Staff Report.Minutes 032123
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 04/04/2023 ITEM NO: 2
DRAFT
Minutes of the Town Council Meeting
March 21, 2023
The Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a regular meeting in-person and utilizing
teleconferencing means on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at 7:00 p.m.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Maria Ristow (participated remotely under AB 2449 “Just Cause”), Vice Mayor
Mary Badame, Council Member Matthew Hudes, Council Member Rob Moore, Council Member
Rob Rennie.
Absent: None
Mayor Ristow stated she will be participating remotely under AB2449 due to a contagious
illness, and no one over 18 years old is in the room with her.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Juliette Vrijen led the Pledge of Allegiance. The audience was invited to participate.
PRESENTATIONS
Vice Mayor Badame presented a proclamation for Red Cross Month to Juan Benitez a Red Cross
Board Member and Los Gatos resident.
Vice Mayor Badame presented commendations to members of the Senior Service Committee to
recognize their service in preparing the Senior Roadmap.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Gabrielle Whelan, Town Attorney, stated Council met in Closed Session on Thursday, March 16,
2023, to discuss potential litigation duly noted on the agenda and there is no report.
COUNCIL/TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
Council Matters
- Council Member Hudes stated he met with individuals on various Town Committees and
Commissions, met with several individuals on a variety of topics including: wildfire and
vegetation management strategy, finance policy, amateur radio emergency services, Senior
Roadmap implementation, Eucalyptus trees on Overlook Road; met with a former Senior
Service Committee member; attended an Enhanced Health Services presentation by former
Mayor Sayoc and County Supervisor Joe Simitian; and announced amateur radio service
“HAM Cram” courses will begin April 1, 2023.
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Council Matters – continued
- Council Member Rennie stated he attended the Enhanced Health Services presentation by
former Mayor Sayoc and County Supervisor Joe Simitian, the Silicon Valley Clean Energy
Authority (SVCEA) Board meeting, the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Policy Advisory
Committee meeting, the Cities Association Board meeting, and the Finance Commission
meeting; received an update on the North 40 Phase II plan; spoke at a Democracy Tent
meeting; met with residents regarding Fire Department costs and services, and capital
emergency preparedness funding; and announced May is Bike month.
- Council Member Moore stated he met with residents regarding homelessness, traffic,
wireless communications, and schools during his Council Member Community Coffee
event; and attended an assembly on culture and diversity at Daves Elementary School, the
Cal Cities Statewide Community Services Committee meeting, the KCAT Community
Storytelling Series, the Ethos ribbon cutting, the Enhanced Health Services presentation by
former Mayor Sayoc and County Supervisor Joe Simitian, Plant-Based Advocates speaker
series, a meet-up for people interested in housing, the Housing Element Advisory Board
(HEAB) meeting, and the West Valley Sanitation District meeting.
- Mayor Ristow stated she attended the Chamber of Commerce Gala, the Ethos ribbon
cutting, the Rockefeller Capital Management ribbon cutting, the St. Vincent de Paul at St.
Mary’s monthly meeting, the Finance Commission meeting, and the HEAB meeting as an
observer; met with 7th graders at Fisher Middle School regarding their projects; delivered a
birthday card on behalf of the Town Council for resident Tomoko-san’s 91st birthday; and
thanked Council for picking up obligations while she is out.
- Vice Mayor stated she attended a meeting with Don Capobres, Eden Housing, and
Grosvenor regarding the North 40 Phase II, Finance Commission as an observer, Pi Day
celebration at Mathnasium and presented awards, and the Plant-Based Advocates speaker
series.
Manager Matters
- Announced the newest Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class will hold their
graduation at the Saratoga Senior Center on Saturday, March 25 at 12:30 p.m.
- Announced the San Francisco Opera will be coming to Los Gatos Civic Center Lawn on
March 24 and 25 at 7:30 p.m., and on March 26 at 2:00 p.m.
- Announced Town staff will be at the farmer’s market on Sunday, March 26 to discuss the
Housing Element.
- Announced Spring into Green will be held on Sunday, April 23, 2023 and more information
is forthcoming.
CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Approve Closed Session Meeting Minutes of March 6, 2023.
2. Approve Closed Session Meeting Minutes of March 7, 2023.
3. Approve Council Meeting Minutes of March 7, 2023.
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Consent Items – continued
4. Appoint Vice Mayor Mary Badame as the Council Liaison to the Community Health and
Senior Services Commission.
5. Receive the Monthly Financial and Investment Report (January 2023).
6. Accept the Annual Progress Report for General Plan and Housing Element Implementation.
7. Receive the Independent Accountants’ Report on Agreed-Upon Procedures on Measure G
Revenues and Expenditures for the Period July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022.
8. Authorize the Town Manager to Execute a Third Amendment to the Consultant Services
Agreement with Dixon Resources Unlimited (Dixon) for the Comprehensive Downtown
Parking Study (813-0242) to Extend the Contract term, Add to the Scope of Services, and
Additional Compensation.
9. Approve Partial Rent Relief for Los Gatos-Saratoga Recreation and the New Museums of Los
Gatos (NUMU) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023/24, Using Available American Rescue Plan Act
(ARPA) Dollars.
Opened public comment.
Marie Cameron
- Commented in support of New Museums of Los Gatos (NUMU) partial rent relief related to
item 9.
Ami Davis, NUMU Executive Director
- Commented in support of the New Museums of Los Gatos (NUMU) partial rent relief
related to item 9 and requested additional rent relief on a permanent basis.
Kimberly Snyder, NUMU Interim Executive Director
- Commented in support of the New Museums of Los Gatos (NUMU) partial rent relief
related to item 9.
Nancy Rollett, Los Gatos-Saratoga Recreation Executive Director
- Commented in support of the Los Gatos-Saratoga Recreation partial rent relief related to
item 9.
Closed public comment.
Council Member Hudes pulled items 6 and 9.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Rennie to approve items 1-5, 7, and 8. Seconded by
Council Member Moore.
VOTE: Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote.
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VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
Lynley Hogan
- Read an excerpt from author Paul Harvey.
Gary Kohlsaat
- Commented on concerns with Public Resources Code Section 4290 regarding fire safety
regulations and requested Council consider drafting a resolution similar to Saratoga to
streamline projects.
Catherine Somers
- Commented on unhoused residents seeking a shelter from the weather and requested
information to assist these residents.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
10. Introduce a Proposed Ordinance Amending Section 3.50.015 of the Town Code to Increase
Maximum Bingo Award to $500.
Gabrielle Whelan, Town Attorney, presented the staff report.
Opened public comment.
No one spoke.
Closed public comment.
Council discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Rennie to approve the introduction of the Ordinance
titled “An Ordinance of the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos Amending
Chapter 3 “Amusements” of the Town Code Regarding Bingo Award Amount.
Seconded by Council Member Moore.
VOTE: Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote.
11. Fee and Fine Schedules for Fiscal Year 2023/24:
a. Adopt a Resolution Approving the Comprehensive Fee Schedule for Fiscal Year 2023/24
to Continue Certain Department Fees, Rates, and Charges, and Amending Certain Fees,
Rates, and Charges for Fiscal Year 2023/24. RESOLUTION 2023-012
b. Adopt a Resolution Approving the Comprehensive Fine Schedule for Fiscal Year 2023/24
to Continue Certain Department Fines and Amending Certain Fines for Fiscal Year
2023/24. RESOLUTION 2023-013
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Public Hearing Item #11 – continued
Gitta Ungvari, Finance Director, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
No one spoke.
Closed Public Comment.
Council discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Rennie to adopt a resolution approving the
Comprehensive Fee Schedule in Attachment 1 of the staff report for Fiscal Year
2023/24 to continue certain Department fees, rates, and charges, and amending
certain fees, rates, and charges for Fiscal Year 2023/24; and adopt a resolution
approving the Comprehensive Fine Schedule in Attachment 3 of the staff report for
Fiscal Year 2023/24 to continue certain Department fines and amending certain
fines for Fiscal Year 2023/24. Seconded by Council Member Hudes.
VOTE: Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote.
OTHER BUSINESS 12. Receive a Report on Roadside Fire Fuel Reduction (Vegetation Management) (CIP 812-
0130) and Provide Direction on 2023 Work Plan.
Council Member Hudes stated he lives within 1,000 feet of Eucalyptus trees on Overlook Road
that will be discussed during this item and in consultation with the Town Attorney, stated he
will participate in the discussion and consideration of this item.
Nicolle Burnham, Parks and Public Works Director, presented the staff report.
Opened public comment.
Anita Goddard
- Commented on her experience with the fallen Eucalyptus trees on Overlook Road and
requested removal of the trees.
Linda Rodriguez
- Commented on her experience with the fallen Eucalyptus trees on Overlook Road,
requested removal of the trees, and would like the removal to be moved up to a priority
one.
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Other Business Item #12 – continued
Mary O’Connell
- Commented on her experience with the fallen eucalyptus trees on Overlook Road and
requested removal of the trees.
Rob Stump
- Commented on wildfire preparation and prevention; requested the Town approve
$750,000 to match the Federal Emergency Management Agency grant for roadside fuel
reduction; authorize a minimum of $250,000 to remove Eucalyptus trees; and requested
additional funding to support weed abatement.
Aileen Braga
- Commented concerns of the Eucalyptus trees on Overlook Road and requested removal of
the trees.
Closed public comment.
Council discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Rennie to move the Eucalyptus trees on Overlook Road
to priority one and allocate $750,000 in fiscal year 2022/23 to match the federal
grant. Seconded by Council Member Hudes.
VOTE: Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote.
Recess 8:59 p.m.
Reconvene 9:10 p.m.
13. Receive Preliminary Fiscal Year 2023/24 – 2027/28 Five-Year Capital Improvement Program
(CIP) Information and Provide Direction on Project Priorities.
Nicolle Burnham, Parks and Public Works Director, presented the staff report.
Opened public comment.
Nancy Walker
- Commented on concerns with the storm drain on Loma Street not draining properly
causing flooding of the street and surrounding homes, and requested Council prioritize the
storm drain issue.
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Other Business Item #13 – continued
Kerry Lindholm
- Commented on concerns with the storm drain on Loma Street causing flooding of the
street and surrounding homes, and requested Council prioritize the storm drain issue.
Richard Newell
- Commented on the storm drain on Loma Street does not drain properly and provided a
presentation, requested the Council prioritize the storm drain issue.
Tom Picraux
- Commented on the community garden’s design and implementation concerns.
Patrick Dirks
- Requested Capital Improvement budget for fiscal years 2024, 2025 and 2026 to modernize
and build out certain emergency management facilities including Incident Command Posts.
Ron Meyer
- Commented on prioritizing projects that support public safety, street infrastructure,
wildfire maintenance, and requested information on how projects get prioritized.
Catherine Somers
- Commented on using the balance of funding in the downtown streetscape project to do
revitalization projects.
Closed public comment.
Council provided feedback to staff with three or more Council Members supporting the
reallocation of the Winchester Boulevard project grant funds, the storm drainage projects, the
community garden design project, and emergency preparedness.
Pulled Consent Items
6. Accept the Annual Progress Report for General Plan and Housing Element Implementation.
Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager, stated staff is available for questions.
Opened public comment.
No one spoke.
Closed public comment.
Council discussed the item.
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Pulled Consent Item #6 – continued
Council Members Hudes and Badame requested the Mayor place the Housing Element on the
first available Council meeting agenda.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Hudes to accept the annual progress report for the
General Plan and Housing Element implementation. Seconded by Vice Mayor
Badame.
VOTE: Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote.
9. Approve Partial Rent Relief for Los Gatos-Saratoga Recreation and the New Museums of Los
Gatos (NUMU) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023/24, Using Available American Rescue Plan Act
(ARPA) Dollars.
Opened public comment.
Catherine Somers
- Commented in support LGS Recreation 55+ and NUMU programs, and requested Council
utilize ARPA funds to provide full rent relief for another year.
Tom Picraux
- Commented on concerns with having a sustainable continuation of social recreation
programs for older adults.
Closed public comment.
Council discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Moore to approve partial rent relief for Los Gatos-
Saratoga Recreation and the New Museums of Los Gatos (NUMU) for Fiscal Year (FY)
2023/24, using available American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars. Seconded by
Council Member Hudes.
VOTE: Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 11:12 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
_____________________________________
Jenna De Long, Deputy Clerk