Attachment 3 - March 22, 2022 Policy Committee Staff ReportPREPARED BY: Holly Zappala
Management Analyst
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, and Town Attorney
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL POLICY COMMITTEE REPORT
MEETING DATE: 03/22/2022
ITEM NO: 2
DATE: March 7, 2022
TO: Council Policy Committee
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Discuss and Recommend to the Town Council Updates to the Town of Los
Gatos Core Goals and Guiding Principles
RECOMMENDATION:
Discuss and recommend to the Town Council updates to the Town of Los Gatos Core Goals and
Guiding Principles.
BACKGROUND:
At the Town Council Strategic Priorities meeting on January 25, 2022, the Council requested
that the Council Policy Committee examine the definitions of the Town’s Gore Goals of
Community Character, Good Governance, Fiscal Stability, Quality Public Infrastructure, Civic
Enrichment, and Public Safety. This is also a good opportunity to review the descriptions of the
Town’s Guiding Principles of Small-Town Service, Community Stewardship, and Future Focus.
The current Core Goals and Guiding Principles are available on the Town website as part of the
Commissioners’ Handbook at www.losgatosca.gov/843/Commissioners-Handbook and are
included as Attachments 1 and 2 to this report.
DISCUSSION:
Core Goals
Staff drafted the following potential updates to the Town’s Core Goals for the Committee’s
consideration using language consistent with the Draft 2040 General Plan’s Vision and Guiding
Principles. Recommended deleted existing language is represented in strikethrough with
recommended additions in underline.
Attachment 3
PAGE 2 OF 4
SUBJECT: Core Goals and Guiding Principles
DATE: March 22, 2022
DISCUSSION (continued):
Community Character: Preserve and enhance the appearance, Town’s historic resources and
character charm, and environmental quality of the Community. while guiding the community
into the future; invigorate the economic vitality of Los Gatos business locations; foster
appropriate investments to maintain and enhance diverse neighborhoods; promote ethnic,
cultural, and socio-economic equity; and conserve the Town’s natural beauty and environment
for present and future generations.
Community Good Governance: Ensure responsive, accountable, transparent, accessible,
inclusive, and collaborative government conducted in an open manner that encourages
community involvement.
Fiscal Stability: Maintain ongoing financial fiscal stability to provide high quality and cost-
effective core municipal services that meet the needs of the community and sustain the Town’s
long-term fiscal well-being.
Quality Public Infrastructure: Provide and M maintain exceptional the condition and availability
of public facilities, transportation systems public facilities, infrastructure, and a well-connected
transportation system that enables safe access for all transportation modes, including
pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities. and other public
infrastructure
Civic Engagement: Foster opportunities for meaningful citizen community involvement in
government processes; and encourage cultural, recreational, and individual enrichment; and
strive to make Los Gatos a more inclusive place for all.
Public Safety: Ensure public safety Maintain and enhance the safety of Los Gatos through
proactive community policing, effective emergency response, and community wide emergency
preparedness. and preparation and planning, education, and community design that is
responsive to the full range of potential natural and urban hazards and safety issues.
Guiding Principles
Potential updates to the Town’s Guiding Principles for the Committee’s consideration are as
follows:
Small-Town Service is our commitment to providing services in a courteous, timely, and
responsive, equitable, and accessible manner. We strive to ensure all community members feel
safe, respected, and comfortable to be themselves and express all aspects of their identities.
The Town promotes equal treatment, equitable distribution of and access to resources, and
engagement in issues affecting the lives of residents, workers, and visitors. We know that Los
Gatos is a community people want to live in because they feel a sense of
PAGE 3 OF 4
SUBJECT: Core Goals and Guiding Principles
DATE: March 22, 2022
DISCUSSION (continued):
belonging. Our small-town character is important to all who call Los Gatos home. We strive to
make our customer service reflect these qualities. Small-Town Service is also about programs
that celebrate the Town’s small-town character charm, such as our Library children’s story
times and arts workshops, the annual Spring into Green environmental and sustainability event,
the 4th of July musical celebration event, Screen on the Green family-friendly movie night,
annual tree lighting, Music in the Park, Forbes Mill Footbridge children’s murals, and many
more.
Community Stewardship means that we recognize the responsibility entrusted to Town leaders
and staff to care about the well-being of the entire community and to carry out our obligations
accordingly. We take our role seriously as we work to maintain fiscal stability and a balanced,
well designed community with strong neighborhoods, diverse neighborhoods with housing and
infrastructure to meet the needs of current and future residents, outdoor recreation
opportunities that promote active healthy lifestyles, environmental sustainability, art and
cultural amenities, natural and historical resources, a well-connected mobility system, reliable
basic and equitable municipal services, government transparency, vibrant shopping and vibrant
shopping districts economic vitality, a safe environment, and other quality of life elements. We
encourage a high degree of public participation and community partnerships to carry out our
stewardship role.
Future Focus reminds us to always have an eye on the future as we care for the community of
today. Our goal is We want to conserve Los Gatos’ beautiful natural environment, reduce
waste, and ensure a high quality of life for today’s residents and present and future
generations. We aim to preserve and enhance the Town’s historic resources and character
while guiding the community into the future. Planning for the Los Gatos of the future as needs
change and opportunities arise is integral to the decision making we undertake today. Our
General Plan is subject to change as ideas develop and priorities evolve. We also keep the
future in focus by looking for new and better ways of more efficient ways of doing business –
whether it’s streamlining processes or using utilizing effective technologies y to deliver services
more efficiently.
A clean copy of the proposed edits can be found as Attachment 3 to this report.
CONCLUSION:
Staff looks forward to the Committee’s discussion, direction, and recommendations.
COORDINATION:
This report was coordinated with the Town Attorney’s Office and Town Manager’s Office.
PAGE 4 OF 4
SUBJECT: Core Goals and Guiding Principles
DATE: March 22, 2022
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no associated fiscal impact.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
Attachments:
1. Core Goals
2. Guiding Principles
3. Clean Copy of Proposed Edits