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M02-12-07 study session 1 MINUTES OF THE TOWN COUNCIL STUDY SESSION FEBRUARY 12, 2007 The Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Regular Meeting on Monday, February 12, 2007 at 7:00 P.M. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Joe Pirzynski, Vice Mayor Barbara Spector, Council Member Steve Glickman, Council Member Diane McNutt, and Council Member Mike Wasserman. Absent: None. Council Member Steve Glickman was present via a conference call during tonight's Study Session. CLOSED SESSION REPORT CONFERENCE WITH REAL NEGOTIATOR (Government Code Section 54956.8) Property: 15900 Los Gatos Boulevard (Verizon) Negotiating parties: Town of Los Gatos (Negotiator: Debra Figone, Town Manager) Owner’s Representative, Jeff Hardy, CB Richard Ellis Under negotiation: Price and terms of payment Mr. Korb stated direction was given and no action was taken. VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Davis  Commented regarding the building of oversized homes in Los Gatos. PRESENTATION - CIVIC CENTER/LIBRARY MASTER PLAN Study Session and direction on the vision, conceptual costs, funding sources, and phasing options for the Civic Center/Library Master Plan. Mayor Joe Pirzynski  Commented regarding tonight’s study session on the vision of the Civic Center/Library Master Plan (CCMP). 2 Presentation Continued Debra Figone, Town Manager  Commented regarding: o The great work produced by staff and the consulting team. o The history of the CCMP dating from the early 1980s. o Why planning for the future is valuable. o The elements of the CCMP to-date. o The key principles shaping the CCMP. o That space estimates are based on the services desired by the community and technical analyses, and that the targeted square footage represents basic space needs. Pamela Anderson-Brule, Brule Architects  Commented regarding the vision for the Civic Center site, including: o A police facility on the west side of the site, with a parking garage (one level underground). o A library/community center on the east side, with an underground parking garage. o A one-floor library with views to Pageant Park. o The realignment of Fiesta Way to the eastern edge of the site. o Renovations to the existing Town Hall with a one stop shop Community Development Center. o The extensive amount of green spaces. o Public assembly spaces and conference spaces o Protection of the majority of significant trees on the site.  Commented on a phased vision for the Civic Center site, allowing phased build-out of the CCMP through a separate two-story Library and separate two-story Community Center. Ms. Figone  Commented on the highlights of the conceptual cost model to implement the CCMP, including: o Estimates based on concepts, not actual buildings. o The high cost of underground parking. o The parking analysis which is still being developed. o Escalation over time will increase cost estimates. o The cost for furniture, fixtures and equipment not included in the conceptual cost model.  Commented regarding potential financing sources for the CCMP, including reserve accounts, capital campaigns/fundraising, property sales, joint partnerships, Redevelopment Agency bonds, or General Obligation bonds. 3 Presentation Continued Pamela Jacobs, Assistant Town Manager  Commented regarding a public opinion poll conducted to obtain benchmark information about voters opinions related to public facilities and potential support for a bond measure, including: o Voters feel positively about Town services o 61% had not heard anything about the CCMP o Support for a bond measure fell below 2/3 majority needed o Support for a new library was slightly higher than support for other facilities. o Public outreach and education is needed before undertaking a bond measure. o The Library should be a central focus of any potential bond measure. Ms. Figone  Commented regarding deficiencies pertaining to the facilities of the current Civic Center.  Suggested Council feedback relating to the site vision and phasing and financing options for the proposed CCMP.  Commented regarding direction and next steps for the Civic Center/Master plan. Council Comments  Clarification regarding the vision for the Civic Center site. Ms. Anderson-Brule  Clarified the elements in the site vision, the phasing possible, and the uses of the existing pods. Council Comments  Questioned if the garage on the west side and the library could be built without affecting the existing facilities.  Clarification regarding the phasing option relating to Fiesta Way.  Questioned the use of the existing buildings for administrative services.  Questioned the option of adding new buildings versus utilizing the existing buildings.  Questioned the cost impacts to property taxes for the residents.  Questioned the funding options if the project were phased. Ms. Figone  Commented on the costs associated with bonds relating to property taxes on assessed values. 4 Public Comment Mr. Davis  Commented on supporting an off-site police facility.  Commented that he feels that the Town is built out, and there is no need for a new Civic Center. Ms. Baum  Commented regarding the critical needs for the library.  Commented regarding the green spaces and the a reas for community gatherings.  Commented that the library has outgrown the current space and would benefit with a larger space to accommodate all the needs of the community who use the library. Ms. Olsen  Suggested extending the bond measure to the residents in the county pockets.  Questioned if the green space in the proposed plan is smaller than the current green space. Ms. Figone  Commented on the options for bonds reaching to the unincorporated areas.  Clarified that the green space is larger in the site vision than current green space. Closed Public Comment Council Discussion  Commented regarding the preservation of the current structure.  Commented regarding the deficient library and police facilities.  Commented regarding more green areas and parking in the proposed plan.  Commented regarding phasing the project to accomplish what can be done.  Commented that the option to move police off-site is worth pursuing.  Commented that the plan has had significant community input.  Commented that the vision for the CCMP is a sensible plan.  Commented that the library should be the first phase.  Commented that the police facility should be the first phase.  Commented that the facilities should be pursued concurrently. 5 Presentation Continued Council Discussion – Continued  Would like to see more creative options to meet the needs of parking.  Would like to explore an off-site police facility.  Commented regarding lower parking demand if the police department is located off-site.  Commented that downtown merchants may be concerned if a new garage is built at the Civic Center.  Suggested expanding the library after the police department has moved off-site.  Commented regarding the higher costs for adding on or retrofitting existing Town Hall for the library relative to building a new facility.  Commented regarding the lack of support from the community relating to a bond measure in the initial public opinion poll.  Commented regarding the 70% support in the public poll relating to the need for a new police facility.  Commented regarding the 70% support in the public poll relating to the need for a new Library.  Suggested supporting these needs with Redevelopment Agency bonding and the “pay as you go” option.  Commented regarding the community support needed to fund a new Library.  Commented regarding the vision for the CCMP as a very appropriate look into the future.  Supports the idea of phasing and community education relating to the next steps for the CCMP.  Supports the idea of a bond measure to fund facilities rather than using Town reserves.  Commented regarding Council majority to move forward to the next steps with the direction given tonight. ADJOURNMENT Attest: Jackie D. Rose, Clerk Administrator