Attachment 5 - August 23, 2022 Policy Committee ReportPREPARED BY: Holly Young
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: 08/23/2022 ITEM NO: 3
DATE: August 15, 2022
TO: Council Policy Committee
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Consider Updates to the Town Core Goals and Guiding Principles to Align with
the 2040 General Plan
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider updates to the Town Core Goals and Guiding Principles to align with the 2040 General
Plan.
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 Core 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.
On March 22, 2022, staff brought proposed updates to the Council Policy Committee for review
and direction. The staff report is Attachment 3 to this report. After discussion, the Committee
unanimously agreed to postpone this item until after the Draft 2040 General Plan was adopted
by Council so that the General Plan’s Vision and Guiding Principles may provide a foundation for
the amendments to the Town’s Core Goals and Guiding Principles.
On June 30, 2022, the Town Council adopted the Draft 2040 General Plan with modifications.
The Vision and Guiding Principles section of the General Plan is Attachment 4 to this report.
ATTACHMENT 5
PAGE 2 OF 4 SUBJECT: Core Goals and Guiding Principles DATE: August 23, 2022
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 adopted 2040 General Plan’s Vision and
Guiding Principles. Recommended deleted existing language is represented in strikethrough
with recommended additions in underline.
Community Character: Preserve and enhance the appearance, character, and environmental
quality of the Community. Town’s historic resources and small-town character; foster the
economic vitality of all business locations; maintain and enhance diverse neighborhoods;
promote sustainability practices; and protect and conserve the natural environment for present
and future generations.
Community Good Governance: Ensure open, responsive, accountable, transparent, accessible,
inclusive, and collaborative government that encourages public involvement.
Fiscal Stability: Maintain ongoing and long-term fiscal well-being stability while providing high-
quality, to provide cost effective municipal core services that meet the needs of the
community.
Quality Public Infrastructure: Maintain the condition and availability of public facilities,
infrastructure, and a well-connected transportation system that enables safe access for all
transportation modes, including pedestrians, people with access and functional needs,
bicyclists, motorists, transit riders, and people of all ages and abilities. transportation systems,
and other public infrastructure.
Civic Engagement: Foster opportunities for meaningful community citizen involvement in
government processes, encourage recreational and personal enrichment, and cultural,
recreational, and individual enrichment. and promote ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic
diversity and equity to enhance the quality of life in Los Gatos.
Public Safety: Ensure public safety through preparation, proactive community policing,
effective emergency response, and community-wide emergency preparedness. education, and
a community design that is responsive to the full range of potential natural and human-made
hazards and safety issues.
PAGE 3 OF 4 SUBJECT: Core Goals and Guiding Principles DATE: August 23, 2022
DISCUSSION (continued):
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, equitable,
and responsive manner. We know that Los Gatos is a welcoming, family-oriented, safe,
beautiful, and sustainable community where people want to live in because they feel a sense of
belonging. Our small-town character is important to all who visit, work, and live in call Los
Gatos home. We strive to make our customer service reflect these qualities. Small-tTown
sService is also about programs that celebrate the Town’s small-town charm character, such as
our Library children’s story times and arts workshops, the 4th of July musical celebration event,
Screen on the Green family-friendly movie nights, 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; a range of
housing opportunities; historic neighborhoods; and a balanced, well-designed community with
strong neighborhoods, outdoor recreation opportunities; environmental sustainability; local
culture and art; art and cultural amenities, reliable basic equitable and responsive municipal
services; open and transparent government processes; , vibrant shopping districts,; a lively and
accessible downtown; dynamic and thriving business community; public safety; a safe
environment,; a choice of mobility options; superior public facilities and services; 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 aim to ensure a high quality of life for today’s residents and for present
and future generations, positioning the Town to be resilient as the climate changes. Planning
for the Los Gatos of the future as needs change and opportunities arise is integral to the
decision-making we undertake today. We work to preserve and enhance the Town’s historic
resources, small-town character, and natural environment while guiding the community into
the future. Our General Plan is subject to change as ideas develop and priorities evolve. We
also keep the future in focus by looking for more efficient new and better ways of doing
business – whether it’s streamlining processes or utilizing effective technologies. using
technology to deliver services more efficiently.
A clean copy of the proposed edits can be found as Attachment 5 to this report.
PAGE 4 OF 4 SUBJECT: Core Goals and Guiding Principles DATE: August 23, 2022
CONCLUSION:
Staff looks forward to the Committee’s discussion and recommendations.
COORDINATION:
This report was coordinated with the Community Development Department, Town Attorney’s
Office, and Town Manager’s Office.
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. Current Core Goals
2. Current Guiding Principles
3. March 22, 2022 Policy Committee Staff Report
4. Approved Los Gatos 2040 General Plan Vision and Guiding Principles
5. Clean Copy of Proposed Edits