Wildfire Information

The Santa Clara County Fire Department is closely monitoring the CZU Lightning Complex Fire (in Santa Cruz and San Mateo Counties) and the SCU Lightning Complex Fire (on the eastern side of Santa Clara County). There are currently no evacuations in effect for the Town of Los Gatos. Please remain aware, informed and ready to evacuate. The County has set up a dedicated webpage for community information, updates and resources.

Below are steps you can take to be personally prepared:

Don’t be a source of ignition! Cease any risky activities like using outdoor machinery, barbecuing, improperly towing chains etc., as one less spark, one less wildfire!
Pack your GO Bag Now.
Agree on an Evacuation Plan for your family including pets. Where will you meet and how will you get there?
Be ready to leave immediately if an order is issued.
Sign up for emergency alerts with AlertSCC and Nixle.

Visit the Town's Be Wildfire Ready webpage for more information on how to be prepared and what you can do to help protect your home.

Prepare for Fire Season

During Shelter in Place, you can actively prepare for the upcoming fire season and reduce your wildfire risk!

Time spent staying at home is the perfect opportunity to start creating defensible space around your house by: trimming brush and removing weeds and low hanging tree limbs, organizing your Firewise community in creative non-gathering ways, or hardening your home.

While many wildfire preparation activities can be done safely under Shelter in Place orders, residents should strictly adhere to all County and State guidelines. Additionally, when doing work, be aware of preventing injuries that would require care from the already strained medical system.

For details, please visit: https://sccfiresafe.org/prepare/shelter-in-yard/.

September 1, 2020 Town Council Meeting

The agenda and reports for the September 1, 2020 Town Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. are available online. Among the items on the agenda, the Town Council will consider modifications to the Fine Schedule regarding Library fines, discuss the preferred alignment for the Highway 17 Bicycle and Pedestrian Overcrossing, and receive the Roadside Vegetation Management Plan to mitigate the risks of wildfires.

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://zoom.us/j/92647205835 with password: 477723. To join by phone, dial (636) 651-0008 or (877) 336-1839 (US Toll Free) using Conference Code 969184.

During the meeting:

When the Mayor 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 Mayor may decide, consistent with the time limit for speakers at a Council meeting.

If you are unable to participate in real-time, you may email to PublicComment@losgatosca.gov with the subject line “Public Comment Item #__ ” (insert the item number relevant to your comment) or “Verbal Communications – Non Agenda Item.” Comments will be reviewed and distributed before the meeting if received by 5:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. All comments received will become part of the record. The Mayor has the option to modify this action on items based on comments received.

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

Below Market Rate Home Available for Purchase

The Town has a Below Market Price Unit available. The complete informational flyer can be viewed here. For any questions or more details, contact Hello Housing at losgatos@hellohousing.org.

September 3, 2020
General Plan Update
Advisory Committee Meeting

The Town is updating its General Plan, the document that will guide the Town for the next 20 years. Be a part of planning our future!

The next meeting will occur on September 3, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. to continue review and discussion of the Mobility Element. Agendas, meeting summaries, teleconference links, and other materials are available on the General Plan update website by clicking PARTICIPATE.

The Town also invites interested residents and businesses to get involved online through the website www.losgatos2040.com and EngagementHQ.

Community Grant Programs

For over 25 years, The Town of Los Gatos has been providing grants of Town General Fund monies to projects and organizations that directly benefit the community and residents of Los Gatos. We are happy to continue this tradition for the 2020-2021 fiscal year with a total of $150,000 budgeted to support this competitive grant process. Please visit the Town website for more information.

SNAP (Special Needs Awareness Program)

The Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department is pleased to introduce a new program to assist our community members with special needs. The Special Needs Awareness Program (SNAP) is voluntary and confidential. It is designed to provide First Responders with important information when responding to calls that involve individuals who may have a memory disorder, hearing impairment, autism, or other needs. For more information, please visit: https://www.losgatosca.gov/2583/SNAP

Represent Los Gatos Oral History Project

The Local History Room of the Los Gatos Library holds a collection of historically valuable documents that help tell the story of the Town of Los Gatos. However, the stories of Black, Indigenous, and people of color are underrepresented in this collection. We acknowledge that without the voices of the BIPOC community, it is not possible to paint a complete picture of the history of our Town. We are launching the Represent Los Gatos Oral History Project to fill these gaps in our collection and to allow you to share your own stories, however you would like them to be told. To learn more and to share your story, please visit the Represent Los Gatos webpage.

Becoming an Inclusive Community

Visit the Town's webpage, Becoming an Inclusive Community to 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.

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.

Voting Is Now Easier Than Ever in Santa Clara County!

Our county will be using an exciting new voting model that makes it easier than ever to cast a ballot.

It is called the Voter’s Choice Act, and it emphasizes convenience for the modern voter. Everyone will get a ballot mailed to them automatically and that they can return in the free postage-paid envelope provided by mail, which is by far the most popular way to vote. Any voter can also place their completed ballot in one of 98 conveniently located drop-boxes. The Registrar of Voters Office will also be open for early voting beginning on October 5th through Election Day. Voters who prefer to vote in person can still do so at any of the more than 100 Vote Centers that will be open throughout Santa Clara County starting October 31st. Remember, now it is Election Day everyday between October 5th and November 3rd!

The Vote Centers will offer sanitary, in-person options for a full spectrum of services, from language and accessibility assistance to voting in person. There are electronic poll books to keep track of who has voted, and even voter registration updates all the way up through Election Day.

Take advantage of the extra time and convenience of receiving your ballot 29 days before the election with a free postage paid return envelope, no stamp, no problem! Vote safe, vote from home.

Be heard by November 3rd.

Visit sccvote.org/voterschoice or call 866-430-VOTE (8683) for more information.

Public Health Guidelines

Santa Clara County Public Health announced a new Order on July 2, 2020. The new order allows additional activities to resume 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 went into effect on July 13 with additional modifications imposed by the State of California. The current Order requires all businesses to complete the County’s detailed social distancing protocol. For full details on the current status of the Order, please visit the County Health website here.

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.

Santa Clara County Business Database

Curious about which businesses are COVID-19 prepared? You can now search the Santa Clara County business database to see which businesses are following Social Distancing Protocols. Search by name, type or location: https://sdp.sccgov.org/.

Businesses must require the following for employees and customers:
-Face coverings (exceptions for medical reasons)
-Social distancing
-Handwashing or provide hand sanitizer stations

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.

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.

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.

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 are being scheduled and other on-site inspection services are 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 with physical distancing of at least six feet. Park restrooms are available and cleaned once a day. Playgrounds, tennis courts, sports fields, and BBQ areas are open with physical distancing and other requirements as posted. Park reservations are being accepted.  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.

Clerk Department: Requests for public records are being processed, but time limits to respond have been suspended. We appreciate the importance of your request and will do our best to respond within 10 days, but responses may be delayed until such time the order is suspended and Town Hall opens fully for all services.

Help Keep Los Gatos Parks and Trails Open

You can help keep Los Gatos parks and trails open by following these simple guidelines:

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.

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

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.

Follow the Town on Social Media!

The Town of Los Gatos has various social media outlets to follow. Below are a few of the links, and you can also find us on NextDoor!

Town Facebook
Police Department Facebook
Parks and Public Works Facebook
Library Facebook
Town Twitter
Police Department Twitter
Parks and Public Works Twitter
Town Instagram
Police Department Instagram
Library Instagram