. I, I believe that this particular question also related to the great separation project. Because it was entered as I was answering the question for great separation. So that's what I'm going to anticipate and I'm going to go ahead and answer that question as well. Uh, in terms of a transportation study for construction impact on the neighborhood, so traffic isn't diverting through Monteloma. Um, yes, it is, this, the great separation project is a major capital improvement project. It is going to have significant impact during construction on traffic through the central and ring store intersection. The project does call for lowering both Central Expressway and Ringsdorf, below gray to get it under the railroad tracks and keeping a signalized interche- intersection. During final design, one of the key tasks is undertaken is looking at different ways you can phase the construction and stage the construction, to minimize lane closures, road closures, see how much we can keep the traffic flowing on central and brain starve. That's not, but there will be. There's it's unavoidable. There will be periods of time where either Ringstorf has to close or Central Expressway, we work very hard to make that as limited time as possible. And and set up detour routes that mostly try to use other major parallel roads in the area rather than cutting through neighborhoods. So a lot of that will be worked out during the final design and working out the construction, phasing, and staging plans. I just don't want to sugarcoat it. It is a major construction project, and there will be periods of time where it's going to be difficult to navigate through the area. But once that project is completed, You will not be affected any longer about the by the gate down times at ring store, Which are only going to get worse because Caltrain is planning to add a lot more trains in the future. If high speed rail comes through, those gates are going to go down for longer and longer periods of time. The other advantage of the project is once there's no longer an at grade crossing, the train horns no longer need to go off. When they cross ring store, so you will also see the train horns going away once we finish the project for crossing ring store. Thank you.

[00:30:01] Anna: Thank you so much for that. Um, next question. I have is regarding some industrial businesses and noise levels.

[00:30:17] Lindsay Hagan: Um, Anna, I'll go ahead and try to answer this question. Uh, my name's Lindsay again from uh, community development department. Um, so I would say if there's a particular business, um, that you're concerned about the noise emissions. Um, you know, please feel free to reach out to, uh, in particular, our code enforcement group who can follow up on what that business, um, environment, you know, what they might be doing. Um, and then we can kind of follow up with, uh, what, what's going on on the site. Um, sometimes those situations are ones where, um, you know, a business has moved in that maybe we're not aware of that, um, may not be allowed to operate there. And other times it's a matter of approaching them and talking about their operations and having them potentially shift whatever they're doing, to address some of the noise concerns. So, um, that would be my recommendation if you have a particular business in mind, that's that's of concern.

[00:31:13] Anna: Thank you for that, Lindsay. App appreciate it. Uh, the next question I have is regarding a timeline for repair of an intersection.

[00:31:24] Lisa Alice: Good evening. I'm Lisa Alice, assistant public works director. We currently have the water main on Whitney Drive um slated for replacement. That project is currently in the design phase. And we expect to go out to, uh, construction bids, um, in early 2023. Um, there are um, many streets involved with that water and swimming replacement project. But I expect that we will be on Whitney, um, late summer to fall, 2023 to repair, uh, to replace that water main as well as repair the grower. Thank you.

[00:32:04] Anna: Thank you for that, Lisa. App appreciate it. Um, I think, uh, next question is regarding, uh, uh, usage and uh, for sports and scheduling.

[00:32:16] Christine Crosby: Thank you, Anna Christine Crosby recreation manager. Thank you for the question. The question is, is there a way to review scheduling in Mona Loma Park so that soccer and baseball practice or games are not approved for simultaneous use? This leaves no space for the community who often play with their children and dogs in the evenings at the park. Can this be done prior to the parks and recreation strategic plan at? Um, so 1st of all, again, thank you for this question. Um, I think this is something that, um, I can bring back to our staff that do our scheduling of our fields to review to see if it's feasible, um, and if there is other field space that we can move, um, programs on so there's not simultaneous use. So we'll take a look at it and see if that's something that we can adjust. So thank you again for the question.

[00:33:04] Anna: Thank you so much for that, Christine. Next question I have is regarding adding a tree.

[00:33:15] Matt: Hello, this is Matt, by channel. I the forestry coordinator for Mountain View. I answer questions regarding trees. Uh, 1st part of the question asked, at a tree, front of the street in front of my home. Many streets are wide enough to add bump outs to increase canopy. And will the city maintain the street tree? We do have a program to plant street trees in front of homes. We take a, typically plant them 5 feet back from a sidewalk that connects directly to the street. But this question is regards to a tree. Sounds like in the street, um, not exactly right in front of the home. That'll be a question, probably better, as for public works. But a bump out could be created for a tree, but certainly, in front of a home, we absolutely have a program. We'd be happy to plant a tree. We support a program to add canopy, but um, as far as in the middle of the street, maybe public works can answer that part of the question.

[00:34:11] Anna: Thank you for that. Appreciate it. Um, Just want to give a moment to see if public works wants to add anything to that response.

[00:34:21] Rio: Oh, this is Rio, who's parent low on the transportation manager. Um, we've just uh, started work on the active transportation plan and as part of the active transportation plan. We'll also be incorporating biodiversity, considerations that emerge from the biodiversity strategy. So I think that that would be a great place um, to direct this kind of input, um, in terms of like more of a citywide strategy, for integrating um, canopy trees into the active transportation network.

[00:34:51] Edorango: Thanks. Hi, Anna, I wanted to, is Edorango, uh, assistant public works director, and I wanted to follow up on the tree question. Um, We're a fan of trees as well, and um, we actually have a permit process where a resident or um, any property owner consume a request to um, plant a tree. Um, it's just a matter of submitting an application. And, um, we can go through the review of that and then that way a tree can get planted. So if, um, if you have any questions about that. We have our website, um, when you go to public works, or you can just call public works and ask for the permit process to install a tree and we'll help you.

[00:35:34] Anna: Thank you for that. Appreciate it. Um, next question we have is regarding, um, the variation in curves uh, being flattened to accommodate a certain amount of vehicles.

[00:35:47] Edorango: Hi, Anna, again, at Orango, assistant public works director. can take this one. Um, so the question speaks to, um, the variation of driveway approach dimensions, um, in the Monte Loma area. Um, some of these driveway approaches, they call these, um, flattened curbs or in the question, it was a flattened curb for one car or two. We call these driveway approaches. Basically, it's the curb cut that allows access for a card to get to your garage or to your driveway. And the question is, why is there such a variation? And is it possible to widen the flattened curb for houses where it's narrow? So, um, the Monte Loma neighborhood. Um, so let me start a little bit, give you a quick background. Um, when development happens in cities, uh, developers actually construct the original streets, And build the homes and then sell the homes and then, um, the development is established. Um, with the development um, process, the streets are, um, improved, and then the curve cuts or the driveway approaches are built. So it's with that process. And again, Montaloma has a lot of subdivisions that were installed in the 50s. And while the question was submitted, I took a quick look, and an example could be Laura Lane. Uh, Laura Lane has um, both single driveways and double driveways for single garages and double garages. And that's just the nature of how the development was built. They built it with some single garages, some with double garages. And over the course of the years, um, there's been additional redevelopment, so people want to, um, remodel their homes, and they want to widen. Um, so that absolutely can be done, again, as I mentioned in the last uh, question, response regarding tree installations. Um, We can uh, there's a permit process. The public works can go through a resident can come in and submit a permanent application to widen their driveway, assuming that there's applicable space adjacent to their driveway to do so. Sometimes 2 driveways are right next to each other and the neighbors are right next to each other. So you can't winden in one direction, but you may be able to whiden the other. Um, and so it's just a matter of uh, somebody, again, a permit application. We have a permit application process right in our website under public works. But again, if you just want to call the public works main number, um, and ask for what is a permit process to install a widened driveway. We can point you and help you, um, in the right direction. That's it. Thanks. Thank

[00:38:19] Anna: you for that. Appreciate it. Um, the next question. I'm not sure, Kimber, if you want to be the 1st to talk a little bit about it, but it's regarding, um, purchase of properties as they come for sale.

[00:38:33] Kimbra McCarthy: Yes, thank you, Anna. So again, Kimbra McCarthy, city manager, I do see that there are a couple questions, um, that know that there are other properties around the location off of Thompson Avenue and, uh, what the city's, uh, plans could be for the other properties around that area. So while I'm not able to share, um, A lot of information, what I can say is that the city is very interested in a long-term strategy. Um, around that location and um, hopefully, uh, you all will see some sort of movement soon. And, um, I also do want to note that most all of you are aware that at least most of the properties around the neighborhood are at least $2000000 um, often more. So this is not necessarily a park area that has a lot of parkland or development fees that have been allocated to it. Uh, which means that the city, um, has to find some sort of uh, general fund dollars, um, in addition to other fees to purchase uh, property. So, I will say that this is a, in a very important priority of our city council and our city. And so, we are looking at um, all strategies long term. Thank you. Thank

[00:39:57] Anna: you, Kimber. Appreciate it. Um, I also saw a little extension of one of the questions about uh, park spaces being connected and expanded. I'm not sure if any study else on staff would like to. I would say that's that's the same question. It's all the same area. All right, thank you. my apologies. I just... make sure. Uh, so the next question we have is regarding um, a property and a project at 831 independence. Yes,

[00:40:28] Lindsey Hagen: hi, it's Lindsay Hagen again from community development department. Um, so 831 Independence is actually the last property within the industrial zone. I know it's right next to residential, um, but it's actually an industrial property. So unfortunately, it's not a new home that's under development there, but it is a new, um, basically a 1000 square foot sort of office commercial office building for a pool service company that is being constructed there, um, as well as, uh, I think a small storage shed as well. And so they have been taking a little bit longer than, I think, any of us anticipated, but, um, you did note that they, that there's some looks like some trash and other stuff on the property. So, They do have a building permit issued. So what I can do is actually have one of our building inspectors go out and visit the site and see if we need to reach out to them to ask them to clean it up. so that we can address that. So I will go ahead and coordinate that with our staff and have somebody, uh, try and address this issue. So thanks for bringing it to our attention. Thanks

[00:41:36] Anna: so much, Lindsay. App appreciate that. Um, next question is as it relates to, um, What is happening at Stevens Creek and Bay, I believe. Hi,

[00:41:51] Lisa Alice: this is Lisa Alice, assistant Public Works director. Um, the question that goes on to add, there has been a tremendous amount of earth move out there, filling in the bay for a few 100 yards. So what is happening there is a, um, a project that the city supports uh, with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the California State Coastal Conservancy. What they're doing are, um, restoring the old salt ponds that are there to its natural habitat that it used to be before they resolve ponds. So right now there's a process to import soil. And where the, um, the levees uh, will be gradually slope out into the pond there. And, um, This effort is going to take until December 2023. You'll see the earthquake happening until that time. And later on in the project, some of the outer levees are going to be breached. And there'll be more water coming in. Um, the project will also, um, open a new trail that will go out into the bay further. So, um, users will be able to go further into, towards the bay as part of this project. And there will also be more benches and educational signage, describing the project as it goes on. Thank you. Thank

[00:43:14] Anna: you so much, Lisa. appreciate that. Um, next we have a question regarding, um, directed to the transportation. Department. Thanks,

[00:43:29] Robert Gonzalez: Anna, this is Robert Gonzalez with the public works group. The 2nd question was, um, regarding lowering Ringsdorf Road, um, and then, will there be a resultant increase in car noise as the cars go up again, um, the incline. So Director Cameron mentioned this earlier in the in the meeting. The central and Ringstorff intersection is going to be lowered as part of this project. Um, But the approaches on Central Avenue specifically, um, were designed as as shallow as possible. So the, so the, the, the grade there is going to change. Um, it will go lower, but we've moved those approaches back so that it is much more gradual um, on this in central avenue. And in ringstorf, yes, there will be, um, the approaches won't be as gradual. They'll be a little bit steeper. But the benefit there is that, um, with the resultant grade change, we're actually not going to uh, experience, the neighborhood won't experience the noise of the horns anymore either. So that's going to be a benefit. It's going to be a much significant benefit for the community to lose all of those, um, uh, morning and morning horns um, for the neighborhood. So we don't expect a significant change in noise from the vehicles, but we do expect a big benefit from removing those horns. Thank you.

[00:44:52] Anna: Thank you for that. Appreciate it. Um, the next question we have is asking regarding police assistance in residents, that walker cycle, an intersection of rock and ring store. Yeah,

[00:45:06] Frank St. Clair: Frank St. Clair, uh, a lieutenant with the Mountain View Police Department. Um, so residents, the walker cycle, know that the intersection of rock and rainstorf is super scary as cars don't stop. Is there any way the police could help? We do do traffic enforcement in the area. Um, the, uh, Fact of the matter is, is that it's a crosswalk across a very, uh, speed heavy street where, uh, ring store traffic does not have to have a stop sign to control it. So that makes it a little more wary for bicyclists and pedestrians that need to take a little extra care and crossing that. You can always uh, also move up to uh, the next block up and there's a light controlled intersection there, which might be a little bit safer for you in general. Um, and uh, I think Anna wants to take the other part of this question. I

[00:46:08] Anna: was on my apologies. Um, so thank you for that, Lieutenant Sinclair. We appreciate it. Next question is regarding RVs. I'm

[00:46:23] Wayne Chen: happy to take a 1st cut at this question. Good evening, everyone. I'm Wayne Chen acting community development director. The question is, why do we have so many RVs on our streets, uh, such as Leghorn independence, Sierra Vista, et cetera? Really appreciate the question, and I think as we all know, homelessness is, um, a challenging issue to address, uh, it has been a growing issue in particular because of, uh, COVID impacts as well. Um, I will say that the city is taking, uh, uh, a multi-pront strategy to, um, address, uh, folks living in vehicles and for unsheltered, uh, including um, a state parking program. Uh, uh, facilitating the development of interim housing, uh, developing permit, affordable housing, and also partnering with agencies around the city and in the county, for other shelter, um, outreach services and other community resources, access or case management. And so we believe we are making an impact. Um, The uh, most recent point in time count for 2022 regarding the homeless discount should be coming out fairly shortly. So we hope to see some positive progress when the numbers come out. It is a challenging issue and we continue to work with our partners to address this issue, but we are trying to tackle this really high priority in multiple ways. Thank

[00:47:45] Anna: you for that, Wayne. Appreciate it. So before we move on to our next question, I just want to remind, uh, members of the public, especially if somebody logged on late that if you would like to submit a question, you may do so using the Q and A function, um, which can be found either at the bottom or the top of your screen, depending on, uh, the version of Zoom you're using and what device you're uh, accessing uh, the meeting with, um, and if you feel more comfortable typing in your question in Spanish, you may do that as well. Um, and the next question uh, that we have had come up is regarding, um, Furniture left outside of homes. Yes,

[00:48:28] Jennifer: I can help answer that question. Good evening, my name is Jennifer Cutter. I'm the solid waste program manager. And the question is, um, for about used furniture that's left outside homes, apartments along Ringstorf Avenue, close to Safeway for months on end. And the person is asking who is responsible for disposing of this furniture. And What we can do is definitely go out there and have staff take a look at exactly where the items are located, whether it's on residential or commercial property, and we can then do outreach with those properties to help educate them on what they can do regarding bulky items. We do have an on-call plus program that collects up to 3 bulky items per appointment for residences. And businesses can also schedule bulky pickups for a fee. Um, if the materials in the public right of way, we will coordinate with public services to have it removed. Thank you for letting us know and we'll be following up. Thank

[00:49:44] Anna: you for sharing that, Jennifer. Appreciate it. Um, I do see another question. It's a little long. Um, I know it mentions parks and recreations. Uh,

[00:49:56] Kimbra McCarthy: and I'll take this question as well. This is similar to the prior questions about the properties um for potential future parks. So this question relates to properties, um, on Jane Lane, uh, entering off of Ringsdorf, and then, um, the idea that that could potentially be a linear park for Montaloma, so along Jane Lane, and, um, crossstrum from Thompson. So, uh, what I can say again, is that the city is, uh, spending a lot of, uh, I guess, could say time really trying to be thoughtful and, uh, really think about the future and the locations of parks and Monteloma. So, um, staff has, uh, very, uh, at, I guess could say, at very extensively looked at maps and, um, really is thinking about, uh, strategically long term. So, uh, we do know where that land is and all of the um, houses around that and of course along Thompson Avenue. So again, um, hope that we'll have more information soon, but I can say that we are thinking long term and what some, um, what that might look like. And also, we have to think of a funding strategy, long term as well. So we will be doing that. Thank

[00:51:20] Anna: you for that, Kimber. Appreciate it. Um, next is, uh, it looks like it's a comment, but, uh, I'm, I'll, I'll defer to stat, uh, in case they want to speak to this, but regarding the experience in increased car noise.

[00:51:39] Frank St. Clair: Yeah, I'll take it. Frank St. Clair, lieutenant with the police department again. Um, the question or statement is, uh, we've experienced an increase in the number of amped up car noises. Uh, with, you know, no mufflers on the cars. This is a traffic enforcement issue, obviously, and it doesn't matter what streets you're on or where you're at. Our officers will pull over and stop cars that have either modified, exhaust or no exhaust at all and site those vehicles so that they get those things repaired on their cars. Thank

[00:52:16] Anna: you so much for that, lieutenant.

[00:52:18] Rhea: Appreciate it. I can add to that comment actually as well. So, um, there has been a new law that was just passed, I think, a week or 2 ago. Um, SB 107479 and it's a, a pilot project by California highway patrol that, um, to have, um, sound activated enforcement devices, and so they're going to be using that, um, I think, I, I guess on the freeways, um, to identify uh, vehicles that have, you know, been tampered with, installed, um, more noisy mufflers, that sort of thing, and they'll be an evaluation by 2025. Thank

[00:52:56] Anna: you so much, Lieutenant St. Clair and Rhea for information on that appreciate it. Uh, next question we have is, uh, regarding access between Monteloma and Ringstork Park. I'll

[00:53:12] Don Cameron: take the question, again, Don Cameron, public works director. The question is, can access between Monte Loma and Rainstorf Park be improved via pedestrian cut through further south than Jane Lane, Jewel Place? Or can the north sidewalk on Central Expressway between Ringsdorf and Thompson be widened or see utility poles removed from the center of the sidewalk? It is quite narrow in some areas adjacent to high speed traffic. So the challenges in providing a pedestrian cut through, uh, further south and Jane Lane or Jewel Place has to do with that's all privately owned property. And the city does not have right away. Uh, or public access easements by which we could create um, a cut through as you're discussing. Now, when or if there are opportunities that redevelopment comes along and we can plan on creating new pedestrian pathways and things to break up super blocks. We do that in the city. But this area is built up. So, the potential to create this new a new pedestrian cut through south of Jane Lane jewel place is probably going to be very, very challenging. Um, and then in terms of the sidewalk in Central Expressway, Central Expressway is a county of Santa Clara facility. There is limited right away. Now, we, as a city, definitely we can look at it, talk to, to the county, look at what the opportunities are. We have in the past as a city, gone in and made sidewalk improvements on Central Expressway with the county's permission. But again, all of that assumes that the right away is available in order to make certain improvements. And we have the approval of the county because it is their roadway. Thank you. Thank

[00:55:14] Anna: you for that, Don. Appreciate it. Um, I'm not uh, sure who on staff would be able, but the next 2 questions are regarding the school ratings and um, what can be done. And

[00:55:28] Kimbra McCarthy: I can take that, um, Kim McCarthy city manager. So, the city does not have purview over the Mountain View was men's school district, um, or the other 2 school districts that, um, have boundaries in Mountain View. So, uh, I'm not able to answer the question no one at the city is, um, just in regards to the school ratings. Um, but I would certainly encourage you to contact the, um, superintendent of, uh, the, uh, Mountain View Wisman school district, Dr. INA Rudolph, or you can also reach out to their, uh, board trustees, if you have questions about the individual elementary schools and how that works. Thank

[00:56:09] Anna: you so much for that, Kim, appreciate it. Um, again, just want to remind everybody that everybody can submit their question using the Q and A function and they can do so in English or Spanish. Um, Next question, I have is regarding, uh, Expansion of construction of construction projects. Yeah,

[00:56:36] Lindsey Hagen: and I'll take that question. So I think the heart of this question is more about the city permitting process and it being complex, taking a long time. For those who are interested in expanding or improving their property. Um, and so what is the city's plan to optimize permitting projects? um, And I think this is a very timely question. We're actually in the midst of, uh, trying to make improvements, um, if, if you're not familiar, uh, we actually underwent, uh, or sorry, we hired a consultant to come and actually look at our, uh, development review process. And they really took a deep dive, uh, over about a year process of interviewing folks, both internally, uh, internal to the organization as well as council members, uh, as well as about almost 300 participants in a survey. Um, and in the end, they recommended, um, about 53 different recommendations that we uh, plan to undertake in improving our process. Um, so a couple things that are coming in the near future that I think, um, are, you know, geared to try and help the permitting process. One is uh, we have been working diligently on improving um, our technology resources. And so, um, starting next year, we're actually launching a much more, um, user friendly, kind of online permitting process for, in particular, building permits first. Um, and then we will slowly be adding on some of our other permitting, um, uh, departments as well. And so that process is going to make it much easier for folks to not only submit for permits, but also track what's going on the status. Uh, know who in the city is actually reviewing their plans and have contact information. Um, and stuff like that. So you can always kind of be in touch with where you are at in the process. And, um, the other piece of that, that's also coming online next year is actually an overhaul of our website. And as part of that overhaul of our citywide website, we are also developing, um, a much more, uh, user-friendly, kind of integrated, uh, permitting center online, which will provide much more information about what exactly uh, projects, you know, required for, say, an expansion to a home or a renovation of a home. And so it'll be much, you know, our goal is to make it much easier for folks to get information, understand what's required, what some of the price ranges might be for doing some of this work. Um and things like that. So, um, I really appreciate this question and this is going to be an ongoing process. So, um, I definitely encourage you guys to reach out if you have any questions or comments or concerns. Thanks so much. Thank

[00:59:24] Anna: you, Lindsay. Appreciate that. Um, I think I might need you for the next question, but I'm not sure. It's asking about a possible site for redevelopment. Um,

[00:59:38] Lindsey Hagen: so in terms of the central ring store shopping center, we don't currently have any applications on file in terms of redevelopment. Um, it definitely is one of our older shopping centers. Um, and in terms of, there's a reference here to the arena, which is, um, sort of related to our housing element. Um, And to be honest, I don't know. I

[01:00:03] Christine Crosby: don't know exactly if it's

[01:00:04] Lindsey Hagen: on our list or not, but, um, I will say we don't, we don't currently have any proposals for redevelopment at this time for that site.

[01:00:14] Anna: Thank you, Lindsay. Appreciate that. Next question is regarding about the city making plans for uh, The former Best Buy site. Yeah,

[01:00:32] Lindsey Hagen: I'll take that question as well. So, um, the city has received an application, um, for somebody to, uh, renovate that, uh, shopping center, a portion of the shopping center. So it does include the REI, the Best Buy, um, and there's 33 tenant spaces in a row right there. I apologize. I don't remember the 3rd one. Um, and they are proposing to convert just those 3 um, Buildings that are kind of together right there, uh, into an office use. And the rest of the shopping center where PetSmart is and the cluster of restaurants right at Charleston, those would remain. Um, so it would still have retail uh, and restaurants available for, for the public. Um, and so this proposal includes a little bit of site work. Um, And otherwise, it does also include some facade improvements to the 3 buildings for new office use. So that is an application under review with the city. Um, and I would encourage you to, um, reach out to our planning staff if you have any follow-up questions on it. All

[01:01:42] Anna: right. Lindsay, I think this next one, uh, you can assist us with, it's regarding a permit question. Yeah,

[01:01:50] Lindsey Hagen: so the question is about, um, is it possible to see what all permits your house has attained over, over? I guess just the past. So yeah, we do have a resource available um, in our office. It does require you to come into city hall, but we do have a public computer, where you can look up all of the permits for your property, whether it's building permits, um, or fire permits or even planning permits. Um, you're welcome to come and look at that and um,

[01:02:18] Carlo Ochoa: see what we have on file. I

[01:02:20] Lindsey Hagen: will note, um, If it's a particularly old home. Uh, we may not have all of those records on file here, but sometimes the county actually does have records as well for older homes, um, that might be available and, uh, folks can can get access to those as well. Thank

[01:02:39] Anna: you for that, Lindsay, and I think you can help me with one more question, um, regarding um, the, um, the existing housing stock.

[01:02:58] Lindsey Hagen: Um, it looks like. So the questions about, um, having multi-generational families in, um, looks like maybe in a single house and how we could aid these larger families to expand their homes. So, um, Right now, the city doesn't have any kind of program where we can provide sort of financial assistance or even sort of any um, direct construction assistance with anyone who wants to maybe expand or enlarge their home for their family. Um, but, uh, we do, of course, if you have any questions about what might be possible on your property to build. We can definitely assist with getting that information for you. Um, and providing you with some of that sort of background. Um, but we don't currently have any programs in place that would be able to directly assist somebody financially or with construction on their property. Thank

[01:04:01] Anna: you for that, Lindsay. Appreciate it. So again, just a reminder, if members of the public would like to submit a question. You may do so using the Q and A function, um, on your screen. I'm just going to give a moment. Um, to see if there are any additional questions. Um, I know Michaela, you, uh, assist me and she puts together, usually a little resource, um, a little resource sheet, kind of referring to some of the, um, Some of the websites that have been mentioned and talked about today. So um, Michaela, did you want to go ahead and share that?

[01:04:46] Michaela: Yes, I would be happy to one moment. So I don't have a ton here, but a good number of websites that were mentioned by our panelists today. Uh, we have the Mountain View Parks and Rec strategic plan. The email address, if you want to reach out to code enforcement. We have the um, active transportation plan. The public works website, which was mentioned several times. As well as, um, just our plain old website where there's a button on every single page that you can click on that says ask MV. That's a great way to submit a question if you aren't sure where to go. Um, and I'll just leave this up here for a moment. I encourage folks to either take a screenshot or hold their phone up to the screen and take a picture. I find that that's always nice for the future. We'll

[01:05:57] Anna: just give a moment for everybody to, uh, go ahead and, uh, take a screenshot or take a picture, um, before we move back to the Q and A, I see a few, uh, a few more Q and A's have come in, so. And

[01:06:11] Michaela: I just got a note that folks wanted to make sure we told folks about this monster bash, which I think is this weekend. So let me add that one in as well. Yeah,

[01:06:22] Christine Crosby: I can just share, um, it's, uh, this Saturday, I bring sore tarts, so right around the corner from your neighborhood, from 10 AM to 2 PM. So come in your costumes, get ready for some spooky fun games. And this year we have, um, a lot of cool features like live entertainment, um, and a bike circus that our friends in transportation are putting together for us. So, that's that blood. Thank

[01:06:48] Anna: you so much. I know we're, we'll probably try to, um, uh, share that screen that Michaela had up one more time, um, before, before we uh, close this evening. Um, So the next uh, we've had some questions come in. Um, 1st question is regarding uh, safer biking. Hey

[01:07:12] Robert Gonzalez: Anna, Robert Gonzalez, public works direct, uh, public works, uh, principal civil engineer. Sorry about that. I was getting my departments and my title mixed up. So the question is, what is happening to make biking safer in Mountain View? We've talked about California for several years, any updates. So yes, we do have a specific update on California Street. Um, and um, after that, maybe if Rio wants to add some regarding bike safety overall, we can certainly do that. So California Street is a project that was approved by council in our last CIP and is moving currently through the design phase. So that will, uh, the scope of that project will be from showers drive to Shoreline Boulevard, and we are putting in bike and pedestrian facilities, um, along that corridor as a pilot. So what we want to do is we want to put in temporary facilities. We're going to do a road diet in parts of that alignment. And we're going to put in protected bikeways that are, I should say, parking protected bikeways on both sides of the street. We'll be putting in temporary bulbouts at key intersections. Um, and once we put the, so currently the project is in design and we're anticipating that it's going to go into construction, um, towards the 2nd half of 2023. Um, and the the idea here is that since it is a pilot, we're putting in temporary elements. We're going to get some feedback from users. We're going to evaluate how it performs. And um, at the end of that, we can implement permanent solutions, um, for that for that same corridor. And if we like them, we put we keep the same solutions and if we don't find that they're working. We may choose to change some of these things. So some of the challenges are, um, it's a very busy corridor with a lot of tight turns. Um, uh, Escuela comes to, comes to mind. Um, so we're trying to, we're trying to design these curbcunts as best we can. But this is something that acknowledging that it has been several years in the making, but we have got a good consultant team working on it right now. So we're expecting some results in the 1st half of 2023. And

[01:09:31] Rhea: just to add on to that in terms of a citywide approach. So, as I mentioned, we're embarking on an active transportation plan, so that's currently underway, and that will be looking at transport, uh, bicycle facilities throughout the city, uh, in the future, and we've also been working with Robert's team, on, um, trying to synchronize some of the improvements with repaving, and so, you know, from the previous bicycle transportation plan. Some of those projects are getting delivered through repaping, and the city has also um, been successful in uh, obtaining some funding, some plant funding for those projects as well. And as I mentioned, oh, I might not have mentioned, but it went into the, um, into Michaela's, uh, the location to find out more about the active transportation plan is mountain view dot gov slash transportation. Um, and uh, she got, I, I think that, um, Christine had also mentioned about the monster bash, so there will be a bike circus as part of the monster bash. That's going to be a great event for helping the users of bicycles to improve their skills, especially young users. Um, and there's also going to be uh, bicycle repairs for free as well. That's our 1st come 1st serve bases at that event. Thanks. Thank

[01:10:50] Anna: you. And again, before we end the call, I know Michaela will definitely share her, her, her screen again and we'll have all those resources with the updates uh staff have provided. So thank you for, for that. Um, Lindsay. I think this is this is a question you can help me with. Yeah,

[01:11:10] Lindsey Hagen: so I think this is a follow-up to the last question. I appreciate the person submitting clarifying. Um, so I guess their question was really aimed at whether the city has any plans to update any of our codes to allow for larger homes. So not just ADUs, but, um, if, if we have any plans to change our regulations. So, at this current time, uh, we don't have anything lined up to consider sort of reevaluating our single family, um, development standards, but, um, it's definitely a suggestion that, uh, we can take back to our team. I know, um, there's a lot of different things that the city's looking at as part of the housing element to try and expand, um, the housing stock as well as look at, uh, solutions for, um, housing. So this is something we can definitely pass along as an idea to our advanced planning team. But we don't currently have anything in the books or on the pipeline to consider updating them at this time. I'd

[01:12:12] Wayne Chen: like to also add, um, good evening, or Wayne Chen, an active community development director. Um, if you or folks that you are aware with, uh, aware, um, are interested in uh, larger homes, we would strongly encourage you or or folks to just reach out to the planning uh, department. And, uh, we'd be happy to sit down and take a look at a site and see what ideas that you may have because what we have in the code right now could accommodate the types of ideas that, uh, you may be looking at. So, would definitely encourage you to reach out to the planning division so that we can, um, help provide some inputting guidance on that.

[01:12:52] Anna: Thank you, Lindsay. I am waiting for that. Appreciate it. Um, our next question is regarding uh, small businesses. Uh,

[01:13:03] John Lang: good evening. John Lang, economic vitality manager for the city of Mountain View. Uh, the question is, uh, Um, our part of Mountain View has many small businesses, what efforts are being made to keep and help these small businesses to thrive. So over the last 2 years, the city has made available over $1000000 to support small businesses in their recovery efforts related to the pandemic. In addition, council uh, as part of the last budget cycle. Also allocated additional ARPA funds for small business programs, which we're currently working on developing and prepared to launch for the Mountain View small business community. A 3rd element uh, is uh, by local program. Mountain View does have a by local program. I would encourage all residents to support local, small business community as we ramp into the holidays, and make sure to visit and shop locally. And finally, the 4th piece of the puzzle is the city is currently embarking upon developing an economic vitality strategy. We are in the process of developing focus groups. Uh, specifically one focused on, uh, small businesses, to understand uh, what are potentially the constraints or opportunities that, um, are in Mountain View, and this provides us an opportunity to really look at, um, are our policies supportive of the business community? Do we need to augment, uh, or implement changes and or programs? So that work is being undertaken right now. We'll be engaging in focus groups through the month of November and December and you can certainly find more information on the economic vitality strategy. On the city's website. Thank you. Thank

[01:14:54] Anna: you so much for that, John. Um, the next uh, one I have is, it sounds, uh, comment, just a thank you for the obvious response by parking enforcement. Uh, regarding the abandoned cars. Um, the next question I see here is regarding um, it looks like it, Caltrain underpass and some traffic there. Hi

[01:15:20] Carlo Ochoa: Anna, it's Carlo again, uh, steer traffic engineer with public works. Uh, the question is, as Caltrain underpass is built. That will increase traffic along Ringstorf. What traffic combating measures will be implemented along range, store between Caltrain tracks and 101 and the entrances to shoreline. Um. So, there, we actually are already planning some speed feedback science on ring store. Those are the signs that show your speed as you're going, this makes drivers aware of, of their, their speed as they're traveling on Mainstorf, because they're going to be implemented in the next few months. Um, between middlefield and central. Um, and we also always take opportunities to manage speed through through design and also, uh, pet and bike improvements. Uh, we, we have some improvements already planned as well for uh, the intersection of Rankstorf and Junction. Um, that will start design, um, I believe next year. And even as part of the, the grade separation project, there's, there's going to be bike improvements and and lane designs that will help, um, mitigate, um, you know, bike safety and pet safety, um, and we'll continue, obviously, to monitor as the construction comes through and the great separation is implemented. Thank you. Thank

[01:16:53] Anna: you for that, Carla, appreciate it. Um, the next question comes regarding, it seems to be regarding how the city of Mountain View, um, interacts with the city of Palo Alto to manage, uh, some growth happening along San Antonio. I think I could start with

[01:17:15] Lindsey Hagen: responding that question. Public works may want to chime in after me, but, um, So whenever we have a project or, uh, there is a project along a city boundary. Um, it is common practice starting at the planning stage, that our agencies do talk to each other. Um, and share plans and coordinate improvements, uh, particularly when it comes to pet, pet bike, connections and things like that where you need, you know, you need to have a seamless experience between the boundaries. So, we do coordinate starting at the planning phase. Um, and so with that planning phase, uh, whenever there's sort of studies or other analysis happening. Um, we also coordinate with each other. So whether it's a project in Mountain View, that we might share information with Palo Alto or vice versa. Um, And so we do definitely coordinate early on in that process. Um, I don't know if someone from public works want to chime in about what happens when there are infrastructure related sort of impacts. Thank

[01:18:22] Don Cameron: you, Lindsay. So, as you're mentioning, yes, we are careful to coordinate with our neighboring cities, whether it's a project in Mountain View or a project in their city, that gonna cross city lines in terms of the traffic impacts. So in general, we try to work with our neighboring cities and as they evaluate the impacts of their projects, ask that they help maybe contribute to certain transportation improvements that may be necessary. We do put an emphasis on wanting to improve our bike and ped infrastructure in particular. But if there are, uh, especially at intersections, uh, significant impacts, we do talk to them about. Are there some intersection improvements that they can contribute to help fund. I, we, we do know, and we are aware and watching that Palo Alto does have plans, uh, to increase housing and other development along San Antonio Road. And it is something that, um, I personally am planning to coordinate with their chief transportation official in Palo Alto and do some more discussions about how we can, um, you know, continue to look at San Antonio Road as it goes between our cities. It's initially Mountain View, Palo Alto, that becomes Mountain View again, and and look at it as a full chord or and how it functions. Thank

[01:19:49] Anna: you, everyone, for for that. Appreciate it. Um, I don't see any new questions. So I do want to give everybody a moment to, again, um, type in your questions. Again, Members of the public can type in their questions into the Q and A box, which will be located somewhere on your screen depending on what version of Zoom you're using and what device you're using. Um, if you are more comfortable, Typing your question in Spanish, you you may do so. Um, but um, while we wait to see if there are any additional questions that come in. Um, Michaela, did you want to share your updated screen? Certainly. So

[01:20:34] Michaela: we have here several great resources, the parks and rec strategic plan, how to reach our code enforcement team, our active transportation plan. Our public works department website. Just a reminder that you can always submit, um, on the Mountain View website with ask MV, and then here are some of the new ones since I last shared the screen. A little bit more information on the monster bash this weekend. Um, here we have a list of all of our active project lists, active projects, which is nice to peruse. You can see what's going on in your neighborhood. Um, and then finally the economic vitality strategy that John mentioned. So I'll just leave this up in case folks want to take a picture of it and follow up. We'll

[01:21:25] Anna: give everybody a moment or 2 to do that. Thank you, Michaela, for capturing these as the meeting's happening. I don't see any more Q and A currently. Um. So is there anybody that has any any comments they would like to add before I pass it over to the vice mayor for final comments and adjournment? Vice Mary Hicks, did you want to start us off? Sure,

[01:22:23] Member Alison Hicks: I can do that. So thank you, Anna, and uh, and mayor, thank you for being such a wonderful moderator. I want to apologize for dropping off at the beginning of the meeting and um, thank our city manager, I guess, for soldiering on. I have not had so many problems with my internet since we went virtual, so it would have to come at some time. Anyway, I always find these meetings fascinating. It's always interesting to hear the concerns and conditions in different neighborhoods. Every neighborhood is unique. I find and I'm uh, personally thrilled that the city is now actively um, looking at different plots of land so that we can have uh, an additional park. uh, in the Mauna Loma area and like hearing the suggestions from people in the community as well. Um, Council member, show Walter, when she chairs these meetings, uh, always, uh, sites, whoever, uh, spoke the most, which staff members spoke the most during the meeting, sort of a signal of where the community has a lot of concerns, and I have to say throughout much of this meeting, there was a virtual tie, but in the end, Lindsay Hagen, you definitely, uh, pulled through and, um, and definitely won that competition. Um, so, uh, lastly, I want to thank everybody for coming to this meeting and I want to ask the mayor if he wants to make a few comments before we part. Thank

[01:24:01] Member Lucas Ramirez: you. I'll be very brief, um, echoing, uh, what Vice Mayor Hicks just said. I want to thank everyone in the community for attending and participating, lots of very thoughtful and important questions. Uh, and I want to thank uh, the staff or uh, responding to them. It's no easy feat uh to answer these questions uh on the fly. um a lot. A lot of the questions require uh some research or uh knowledge of uh you know perhaps a long-standing project uh and it's, it's not, it's great that we have all of the, the institutional memory that we need present uh to respond immediately and uh if uh a question requires more uh time. Uh you're always welcome uh to uh use ask MV or to uh ask the staff directly. Uh, if uh, if uh, you would like some additional information. Um so uh kudos to a staff or uh for responding uh thoughtfully and and thoroughly and thanks again everyone for joining us tonight. Thank

[01:25:11] Member Alison Hicks: you, mayor, and I would 2nd those comments, and with that, we can, um, 1st I'll say, I hope to see you all at the monster bash, and with that, we can adjourn the meeting. Thank

[01:25:24] Anna: you. Have a good evening.

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