Public Guide to Town Council Meetings

The Los Gatos Town Council meet regularly on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
 
Special meetings are called as necessary by the Mayor and noticed at least  24 hours in advance.

The public may review agenda and staff reports at the Los Gatos Library, 100 Villa Avenue or online at www.LosGatosCA.gov beginning at 7:00 p.m. the Thursday evening before each Council meeting, and at the Town Clerk's Office at 110 E. Main St. beginning Friday morning at 8:00 a.m.  The agenda and staff reports, including any additional material provided to Council after the distribution of the regular packet, are also available for viewing in the Council Chambers lobby during the Council meeting.

Written Comments

Members of the public may submit comments on Council agenda items via email, postal mail or hand-delivered prior to the Council meeting at which the item will be considered.  To ensure adequate time to prepare Council packets and adequate time for the Town Council to review public comments prior to the meeting, the Town Council has adopted the following policy:

• For inclusion in the regular packet provided to Council Thursday evening, public comments must be received by 11:00 a.m. Thursday before the Council meeting.
• For inclusion in any Addendum provided to Council Friday evening, public comments must be received by 11:00 a.m. Friday before the Council meeting.
• For inclusion in any Desk Item provided to Council on the day of the Council meeting, public comments must be received by 11:00 a.m. on the day of the Council meeting.

Written comments should be sent to one or both of the following email addresses:
Council@LosGatosCA.gov
Manager@LosGatosCA.gov

Or sent or hand-delivered to the following address:
Town Council
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030

Verbal Comments at Council Meetings

Members of the public may speak on any item on the Town Council agenda, when it is heard, or on any matter NOT on the agenda, under Verbal Communications.

To speak on an item, members of the public are asked to complete a Speaker's Card and follow the instructions on the back of the card.

Public Comment on Council Agenda Items

If you wish to comment on an item on the Council agenda, you may do so in writing prior to the meeting, verbally at the meeting or both.

Presenting Printed Material at Council Meetings

Members of the public may bring printed materials to a Council meeting for Council consideration.  The material may be displayed on the overhead projector or distributed to Council.  If the material is displayed on the overhead, a copy of the material will be retained for the public record.  To ensure public access, any material that cannot be displayed on the overhead, or in the event the speaker would like the Council to receive the printed material, it is request that the speaker provide a minimum of eight (8) copies.

Signs & Other Symbolic Materials at Council Meetings

Members of the public may bring signs or other symbolic material to Council meetings in accordance with Council adopted policy.  The following parameters apply:

• Signs may not be larger than 18 inches by 24 inches
• No stick, post, pole or other such items shall be attached to the sign
• The items cannot create a building maintenance problem or a fire or safety hazard
• The items must not be raised above shoulder level whether seated or speaking from the podium, obstruct the view of other attendees or the Council or passage of other attendees, or otherwise disturb the business of the meeting.

Audio/Visual Presentations at Council Meetings

Members of the public may make audio/visual presentations during the comment period on agenda items or Verbal Communications. The following rules apply:

• Persons wishing to make and audio/visual presentation on any agenda item, including Verbal Communications, must submit the presentation electronically, or on a flash drive or DVD, to the Clerk Office no later than 3:00 p.m. on the day of the Council meeting so that staff can confirm the compatibility of the digital format with the Town's equipment.
• The presentation must be displayed on the Town's dedicated electronic equipment, and should be queued at the point where the speaker would like to begin.  The speaker's allotted time will include any procedures necessary to start the presentation.
• Persons wishing to display material on the overhead projector are encouraged to inform the Clerk prior to the meeting.
• Material presented on the Town's electronic equipment becomes a part of the public record of the Town.  Any data storage medium such as a flash drive or DVD will be retained by the Town unless the presenter collects it from the Clerk staff within two weeks of the meeting it was presented.

Order Of Business

The Town Council follows regular order of business during Council meetings.  The order may change at the Mayor's discretion.  Persons interested in an item listed on the agenda are advised to be present at the beginning of the meeting.  The regular order and description of each category are available in the Council policy Council Agenda Format and Rules.

The Council may take action on any matter on the agenda, and that action is not limited by the recommendations indicated on the agenda or staff report.  The Council may also give direction to staff.

Watch from Home

Council meetings are cablecast live on KCAT, Channel 15 and are replayed on the second and fourth Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. Live and archived Council meetings can be viewed here.

ADA Assistance

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing special assistance to participate in Council meetings should call the Clerk's Office by 12:00 noon on the Friday prior to the meeting to make reasonable arrangement for accessibility to the meeting.