By Eliza Ridgeway

The pending sewer agreement between Los Altos and Los Altos Hills hit a bump in the road at the Los Altos City Council meeting Oct. 24, with the Hills council attributing Los Altos’ last-minute qualms to underlying anger at the Hills for its attempt to redistrict.

“The two towns have had a mutually beneficial, peaceful coexistence,” Los Altos Hills City Councilman Craig Jones said at the Oct. 26 Hills council meeting. “It’s only the school district issue that causes angst.”

At stake is the way the cities will handle increases in sewer flow from Los Altos Hills. The flow from Los Altos Hills has never been accurately measured, so whether it will exceed the maximum agreed upon by the two towns is uncertain. Overflow incurs charges at the treatment center, to be paid by Los Altos Hills, and, if the Los Altos City Council has its way, will also incur penalty charges.

“We could be walking into a penalty from day one of this agreement,” Los Altos Hills City Manager Carl Cahill warned the council.

“We just want an agreement where, if we cause

any problems to Los Altos,

we pay for it,” Los Altos Hills Councilman Mike O’Malley said. A more draconian penalty clause would be going too far, he said.

“If the Hills abuses the system, we have to charge them,” Los Altos Mayor Ron Packard said. “A 1,200-square-foot house does not use the same amount of water as a 20,000-square-foot home. … I think we’re being taken advantage of considering the size of their homes.”

Los Altos City Councilman David Casas, echoing Packard, said, “The Hills are predisposed to litigation. … I favor financial penalties.”