November 23, 2021 Policy Committee Meeting

The agenda and reports for the November 23, 2021 Policy Committee meeting at 5:00 p.m. are available online.  The Policy Committee will consider recommending proposed updates to the Transportation Impact Policy and to the Commission Appointment Policy to the Town Council.

This meeting is being conducted utilizing teleconferencing and electronic means consistent with Government Code Section 54953, as Amended by Assembly Bill 361, in response to the state of emergency relating to COVID-19 and enabling teleconferencing accommodations by suspending or waiving specified provisions in the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code § 54950 et seq.).   Consistent with AB 361 and Town of Los Gatos Resolution 2021-044 this meeting will not be physically open to the public and the Council and/or Commissioners will be teleconferencing from remote locations. Members of the public can only participate in the meeting by joining the Zoom webinar (log in information provided below).   

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/82573055218?pwd=TFdYVEVXemdmdzRlVjU4ZTFyZEthZz09 with password: 171463. 

To access the meeting by phone, dial (636) 651-0008  or (877) 336-1839  (US Toll Free) with conference code 969184.

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 meetings, please call 408-354-6832 or send an email to the Town Manager's office.

November 23, 2021 Community Health and Senior Services Commission Meeting

The agenda and reports for the November 23, 2021 Community Health and Senior Services Commission meeting at 5:00 p.m. are available online.  Among the items on the agenda, the Commission will discuss the Commission Policy for Selection of Chair and Vice Chair, review goals for public health and senior services, and receive a report from the staff liaison. 

This meeting is being conducted utilizing teleconferencing and electronic means consistent with Government Code Section 54953, as Amended by Assembly Bill 361, in response to the state of emergency relating to COVID-19 and enabling teleconferencing accommodations by suspending or waiving specified provisions in the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code § 54950 et seq.).   Consistent with AB 361 and Town of Los Gatos Resolution 2021-044 this meeting will not be physically open to the public and the Council and/or Commissioners will be teleconferencing from remote locations. Members of the public can only participate in the meeting by joining the Zoom webinar (log in information provided below).   

You can join the Zoom webinar at https://losgatoscagov.zoom.us/j/87654476462?pwd=VE4zam10em5mVFIrN3l3SDFzc3AwUT09 with password: 590000. To join by phone, dial (636) 651-0002 or (877) 336-1829 (US Toll Free) using Conference Code 986172.

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.

FY 2020/21 Annual Report

The Town of Los Gatos FY 2020/21 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 last fiscal year included work towards ongoing Council Strategic Priorities and providing critical municipal services as well as continuing to adapt to meet the unforeseen needs resulting from the pandemic. The report concludes with a look ahead of efforts underway during the current fiscal year. Check out the report on the Town website. 

There is still time to share your thoughts regarding the Draft General Plan!

• Newsletter with Key Proposed Changes
• Draft General Plan
• Draft General Plan Environmental Impact Report
• Community Meeting Recordings
• Comment Form

• New Racial, Social and Environmental Justice Element;
• Increased housing opportunities for mixed use developments in commercial areas and missing middle housing in neighborhoods with design requirements;
• New Community Place Districts to provide more objective design standards and focus on community form for all development;
• Shift in focus of transportation policies to street design, connectivity, and mobility for all users (bicycles, pedestrians, vehicles, etc.)  to reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled;
• New goals in the Environment and Sustainabilty Element; and
• Expanded policies to prepare for wildfire, climate change, and community health threats.

County Fire Launches New Product to Simplify Evacuations: Zonehaven - Attend a Free Webinar!

In the event of a wildfire or public safety emergency, fire department and law enforcement agencies will issue evacuation orders and other protective actions for impacted areas. Zonehaven is a web-based platform that provides real-time evacuation updates.

Kitchen Pail Disbursement for Food Scraps

Becoming an Inclusive Community

Visit the Town's webpage, Becoming an Inclusive Community to find information about the Town's commitment to inclusivity, equity, justice, and diversity, including related Town Council actions, Council action on Police reforms, 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.

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

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 or email engage@losgatosca.gov with subject "Sign Me Up."