BY ELAINE GOODMAN
Daily Post Correspondent
Los Altos City Council will vote Tuesday (July 14) on giving the Santa Clara County Fire District $1.5 million for maintenance of two fire stations — one of the final steps in the city’s annexation into the fire district.
Council already approved in April giving the fire district the fire stations at 765 Fremont Ave. and 10 Almond Ave.
The transfer of the fire stations and the $1.5 million payment are part of the city’s plan to join the county fire district, rather than contracting with the district for fire services as it has been doing for 30 years. Instead of renegotiating the contract every 10 years, annexation into the district would provide “stability” to the city when it comes to fire services, the city said. The current contract expires at the end of this year. But not everyone has been comfortable with the idea.
When council voted in April to give county fire the two fire stations, the item was on the consent calendar, in which several items are voted on together without discussion. Similarly, the $1.5 million payment to the fire district is on the consent calendar for Tuesday’s meeting.
Some residents wanted the vote on the fire station transfer to be moved to a later meeting so it could be fully explained and discussed.
‘Irreplacable public assets’
Resident Maria Bautista called the fire station properties “irreplaceable public assets” and said the city should get an independent appraisal before giving them to the county.
“These are valuable, strategically located properties in one of the most expensive real estate markets in the country,” Bautista said in a letter to council. “Transferring them without establishing their value even in an agency-to-agency context is inconsistent with the fiduciary duty council owes Los Altos residents.”
Resident Alice Mansell was concerned about the deal’s lack of transparency.
“It is a land title contract to transfer forever the ownership of parcels valued (at) over $30 million from the city to the county with not one draft nor the final contract anywhere for public review,” Mansell said in a letter submitted to the Post.
Not enough time
Mansell said the Santa Clara County Local Agency Formation Commission, or LAFCO, which has the power to approve or reject annexations, didn’t give residents enough time to file protests following its June 3 vote to approve Los Altos’ annexation into the fire district. The 21-day protest period included the July 4 holiday, she noted, and residents had to print out a protest form and mail or hand-deliver it to county offices in San Jose. Los Altos property owners and registered voters were eligible to submit protests.
LAFCO held a hearing to receive protests on July 9, the submission deadline. LAFCO Executive Officer Neelima Palacherla will review any written protests received and decide how to proceed.
Taxes won’t change
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors serves as the fire district’s board of directors, so Los Altos won’t have a direct say in fire services after the annexation. The city said the annexation won’t increase taxes for Los Altos residents. County fire will receive part of Los Altos’ share of property tax. Under a service plan the city and fire district agreed to, the fire district must provide service at a level equal to or greater than what is now provided, according to a frequently asked questions page on the city’s website. The city said the fire district has reduced service only twice in its 75-year history.
As for the two fire stations the city is giving to county fire, a sale of the property by the county would violate the agreed-upon service plan, the city said. In addition, the city has a permanent first right of refusal if the county wants to sell the fire station property.
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