Town of Los Gatos




Holiday Closure




COVID Testing in Los Gatos December 23, 2021




Omicron Variant Is on the Rise Globally and in the U.S.; Two Shots Are Not Enough Anymore and Getting a Booster Right Away Is Critical


With the Omicron variant rapidly spreading throughout the world and the effectiveness of the initial COVID-19 vaccine series diminishing over time, the County of Santa Clara is strongly urging everyone eligible to obtain a booster shot right away.

Booster shots are available, through both appointments and drop-in availability, at many pharmacies, clinics, and mass vaccination locations throughout the County. Everyone 16 and older who is six months out from their second Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two months out from their Johnson & Johnson vaccine, is eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot.  This is particularly urgent and critical for persons age 50 and older, and those with significant underlying health conditions.  To find a booster shot appointment or drop-in booster location, please go to sccfreevax.org. 

Currently, just 44% of eligible County residents have received a booster, and approximately 250,000 residents who are 50 years and over have yet to get their booster shot.  

There have now been 10 confirmed cases of the Omicron variant reported to the County’s Public Health Department and the Omicron variant has been detected in all four wastewater treatment facilities in Santa Clara County. Many more cases of Omicron are expected to be reported in the coming days and weeks, and based on the exponential growth in cases being seen in Europe, there is a significant risk of exponential growth in COVID-19 cases in our region in the coming weeks.

The United Kingdom currently has more COVID-19 cases than at any time during the 2-year pandemic. Other highly vaccinated countries that mirror Santa Clara County’s high vaccination rates, such as Denmark and Norway, are predicting Omicron will become the dominant variant in a matter of days.  Evidence suggests that Omicron spreads more rapidly than other variants, and more is being learned every day. Although some evidence suggests that a lower percentage of people infected with Omicron may be hospitalized and die, if a surge causes many thousands of new cases per day, even a small percentage of that total entering our hospitals will overwhelm healthcare delivery systems.

“The Omicron variant is causing a rapid, massive spike in cases in other parts of the world, and booster vaccines are our best defense against that happening here too,” said Dr. Sara Cody, Health Officer and Director of Public Health. “The quicker our community is vaccinated with the booster, the more likely we can avoid the worse-case scenarios related to the spread of Omicron.”

“Two shots are not enough anymore,” said Dr. Marty Fenstersheib, COVID-19 Vaccine Officer, referring to the initial two-dose series for Pfizer and Moderna. “We know protection against infection from the vaccines declines over time, so booster doses are critical for everyone who was vaccinated at least 6 months ago.”

In addition to vaccinations and boosters, masking, testing, ventilation, and distancing remain an effective multi-layered defense against COVID-19. Officials noted that as the holiday season is upon us, people should stay mindful of risks and take steps to decrease them.

If people must travel or gather for the holidays:
  • Get tested before travel, upon return, and again 3-5 days later.
  • Have everyone ages 5+ get their COVID vaccine and boosted if eligible.
  • Wear a mask indoors and in crowded settings.
  • Keep group gatherings small. Gather with close family units.
  • Take advantage of quick and easy home test kits available in pharmacies and stores.
  • Outside gatherings are safer than indoor gatherings.
  • Be particularly cautious around elderly or immunocompromised individuals and consider COVID-19 testing before such interactions.
Parents of very young children and those who have not been vaccinated should make sure to take all advised precautions. Avoid large gatherings. Always wear a mask in indoor public settings (unless under age 2).

Vaccinations are no-cost to the public, insurance is not required, and there are no immigration requirements.



Shop, dine and celebrate all day in Downtown with no time limits and no charges in parking lot 4, just off of N. Santa Cruz Ave. between Elm St. and Grays Ln.  Valet starts the day after Thanksgiving and goes until Christmas Eve.




Request for Proposals: Business License Modernization Consulting Services



Housing Element Website: EngageLosGatosHousing.com




 Draft 2040 General Plan


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

Visit www.LosGatos2040.com and find the following:
  • Newsletter with Key Proposed Changes
  • Draft General Plan
  • Draft General Plan Environmental Impact Report
  • Community Meeting Recordings
  • Comment Form
Some of the key proposed changes include:
  • 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.
All community members are encouraged to be involved in the General Plan update process.  Your input on the Draft Plan is important as the Town Council will consider potential revisions prior to adoption later this year.  Your engagement helps the Town ensure that the General Plan continues to serve the needs of everyone that lives, does business in, or visits Los Gatos.  




FY 20/21 Annual Report

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. 


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.


Zonehaven makes evacuations easy to understand, allowing you to determine evacuation status for your community, your neighborhood, and each individual address. The Santa Clara County Fire Department is offering a series of free webinars to learn more, covering the following topics:
  • The Zonehaven platform
  • Alerting and notifications
  • How to evacuate safely
  • Standardized evacuation terminology
Free webinars are bring offered from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. on the following dates:
  • Tuesday, January 11, 2022
  • Thursday, February 3, 2022
  • Wednesday, March 9, 2022
Register at sccfd.eventbrite.com or call (408) 341-4425.



Register Your Short-Term Rental with the Town!




Kitchen Pail Distribution for Food Scraps

Kitchen Pail Disbursement for Food Scraps


New California legislation (SB 1383) mandates that we lower our total methane emissions by reducing the amount of food waste we send to landfill. The Town is doing its part to protect the environment by implementing a new food scraps recycling program.

In the Fall of 2021, West Valley Collection and Recycling will deliver complimentary kitchen pails to your home. You can place your food scraps in your kitchen pail during the week and then transfer the contents to your green container on collection day. For more information visit https://www.wvswma.org/ and https://westvalleyrecycles.com/.



Mobile Crisis Response Teams




See Something, Say Something




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.



Ready Set Go

Fire Season Is Year Round


Now is the time to actively prepare for fire season and reduce your wildfire risk! 

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.


For details, please visit the Santa Clara County Fire Department's website.


Below are additional steps you can take to be personally prepared for wildfire season:

  1. 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!
  2. Pack your GO Bag Now.
  3. Agree on an Evacuation Plan for your family including pets. Where will you meet and how will you get there?
  4. Be ready to leave immediately if an order is issued.
  5. 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. 



AlertSCC




Download the Earthquake MyShake App from Cal OES!




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




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




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110 E. Main Street, CA 95030

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