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May 17, 2022 Town Council MeetingThe agenda and reports for the May 17, 2022 Town Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. are available online. Among the items on the agenda, the Town Council will consider the recommendations of the Finance Commission and staff, and provide direction on the Town of Los Gatos proposed Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022/23 and on the proposed Capital Improvement Program for FY 2022/23 – FY 2026/27.
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 not interested in providing oral comments in real-time during the meeting, you can view the live stream of the meeting on television (Comcast Channel 15) and/or online at www.LosGatosCA.gov/TownYouTube.
To provide oral comments in real-time 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 Town Council meeting.If you wish to speak to an item or items on the Consent Calendar, please state which item number(s) you are commenting on at the beginning of your time.
If you are unable to participate in real-time, you may email to PublicComment@losgatosca.gov the subject line “Public Comment Item #__ ” (insert the item number relevant to your comment) or “Verbal Communications – Non Agenda Item.” Comments received by 11:00 a.m. the day of the meeting will be reviewed and distributed before the meeting. All comments received will become part of the record.
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.
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State Route 17 Corridor Congestion Relief Project - Public Scoping Meeting on May 19The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), in cooperation with the Town of Los Gatos and California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), proposes to construct improvements on State Route 17 (SR 17) and upgrade the SR 17/SR 9 interchange in Los Gatos. The VTA is hosting a virtual public scoping meeting for this project on Thursday, May 19, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to gather input on the scope and content for the environmental document. Caltrans, in cooperation with the VTA and the Town of Los Gatos, will prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR)/Environmental Assessment (EA) for the SR 17 Corridor Congestion Relief Project. The Project proposes to: 1. Modify the SR 17/SR 9 interchange’s on- and off-ramps; 2. Widen the SR 17 mainline and shoulder to eliminate the lane-drop and bottlenecks between Lark Avenue and the SR 17/SR 9 interchange; 3. Implement advance transportation technology (traffic signals control system, traveler information system, and ramp); and 4. Implement “complete streets” features to improve bicyclist and pedestrian travel. The purpose of the Project is to improve mainline traffic operations and reduce congestion on SR 17, reduce cut-through traffic in the Town of Los Gatos, improve SR 17/SR 9 interchange operations, and improve active transportation (bicycle and pedestrian) mobility and connectivity in the Town of Los Gatos across SR 17. The deadline for receiving comments on the project environmental scope for the EIR/EA is June 6, 2022. Comments can be sent by email to: sr17-corridor@vta.org or by mail to: California Department of Transportation, District 4, Office of Environmental Analysis, Attn: Juliane Smith P.O. Box 23660, MS 8B Oakland, CA, 94623-0660. To access the meeting link and for more information regarding the proposed project, please visit www.vta.org/sr17corridor. Additional questions? You may also contact VTA Community Outreach at (408) 321-7575, TTY for the hearing impaired: (408) 321-2330, or email community.outreach@vta.org.
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May is Bike Month! Bike to Wherever and Stop by the Energizer Station on Saturday, May 21The Town is a proud sponsor of the Bike to Wherever Day & Bike Month organized by the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition (SVBC).
The Complete Streets and Transportation Commission (CSTC) has volunteered to host an Energizer Station in Los Gatos. The Energizer Station will be located on the Los Gatos Creek Trail by Charter Oaks and Lark Avenue on Saturday May 21st, noon - 4:00 pm. Our wonderful volunteers hope to talk to many bicyclists of all ages and abilities. The Town will be providing bike and trail maps, as well as fun cycling-related giveaways at the Energizer Station. The refreshments and giveaways are funded by the Measure B passed by Santa Clara County voters in 2016. The Commission is looking for more volunteers to help staff the Energizer Station. Interested individuals are encouraged to sign up to for a 2 ½-hour shift offering refreshments and swag to bikers on the trail. This is also a great opportunity to talk to Commissioners and other volunteers to find out more about what the Town is working on to provide safer and better biking infrastructure. Volunteers may sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044BA8A629A5FF2-losgatos Please visit the SVBC web page for additional information on Bike to Wherever Day & Bike Month and pledge to ride: https://bikesiliconvalley.org/p2r
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Community PolicingThe Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department is initiating specific events and programs throughout 2022 to enhance community policing. Community Policing has been a long-standing framework for establishing trust, exchange of information and transparency, and a positive engagement between law enforcement and the community. Community policing is used to involve the community in public safety and gain an understanding of specific community concerns and create a positive, proactive policing method to meet the needs of the community.
The community policing programs include Coffee with a Cop, the Therapy Dog Program, a Community Police Academy, Walk with a Cop, and staff Support of Special Olympics activates. These engagements are identified on the lower portion of the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Community Policing logo to promote these events throughout the year on the department website, social media, and other communications. These engagements are integral to build respect, community - police partnerships, and developing a better-informed vision of public safety needs and responses.
The Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department is committed to enhancing community policing efforts through these specific engagement opportunities. Police presence and trust is fundamental to maintaining peaceful order to the community. It is the realization of public and police sharing a space in congruence, building relationships, with a focus on common goals. These community - police interactions help to bridge the gap and implement the LGMSPD mission to be a collaborative problem solvers.
For more information, please visit the Police Department's Community Policing webpage. |
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Social Host Ordinance - Useful InformationThe goal of the Social Host Ordinance is to educate and provide resources to the community about ways to deter underage drinking and to provide awareness that there are consequences for allowing such gatherings to occur.
What is a Social Host Ordinance?A Social Host Ordinance holds accountable the host of a gathering where underage drinking or drug use is allowed to occur. Anyone 18 years of age or older who hosts such gatherings may be subject to the ordinance and/or a fine. If the host of such gathering is 17 years old or younger, the parents of that minor may be held jointly responsible with their teen and subject to a fine, even if they were not present or aware of the gathering.
Why Are Social Host Ordinances Necessary?A social host ordinance reinforces the message that allowing underage drinking will not be tolerated in Los Gatos as it may cause dangerous and illegal situations involving minors.
In addition, a social host ordinance empowers parents, students, neighbors and concerned residents to seek help from law enforcement when there are youth suspected of underage drinking and/or illegal drug use on public or private property. The ordinance also provides law enforcement with a formal course of action to respond to calls associated with underage drinking.
Cost Recovery Fees for Underage Social GatheringsFees may be imposed on the host of a social host where underage drinking and/or drug use is allowed to occur. Fees may include the cost of providing public safety services such as police, fire, ambulance and other emergency services. Warning, education and/or fine may occur for first violation within a 12 month period. First Violation: $1,500 Second Violation: $3,000 Third or Subsequent Violation: $3,000 For more information visit www.losgatosca.gov/287/Youth-Commission or email Jrose@losgatosca.gov.
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Participate in the Housing Element Update, the Balancing Act tool is Now Available!The Balancing Act tool is a simulator for locating potential housing sites as part of the Town's Housing Element Update.
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Housing Element Update Property Owner Interest FormThe Town wants to hear from property owners who may be interested in future housing development.
If you are interested in considering a housing development at your site in the future, please complete the Property Interest Form on the Town's Housing Element Update website at www.EngageLosGatosHousing.com. It is not necessary to have a full proposal ready to fill out the form. Inclusion in the Town's Housing Sites Inventory list does not prevent the continuation of existing uses on the site, require that housing be constructed, or trigger reassessment of the property value. The Town of Los Gatos is in the process of updating its Housing Element of the General Plan. An inventory of land adequately zoned or planned to be zoned to accommodate the Town's fair share of housing is a requirement of a Housing Element.
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The Return of Music in the Park!The 2022 Los Gatos Music in the Park concert series is currently under production and sponsorship opportunities are now available. For information contact Neal Turley at whoisguygrand@gmail.com.
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LGS Recreation - Summer Fun AcademyGet ready for a summer of fun while learning and playing at one of the best summer programs in the Bay Area!
Different from the traditional summer school, LGS Recreation’s fee-based 'Summer Fun Academy' is open to all students in first through eighth grade. The program provides students the opportunity to strengthen their academics and get outside to play during the summer months through a wide range of challenging, engaging, and fun programs! The program begins June 13, 2022. Learn more at www.lgsrecreation.org/youth/summer-fun-academy/.
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Becoming an Inclusive CommunityVisit 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.
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Fire Season Is Year RoundNow 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: - 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.
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Lifesaving Information For Emergencies (L.I.F.E.) FileEmergencies 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
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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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