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California High Speed Rail Authority officials have begun to respond to more than 160 questions and comments that Morgan Hill residents have voiced in relation to how the project will impact the local area.HSRA staff consolidated all the comments and queries, submitted via a section of the City of Morgan Hill’s website dedicated to the project, into 10 general questions, according to HSRA Public Information Officer Ricci Graham. State bullet train authorities then answered these questions in the form of a Frequently Asked Questions document, which Graham sent to the Times Dec. 5.The most commonly asked questions among Morgan Hill residents relate to the 200-mph-plus train’s noise impact, why the U.S. 101 median can’t be used for the HSR route, why the authority is not considering building a station in Morgan Hill, potential cost overruns, compensation to homeowners who will have to relocate to make room for the passenger train, system safety and other concerns.“I am grateful for the opportunity to discuss the nation’s first high-speed rail program with you and the Morgan Hill community and look forward to collaborating with you in the future as the environmental review process in the San Jose to Merced project section continues,” reads a Nov. 30 letter from Ben Tripousis, HSRA Northern California Regional Director to Morgan Hill Mayor Steve Tate.Over the past several months, city staff and council members have been asking Morgan Hill residents to voice their questions so the council can send the HSRA a “scoping letter” to seek answers before the authority’s board votes on a preferred alignment through or around town.The HSR will carry passengers between San Francisco and San Diego in less than three hours. Stations nearest to Morgan Hill are proposed in Gilroy and San Jose. HSR officials are currently considering four possible train alignments through Morgan Hill. These are:• At grade, on a berm, along Monterey Road or adjacent (on the east side) of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks;• Elevated, in a viaduct, along Monterey Road or adjacent (on the east side) of the UPRR;• Elevated in a viaduct along the west side of U.S. 101;• Elevated in a viaduct along the east side of U.S. 101.The HSRA board is expected to vote on its preferred alignment through Morgan Hill by spring 2017.The total projected cost for the statewide bullet train is about $65 billion, according to HSRA staff.In response to questions about cost, the Dec. 5 FAQ from the HSRA says, in part, “The Authority has…implemented a Risk Management Program that uses state-of-the-art risk management tools that will help facilitate and drive prudent and timely risk response action before program cost and schedule have the potential to be impacted.”The FAQ also provides links to the project’s financial information on the HSR website, hsr.ca.gov.On the question of noise impacts, the authority’s FAQ responds, “Once operational, California’s high-speed trains will operate at generally quieter levels than conventional diesel locomotive passenger trains and freight rail…Additionally, in areas where the train will need to travel through at-grade crossings, the Authority will investigate the establishment of ‘quiet zones’—where additional safety measures remove the need to sound train horns—which can significantly reduce noise disturbance.”On concerns about HSR safety, the FAQ responds, “High-speed rail is supporting Positive Train Control technology statewide, an early earthquake detection system, the installation of four-quadrant gates at grade crossings, and building intrusion barriers throughout the system to ensure optimum safety.”Morgan Hill officials have not yet sent the HSRA their full scoping letter, but plan to do so by the end of this week, according to John Lang of the city’s Economic Development Department.Following is the full text of the Morgan Hill FAQ compiled by HSRA officials.Morgan Hill Frequently Asked QuestionsNovember 2016 1) Residents of Morgan Hill have expressed concerns about noise impacts of the high-speed rail system and are interested in knowing what action the Authority will take to mitigate noise impacts?Once operational, California’s high-speed trains will operate at generally quieter levels than conventional diesel locomotive passenger trains and freight rail.  The Authority is committed to mitigating noise impacts outlined in Federal Railroad Administration guidelines.   Additionally, in areas where the train will need to travel through at-grade crossings, the Authority will investigate the establishment of “quiet zones” – where additional safety measures remove the need to sound train horns – which can significantly reduce noise disturbance.In addition to train operations, other mitigation measures such as sound walls, sound barriers (solid and/or transparent), or earthen berms built between the train tracks and residential or other noise-sensitive areas can help reduce noise disturbance caused by the train service.  In low density neighborhoods, residents may receive insulating window treatments.For additional information, please visit https://www.hsr.ca.gov/docs/newsroom/fact%20sheets/cahsr_noise_2016.pdf to view the fact sheet on the Authority’s approach to minimize noise impacts.2) Why not consider the option of running at-grade along the HWY 101 median or the eastern side of HWY 101?Highway 101 was built to accommodate vehicular traffic with a design speed of up to approximately 70 mph.  High-speed trains will be capable of running at speeds of up to 220 mph. Because Highway 101 was designed for slower vehicular traffic, the curves of the highway are too sharp to safely accommodate a high-speed train track along the center median.The Authority is currently studying two alignments alternatives through Morgan Hill;1)    An alignment west of HWY 101, which would avoid several new residential and commercial developments.2)    An embankment alternative adjacent to Union Pacific Railroad/Monterey Road.3) Why is HSR not considering building a station in Morgan Hill?Proposition 1A, the High-Speed Rail Act approved by voters in 2008, identified up to 24 stations for the statewide high-speed rail system.  Morgan Hill was considered for a station in the Bay Area to Central Valley Program Level EIR/EIS certified by the Authority and the Federal Railroad Administration in 2008.  However, when the document was completed, it was determined in the final analysis that that the city of Morgan Hill was not the most prudent location for a station.  In order to accommodate the community of Morgan Hill, the Authority will be collaborating with its regional transit partners to ensure residents have the requisite connectivity for both the Gilroy and Diridon stations.Documents that discuss planned stations are available online, here:http://www.hsr.ca.gov/Programs/Environmental_Planning/bay_area.html.Further, the cities of Morgan Hill and Gilroy collaborated to determine the most appropriate location for a high-speed rail station and jointly decided that Gilroy was the best location.4) How will the Authority prevent potential cost overruns?The Authority takes concerns about the cost of the program seriously.  The Authority’s Board of Directors Finance and Audit Committee reviews the latest financial and schedule information on the program in a monthly meeting that is open to the public.  The findings of this committee are then reported quarterly to the Board of Directors at one of their monthly meetings.  The latest materials and reports from the Finance and Audit Committee meetings are available here:http://hsr.ca.gov/Board/monthly_fa_committee_meeting.htmlThe Authority has also implemented a Risk Management Program that uses state-of-the-art risk management tools that will help facilitate and drive prudent and timely risk response action before program cost and schedule have the potential to be impacted.   For additional information on the Authority’s risk management plan, please view the Authority’s 2016 Business Plan, which is available here:http://hsr.ca.gov/docs/about/business_plans/2016_BusinessPlan.pdf 5) Will homeowners whose property will be impacted by the high-speed rail system be fairly compensated?                                                                                       The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) understands that private property owners will be affected by the proposed construction of the high-speed rail system.  In light of this fact, the Authority is committed to doing everything it can to educate, inform and work collaboratively with affected property owners to minimize the impacts of any potential property acquisition.State and federal constitutions recognize the need for public agencies to maintain the ability to purchase property for public use, while providing appropriate safeguards to accomplish this purpose.  The state and federal constitutions and various other statutes, including the California Eminent Domain Law and state Relocations Assistance Act, and the Federal Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act (Uniform Act), authorize the purchase of private property for public use and outline how public agencies are required to protect the rights of each citizen whose property is being acquired.The Authority has a team of Right-of-Way agents assigned to work closely with property owners impacted by the high-speed rail program.  Right-of-Way professionals on the high speed rail team will provide owners with relocation information, relocation advisory assistance, a one-time moving cost reimbursement, replacement housing payments and supplemental rental assistance.This document provides an at-a-glance reference for property owners potentially impacted by the project:https://www.hsr.ca.gov/docs/programs/private_property/Your_Property_Your_HSR.pdf. 6) What have you done to ensure residents in Morgan Hill can engage in any discussion about possible alignments in the city?The Authority has and will continue to engage in an aggressive and robust public outreach effort to ensure residents and civic leaders in Morgan Hill have multiple opportunities to provide input on the high-speed rail program.  The Authority has convened a regular Technical Working Group (TWG) and Community Working Group (CWG) that hold meetings in the Morgan Hill area.  The TWG is composed of city, county and agency staff.  The CWG is composed of people representing a broad spectrum of community stakeholders to provide input, interact with engineering and environmental staff and assist in moving the planning process forward.  The meetings will be held on a continuous basis as the Authority works to identify preliminary preferred alternatives for the San Jose to Merced alignment.Materials from these meetings can be found on the Authority’s website here:http://hsr.ca.gov/Programs/Statewide_Rail_Modernization/Project_Sections/sanjose_merced.html.The Authority has previously held open house meetings in the San Jose to Merced project section, including in Morgan Hill, in the fall of 2015 and in May 2016.  The Authority will host additional open houses in this project section in early 2017 to allow residents to receive the most up-to-date information, ask questions and learn more about the alternatives that are being studied as part of the environmental review process.Materials from these meetings can be found on the Authority’s website here:http://hsr.ca.gov/Programs/Statewide_Rail_Modernization/Project_Sections/sanjose_merced.html.7) Is the Authority considering building an elevated structure within the city of Morgan Hill?No. The Authority is studying an embankment alternative—an alternative that is built on a prism of soil—adjacent to Union Pacific/Monterey Road. The proposed Morgan Hill Bypass alignment will be on a viaduct structure to reduce impacts to agricultural land and allow for the passage of wildlife.8) Is the UPRR alignment being considered through Morgan Hill? As part of the process to select a final alignment between San Jose and Merced, there are two alternatives being studied1) Adjacent to the UPRR right-of-way/Monterey Road on an embankment or2) An aerial alignment bypassing the downtown Morgan Hill area, running adjacent to the west side of HWY 101.9) What measures are being taken to ensure the high-speed rail system is safe?The Authority is committed to creating a 21st-century transportation system that will use the most advanced and innovative safety technology available.  High-speed rail is supporting Positive Train Control technology statewide, an early earthquake detection system, the installation of four-quadrant gates at grade crossings, and building intrusion barriers throughout the system to ensure optimum safety.The following is a link to the High-Speed Rail Safety Program:https://www.hsr.ca.gov/docs/newsroom/fact%20sheets/cahsr_safety_2016.pdf 10) Is there a possibility that HSR can avoid the downtown area?As part of the process to select a final alignment between San Jose and Merced, the Authority is currently studying two alignment alternatives through Morgan Hill:1)    An alignment bypassing the downtown Morgan Hill area, running adjacent to the west side of HWY 101, which would avoid several new residential and commercial developments.2)    An embankment alternative adjacent to Union Pacific Railroad/Monterey Road.  This alignment does run through the downtown area east of Monterey Highway.

The Morgan Hill City Council is likely to hear some resistance at their Dec. 7 meeting to a proposed partnership with another local agency to buy property that could bring a public trail to the top of El Toro Mountain.Item 19 on the agenda for the meeting, which starts at 7 p.m., includes a recommendation by city staff to partner with the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority to purchase property on the way up El Toro for “future open space preservation and public trail access,” a city staff report reads.The property in question is located at the end of West Main Avenue, where the city’s “El Toro Access Strategy”—which the council approved in February 2015—calls for a “neighborhood access point” to a future network of public trails on the side of the mountain, according to the city staff report.If the council approves the deal, the city and OSA would equally share the $1.51 million cost of the land purchase. The city’s Capital Improvement plan currently budgets $320,000 for El Toro Trail development and preservation from the open space fund. The staff report says there is enough funding in the open space budget to fund the city’s full $755,000 share of the purchase.The use of the funds “would not impact other projects,” the staff report adds.Since 2007, the city’s Trails Master Plan has included a “vision for access to El Toro Mountain,” the staff report continues.The city and OSA have in fact partnered on the El Toro project since 2009. Since that time, the city has acquired 85 acres on the mountain, and the OSA has purchased 33 acres.The city has held a series of meetings on the subject in recent weeks, and many residents have already responded with an online petition to stop the public trail. The petition at change.org, titled “Save El Toro Mountain in Morgan Hill, CA,” cites fears of an increased risk of wildfire and reduced public safety if the mountain becomes open to the public.“The neighborhoods and landowners around this beautiful acreage have voiced their opposition for years, but the city is in discussion to purchase land and develop the base of the mountain to establish a trailhead,” the petition reads, in part.The petition was started by Joe McMorrow of Morgan Hill.Other property on the peak that overlooks the west side of Morgan Hill, which would accommodate the city’s preferred trail strategy, is privately owned. Most of these owners have been unwilling to sell throughout negotiations with the OSA in recent years, according to city staff.The Pravettoni family owns the 6.6-acre parcel recommended for city/OSA purchase on the Dec. 7 agenda.“Should the council elect to move forward with this opportunity (to purchase the Pravettoni property), the OSA would take the lead on developing a public planning access for the site, while working closely with city staff,” the staff report reads.The types of trails and other amenities, such as benches or picnic tables, would be determined by further outreach to the nearby neighborhoods and community.Regardless of the council’s decision Dec. 7, the city’s El Toro Access Strategy will remain focused on establishing a “primary trailhead” near the intersection of Spring and DeWitt avenues. However, such an access point has been impeded by the unwillingness of the other private property owners to sell or grant permission to the city and OSA for public use.Siebert makes it officialCouncilmember Gordon Siebert will formally resign his seat on the five-member body after the Dec. 7 meeting.Siebert, who will be leaving office approximately halfway through his second four-year term, told his colleagues in September that he was planning to move out of the state as 2016 came to a close. His resignation letter to City Clerk Irma Torrez states he and his wife have relocated to Nashville, Tenn., to be closer to their daughter and grandchild.“As I depart, it is my hope that many of the issues that I have worked on will continue to be studied, and hopefully resolved, by council and staff in the future,” Siebert’s resignation letter says. “One of my key issues has been balancing expenses with revenues, seeking efficiency, equity and economy, while keeping in mind that we must exercise common sense and compassion as well. There remains much to do to keep our constituents informed, especially about the overarching financial costs and resources that impact City services.”Siebert and his wife have lived in Morgan Hill since 1989.The council will decide at a future meeting how to replace Siebert for the remainder of his term. Options include appointing a new councilmember from the community, or holding a special election early 2017.Also on the Dec. 7 council agenda are:• A staff report on the city’s unfunded liabilities, which include $29 million for employee pension plans and $2.4 million for “other post employment benefits” for former staff, reads the city staff report. Staff notes that the council has taken recent steps to “prefund” some of these liabilities by setting up an “irrevocable trust” financed by local public revenues.Public infrastructure is another area where the city faces a mountain of unfunded obligations. “With the current backlog of street maintenance of approximately $20.5 million…it was determined that the city has an annual funding gap of approximately $5.8 million for its streets, parks and public facilities infrastructure maintenance,” the staff report for the Dec. 7 agenda item states.• Consideration of buying 100 percent “renewable, carbon free” electricity for city facilities and properties from the Silicon Clean Energy Authority when the program starts selling alternative forms of power in early 2017.The SVCE was created last year by Morgan Hill and 10 other cities in Santa Clara County “to launch and operate a community choice energy program,” reads a city staff report for the Dec. 7 agenda item. “SVCE will source clean, competitively-priced electricity on behalf of residents and businesses with participating jurisdictions.”Under SVCE, energy customers can choose what level of renewability or cleanliness they want in the electricity they consume, while paying a slightly higher cost for cleaner, more renewable options.If the council upgrades to the 100 percent renewable, carbon free option, known as “GreenPrime,” the city’s electricity cost would go up about 4 percent, or $50,000 per year, according to the staff report. However, employing the cleanest energy option available under SVCE is “the highest leadership example for local residents and businesses considering their energy sourcing options, similar to examples set via municipal procurement of hybrid or electric vehicles or LEED certification of buildings.”

The Oakwood High School Boys Varsity Basketball improved to 4-0 with two more victories against Mountain View and North Valley Baptist.

So … life had been going well. Really well.

There are many types of inspections that require our attention when we are selling our home.

Stolen vehicleSomeone stole a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche from a parking spot on Ringel Drive in Morgan Hill. The theft was reported 2:43 a.m. Nov. 21. The vehicle was later found in Oakland.A thief or thieves stole a red 2001 Chevrolet Silverado pickup from the Cochrane Plaza shopping center on Cochrane Road. The theft was reported 5:28 p.m. Nov. 18.Someone stole a silver 1997 Acura Integra from a parking spot on Madrone Parkway. The theft was reported 12:58 p.m. Nov. 20.Petty theftTwo men and a woman ran away from a Wal-mart security officer who confronted them about shoplifting at the store located at 170 Cochrane Plaza. The thieves attempted to steal perfume and beer. Police caught up to the three suspects, who were staying in an RV parked in the area, and verbally warned them not to go to the store again. The theft was reported 6:03 p.m. Nov. 21.A man stole several DVDs from Safeway grocery store, 840 E. Dunne Ave. the man ran away from the store on foot when an employee confronted him about the theft. The stolen items were later recovered. The theft was reported 2:10 p.m. Nov. 20.Someone stole a woman’s wallet from her purse while she was shopping at Trader Joe’s, 17035 Laurel Road. The woman, a Gilroy resident, said she subsequently saw unauthorized charges on her credit cards. The crime was reported 6:58 p.m. Nov. 15.A woman tried to steal oil and other items from O’Reilly Auto Parts, 16060 Monterey Road. An employee confronted the woman as she waited for a bus at the nearby bus stop, and the thief returned the oil but not the other items, which were concealed in her pockets. The theft was reported 7:02 p.m. Nov. 16.Defraud innkeeperSuspects who dined at La Hacienda restaurant, 16825 Condit Road, left without paying a $211 dinner tab. They also stole another customer’s credit card. The suspects left in a small blue Dodge pickup. The theft was reported 8:06 p.m. Nov. 21.Reckless vehicleA gray four-door Mazda 6 was speeding and doing donuts in the area of Calle Mazatan and Calle Cabezal. The recklessness was reported 4:53 p.m. Nov. 18.VandalismSomeone broke the window of a silver Honda Accord parked outside Ross Dress For Less, 16955 Monterey Road. The crime was reported 12:32 a.m. Nov. 19.Auto burglaryA thief or thieves were able to open the trunk of a 2013 Nissan Sentra parked on Carriage Drive and enter the vehicle. The crime was reported 7:49 a.m. Nov. 19.DisturbanceAn intoxicated customer at Super Taqueria, 15840 Monterey Road, was ejected from the restaurant after initiating a “civil matter over a burrito” with employees. The man was verbally warned not to return to the restaurant. The incident was reported 9:52 p.m. Nov. 19.A male customer at KFC, 17050 Laurel Road, was screaming and trying to fight with employees. The man was told by police not to return to the restaurant. The disturbance was reported 7:38 p.m. Nov. 14.BurglaryA thief or thieves broke into a home in Morgan Hill by breaking a bedroom window. The homeowner had left home for about an hour and returned to find the window broken. The crime was reported 4:09 p.m. Nov. 14.Suspicious vehicleA truck that was missing its right front tire was seen running stop signs and committing other traffic violations in the area of Hale and Wright avenues. Morgan Hill police caught up to the driver, who had a warrant from the City of San Jose. The incident was reported 2:26 p.m. Nov. 15.All subjects are innocent until proven guilty. Information is compiled from public records.

One of the largest commercial buildings in Morgan Hill, occupied by Paramit Corporation, recently changed ownership in a nearly $30 million transaction.San Mateo-based Nazareth Enterprises, Inc. announced that it purchased the 152,553-square-foot building at 18735 Madrone Parkway for $29.8 million. The purchase includes 10.44 acres of property on which the building, parking lots and associate facilities sit.The seller of the property, an unidentified private equity firm, was represented by Stan Johnson Company, according to the press release.Located in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara MSA in Santa Clara County, the property was developed in 2002 as a build-to-suit for Paramit Corporation, reads a press release from Nazareth Enterprises. Significant renovations were completed in 2014. The property features concrete construction, solar power, four dock doors and ample parking.Paramit Corporation researches, designs, engineers and manufactures medical devices and life-saving science instruments. Their Morgan Hill facility is the international company’s headquarters for research and development operations.Nazareth Enterprises is a privately held investment firm with real estate holdings and health care assets throughout northern California.

The word “boutique” sends a message of stylish, individualized clothing. Entering a fashion boutique is akin to being transported into one of the fashion capitals of the world, where the quality, patterns and cloths used all depict the quintessence of haute couture.

Prior to the election on Nov. 8, we had seen a slow but steady rise in mortgage interest rates. Many attributed this to the fact that the markets were being conservative prior to the election, and that the Federal Reserve had indicated a rise in short term rates in December was a given.