December 15, 2020 Town Council Meeting

The agenda and reports for the December 15, 2020 Town Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. are available online.  Among the items on the agenda, the Town Council will consider an appeal of a Planning Commission decision approving a request for a zoning consistency determination and a Conditional Use Permit for Charles Schwab Community Banking and Investment Services on University Avenue, receive the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for June 30, 2020, and review the Fiscal Year 2020-21 Revenue and Expense Update.

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://us02web.zoom.us/j/94482500898?pwd=NFE4OXBadnBuUm5YSVovQmhjakNnQT09 with password: 910801. 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.

COVID-19 Testing at El Camino Health's Los Gatos Hospital on December 17, 2020

El Camino Health's Los Gatos Hospital is offering COVID-19 testing on December 17 from 8:30 am to 4:20 pm.

Apply Now to Serve on a Town Board,
Commission, or Committee

Are you looking for a way to make a difference in the community and get more involved with local government? The Town is now recruiting to fill additional adult volunteer Commissioner vacancies on the following Boards and Commissions: 

• Building Board of Appeals
• Community Health & Senior Services Commission
• Complete Streets & Transportation Commission 
• NEW! Finance Commission
• Personnel Board
• Planning Commission

Accepting Applications for Town Poet Laureate

The Town of Los Gatos announces applications for the Town’s next Poet Laureate.

Request for Qualifications for
Planning Grants Program Consulting Services

The Town of Los Gatos has been approved for funding under the SB 2 Planning Grants Program and is seeking a qualified firm to develop objective development standards and by right findings for the review of qualifying housing development applications.

PG&E Underground Electrical Work on Winchester

PG&E’s contractor, Underground Electric, has started underground electrical infrastructure upgrades on Winchester Boulevard from Wimbledon Drive to Vineland Avenue. PG&E advanced the project on Winchester in anticipation of the Town’s Winchester Boulevard resurfacing work planned for summer 2021. 

Once resurfaced, the Town imposes a 5-year moratorium on street work to ensure new pavement is not disturbed.  If utility work impacting pavement is required within the 5-year moratorium period, the Town Parks and Public Works Department would require stringent rehabilitation measures to restore the street condition.  

The work is scheduled for completion by March 2021.  The permitted work hours for this project are between 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.  A Town approved traffic control plan will be in place for the duration of the project as well as message boards alerting drivers of the upcoming construction and possible delays.  

Los Gatos in Lights 

Have you noticed a little extra sparkle around Town? While celebrations may look different this year, the holiday spirit still shines brightly in Los Gatos!

The Town has partnered with the Chamber of Commerce to provide large festive displays to light up the night throughout Los Gatos this month. We hope these twinkling displays can help bring some additional holiday cheer to the community.

FY 2019/20 Annual Report

The Town of Los Gatos FY 2019/20 Annual Report has been released! The Report highlights the Town’s services, work, and accomplishments throughout the last year, including the areas of community character, public safety, transportation and infrastructure, fiscal responsibility, and community engagement. The Town continues to work on existing Council Strategic Priorities and identify and implement new priority actions in response to these unprecedented times, while remaining strong, flexible, and resilient.  Check out the report on the Town website. 

Free Flu Shots Available

Every person aged 6 months and older needs the flu vaccine, every year. This is especially true this year, with COVID-19 also circulating widely in Santa Clara County.

Free flu shots are available every Saturday at the Santa Clara County Fairground Expo Hall from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. through mid-December.  The car entrance for general parking is located at Gate D, 2542 Monterey Road, San Jose, CA 95111.  The pedestrian entrance and disabled parking is located at Gate B, 344 Tully Road, San Jose, CA 95111.

No appointment is required and all are welcome regardless of immigration status.  Shots are available for everyone aged 3 years and older.  Children ages 3 - 17 years must be accompanied by a parent or a guardian.  Younger children should get a shot from their regular pediatrician.  

For more information, visit the Santa Clara County Public Health website. 

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.

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. 

State of California and County of Santa Clara
COVID-19 Guidelines 

On August 28, 2020, Governor Newsom announced the Blueprint for a Safe Economy, which uses a Color Tier System to slow the spread of COVID-19.  The colors (Purple/Widespread, Red/Substantial, Orange/Moderate, and Yellow/Minimal) reflect the number of new COVID-19 cases and how the disease is spreading locally.  They also provide a framework for a safe progression of opening more businesses and activities.  
Citing concerns regarding a sudden rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the State of California announced on November 16, 2020 that Santa Clara County is moving from the Orange Tier directly back into the most restrictive Purple Tier of the Blueprint for a Safer Economy, effective November 17, 2020.  Visit the State's COVID-19 website to view the status of activities within each County. 

Under the Purple Tier, many non-essential indoor business operations are closed. The State’s website includes information regarding the Purple Tier and its impact on businesses and activities. 

On November 19, 2020, the State of California issued a Limited Stay at Home Order to stop all non-essential work and activities from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. in Purple Tier Counties, including Santa Clara County. The Order is effective from November 21, 2020 through December 21, 2020 and more information can be found on the State COVID-19 website.  

On December 3, 2020, the State of California announced a regional Stay Home Order, which will go into effect within 48 hours in regions with less than 15% ICU availability. It prohibits private gatherings of any size, closes sector operations except for critical infrastructure and retail, and requires 100% masking and physical distancing in all others. The order will remain in effect for at least 3 weeks and, after that period, will be lifted when a region’s projected ICU capacity meets or exceeds 15%. This will be assessed on a weekly basis after the initial 3 week period.  The following day, on December 4, 2020, the Health Officers for the Counties of Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, and the City of Berkeley announced that the State's Regional Stay Home Order will be implemented prior to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) bed availability reaching the critical level of 15%.  The State's Stay Home Order is effective December 6, 2020 in Santa Clara County. Learn more about this order on the State COVID-19 website.

COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to rise significantly and rapidly, both nationally and locally. Public Health Officials urge residents to refrain from all travel, to gather with persons outside of their household only outdoors, and to limit interactions with persons outside of their immediate household. 

All businesses must have a Social Distancing Protocol on file with the County and displayed. See the Santa Clara County Health website for more information on local guidance and directives that all businesses in Santa Clara County must follow.  

K-12 schools that have not yet opened cannot open while Santa Clara County is in the Purple Tier. K-12 schools that have already opened may continue to be open pursuant to the County Schools Directive and State Guidelines.

Santa Clara County was originally placed in the most restrictive Purple Tier along with most other counties when the State switched from the monitoring list system to its current color-coded tier framework on August 28. On September 8, 2020, Santa Clara County moved to the Red Tier and on October 13, 2020, the County moved to the Orange Tier.  On November 17, 2020, the County moved back to the Purple Tier along with 40 other Counties. The moves were based on daily case rates and test positivity.  It's important to note that the State framework gives counties credit toward their case rate if they test more people than the state average. Using this calculation, the high number of tests performed in our area gives Santa Clara County a significant credit.

State reopening metrics are based on cases per 100,000 residents and positive COVID-19 test results per 100,000 tests.  Each County must meet the following requirements in order to advance to the next colored tier: 

• 21 day mandatory wait time between moves, and

• meet metrics for the next tier for two straight weeks

Counties are only permitted to advance one tier at a time. If a County’s metrics worsen for two consecutive weeks, it will move backwards and be assigned a more restrictive tier. The State will calculate seven-day averages every Tuesday; the averages will be based on data from a full week earlier to provide counties time to report up-to-date information.

Please remember that when there are discrepancies between State and County guidelines, the stricter Order controls.

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 Not Following County COVID 19 Guidelines 

If you have concerns about a business, school, or healthcare provider not following Santa Clara County COVID-19 Guidelines, visit the County Health website to report a concern.

CHECK for Your Safety!

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!

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: The Library is providing Patio Pick-Up services only as of December 7, 2020. Due to the recent changes in health orders, in-building browsing and shared computer use are temporarily suspended. Situations regarding COVID-19 are changing rapidly.  The Library advises patrons to place holds and pick up items as soon as notification is received that they are available.  Follow Facebook, Instagram, and the website for a schedule of remote storytimes and other fun activities. Other online services such as e-books and e-magazines are available.  For questions, email library@losgatosca.gov. 

Parks and Public Works Department:  Parks and trails are open. Please remember to maintain social distance, wear face coverings, and wash/sanitize your hands. Park restrooms are available and cleaned on a daily basis. 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.

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.