Plans are under way for a community-wide Millennium Eve bash that will be more than just a party.
The event "will celebrate the Los Altos past and future," said Los Altos City Councilman John Moss.
At the Los Altos City Council meeting Dec. 15, the council voted to waive the city policy of not allowing groups to apply for a special event permit more than six months before the event.
The Los Altos/Los Altos Hills Millennium Eve Committee members say they need as much time as possible to reserve entertainers, caterers, tents and other resources for the event since the committee is competing with everyone else planning their party of the century.
The next big question for the committee to decide is the venue for its celebration: downtown or the Civic Center.
The committee had been thinking in terms of downtown, with tents embracing the heart of the village and bands and meals set up at different locations.
The city staff recommends the Civic Center since no streets would need to be closed, said City Clerk Carol Scharz.
The city considers this a major consideration "due to the need for increased police staffing needs throughout the entire community on Millennium Eve," Scharz said.
The staff also recommends that the event not close any portion of San Antonio Road.
These parameters are "based upon public safety and the needs of the police department," Scharz said.
Since the event is with Los Altos Hills also, Los Altos Police Chief Lucy Carlton suggested her department could work with the sheriff and "maybe we could share resources." The sheriff's department, by contract, provides law enforcement for Los Altos Hills. Once the committee decides upon a locale, it can submit its application to the city for a permit.
Gunilla Cook, executive director for the Millennium Eve Committee, said the venue question will be decided early in January.
"Everything is very positive," Cook said. "We are going forward with great steam."