Staff Report.011822 Minutes
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 02/01/2022 ITEM NO: 1
DRAFT
Minutes of the Town Council Meeting
January 18, 2022
The Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a regular meeting utilizing
teleconference 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.) and Town of Los Gatos Resolution
2021-044 on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at 7:00 p.m.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Rob Rennie, Vice Mayor Maria Ristow, Council Member Mary Badame, Council
Member Matthew Hudes, Council Member Marico Sayoc (all participating remotely).
Absent: None.
PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Rennie thanked the outgoing Commissioners and read the Commendation each will
receive.
COUNCIL/TOWN MANAGER REPORTS Council Matters
- Council Member Sayoc stated she attended the Cities Association City Selection Committee
meeting and is working with the Peninsula Division to curate a series of webinars, the first
of which will be on housing.
- Vice Mayor Ristow stated she attended the West Valley Sanitation District (WVSD) Board of
Directors meeting; observed the Finance Commission and Complete Streets and
Transportation Commission (CSTC) meetings; attended community meetings for Together
We Will (TWW), Los Gatos Meadows, Democracy Tent, Shannon Road Community Outreach
with Council Member Hudes, Safe Routes to School (SR2S), and North 40 with a Harmonie
Park representative; participated in a Silicon Valley Bike Coalition Bicycle Champion training;
met with residents and a cannabis business owner; and toured Airfield Cannabis Supply
Collective.
- Council Member Badame stated she observed the Finance Commission meeting and met
with residents.
- Council Member Hudes stated he attended the Finance Commission, Santa Clara County
Cities Association City Selection Committee, and Shannon Road Community Outreach
meetings, State and Local Officials Use of Infrastructure Funds webinar, and observed the
Planning Commission meeting.
PAGE 2 OF 8 SUBJECT: Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of January 18, 2022 DATE: January 18, 2022
Council Matters – continued
- Mayor Rennie attended the Finance Commission, Bay Area Air Quality Management District
(BAAQMD) Mobile Source, Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Board and Policy Advisory
Committee (PAC) meetings, Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority (SVCEA) Board, Santa
Clara County Cities Association Legislative Action Committee and Board meetings, New
Commissioner Orientation, and a Ribbon Cutting for Teleferic Barcelona.
Manager Matters
- Introduced newly appointed Police Chief Jamie Field.
- Announced free COVID testing will be held at the Adult Recreation Center (ARC) on January
28; appointments are recommended and will be available beginning Friday, January 21.
- Announced the Youth Commission is hosting an event to welcome new residents to the
Town of Los Gatos on January 29, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. at Oak Meadow Park.
CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Approve Draft Minutes of the December 14, 2021 Special Town Council Meeting -
Commissioner Interviews.
2. Approve Draft Minutes of the December 14, 2021 Special Meeting of the Town Council.
3. Approve Draft Minutes of the December 21, 2021 Town Council Meeting.
4. Adopt a Resolution Reaffirming Resolution 2021-044 Regarding Brown Act Compliance and
Teleconferencing and Making Findings Pursuant to Government Code Section 54953, as
Amended by Assembly Bill 361, During the COVID -19 Pandemic. RESOLUTION 2022-001
5. Adopt a Resolution to Rescind the Los Gatos Boulevard Plan. RESOLUTION 2022-002
6. Actuarial Services Agreement:
a. Authorize the Town Manager to Execute a Five-Year Agreement with Bartel Associates,
LLC to Provide Actuarial Services for the Town of Los Gatos in Amount of $170,400, Plus
an Additional $20,000 for Other Services as Required for a Total Agreement Amount Not
to Exceed $190,400; and,
b. Approve an Expenditure Budget Adjustment in the Amount of $11,000 from Available
Capital/Special Projects Reserve.
Council Member Hudes pulled item #5.
Opened public comment.
Kim Hastings
- Did not speak due to technical difficulties.
Closed public comment.
PAGE 3 OF 8 SUBJECT: Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of January 18, 2022 DATE: January 18, 2022
Consent Items – continued
MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Ristow to approve consent items 1-6, exclusive of item 5.
Seconded by Council Member Sayoc.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
Kim Hastings
- Did not speak due to technical difficulties.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
7. Weed Abatement Program Public Hearing to Consider Objections to the Proposed
Abatement of Hazardous Vegetation (Weeds) for Properties Listed on the 2022 Weed
Abatement Program Commencement Report and Order the Abatement.
Matt Morley, Parks and Public Workers Director, presented the staff report.
Opened public comment.
No one spoke.
Closed public comment.
Council discussed the item.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Badame to order the abatement of hazardous
vegetation (weeds) for properties listed on the 2022 Weed Abatement Program
Commencement Report (Attachment 1). Seconded by Vice Mayor Ristow.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
8. Discuss and Provide Direction on the Following Actions to Continue the Town’s Support of
Economic Recovery and Community Vitality in Response to the Ongoing COVID-19
Pandemic, Including:
a. Extend the Temporary Krail from January 31, 2022 until May 1, 2022 to Allow for
Construction to Begin on the Semi-Permanent Parklets;
b. Authorize an Expenditure Budget Adjustment in the Amount of $28,000 from ARPA
funding for Krail Rental;
PAGE 4 OF 8 SUBJECT: Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of January 18, 2022 DATE: January 18, 2022
Other Business Item #8 – continued
c. Consider Delaying the Decision to Program Some of the Identified Public Parklet
Locations until the Completion of the Semi-Permanent Parklet Program; and
d. Receive update on Grays Lane Plans and Provide Additional Direction on Programming
the Public Areas for Placemaking.
Monica Renn, Economic Vitality Manager, presented the staff report.
Opened public comment.
Catherine Somers, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director
- Inquired if a survey can be administered to Downtown retailers to determine if they support
or oppose parklets; requested the Town receive commitments from the restaurants who
would like to build semi-permanent parklets.
John Keller, Hero’s Ranch
- Suggested a survey be done on how the retailers view the parklets, and that the long-term
vision of the streetscape design of the parklet design on Grays Lane be decided before
spending more funds on temporary measures.
Kristina Taroni
- Inquired if there will be any assistance available from the Town to help the businesses build
the parklets.
Sandy O
- Requested outreach to the residents of Grays Lane.
Donna Novi, Pastaria
- Commented in support of the temporary krail extension and requested approval of an
extension for fire safe shelters over the temporary parklets.
Closed public comment.
Council discussed the item.
MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Ristow to extend the temporary krail until May 1, 2022 for
businesses that commit to build a semi-permanent parklet by January 31, allowing
for the application fee payment and engagement with the architect by May 1 and
remove the temporary krail by January 31, 2022 from those businesses who have
not committed to a semi-permanent parklet. Seconded by Council Member Hudes.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
PAGE 5 OF 8 SUBJECT: Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of January 18, 2022 DATE: January 18, 2022
Other Business Item #8 – continued
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Badame to authorize an expenditure budget
adjustment in the amount of $28,000 from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
funding for krail rental. Seconded by Vice Mayor Ristow.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Ristow to move forward with programming parklet locations
1 and 5 and delay any action on parklet locations 2, 3, and 4 as outlined in the staff
report until completion of the semi-permanent parklets. Seconded by Council
Member Badame.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Hudes to direct staff to work collaboratively with the
businesses on Grays Lane to present Council with three conceptual design options
that would include the possibility of existing parklet designs, excluding areas that
already have building permits or designs approved. Motion failed for lack of a
second.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Sayoc to receive update on Grays Lane plans that
include what has been proposed and is in process, staff to continue the discussion
with those on Grays Lane, including residents, if there are opportunities to program
the public space in a way that does not impede or delay Hero Ranch’s building
permits. Seconded By Vice Mayor Ristow.
VOTE: Motion passed 4/1. Council Member Hudes voting no.
MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Ristow to permit fire safe roofing with no sides during the
rainy season for the parklets and with approval from the Fire Department prior to
installation. Seconded by Council Member Hudes.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
Recess 9:23 p.m.
Reconvene 9:30 p.m.
9. Reconfirm Prior Music in the Park (MIP) Council Action.
Arn Andrews, Assistant Town Manager, presented the staff report.
Opened public comment.
PAGE 6 OF 8 SUBJECT: Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of January 18, 2022 DATE: January 18, 2022
Other Business Item #9 – continued
Kim Hastings
- Did not speak due to technical difficulties.
Catherine Somers, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director
- Commented on sponsorships for Music in the Park and other summer events and requested
Council consider analyzing and allocating resources appropriately.
Closed public comment.
Council discussed the item.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Badame to reconfirm prior Music in the Park (MIP)
Council action. Seconded by Council Member Hudes.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
10. Cannabis Consultant Services:
a. Authorize the Town Manager to Engage the Services of a Cannabis Consultant to
Evaluate the Potential Taxation of Cannabis and Potential Amendments to the Town’s
Cannabis Ordinance in an Amount not to exceed $50,000; and,
b. Approve an Expenditure Budget Adjustment in the Amount of $50,000 from Available
Capital/Special Projects Reserve.
Rob Schultz, Interim Town Attorney, presented the staff report.
Opened public comment.
Christopher Lane, Airfield Supply Company
- Commented on modern cannabis retail and described commercial cannabis operations.
Joanne Rodgers
- Commented in opposition of the item.
Joe Rodgers
- Commented in opposition of the item.
Rob Moore
- Commented in support of the item.
Diana Pleasant
- Commented in opposition of the item.
PAGE 7 OF 8 SUBJECT: Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of January 18, 2022 DATE: January 18, 2022
Other Business Item #10 – continued
Natasha Cougoule
- Commented in support of the item.
Lee Quintana
- Commented in support of the item.
Kristina Taroni
- Commented in support of the item.
Donna McCurrie
- Commented in support of the item.
Celine Leroy
- Commented in opposition of the item.
Closed public comment.
Recess 11:07 p.m.
Reconvened at 11:11 p.m.
Council discussed the item.
MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Ristow to authorize the Town Manager to engage the
services of a cannabis consultant to evaluate the potential taxation of cannabis and
potential amendments to the Town’s Cannabis Ordinance in an amount not to
exceed $50,000; approve an expenditure budget adjustment in the amount of
$50,000 from available Capital/Special Projects Reserve. AMENDMENT: Staff to
bring a more focused consultant scope back to Council, including community
outreach and surveying, the potential taxation of cannabis, revenue estimates, and
the potential parameters for a cannabis ordinance. Seconded by Mayor Rennie.
VOTE: Motion passed 4/1. Council Member Badame voting no.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Sayoc to continue the meeting until 12:15 a.m. or until
pulled consent item 5 is finished, whichever is earlier. Seconded by Council Member
Hudes.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
PAGE 8 OF 8 SUBJECT: Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of January 18, 2022 DATE: January 18, 2022
PULLED CONSENT ITEM
5. Adopt a Resolution to Rescind the Los Gatos Boulevard Plan. RESOLUTION 2022-002
Jennifer Armer, Planning Manager, presented the staff report.
Opened public comment.
No one spoke.
Closed public comment.
Council discussed the item.
MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Ristow to adopt a resolution to rescind the Los Gatos
Boulevard Plan as stated in Attachment 2. Seconded by Council Member Sayoc.
VOTE: Motion passed 4/1. Council Member Hudes voting no.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 12:01 a.m.
Respectfully submitted:
_____________________________________
Jenna De Long, Deputy Clerk