January 10, 2023 Finance Commission Meeting

The agenda and reports for the January 10, 2023 Finance Commission meeting at 4:00 p.m. are available online. Among other items, the Finance Commission will consider:

• Selection of Commission Chair and Vice Chair;
• Commission meeting dates and times for 2023;
• The Town's Financial Transactions Report for submittal to the State Controller;
• Q1 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs);
• Changes to the Town's Operating Portfolio Investment Policy; and
• Review of the Commission's 2022 Workplan and discussion of the 2023 Workplan. 

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

January 10, 2023 Senior Service Committee Meeting

The agenda and reports for the January 10, 2023 Senior Service Committee meeting at 5:00 p.m. are available online. Among other items, the Committee will consider approval of the Draft Roadmap Report and Council presentation and discuss Committee follow-up actions and the next meeting. 

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

January 11, 20223 Planning Commission Meeting

The agenda and reports for the January 11, 2023 Planning Commission meeting at 7:00 p.m. are available online.  Among the items on the agenda, the Planning Commission will consider:

• A request for approval for construction of a shared driveway, two new single-family residences to exceed the maximum height for visible homes in the Hillsides, and site work requiring a grading permit at 400 Surmont Drive;
• An appeal of a Historic Preservation Committee decision to deny the removal of a presumptive historic property at 301-307 N Santa Cruz Avenue;
• An appeal of a Historic Preservation Committee decision to deny a request to modify the previously approved front door on a new single-family residence at 253 W Main Street; and
• Make a recommendation to the Town Council on the Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element. 

The live stream of the meeting may be viewed on KCAT-15 television and/or online at www.LosGatosCA.gov/TownYouTube.   

Business License Updates

Silicon Valley Clean Energy Education Fund

Do you have the next big idea for the world of clean energy? Are you interested in organizing community climate action events? Have you ever thought about how you can contribute to the fight against climate change? Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) has announced the opening of their 2022-2023 Education Fund application. 

The SVCE Education Fund is an education initiative that funds environmental projects led by local schools. The project must relate to SVCE’s mission of reducing reliance on fossil fuels and combatting climate change. You can apply for project funding if you are a teacher, student, or staff member in the SVCE service territory!  In past cycles, they sponsored many types of projects in various fields, from STEM to the creative arts to community event organizing.

Project applicants can earn up to $10,000 in funding. The application cycle will begin on December 1st and close on January 20, 2023, so mark your calendars and start designing your project!

For more information, visit https://svcleanenergy.org/education-fund/.

Make Sure You Can be Reached in an Emergency -
Sign Up for AlertSCC

Recently, the Town participated in an earthquake drill organized by the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). The drill served as a good reminder for all of us to be prepared in case of an emergency or natural disaster.  One powerful emergency preparedness tool is AlertSCC - make sure you are signed up to receive alerts! 

AlertSCC is the official emergency alert and warning system for Santa Clara County and the Town of Los Gatos.  This is how the Town will contact you in the event of an emergency or service delivery interruption.  

It is free for everyone and easy to set up. Alerts are sent directly on your mobile device, landline, and or email.

Having the RIGHT information, at the RIGHT time, will help you make the RIGHT decisions in an emergency or disaster.

Visit www.AlertSCC.org to sign up!

Adopted 2040 General Plan & FAQs Now Available!

The adopted 2040 General Plan and an FAQ document are now available at www.LosGatos2040.com. An interactive version will be posted in the coming months. 
 
The adopted 2040 General Plan retains the Town’s Low Density neighborhoods as is, allows more housing types in High (formerly known as Medium) Density Residential (i.e., small, multi-unit housing), does not allow new housing potential in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, and focuses the majority of the growth in the Community Growth Districts with mixed use and higher density developments. 
 
Please note that the Medium Density Residential designation was renamed High Density Residential and the High Density Residential designation was renamed Very High Density Residential.  As a result, there is no Medium Density Residential designation in the adopted 2040 General Plan. 
 
The projected number of housing units is 3,160 over the next 20 years. Subtracting 475 previously-approved units (“pipeline projects”) and 500 anticipated accessory dwelling units, the projected total is 2,185 units over the next 20 years.

More specifically, the approved Plan:

• Keeps the Low Density Residential density at the 2020 density level (0-5 units per acre);
• Endorses the Planning Commission recommendation for High (formerly known as Medium) Density Residential (14-22 units per acre) except in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone where the density remains at the 2020 level (5-12 units per acre);
• Retains the existing housing potential in Office Professional at the 2020 level (10-20 units per acre);
• Removes housing from the Service Commercial designation; and
• Includes the other designation changes contained in the Draft 2040 General Plan.

Community Policing

The 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.

County of Santa Clara Launches 988 Phone Number Dedicated to Crisis Mental Health Services

Santa Clara County has launched a lifeline phone number for people to call in times of mental health or substance use crisis, with teams of trained counselors available 24/7 to offer support by phone or in-person, depending on the nature of the situation.

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."