Summer 2020 Active Transportation Survey 

The Town is inviting residents, workers and visitors to share their thoughts on how they use the streets to meet their walking and biking needs.

Please fill out a brief survey to tell us what you think about the walking and biking infrastructure today, and your suggestions on how we can make biking and walking better and safer for everyone. The survey will remain open until July 24^th.

Please support our efforts by taking this Active Transportation Survey. 

Los Gatos Parking Lots & Creek Trail - Temporary Closures

The Town will be performing pavement maintenance on parking lots and trails in several parks this summer, including sealing the pavement to extend pavement life at Belgatos, Creekside, Live Oak Manor, Blossom Hill, and Oak Meadow Parks, and the Los Gatos Creek Trail. The scope of work includes repair of damaged pavement, crack sealing, application of an oil seal coat, and restriping.

The work requires closure of the park work areas for two days. Prior to closure, residents and businesses within a 500-foot radius will receive two-week and two-day notices. Advance notices will also be placed at each site in prominent locations two weeks prior to commencement of work. The Town has also reached out to various agencies running programs in these parks, including Los Gatos Saratoga Recreation, Youth Science Institute, Santa Clara County Parks, and Valley Water. Alternate drop-off locations have been established with Los Gatos Saratoga Recreation for the days of parking lot closures.

The work at Belgatos, Creekside, and Live Oak Manor Parks was completed the week of June 15. Upcoming work includes the parking lots at Blossom Hill and Oak Meadow Parks, and the Los Gatos Creek Trail.

Creek Trail work will extend from just south of Miles Avenue to Blossom Hill Road (south segment), and from Vasona reservoir dam to the Town limits just north of Highway 85 (north segment). The work for each segment will be performed in two phases, each requiring two 2-day closures. Additional notification along the Creek Trail began on June 29 with changeable message signs, cloure notices, and detour routes at all trail entry point.  Notices can also be viewed on the Town/PPW website, Nextdoor, Twitter, and Facebook.

The closure schedule is as follows:

Blossom Hill Park Maintenance Road July 13
Blossom Hill Park Parking Lots July 13 - 14
LGCT North Segment July 13 – 14; and July 20 – 21
LGCT South Segment July 15 – 16; and July 21 - 22

The closure schedule proposes to only close either the north or south Creek Trail segment at a time; however, trail closure of both the north and south segments will be required for one full day (July 21).

All efforts will be made to adhere to this closure schedule; however, if modifications should become necessary, updates will be posted on the Town/PPW website, NextDoor, Twitter, Facebook with additional notices along the Creek Trail.

Please contact Fletch Parsons at fparsons@losgatosca.gov with questions.

Nomination Filing Period Opens July 13, 2020

Interested in running for Town Council? Nomination papers for the November 3, 2020 election may be obtained beginning July 13, 2020, by appointment only with the Town Clerk.  To schedule an appointment, please email the Town Clerk at clerk@losgatosca.gov.  For more information about running for office, please visit the Town’s website here.  

Public Health Guidelines

Santa Clara County Public Health announced a new Order on July 2, 2020.  The new order allows additional activities to resume, including hair and nail services, gyms, and small gatherings, but only with strict social distancing protocols in place, consistent use of face coverings, and significant capacity limits. It also requires all employers to immediately report cases of COVID-19 tied to their work places to local public health officials. The order continues to stress that we are all safest when we stay home, and that people over age 70 and those with serious underlying medical conditions should continue to leave home only for essential needs. A summary of the Order is available here. 

The order will go into effect on July 13, or as soon as State approval is granted, whichever is later. Until that time, the current shelter-in-place Order remains in effect. This timeline provides businesses that are not currently open time to prepare to operate safely, train employees to comply with the strict social distancing protocols, and submit to the County the detailed social distancing protocol the Order requires all businesses to have in place. 

Requirements for all businesses under the new Order can be viewed here and information about what customers should expect to see in every business can be viewed 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 and visit the Town's COVID-19 webpage for more information. 

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. 

New Webpage Launch

Becoming an Inclusive Community

The Town has launched a new webpage, Becoming an Inclusive Community. You will find information about the Town's commitment to inclusivity and diversity, including related Town Council actions, advance promotion of future workshops, an overview of Police Department community policing, and a dedicated email for comments and inquiries regarding these important issues.

If you have concerns, experiences, questions, or ideas regarding how Los Gatos can be more welcoming for all, please let us know by sending an email to Community@losgatosca.gov.

Concerns about Businesses and County
COVID 19 Guidelines 

If you have concerns about a business not following Social Distancing Protocol, please visit www.santaclara-da.org and submit the COVID-19 Shelter-In-Place Order Public Health Complaint (for Non-Emergencies) or email pubhealthreferral@dao.sccgov.org with questions.

Outdoor Dining Guidelines & 

CHECK for Your Safety!

As we make outdoor dining plans, it's important to remember that COVID-19 is still present. Visit downtown Los Gatos to see how some of our local businesses are expanding into temporary parklets on Santa Cruz and Main, and keep in mind that going out to eat has changed and may feel a little strange. We must take extra precautions to protect workers, restaurant owners, and other customers to ensure that everyone can enjoy this new way of dining. Plan ahead to protect yourself and others by following these County guidelines:

• Only dine with people you live with, in groups of 6 or fewer.
• Call ahead so restaurants can prepare seating.
• Wear a face covering when you are not eating or drinking.

For more information on what to expect when dining out, watch Santa Clara County's segment on outdoor dining.

Additionally, Santa Clara County requires ALL businesses to post and implement a Social Distancing Protocol. The “COVID-19 Prepared” Checkmark Sign and Visitor Information Sheet should be posted at the business entrance. The Social Distancing Protocol provides important information about hand-washing, hand-sanitizing, cleaning, social distancing, signage, training, control measures, how to report a complaint, and other safety measures. For more information, visit the Santa Clara County Public Health website.  Remember when you enter a business to CHECK for your safety!

If you have concerns about a business not following Social Distancing Protocol, please visit www.santaclara-da.org and submit the COVID-19 Shelter-In-Place Order Public Health Complaint (for Non-Emergencies) or email pubhealthreferral@dao.sccgov.org with questions.

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.  Visit downtown restaurants and shops to see how some of our local businesses are expanding into temporary parklets on Santa Cruz and Main. 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.

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 

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, but patio pick-up is available.    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. 

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. 

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.

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.