Los Gatos "Town Hall" in the Neighborhood MeetingLOS GATOS "TOWN HALL"
IlY THE
NEIGtIBORIi00D MEETING
MOIYDAY, JUKE 30, 2003
GENERAL INFORMATION ON
TOWN SERVICES
Background and History of Los Gatos
LOCATION
The Town of Los Gatos is nestled at the base of the Sierra Azules, and is located
approximately 60 miles south of San Francisco, in the southwestern portion of Santa Clara
County where the Santa Clara Valley meets the lower slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Los Gatos is bounded by the City of San Jose to the north and east; the City of Campbell to
the north; the Cities of Monte Sereno and Saratoga to the west; and unincorporated County
of Santa Clara and the County of Santa Cruz to the south.
The Los Gatos Planning Area encompasses a wide variety of terrain, ranging from flat
topography at the edge of the valley floor to densely wooded hillsides. Both the valley and
hillsides are interspersed with creeks, streams and riparian habitat. The sharp contrast
between the valley floor and the hillsides provides the Town's picturesque background.
HISTORY
Los Gatos is one of Santa Clara County's oldest communities. In 1840, the Mexican
government granted a land patent for a 6,600 acre rancho to Sebastian Peralta and Jose
Hernandez. Los Gatos was originally named La Rinconada de Los Gatos (Cat's Corner)by
early settlers due to the screams of mountain lions prowling in the night. In 1868, 100 acres
of the rancho was selected as a town site. The Town was incorporated in 1887, and by 1890
the Town's population had grown to 1,652. When the first General Plan was adopted in
1963, the Town had grown to an area of approximately 4,000 acres, or 6.3 square miles, with
a population in excess of 11,750.
At the time the first General Plan was revised in 1971, the Town had grown to an area of 9
square miles with a population of 24,350. In 1984, Los Gatos covered approximately 10
square miles and had a population of 27,820 persons. Today, the Town population is
estimated to be 28,592 in a 14 square mile area. While most of the growth through the
1970's was due to new development, most of the growth in the 1980's and 1990's was due
to annexations, in -fill development and changing demographics.
The Town originally developed at a distance from other population centers and therefore
evolved as an independent community having residential, commercial and industrial areas.
The economics of the Town have changed from the wheat farming, milling, logging, orchard
and cannery businesses in the 19th and early 20th centuries to the suburban, "high tech,"
visitor destination businesses of today. The railroad also played a major role in the growth
and development of the Town, Los Gatos was either the terminus of the railroad or the
transition point from standard to narrow gauge at more than one time during the railroad's
operation. The climate and easy access by rail from San Francisco made Los Gatos an early
tourist destination. Today, the Town is situated within the largest metropolitan area of
northern California, and is closely tied to Silicon Valley and its fast paced economy. Los
Gatos, however, retains a mix of residential, commercial and light industrial uses, still
attracts visitors, and continues to retain its small town image.
Los Gatos prides itself as a "self contained community." Over 300 businesses serve the
residents and act as a destination point for visitors who are attracted to its restaurants, hotels
and variety of shops within a pedestrian oriented downtown setting. The Town is also an
"inclusive" community with the full mix of ages, family sizes and incomes. Los Gatos has
many parks and greenbelt areas, as well as a vibrant downtown area. Downtown Los Gatos
is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the model of what communities
strive to achieve in a downtown.
Historical Reading Material
• Bennett, Mardi, ed. Images of Long Ago: A Century of People, Places and
Progress in the Town of Los Gatos.
• Bloomfield, Anne. Los Gatos Toll House: Historic Structures Report.
• Bruntz, George, G. History of Los Gatos.
• James Alexander Forbes, builder and owner of the Santa Rosa Flour Mill on the
Rancho Rinconada de Los Gatos. (Author Unknown)
• Wulf, William A. A History of the Santa Cruz Mountains and early Los Gatos.
* Source: Town of Los Gatos General Plan
Vision for Los Gatos
Los Gatos is home. It is the type of community people want to live in because they feel a sense
of belonging. When residents drive south on Highway 17, cross over Route 85, see the beautiful
Town of Los Gatos nestled at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains they know they are home.
Los Gatos is an oasis of calm within one of the major economic engines in the world, Silicon
Valley. People feel safe here. The Town provides excellent schools, beautiful parks, a
wonderful Downtown, diverse shopping experiences, and an accessible and responsive
government.
Los Gatos is a truly special place and residents want to protect their community from the
increasing development pressures of the region. Residents expect all new development to fit into
the fabric of the community and demand that new businesses enhance their high quality of life.
Residents make it clear when development projects fail to meet their expectations. Proposed
development projects are held to a higher standard and what is approved in other communities
may not be acceptable in Los Gatos. New development must keep pace with the community's
needs and must reflect the community's values. The next ten years will be a crucial time in the
evolution of Los Gatos. Extreme care must be used in approving all new development
applications. The impacts of new development must be evaluated in light of the development's
overall community benefit. In addition, the benefit of new development must be measured
against the ability of the proposed development and its architectural style to harmonize with
existing development while minimizing impacts on existing residential neighborhoods and
infrastructure. Support of new development from surrounding residents and property owners
will be a major consideration during any development review process.
Preserving the small-town character of Los Gatos is a collection of related issues, including
human scale of development, historic preservation, density and intensity, population growth,
downtown, development in the Route 85/North 40 area, congestion, open space, views of the
hills, the nature of businesses located in Town, protection of the Town's various neighborhoods,
and community design.
The Town can utilize three important means for ensuring the continuity of values: (a) providing
mechanisms for broad public participation in government in general and planning in particular,
(b) taking initiative to coordinate with other jurisdictions on regional issues that impact our
Town's character and quality of life, and (c) consistent and resolute enforcement of the General
Plan, specific plans, and the Town code.
Residents expect strong leadership from their elected officials to guide the community into the
next century and to ensure that the high quality of life in Los Gatos is protected for future
generations. The General Plan is the Town's guide to achieve this vision.
Many of the issues identified in the General Plan are sustainability issues, including open space,
hillside protection, environmental quality, natural plant and animal life, resource conservation,
and community design.
WHAT MAKES LOS GATOS SPECIAL?
The desire to protect the Town's high quality of life is demonstrated by extensive citizen
participation in many service groups and community issues. While residents may disagree over
specific issues, they share a common vision of the future of Los Gatos. Residents are adamant
in their desire to maintain a high quality of life and preserve the character of the Town. The
overall community consensus is that Los Gatos:
•
Be a full -service community that is also environmentally sensitive;
Maintain a balanced, well -designed mix of residential, commercial, service and open
space uses, fostering a pedestrian -oriented community with a small town, village -
like character;
Support an active business community that provides a wide variety of goods and
services and a broad range of employment opportunities, minimizing the need to
travel to other communities; and
Provides a well -run, efficient municipal government that is fiscally healthy, with
high levels of public safety, recreational, art and cultural amenities and that is
committed to high quality education.
The Town has an eclectic mix of building styles. It is a unique combination of old and new that
is indicative of a community that has evolved over a period of time. The Town's architecture
ranges from a few homes built in the 1850's through a beautifully preserved mix of Victorian
cottages and craftsman bungalows, some Victorian and Art Deco commercial buildings, post
World War II ranch houses and post-modern homes and commercial buildings from more recent
decades. The Town demonstrates that it is possible to value innovation while appreciating and
preserving the past.
*Source: Town of Los Gatos General Plan Document
Town Government Structure
COUNCIL/MANAGER FORM OF GOVERNMENT
The Town of Los Gatos operates under the Council/Manager form of government, a system
that combines the policy leadership of elected officials in the form of a Town Council, with
the managerial expertise of an appointed Town Manager.
The Town Manager is appointed by the Council and serves as the chief administrative officer
of the organization. The Town Manager is responsible for administration of Town affairs,
day-to-day operations, and implementation of Council policies according to State
Government Code outlined in sections 2.30.255- 2.30.305 of the Town Code.
The Town Attorney, also appointed by the Council, advises and represents the Town and
Council in all legal affairs.
ELECTED OFFICIALS
Town Council
The Town Council is the legislative body for the Town of Los Gatos. Five (5) members are
elected to serve staggered four (4) year terms. The Council elects one of its members
annually to serve as Mayor. The Town is a General Law City operating under the provisions
of the State Government Code.
Town Clerk
The Town Clerk serves a four (4) year term and is responsible for providing various services
required by the Town Code and State Government Code for General Law Cities. The Clerk's
primary duties include managing the Town's legislative history and providing information
and referral services. The Town Clerk also serves as the Elections Official for the Town.
Town Treasurer
The Town Treasurer serves a four (4) year term and is responsible for activities as mandated
in the Town Code and the State Government Code. The Treasurer is the custodian of all
Town funds and is responsible for the Town's investments and bond services.
TOWN SERVICES
Town Manager's Office
The Town Manager provides overall administration, leadership and direction for the Town
organization. The Manager identifies community issues and the needs requiring legislative
policy decisions; provides alternative solutions; assures that the Council's policies, programs
and services are effectively and efficiently provided; prepares the Town's budget with
recommendations on the appropriate resources for Council action; provides research and
information necessary for responsible decision -making; fosters public awareness of
municipal programs, services and goals; responds to citizen inquiries by explaining Town
services and functions; investigates problems and provides specialized assistance in the
Redevelopment project area development. The Town Manager's Office is also directly
responsible for personnel, finance, budgeting, purchasing, labor relations, management
information systems, cable television, risk management, equipment replacement, worker's
compensation, and self-insurance.
Town Clerk's Office
The Town Clerk's Office serves as a comprehensive repository of information for Town
Departments and the Los Gatos community. A major objective of the Office is to preserve
the total legislative and recorded history of the Town government and make it readily
available to the general public, other agencies and Town staff.
Town Attorney
The Town Attorney is the legal advisor to the Town Council, Staff and Redevelopment
Agency. The Town Attorney processes and evaluates all claims against the Town and
manages all litigation involving the Town.
Community Development
The Community Development Department is responsible for all current and advanced
planning, redevelopment, building inspection and plan check activities of the Town.
Program areas include Administration, Development Review, Code Compliance, Advanced
Planning/Special Projects, Building Inspection/Plan Check and Redevelopment. The
Department supports the Planning Commission, Town Council and Redevelopment Agency
and Historic Preservation Committee, as well as numerous other advisory boards,
commissions and committees.
Police
The Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Police Department provides public safety services to the Town
of Los Gatos and the City of Monte Sereno. The principal aims of the Department are to
reduce crime through prevention, detection and apprehension; provide for safe and orderly
movement of vehicular traffic through traffic calming strategies, enforcement, accident
prevention and investigation; to provide public safety through regulation and control of
hazardous situations; to recover lost and stolen property; and to prevent crime through
programs reflecting community needs. The Department also emphasizes a strong
police/community partnership through innovative programs such as Reserve Police Officer,
Volunteers in Policing (V.I.P.), Disaster Aid Response Team (D.A.R.T.), Police Chaplin
program, Parking Citation Hearing Officers, and the Police Explorer Scout program.
Parks and Public Works
The Parks and Public Works Department engages in the maintenance and operation of parks
and public improvements, and management of construction projects in the following major
areas:
• Street pavement, sidewalks, curbs and gutters, medians, and street lights
• Parks, urban forests, playgrounds, play fields, and play lots
• Sanitary sewer systems
• Storm drainage systems
• Public facilities, equipment, parking structures/lots and private buildings
Traffic control devices and features
Community Services
The Community Services Department serves as the center for programs which enrich the life
of the community. The Department is committed to the following:
•
Identifying and responding to the needs of a diverse population, with programs that
serve seniors, youth, families, homeowners, renters and low income residents.
Promote a spirit of hometown community by including volunteers and program
participants as integral parts of ongoing projects.
Facilitates communication between local human service providers in order to
increase effectiveness and to continually improve programs through shared expertise.
Managing Town compliance with a variety of federally -mandated programs, targeting
those resources toward identified local priorities.
Library
The Los Gatos Public Library serves as the Town's primary provider of information services
and as a center for cultural enrichment and lifelong learning. The Department's goals are to
provide collections and services which anticipate the needs of the community; encourage an
interest in reading and learning; support students and the elementary and secondary level
with appropriate materials and services; provide the latest information technologies and
training; create a welcoming environment for children which encourages their curiosity,
imagination, creativity and a permanent love of reading; and provide a knowledgeable and
service -oriented staff that is responsive to the community's need for access to a world of
information and ideas. The Library provides current, high -demand, high -interest materials
in a variety of formats for people of all ages, as well as more traditional resources. Dedicated
to the spirit of a learning community, the Library provides a year around series of children's
programs and a Summer Reading Club, a book discussion group for adults and Internet
classes that are popular with many seniors.
PRIVATE CORPORATION
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Town Organization Chart
Residents of
Los Gatos
Town
Clerk
Town
Attorney
Town
Council
Town
Manager
Assistant
Town Manager
J
Information
Services
Town
Treasurer
Boards and
Commissions
Human
Resources
Police
Services
Finance &
Admin. Services
J
Community
Services
Community
Development
Library
Parks & Public
Works
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Town Elected Officials and Town Management
Town Council
Sandy Decker, Mayor
Steve Glickman, Vice Mayor
Diane McNutt, Council Member
Joe Pirzynski, Council Member
Mike Wasserman, Council Member
Contact Information:
Town of Los Gatos
Mayor and Town Council
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
(408) 354-6832
(408) 399-5786 - fax
Email: council@town.los-gatos.ca.us
Other Elected Positions
Marian Cosgrove, Town Clerk
Contact Information:
Town of Los Gatos
Town Clerk's Office
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
(408) 354-6834
(408) 354-8431 - fax
Email: clerk@town.los-gatos.ca.us
Linda Lubeck, Town Treasurer
Contact Information:
Town of Los Gatos
Town Clerk's Office
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
(408) 354-6832
(408) 354-7593 - fax
Email: finance@town.los-gatos.ca.us
Town Management
Town Manager's Office
Debra Figone, Town Manager
Pamela Jacobs, Assistant Town Manager
Contact Information:
Town of Los Gatos
Town Manager's Office
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
(408) 354-6832
(408) 399-5786 - fax
Email: manager@town.los-gatos.ca.us
Police Department
Scott Seaman, Chief of Police
Contact Information:
Town of Los Gatos
Police Department
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
(408) 354-5257
(408) 354-0578 - fax
Email: police@town.los-gatos.ca.us
Community Services Department
Regina Falkner, Community Services Director
Contact Information:
Town of Los Gatos
Community Services Department
208 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
(408) 354-6820
(408) 395-8640 - fax
Email: community@town.los-gatos.ca.us
Community Development Department
Bud Lortz, Community Development Director
Marty Woodworth, Redevelopment Manager
Contact Information:
Town of Los Gatos
Community Development Department
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
(408) 354-6874
(408) 354-7593 - fax
Email: planning@town.los-gatos.ca.us
Parks and Public Works
John Curtis, Parks and Public Works Director
Contact Information:
Town of Los Gatos
Parks and Public Works Department
41 Miles Avenue
Los Gatos, CA 95030
(408) 354-5770
(408) 354-8529 - fax
Email: parks@town.los-gatos.ca.us
Administrative Services and Finance Department
Stephen Conway, Finance and Administrative Services Director
Contact Information:
Town of Los Gatos
Administrative Services and Finance Department
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
(408) 354-6832
(408) 354-7593 - fax
Email: finance@town.los-gatos.ca.us
Town Attorney's Office
Orry Korb, Town Attorney
Contact Information:
Town of Los Gatos
Town Attorney's Office
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
(408) 354-6880
(408) 399-5786 - fax
Email: attorney@town.los-gatos.ca.us
Library Department
Peggy Conaway, Library Director
Contact Information:
Town of Los Gatos
Library Department
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
(408) 354-6891
(408) 399-5755 - fax
Email: referencelibrarian@town.los-gatos.ca.us
Human Resources Department
Gary Rogers, Human Resources Director
Contact Information:
Town of Los Gatos
Human Resources
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
(408) 354-6832
(408) 399-5786 - fax
Email: personnel@town.los-gatos.ca.us