M04-04-23TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Minutes of the Town Council Meeting
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
The Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a regular meeting in -person and utilizing
teleconferencing means on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at 7:00 p.m.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Maria Ristow, Vice Mayor Mary Badame, Council Member Matthew Hudes
(participated remotely under AB 2449 "Just Cause'), Council Member Rob Moore, Council
Member Rob Rennie.
Absent: None
APPROVE REMOTE PARTICIPATION
Council Member Hudes stated he will be participating remotely under AB2449 due to a
contagious illness, and no one over 18 years old is in the room with him.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Louise Van Meter Student Council led the Pledge of Allegiance. The audience was invited to
participate.
PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Ristow presented a proclamation for National Poetry Month to Poet Laureate Jen
Siraganian. The Poet Laureate read a poem. The Mayor and Poet Laureate recognized the
Youth and Teen Annual Poetry Contest winners.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Gabrielle Whelan, Town Attorney, stated Council met in Closed Session on April 3, 2023 to
discuss the items duly noted on the closed session agenda and there was no reportable action.
COUNCIL/TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
Council Matters
Council Member Hudes stated he met with members of the Community Health and Senior
Services Commission (CHSSC), members of the former Senior Service Committee (SSC),
attended a Democracy Tent interview, and met with residents concerning senior services.
Council Member Moore stated the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors expanded the
Countywide Trusted Response Urgent Support Team (TRUST) Program; attended the Daves
Avenue Culture Fair; participated in judging the Morning Rotary Speech Contest,the
League of California Cities meetingtitled "Beyond the Housing Element Resources, Ideals
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 • 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
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SUBJECT: Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of April 4, 2023
DATE: April 4, 2023
Council Matters —continued
and Lessons for What's Next;" attended the NUMU Art Now exhibit highlighting student
art; attended the West Valley Community Services Chefs of Compassion dinner; became a
Ham Radio Operator; met with staff representing State and Congressional Offices regarding
legislative priorities; and announced his monthly Council Member community coffee at Los
Gatos Roasting Coffee.
- Vice Mayor Badame stated she attended the West Valley Mayors and Managers meeting,
the CHSSC meeting as the Council Liaison, and the Rotary Speech Contest as a judge; and
met with Senator Josh Becker.
- Council Member Rennie stated he had no items in addition to the events and meetings
already stated.
- Mayor Ristow stated in addition the meetings and events already stated, she attended the
Kiwanis Volunteer Fair; met with women who are current and former elected officials of
Santa Clara County, representatives from Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition, and Senator Josh
Becker.
Manager Matters
- Announced April is Keep Los Gatos Beautiful Month and series of activities will be offered
throughout the month.
- Announced Spring into Green will be held on April 23, 2023, at Town Plaza Park at 10 a.m.
to 1:00 p.m. and invited all to attend.
CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Approve Closed Session Meeting Minutes of March 16, 2023.
2. Approve Council Meeting Minutes of March 21, 2023.
3. Annual Curb, Gutter, and Sidewalk Maintenance Project (CIP No. 813-9921):
a. Award and Execute a Construction Agreement with Spencon Construction in an Amount
Not to Exceed $427,520; and
b. Authorize Staff to Execute Change Orders in an Amount Not to Exceed Ten Percent of
the Contract Award Amount.
4. Adopt Ordinance 2339 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
Amending Section 3.50.015 of the Town Code to Increase the Maximum Bingo Award to
$500". ORDINANCE 2339
Opened public comment.
No one spoke.
Closed public comment.
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SUBJECT: Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of April 4, 2023
DATE: April 4, 2023
Consent Items —continued
MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Badame to approve consent items 1-4. Seconded by Council
Member Moore.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
Blake Thornberry
- Commented on Blossom Hill Road safety concerns including a recent collision, requested
repainting Blossom Hill Road, installing more infrastructure, and asked the Council to help
collaborate with San Jose to create a safer stretch of road.
Jessica Thornberry
- Commented on Blossom Hill Road safety concerns including a recent collision and would
like to work together to create a safer environment for all.
Joshua Fang and Shunxiang Fang
- Commented on Blossom Hill Road safety concerns including a recent collision involving his
wife and requested Council make the road safer.
Selina Lu
- Commented on Blossom Hill Road safety concerns and requested the Council provide
assistance to the affected family.
Gavin Lu
- Requested action be taken to deter speeders such as automatic speeding cameras, posting
speed signs, and form a joint committee with San Jose to help make Blossom Hill Road
safer.
Eva Fleisher
- Commented on traffic safety concerns including a recent collision and suggested several
traffic safety improvement measures.
Lynley Hogan
- Commented on the Communist Party USA.
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SUBJECT: Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of April 4, 2023
DATE: April 4, 2023
PUBLIC HEARINGS
5. Introduce an Ordinance Repealing and Replacing Town Code Chapter 5, "Bicycles," with a
new Chapter 5, "Bicycles and Regulated Mobility Devices," to Remove Obsolete
Requirements and Add Regulations for E-Bikes and Regulated Mobility Devices and
Amending Section 23.30.010, "Exceptions from Article" to Address Required Approval of
Bicycle Racks in the Public Right of Way.
Gabrielle Whelan, Town Attorney, presented the item.
Opened Public Comment.
Kameron Emami, Youth Commissioner
- Commented in support of the Ordinance.
Taj Chunawala, Youth Commissioner
- Commented in support of the Ordinance.
Closed Public Comment.
Council discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Badame to introduce an ordinance repealing and replacing
Town Code Chapter 5, "Bicycles," with a new Chapter 5, "Bicycles and Regulated
Mobility Devices," per Attachment 1 of the staff report with an amendment to strike
the work "parks" from Section 5.10.070. Seconded by Council Member Moore.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.
Wendy Wood, Town Clerk read the title of the Ordinance, "An Ordinance of the Town Council
of the Town of Los Gatos Repealing and Replacing Chapter 5,'Bicycles/ of the Town Code with
a New Chapter 5, 'Bicycles and Regulated Mobility Devices' and Amending Section 23.30.010,
'Exceptions From Article,' of Title 23, 'Streets and Sidewalks,' to Address Bicycle Racks in the
Public Right of Way."
OTHER BUSINESS
6. Discussion and Direction for Use of the Council Allocated $25,000 to Support the Unhoused
Residents of Los Gatos.
Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager, presented the item.
Members of the faith -based community (Sue Ahmadian, Jo Greiner, Marna Taylor, and Ed
Lozowicki) presented their programs which support the unhoused residents of Los Gatos.
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SUBJECT: Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of April 4, 2023
DATE: April 4, 2023
Other Business Item #6—continued
Opened Public Comment.
Jeffrey Suzuki
- Requested the Council invest additional resources to support unhoused residents as soon
as possible.
Allan Bayless
- Requested the Council consider different housing approaches and commented on safety
concerns.
Kylie Clark, West Valley Community Services
- Commented on the unhoused and requested the Council invest additional resources to
support the unhoused community.
Chris Wiley
- Commented on a possible source of funds, past Town actions, and identification of existing
funds to support the unhoused.
Ali Miano, Los Gatos Anti -Racism Coalition
- Commented on possible shelter locations and requested the Town collaborate further with
other agencies and governments to find long term solutions to support the unhoused.
Ray Bramson, Destination Home
- Commented in support of Council Member Moore's proposal to support the unhoused.
Kinsey Lee, Los Gatos Anti -Racism Coalition
- Commented in support of Council Member Moore's proposal to support the unhoused.
Closed Public Comment.
Council discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Rennie to increase the allocation to a total of $50,000;
direct staff to figure out a "hotel" voucher program and return to Council with the
parameters and structure of the program before money is spent; move forward with
the $30,000 for the restrooms and shower program; direct staff to continue
research on what is working well in other places; and look at how to do better work
with potential partners like the County, other West Valley cities, non -profits, and
other service providers. Seconded by Mayor Ristow.
VOTE: Motion passed 4-1 by a roll call vote. Vice Mayor Badame voted no.
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SUBJECT: Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of April 4, 2023
DATE: April 4, 2023
Recess 9:47 p.m.
Reconvene 10:02 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
7. Consider a Request for an Exception to the Story Pole Policy to Allow an Alternative to
Standard Story Pole Installation to Illustrate and Provide Notice of the Proposed Project on
Property Zoned 0. Located at 15860-15894 Winchester Boulevard and 17484 Shelburne
Way. APN 529-11-013, -038, -039, and -040. Applicant/Property Owner: Green Valley Corp.
d.b.a. Swenson. Project Planner: Jennifer Armer.
Jennifer Armer, Planning Manager, presented the item.
Jesse Bristow, Applicant, provided a brief presentation and gave opening comments.
Opened Public Comment.
Eric Hulser
- Commented on concerns with visualizing the height and size of the project and requested
additional flagging.
Bryan Mekechuk
- Commented on concerns with the renderings, scale of the project, and outreach; and
suggested the use of a drone to view each direction from the project.
Closed Public Comment.
The Applicant provided closing comments.
Council discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Moore to grant a further exemption to the story pole
policy to allow an alternative standard story pole installation to illustrate and
provide notice on the proposed project on property zoned 0 that provides 6- by 8-
foot signage with bright colors that links to a video rendering and also informs
residents that the current story poles may not be representative of the final project,
with posted signage every 50 feet. AMENDMENT: the signage is not larger than 32
square feet each, and no more than one sign per parcel consistent with the Town
Code for construction signage. Seconded by Council Member Rennie.
VOTE: Motion passed 3-2 by a roll call vote. Council Member Hudes and Vice Mayor
Badame voting no.
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SUBJECT: Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of April 4, 2023
DATE: April 4, 2023
OTHER BUSINESS
8. Review and Discuss the Draft Revised 2023-2031 Housing Element as Submitted to the
California Housing and Community Development Department on March 31, 2023.
Jocelyn Shoopman, Associate Planner, presented the item.
Opened Public Comment.
Jeff Suzuki, Los Gatos Anti -Racism Coalition
- Commented on concerns of removing certain sites from the housing site inventory.
Ali Miano, Los Gatos Anti -Racism Coalition
- Commented on concerns of removing sites from the housing site inventory.
Kinsey Lee, Los Gatos Anti -Racism Coalition
- Commented in opposition of removing affordable housing sites from the proposed housing
element.
Nika Sabouri
- Commented on homelessness and poverty, and the need for affordable housing.
Closed Public Comment.
Council discussed the matter and no action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 11:24 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
Jenna De Long, Deputy Clerk