Proclamation of Local Emergency and
Shelter In Place Directive

On March 12, 2020, Town Manager and Director of Emergency Services, Laurel Prevetti, issued a Proclamation of Local Emergency in response to the global Coronavirus pandemic and its spread in the Santa Clara County community. On March 17, 2020, the Town Council ratified the Proclamation of Local Emergency (see the enabling Resolution here).  On May 5, 2020, the Council discussed the continuation of the Emergency Proclamation. 

These are important steps in the Town’s efforts to prepare and coordinate emergency resources for the Los Gatos community.

On March 16, 2020, the Santa Clara County Public Health Department ordered all individuals living in the County to shelter in place with allowances for food shopping, medical care, and other basic needs.  Subsequent additional Orders were issued on March 31, 2020, April 29, 2020, May 18, 2020, and June 1, 2020. 

The June 1, 2020, County Public Health announced additional amendments to the Shelter in Place Order, effective June 5, 2020. The new order allows multiple sectors and activities to resume, including outdoor dining at restaurants and in-store shopping at retail locations, subject to limitations and social distancing guidelines. Children may take part in childcare, summer camps, summer school, or other educational and recreational programs, so long as groups are limited to 12 or fewer. Outdoor gatherings of up to 25 for religious services and cultural ceremonies are permitted.  Any outdoor recreational activities that do not involve physical contact and adhere to social distancing protocols, such as swimming pools, may resume. Car-based gatherings may occur, including drive-in theaters. The Order also permits no-contact in-home services like house cleaning, and other low-contact service businesses such as shoe repair. For a one-page summary of new businesses allowed under the order, please click here.

As a result of the continuing Shelter-in-Place Order, all Town Departments (excluding public safety and certain development services) are closed for in-person services until further notice.  Please see the Town Department Updates page for details on Town services.

For more information on Public Health guidance, past Orders, and other important information regarding COVID-19, please visit the County Public Health website, which is updated daily and allows the public to ask questions and receive responses.  A person’s risk for COVID-19 is not related to race, ethnicity, or culture. 

A Message From the Mayor
Regarding COVID-19

Good afternoon Los Gatos. It is difficult to know what to write. We are living through an extraordinary time. As June begins, and almost half a year has been lost to a virulent and relentless pandemic, we now face an even greater challenge as the nation is rocked by economic and racial divides that have long been with us, but too often ignored. Further divisiveness will not serve us now.

I have often observed in this space that our Town is unique – that it is innovative, resilient, and possessed of a cohesive community spirit. It is more important now than ever that we demonstrate those qualities to support, respect, and appreciate all that we are privileged to enjoy. Please support local retailers and restaurants by taking advantage of curbside pickup; please respect your neighbors by wearing a mask and keeping your distance to protect not only their health and safety, but yours; please appreciate that through forward-thinking and conservative fiscal stewardship the Town was able to keep all of its workers employed and providing essential services while at the same time passing a balanced budget; and finally, please support the efforts and results created through collaborative leadership that allowed the Town Council to set aside funds and public property to help our local businesses bridge the gap to a better time – which may begin to arrive as soon as this week with further gradual easing of the County Health Order.

The true essence of Los Gatos is founded in community, and in the values that community adopts and practices. The Town does not succeed or fail on its own, but rather through our collective action. It is my hope that over the next few weeks, Los Gatos will come together to support, respect, and appreciate the contribution each one of us makes to our extraordinary town, and in so doing, move us forward toward a common goal of not only sustaining our community as we now know it, but creating a better one.

It takes a Town.
 
Marcia Jensen

A Message From the Mayor
Regarding the Police Department

Good afternoon Los Gatos. During a time set aside to remember and honor those who died defending the rights and freedoms of all Americans, a man’s life was taken under the knee of another man sworn to protect those rights. What happened in Minneapolis is unconscionable by any measure, and cannot be tolerated or condoned by the Town of Los Gatos, nor by any responsible and just society.

Because the misconduct of police officers in Minnesota has shone a spotlight on the conduct of police officers everywhere, it is important that the citizens of Los Gatos know that all Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Officers

• wear Body Cameras, and every police vehicle is equipped with an in-car camera system. Internal Police Department regulations require that all law enforcement interactions be recorded.
• participate in state-mandated anti-racism and anti-profiling training. In addition, each officer is strongly encouraged to complete additional training targeting implicit bias and providing tools for the implementation of fair and impartial policing, with emphasis on an understanding and respect for cultural diversity
• participate in de-escalation and crisis intervention training.
• undergo complete background investigations prior to hiring, including an “open source” review of social media posts, and serve preliminarily on a probationary basis
• are held accountable through a thorough investigation process for any complaints received regarding any alleged misconduct.

Los Gatos is rightly proud of its Police Department, yet always stands ready to implement changes to policies and procedures where appropriate. That said, ultimately it is the job of any effective Police Department to keep the public safe and maintain the public peace. In order to do that, there must be trust among and between our police officers and all persons who live in or visit Los Gatos. Maintenance of that trust is even more important as Los Gatos, like so many communities around the Bay Area and the nation, face potential unrest. I want to assure residents, businesses, and visitors that our Police Department is prepared – both to support First Amendment rights to peaceful assembly and protest, but also to respond to criminal behavior – which will not be tolerated. These are extraordinary, and uncertain, times. As I have throughout the COVID-19 crisis, I once again ask for your help in supporting and protecting each other as we continue to move Los Gatos forward.

It takes a Town.

Marcia Jensen

Town Commitment to Inclusivity

The Town of Los Gatos is committed to being an inclusive community.  In 2017, the Town Council reaffirmed their commitment to a diverse, supportive, equitable, and inclusive community.  Today, the Town affirmed its commitment to stand in solidarity with the black community with the following Proclamation from the Mayor.

June 8, 2020 Finance Committee Meeting

The agenda and reports for the June 8, 2020 (5:00 p.m.) Town Council Finance Committee meeting are available online. The Finance Committee will provide direction to the Town Pension and OPEB Trusts Oversight Committee on Investment Methodologies for Additional Discretionary Payments (ADPs) and review the Finance Committee’s Enabling Resolution 2019-042 and provide input as it relates to composition, voting, purpose and scope of the Committee.

This meeting is being conducted utilizing teleconferencing and electronic means consistent with State of California Executive Order N-29- 20 dated March 17, 2020, regarding the COVID- 19 pandemic. The live stream of the meeting may be viewed on television and/or online. In accordance with Executive Order N-29- 20, the public may only view the meeting on television and/or online and not in the Council Chamber.  

If you are not interested in providing oral comments real-time during the meeting, you can view the live stream of the meeting on television (Comcast Channel 15) and/or online on the Town-branded YouTube page.

If you are interested in providing oral comments real-time during the meeting, you must join the Zoom webinar at https://losgatosca-gov.zoom.us/j/91880156091 with password: 454854. 

During the meeting:

• When the Chair announces the item for which you wish to speak, click the “raise hand” feature in Zoom. If you are participating by phone on the Zoom app, press *9 on your telephone keypad to raise your hand. If you are participating by calling in, press #2 on your telephone keypad to raise your hand.
• When called to speak, please limit your comments to three (3) minutes, or such other time as the Chair may decide, consistent with the time limit for speakers at a Council meeting. 

For more information on this agenda or about Town Council Finance Committee meetings, please call 408-354-6832 or send an email to the Town Manager's office. 

June 11, 2020 General Plan Update
Online Community Workshop

Did you know the Town’s General Plan has a whole chapter dedicated to Community Design?  Do you know what kinds of urban form and community design it supports?  How can we use community design to make room for change while maintaining the places we love?
 
Come join us for the third Community Workshop of the General Plan update process and learn about different methods of urban form and community design the Town can use in the General Plan.  All community members are encouraged to be involved in the update process.  Your input is important and will help the Town ensure that the General Plan continues to serve the needs of everyone that lives, does business, or visits Los Gatos.
 
The workshop will occur via teleconference on June 11, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.  For more information go to www.losgatos2040.com.

Los Gatos Strong

Over the years, the Town’s conservative budgeting practices have resulted in healthy reserves and frequent annual budgetary surplus.  Those reserves and surpluses are now paying the Town huge dividends. 

On May 26, 2020, the Town Council reallocated $1,900,000 in prior surpluses reserved for downtown streetscape revitalization toward COVID-19 economic stimulus recovery efforts.  This is one of the single largest economic recovery packages ever proposed in the Town’s history.

In addition, on June 2, 2020, the Town Council approved a balanced Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 with no reductions to service, despite significant revenue and other economic impacts from sheltering-in-place.  

COVID-19 Testing

Testing for COVID-19 is accessible and widely available in Santa Clara County.  Testing is 100% covered by health insurance, safe, confidential, and free.  Testing does not affect immigration status, require a doctor’s note, or require insurance.  

If you are in the following groups, County Public Health highly encourages you to get tested once a month: healthcare workers, first responders, other frontline workers, anyone who is notified that they were exposed to someone who was confirmed to have COVID-19, anyone who is 60 years of age and older, and anyone with chronic medical conditions.  
The County has a handy interactive map that makes it easy to find a testing location nearest to where you live or work.

Commissioner Recruitment Update

Annual Youth Commissioner Recruitment: Applications are being accepted for the Youth Commission for students entering 8 through 12 grade in the 2020/2021 school year.  Due to the COVID-19 Shelter in Place Public Health Order, the application deadline has been extended to Friday, July 10, 2020, 4:00 p.m.  Interviews have been rescheduled to Tuesday, July 21, 2020, 4:00 p.m.  Apply online at www.LosGatosCA.gov/CommissionApplication.

Mid-Year Adult Commission Recruitment: Due to the COVID-19 Shelter in Place Public Health Order, the mid-year adult Commissioner recruitment has been cancelled.  The next adult Commissioner recruitment will be the annual recruitment in the fall.  Applications for all Boards, Commissions, and Committees can be submitted at any time.

Santa Clara County Calling for Contact Tracing Volunteers

Santa Clara County is in the process of rapidly expanding their infrastructure for COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing.  In order to move from a population-level mitigation strategy of sheltering in place, the County must be able to identify cases quickly and break the chains of transmission through isolation, tracing contacts of cases, and quarantine.  To ensure they have the workforce needed to adequately scale this critical work, the County is seeking volunteer help from community members. For details, please visit the Santa Clara County Public Health Department’s website.

Los Gatos Farmers' Market Update

As you may know, Farmers’ Markets are exempt from the Shelter in Place order issued by the County, as they are places the community can acquire food. The Los Gatos Market staff, farmers and producers are dedicated to adhering to health and safety standards, and providing safe and reliable access to nutritious foods. Here are some of the additional measures being taken to keep everyone healthy and safe at the market during COVID-19: 

Update to Available Town Services

Police Department: Fully operational. Non-essential functions are postponed until further notice.  Personnel are utilizing remote means to handle non-life threatening calls when appropriate.  For more information, visit the Department website. 

Community Development Department: Temporarily closed to the public. No in-person counter services are currently available.  Inspections that can be completed via video will be scheduled and other on-site inspection services will be evaluated on a case by case basis.  Limited staff resources are available to perform work on permits remotely.  Electronic permit submittal, resubmittal, and limited issuance started on April 17^th.  Please visit the Town’s Building and Planning webpages for further information on this option. 

Library: Temporarily closed to the public.  Hold onto books you currently have checked out.  All items will be renewed without late fees charged. Follow Facebook, Instagram, and the website for a schedule of remote storytimes and other fun activities. Online services such as e-books and e-magazines are available.  If you need to open an account, email library@losgatosca.gov. 

Parks and Public Works Department:  Parks and trails are open, but please maintain at least six feet of social distancing when using them and do not use playgrounds.  Park restrooms are available and cleaned once a day. Town sports fields and courts, including soccer, baseball, pickleball, and tennis, remain closed in accordance with the County order.  Routine maintenance of streets and parks continues at reduced levels.  Selected construction projects and support for urgent work for utility companies exempt from the County order continue. Email any concerns to ppw@losgatosca.gov. 

Economic Vitality Department: Resources for small businesses, employers, and employees are available here and on the Town website. The Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce is also a good source of information for businesses and the community. Any questions can be emailed to Monica Renn at mrenn@losgatosca.gov. 

Finance Department: Business license services are available remotely via email at businesslicense@losgatosca.gov. 

Town Council Unanimously Votes to Donate Additional Funds to Local Organizations Assisting Town Residents with Services Due to COVID-19

The Town’s existing community grant program includes awards to several human services organizations that provide direct services to Los Gatos residents.  At the April 7, 2020 Town Council meeting, the Council unanimously voted to authorize the Town Manager to amend the existing human services grant agreements with West Valley Community Services, Counseling and Support Services for Youth, Next Door Solutions, and Live Oak Senior Nutrition to donate an additional $10,000 to each organization, for a total of $40,000, to assist Town residents with needed services due to COVID-19 and related Public Health Orders. 

West Valley Community Services provides food assistance, supplies, and rental assistance. Counseling and Support Services for Youth (CASSY) is providing mental health telehealth services to youth. Next Door Solutions is helping those who have experienced domestic violence. Live Oak Senior Nutrition is serving take out meals to the Los Gatos senior community. The donation is being paid with existing funds in the Operating Budget for FY 2019/20 that can be used at the Council’s discretion.

Town Council Unanimously Adopts Urgency Ordinance to Place a Moratorium on Residential Evictions

Pursuant to the Town of Los Gatos Municipal Code, California Government Code, Governor of California, and Santa Clara County Public Health Officer, on March 24, 2020, the Town Council unanimously voted to adopt a temporary moratorium on evictions related to income loss due to COVID-19 mitigation measures in order to ensure that individuals can continue to self-isolate.  The ordinance can be viewed here. 

County of Santa Clara Eviction Moratorium
Includes Small Businesses

Santa Clara County has issued an Ordinance covering March 24 through May 31, unless otherwise extended, ordering that small businesses located in Los Gatos and across the County renting or leasing real property for commercial, business, income-producing, or otherwise non-residential use, cannot be evicted for nonpayment of rent if such business suffered substantial loss of income due to COVID-19. Refer to County Ordinance NS-9.287 for further details. The County’s ordinance relies on U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) definitions of small businesses based on industry. Find detailed information and an FAQ on the Santa Clara County moratorium page.

2020 Census

Now is a great time for residents to complete the census online at www.my2020census.gov or by phone at 844-330-2020. Remember that anyone can complete the census with or without a permanent address or 12-digit ID number (sent to households by the Census Bureau). Everyone needs to be counted, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender or immigration status. 

COVID-19 Resources for Small Businesses,
Employers, and Employees

Please visit the Town's COVID-19 business page to access the most up to date COVID-19 resources for small businesses, employers, and employees.  We wish each of you good health and business resiliency. 

Support Los Gatos Businesses During Shelter in Place

Visit the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce website for a list of Los Gatos restaurants offering delivery and pickup as well as Los Gatos merchants with online stores.

Financial Assistance for Those Affected by COVID-19

There are financial resource available to those adversely impacted by COVID-19.

County Resources for Workers
Impacted by COVID-19 

The County of Santa Clara Office of Labor Standards Enforcement and the Fair Workplace Collaborative have launched a new program for workers who are suffering financial impact due to job loss or reduced hours because of COVID-19.

The program is called Santa Clara County COVID-19 Assistance Navigation or Santa Clara County CAN and provides the following benefits:

• Callers can leave a message at any time in English, Spanish, or Vietnamese and a Navigation Manager will return their call within 24 hours. Hotline number:  408-809-2124
• Navigation managers will connect callers to resources and answer questions about work related issues and eligibility for social services.
  • EDD programs (unemployment, disability, paid family leave) – navigators will help determine what programs a caller is eligible and help them with the application.
  • Safetynet programs like CalFRESH and Medi-Cal
• The SCC-CAN Hotline works closely with the OLSE Attorney Advice Line – where necessary and appropriate, Navigation Managers will make referrals for callers with an Advice Line attorney.

Opportunities to Volunteer and/or Donate to Local Organizations

The following local organizations are offering opportunities to provide help to others during the COVID-19 crisis. They are also good resources for finding assistance for yourself or others during this time.

• American Red Cross Silicon Valley
• West Valley Community Services
• Silicon Valley Strong
• Feed Our Heroes
• #FeedTheNeedBayArea
• Santa Clara County Helping Hands
• House of Hope - Calvary Church Los Gatos
• CASSY - Counseling and Support Services for Youth

Other Resources

The following additional resources are also available to the community during the COVID-19 Shelter in Place Order:

• West Valley Community Services is offering assistance with food, clothing, rent, and other needs.
• Los Gatos Saratoga Recreation has partnered with Second Harvest Food Bank for a Brown Bag food distribution location at the Senior Recreation Center at 208 E Main Street in Los Gatos.  Second Harvest’s Brown Bag Program provides nutritious groceries to low-income older adults (ages 60+) and disabled individuals (ages 55+) at distribution sites in Santa Clara County.  
• The Calvary Church House of Hope is delivering food every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday from 3:30 pm to 5 p.m. within a 10 mile radius of the Church (located at 16330 Los Gatos Boulevard).
• Los Gatos Union School District is providing an opportunity for families to pick up free breakfast and lunch meals for any child 18 years and younger in their family regardless of enrollment in LGUSD. Meals will be available Monday through Friday as a drive-through service. Children must be present in the car to receive meals.  Los Gatos High School students are eligible to participate in this program.  Meals will be available at R.J. Fisher Middle School (for all families) drive-through on Roberts Road from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday through Friday. 
• CASSY Counseling and Support Services for Youth is providing mental health services to students through its telehealth platform. 
• Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence is offering crisis and community support, housing solutions, and supportive services to those in domestic violence situations. 
• Santa Clara County Helping Hands is helping to match seniors to volunteers that can deliver basic supplies, groceries, prescriptions.  
• Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County is offering free weekly drive-thru sites at churches for food.  If you need food, call 1-800-984-3663 or view the schedule on their website. Registration is done on site. 
• The El Camino Hospital Scrivner Center for Mental Health & Addiction Services has highly skilled, compassionate professionals offering expert care for those with mental health conditions. The El Camino Hospital mental health access line number is 866-789-6089.
• The Santa Clara County Mental Health Call Center is the centralized entry point for individuals who are seeking behavioral health services in Santa Clara County.  The Santa Clara  Behavioral Health Telephone Number is 1-800-704-0900.

Help Keep Los Gatos Parks and Trails Open

At this time, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District preserve access for the Jones and Flume Trail (which run through St Joseph’s Hill and Novitiate Park in Los Gatos), is for hiking and walking only, Please do not access the Midpen portion of the trail with bikes or horses. Midpen asks for your cooperation, as at this time they do not have the resources to post this as a closure. 

Walking, hiking, and running is still permitted in Town parks and trails while practicing social distancing. Please note that Town sports fields, including soccer and baseball, remain closed to ensure the health and safety of the public in accordance with the County order.  

Town of Los Gatos tennis courts are open as of May 15, 2020 with the following COVID-19 guidelines in place per Santa Clara County Health Department orders:

• Maintain social distancing at all times - keep at least 6 feet between all participants.
• Sports or activities that include use of shared equipment or physical contact between participants may only be engaged in by members of the same household or living unit.
• Avoid gathering in groups while waiting for a court.

• Stay close to home and avoid crowded areas.
• Share the trail and yield to others to maintain a safe distance.
• Choose less frequented parks and trails.
• Do not park in a crowded parking lot or use a crowded trail.
• Hike single file to maximize distance when passing others.
• Leave no trace: pack out what you pack in.
• Look for nearby nature to enjoy, look for the hidden nature in your own neighborhood.
• Do not hold social gatherings(do not mix with other households) at parks or anywhere.

Tips for Keeping a Sense of Normalcy During this Time of Heightened Public Risk

The following are examples of ideas for helping to maintain a sense of normalcy while under the County Shelter in Place Order due to COVID-19 precautions:

Tips for Supporting Children During

Infectious Disease Outbreaks

There may be children or young people in your life who experience distress. As a trusted adult, you can help reassure and educate them about COVID-19 – it can be good to talk to them now, so they can understand the illness and be reassured.

Tips for Managing Wellbeing

During Infectious Disease Outbreaks

• Spend time in places that feel safe and comfortable as much as possible.
• Tell yourself that how you are feeling is a normal reaction and will pass- it is nothing to be afraid of.
• Video call your usual supports - family, friends, and workmates. Sharing how we feel and offering support to others is important.
• Try to stick to normal routines as much as possible - mealtimes, bedtime, exercise, etc.
• Keep active - taking a walk, working out or practicing yoga at home can improve general wellbeing and help distract from distressing feelings.

Notify Me!

How can we help you if we can't reach you?  While you have signed up to receive these weekly "What's New" emails, many of your neighbors may have remained in the dark because they did not receive current information from the Town.  In addition to emergency communications, you may sign up for Town notifications regarding infrastructure projects in your neighborhood, Town events, meetings, and other topics of community interest. 

Please encourage your friends and neighbors in Los Gatos to sign up for Town communications through "Notify Me" at: www.losgatosca.gov/notifyme. Type your email address in the box and select "sign in."  From there, you can subscribe to the topics you wish and you are able to unsubscribe at any time. If you need help, call the Town Manager's Office at (408) 354-6832 during business hours.

Lifesaving Information For Emergencies (L.I.F.E.) File

Emergencies can happen when we least expect them to and many of the requests for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) happen within the home. The Town of Los Gatos is partnering with the Santa Clara County Fire Department to promote their new L.I.F.E. file program. The L.I.F.E. File is a simple tool individuals and families may use to assist emergency responders during a medical emergency.   First Responders rely heavily upon the patient, and/or the patient’s family members, to provide information used to help in the treatment and care of the patient. However, there are times when the patient is unable to provide this information and family members may not be present or available to assist First Responders during a medical emergency. The L.I.F.E. File information includes past pertinent medical history, allergies to medications, medications currently prescribed to the patient, advanced medical directives and any additional information. The L.I.F.E. File pouch is a vinyl magnetic pouch that is placed in an easily seen location on the front or side of the refrigerator.

You may pick up L.I.F.E. Files from Town Hall and local fire stations. If you, or anyone you know, would like additional information on the L.I.F.E. File program please contact Jackie Rose, Community Outreach Coordinator at JRose@losgatosca.gov