Attachment 2 - Public CommentsTown of Los Gatos
Finance Commission Meeting – March 13, 2023
March 15, 2023
Dear Finance Commission Members,
On Monday evening, I outlined wildfire initiatives that need to be addressed in
the coming fiscal year and other longer-term funding requirements.
Fiscal Year 23/24
The top priority remains roadside fuel reduction. The program that has been
implemented to address vegetation on 31 miles of Los Gatos roadway in the high
fire zone is now in its third year. In Fiscal Years 20/21 & 21/22, the Town funded
Capital projects totaling $1 million that allowed around 10 miles of roadway to be
completed. In Fiscal Year (FY) 22/23, $700,000 from Build Back Better will be
applied to this effort. We need to keep-up the funding effort and commit another
$500,000 for roadside fuel reduction in FY 23/24 and follow suit in FYs 24/25 and
25/26.
Once a first pass is made, the process needs to be repeated. We need to move to
a 6-year trim cycle. While funding requirements will be far less than the first pass,
roadside fuel reduction is on-going requirement.
In addition, the Town needs to fund a weed abatement program for the same
roadways. Two weed abatement passes are needed annually – a total of 62 miles.
The Town needs to take this action to reduce fire risk along the roadways and
ensure compliance with weed abatement requirements. An estimate for annual
weed abatement is $300,000-$500,000 ($5,000-$8,000/mile).
Addressing Longer-Term Needs
As we think longer-term, piecemeal funding is a painfully slow process to make LG
more wildfire resistant. We have had success with grants and should continue
pursuing but we cannot depend upon grants as the primary source. In the longer
term, we need to think about a Public Safety parcel tax – yes, wildfire preparation
and prevention included. Other capital requirements include:
1.An Enhanced Communication System: a network of Loudspeakers allowing for
voice commands across the hillside needs to be implemented. A proposal was
received in 2022 with a quoted cost around $1.5 million for a turnkey system.
ATTACHMENT 2
Town of Los Gatos
Finance Commission Meeting – March 13, 2023
2. Evacuation Route Road Width: we must meet the State requirement for 20
feet of clear road width. Needed roadway improvements including widening
or periodic turnouts could total into the millions.
3. Eucalyptus Removal Program: we should aggressively take action to remove
non-native Eucalyptus trees throughout the Town on public and private
property.
4. Water Supply Reinforcement: San Jose Water Service mains need to be
extended in some hillside locations.
Los Gatos has paid attention to the threat of wildfire and taken positive steps
forward. We need to accelerate our efforts. This can only be accomplished
through a long-term planning effort that includes funding. From a wildfire
standpoint, the Town is almost in a constant state of emergency whether we
admit it or not. We need to take steps now to match our actions with the
ongoing threat.
I am happy to answer any questions and of course serve in any capacity that will
move our planning and funding efforts forward quickly.
Best regards,
Rob Stump