Much has been written about the proposed swimming pool complex to be located in Rosita Park, among the other recreational facilities, including a day care and a school. Rosita Park is the name given to the old St. William School site located next to Covington School.

Now that the City Council has approved the "mitigated negative declaration" (a finding that a proposed project will not have a substantial averse impact on a neighborhood and that reasonable steps can be taken to minimize any adverse effect) of the draft environmental study released last year, the SPLASH organization (Swimmers Promoting Los Altos Aquatics, Safety, and Health), is ready to move forward with its plans to build a three-pool, two building complex to be included in the recreational area.

From the time the subject was first discussed, SPLASH made a commitment to raise the funds for the project "as a gift" to the community. This effort is the primary purpose of the SPLASH Community Pool project. It is worth noting that the Covington Pool, built in the early 50’s, was built with the help of private donations.

The remainder of the $3 - $3.5 million dollar fund-raising goal is considered a "totally working number" by representatives of SPLASH. Other than the land set aside for the project, the use of public funds was never intended to be part of the project. As expected, over the three years the project has been under consideration, the costs of construction have gone all over the map. In 1999, when estimates for the costs of building the pool complex were first made, the costs were fairly modest. By 2000-01, along with the local boom in construction industry, prices for construction rose.

There are no plans for any public fundraising; it will all be done privately, through individual donations, a matching gift program, a stock gift transfer program, or through foundations and local community organizations. All contributions are to be held and managed by the Los Altos Community Foundation. When asked about the current status of the funding for the complex, SPLASH Board member Kathy Englar said that she would prefer not to comment on it. However, she did say that the efforts to fund raise have been "delayed" due to the neighbors’ concerns and their threat of a lawsuit to prevent the project. (While that is a substantial subject in itself, concerns center on increased traffic and noise.)

The facility once built, is expected to be self-supporting and requiring no extra funding from the City or the private sector. In the last several seasons of operation of the Covington pool, swim lessons were sold out. Three programs, the swim lessons, the youth swim team, and the masters swim team helped the pool to operate with a positive cash flow. In the years that the Los Altos Masters were responsible for the operation and management of the Covington pool, it operated on a break-even budget. Accordingly, assurances of a self-sustaining facility seem reasonable.

The project is a long way from getting underway. The City must make its finding and neighborhood opposition must be dealt with, either by negotiation or through the legal process. Supporters and opponents are just beginning their efforts.

One of the keys to keeping everyone’s speed down seems to be the automated speed sign trailer that flashes a driver’s speed as he approaches. Interestingly, when the speed trailer does not get put out the cars seem to be up to their old tricks. When the speed trailer does get put out, usually between 6:30 am and 7:00 am, it is quite effective, partly because the drivers have now been trained to expect the police to be waiting for them when the trailer is present. I’ve still seen cars going upwards of 50 miles per hour along El Monte. One just the other morning near St. Williams Church, was traveling at this speed, but this was about 6:00 am before the heavy commute traffic had begun and the trailer put out.

I have chatted with several of the officers on El Monte traffic duty recently to express the appreciation of the El Monte residents. The officers all seem genuinely pleased that they now have the legal power to use the radar gun as a means of enforcement. We still need more 25 MPH signs and new painted speed limits on the road. Some type of "decreased speed" warning for cars going north on El Monte would be helpful too. Drivers have a tendency to speed up coming down El Monte from I280 to make the green light at Foothill Expressway and slowing down after they cross the Expressway seems difficult for them. A car I saw a few mornings ago trying to make the green light looked like it was going to go airborne as it went across the Expressway.

One of the greatest benefits from the deceased speed on El Monte is that the traffic near the Almond school crosswalk is more manageable now, with drivers being downright polite – what a change! Before the enforcement began, it was commonplace for drivers to ignore not only the crosswalk, but also the crossing guard attempting to help children to school. All in all, the new radar enforcement with the speed trailer has been very effective, but we need to keep the Police Department encouraged so that they continue to actively pursue this important work.

You can do your part by delivering a wave, a thumbs-up or a thank you to any officer you see working on El Monte. Chief Johnson has mentioned to me more than once how much he and the department appreciate the support of the community.

Applications for new two-story housing continue at a fairly steady pace. Only those applications for a second story addition or for new two-story construction must go before the Architectural and Site Committee. All new single-story construction requiring a variance is reviewed by the Board of Adjustments. A combination two-story with a variance must go before the Planning Commission. Unless there is a variance, a new single story application is handled by City Staff; no public hearing is required.

1. 02-SC-08-- A. and N. Mathur--895 E. University Avenue---Consideration of design review for a new two-story home. Project Planner: Connolly
2. 02-SC-10-- J. Kirk--156 Pepper Drive--Consideration of design review for a new two-story home. Project Planner: Rondash
3. 02-V-08 and 02-SC-11-- D. and J. Wilson--546 W. University Avenue--Consideration of design review for a two-story home Project Planner: Kornfield
4. 02-SC-12-- Square Three Design Studios/T. Slone and L. Mori--119 Solana Drive-Consideration of design review for a new two-story home. Project Planner: Rondash
5. 02--SC-14-- G. and V. Rubashevsky--1301 McKenzie Avenue--Consideration of design review for a new two-story home. Project Planner: Connolly
6. 02- SC-13 and 02-UP-02- J. Stroupe/J. Parivash--253 Fremont Avenue--Consideration of design review and use permit for the construction of a two-story detached second living unit. Project Planner: Mackenzie

One of the differences between our country and any number of third world countries is that we follow the rule of law. At least we think we do. But what is happening?

Is there any doubt that most of the people involved in soliciting work on our streets are in this country illegally?

According to Los Altos City Code, it is against the law for you or for me to solicit in the city without a permit, just as it is illegal for taxicab drivers to solicit riders off the street. If you or I can't do it, why should an illegal alien be allowed to do it?

Are you aware that the El Camino Hospital Foundation was once threatened with a lawsuit because it had approved and partly funded a grant in support of the Workers' Center in Mountain View? They were told that it is against the law to use public funds in support of illegals. And since some of the users of the center were,

in fact, here illegally, the Foundation

withdrew the grant and got its money

back.

I think I could make the case that the city streets are supported with public funds and therefore, allowing the illegals to use the city streets for business purposes is just as much a misuse of public funds as was the grant from the Hospital Foundation.

The whole mess is fraught with traps and problems. If illegals could be registered, using their Mexican Embassy identity cards, and tracked by Immigration (which Immigration seems totally incapable of doing), then there might be a better case for their support. But, if you provide an oasis for illegals, it will attract lots more of them. The word gets around.

I'm thinking of finding a gadfly lawyer to sue the City for allowing illegal aliens to do what legal citizens can't do. How about that?