03 Staff Report.Minutes
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 01/16/2024 ITEM NO: 3
DRAFT
Minutes of the Town Council Meeting
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
The Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a regular meeting in-person and utilizing
teleconferencing means on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at 7:00 p.m.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:04 P.M.
ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Mary Badame, Vice Mayor Matthew Hudes, Council Member Rob Moore,
Council Member Rob Rennie, Council Member Maria Ristow.
Absent: None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Vice Mayor Hudes led the Pledge of Allegiance. The audience was invited to participate.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT Gabrielle Whelan, Town Attorney, stated the Town Council met in closed session pursuant to
Government Code Section 54956.9 and there is no reportable action.
COUNCIL/TOWN MANAGER REPORTS Council Matters - Council Member Ristow stated she met with residents on several issues including the
Housing Element, pedestrian safety, Town Government, Shannon Road, Community Center
plans, and Community Garden; and attended the Community Garden public meeting,
participated in the interview and selection of the poet laureate, Leigh High School Winter
Production of “Clue,” Finance Commission meeting, St. Luke’s Christmas Feast, Hannukah
on Main Street, Assembly Select Committee on Mental Health, Cities Association Holiday
Party, and Wreaths Across America.
- Council Member Moore stated he completed an emergency medical responder class at San
Jose City College and encouraged all to take a CPR, first aid, and AED class; gave a
presentation on Housing to the West San Jose-Almaden Kiwanis Club; held his Council
Member Community Coffee at Purple Onion; volunteered with Street Dog coalition; and
attended a West Valley Sanitation District Authority meeting.
- Council Member Rennie stated he attended a Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Board
meeting; Chaired the VTA Policy Advisory Committee meeting; attended the 21st Century
Holiday Club event, Finance Commission meeting, Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority
(SVCEA) End-of-the-Year Event, a SVCEA Board meeting, and a SVCEA Risk Oversight
Committee meeting.
PAGE 2 OF 8 SUBJECT: Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of December 19, 2023 DATE: December 19, 2023
- Vice Mayor Hudes stated he met with the Executive Committee of Older Adults Thrive
Foundation; participated in the Town Commission interviews; observed the Finance
Commission meeting; met with the Chair of Finance Commission, developers and real
estate brokers regarding upcoming developments; attended the Assembly Select
Committee on Mental Health; and met with Lynn Avenue and Pinehurst neighborhood
residents.
- Vice Mayor Badame stated she met with Rob Stump to discuss wildfire safety; attended an
introductory meeting with the Town Executive Team; and provided a Commendation to the
Los Gatos Kiwanis Club of Los Gatos for its 100th anniversary.
Manager Matters
- Announced Town Offices are closed beginning Friday and will reopen on January 2.
- Announced the Library will be closed December 22-25 and December 29 through January 1.
- Wished everyone safe and happy holidays on behalf of the Town.
CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Approve Minutes of the December 5, 2023 Town Council Meeting.
2. Approve Minutes of the December 6, 2023, Town Council Special Meeting Regarding
Commission Interviews.
3. Approve Minutes of the December 12, 2023 Town Council Special Meeting.
4. Authorize the Town Manager to Execute a Fourth Amendment to a Consultant Agreement
for Executive Recruitment Services with Teri Black & Company, LLC for an Additional
Amount of $35,000 with a Total Amount Not to Exceed $205,500 and Authorize an
Expenditure Budget Adjustment from Available General Fund Capital/Special Projects
Reserve.
5. Add One Limited Term, Full-Time Equivalent Human Resources Administrative Analyst and
Approve a Budget Adjustment of $103,370 from the Available Special/Capital Projects
Reserve.
6. Appoint William Ward Butler to the Honorary Position of Town Poet Laureate to Serve a
Three-Year Term Beginning in January of 2024.
7. Authorize Revenue and Expenditure Budget Adjustments in the Amount of $50,000 to
Recognize County of Santa Clara Grant Receipt for Case Management for Unhoused Los
Gatos Residents.
8. Authorize the Town Manager to Execute a Second Amendment with HdL Companies for
Business License Operations Management Services for Up to $70,000 Annually Through
December 31, 2025 with the Total Contract Not to Exceed $233,000, and Discontinue the
Business License Late Fee Penalty Waiver in the 2024 Calendar Year.
9. Receive the Monthly Financial and Investment Report for October 2023.
10. Receive an Annual Report Regarding the Independent Police Auditor Function.
11. Adopt Council Committee Appointments Effective January 1, 2024.
12. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR):
a. Receive the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the Fiscal Year Ended
June 30, 2023, and
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b. Adopt a Resolution Confirming June 30, 2023 Fund Balances in Accordance With Fiscal
Year 2022/23 Final Audit and Town Council General Fund Reserve Policy. RESOLUTION
2023-067
13. Approve the Following Actions for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan (CIP
No. 812-0129):
a. Authorize the Town Manager to Execute a Second Amendment to the Agreement for
Consultant Services with Disability Access Consultants, LLC for Additional Services, in an
Amount of $50,000 for a Total Agreement Not to Exceed $220,000; and
b. Authorize An Expenditure Budget Transfer in an Amount of $35,150 from Project #411-
813-9921 (Curb, Gutter & Sidewalk Maintenance).
14. Axon Enterprises Agreement:
a. Authorize the Town Manager to Execute a Five-Year Agreement with Axon Enterprises
Incorporated for the Purchase and Maintenance of Axon Officer Safety Plan 10+ Body
Worn Cameras (BWC), Tasers, and a Digital Evidence Management System in The
Amount Not to Exceed $800,000; and
b. Authorize an Expenditure Budget Adjustment in the Amount of $68,356 from the
Available General Fund Capital/Special Projects Reserve.
Mayor Badame opened public comment.
No one spoke.
Mayor Badame closed public comment.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Ristow to approve consent items 1-14. Seconded by
Council Member Moore.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
Travis Ignacio
- Commented in opposition of the Lynn Avenue Path.
Jay Plett
- Commented on building setbacks and Senate Bill 9.
Karen Rubio
- Did not comment due to microphone issues.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
15. Review and Discuss the Draft Revised 2023-2031 Housing Element. Location: Town-Wide.
General Plan Amendment Application GP-22-003.
PAGE 4 OF 8 SUBJECT: Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of December 19, 2023 DATE: December 19, 2023
Jocelyn Shoopman, Associate Planner, presented the staff report.
Council asked preliminary questions of the Housing Consultant.
Mayor Badame opened public comment.
Richard Kananen
- Commented on Housing Element, supported creating a plan to create the Regional Housing
Needs Allocation (RHNA) numbers and preserve the existing small-town character of Los
Gatos.
Chris Bajorek
- Commented on concerns with the progress, and requested the Town create a task force to
finish the Housing Element.
Angela Di Berardino
- Commented on the cancelled Housing Element Advisory Board (HEAB) meetings, expressed
concerns with the progress and the revised RHNA numbers.
Melanie Kemp
- Commented on concerns with communication regarding proposed developments and
requested an informational meeting or communication regarding the Housing Element
process.
Lee Fagot
- Requested the Council control the calendar regarding adoption of the Housing Element and
commented on concerns.
Lisa Harris
- Commented on Land Use Goals and concerns with proposed development projects.
Lee Quintana
- Commented on the certification process and the zoning of specific areas of the Town.
Tony Alarcon
- Commented on legislation passed to allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) to be sold
separately from the primary property and spoke about Mills Act properties.
Ron Meyer
- Commented on concerns with the process.
Rich Dobner
- Commented on the proposed pending developments and concerns with future projects.
PAGE 5 OF 8 SUBJECT: Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of December 19, 2023 DATE: December 19, 2023
Mayor Badame closed public comment.
Council discussed the item.
MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Hudes to follow a process of the following five steps: first,
prioritize comments based on how challenging and impactful they are to address,
suggesting three categories of straightforward, moderately complex, and challenging
and no precedent, and if the consultant can come up with their own framework that
would be fine; second, start with most challenging and impactful first, bring draft Los
Gatos Housing Element text to the Council with examples from two to three other
similar certified Housing Elements, and obtain public comment in that process and
direct staff to address those comments in subsequent meetings; three, review
several of these comments with Council on a regular basis at the discretion of the
Mayor to schedule those and work to include the presence of the Housing
consultant at these meetings; fourth, review with California Department of Housing
and Community Development (HCD) as frequently as they will permit and provide
written feedback to the Council on what has been covered and what the content of
the responses have been in the calls and include the response from HCD; fifth,
review the Housing Element with the Housing Element Advisory Board as the center
point for community outreach and communications when the draft is complete.
Seconded by Council Member Moore.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Hudes for the Council meet and review the Housing Element
prior to submission of the Housing Element to HCD. Seconded by Council Member
Ristow.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
16. Open the Public Hearing for an Appeal of a Planning Commission Decision to Deny a Fence
Height Exception Request at 124 Garden Hill Drive for the Construction of a Six-Foot Tall
Fence Located Within the Required Front Yard Setback, Street Side Yard Setback, and
Corner Sight Triangle on Property Zoned R-1:8 and Continue the Matter to January 16, 2024.
APN 424-23-084. Fence Height Exception Application FHE-23-005. Categorically Exempt
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15303: New Construction or Conversion of Small
Structures and Section 15301: Existing Facilities. Property Owner: Rushikesh Kulkarni.
Applicant/Appellant: Martin Lettunich. Project Planner: Ryan Safty.
Jennifer Armer, Planning Manager, presented the staff report.
Mayor Badame opened public comment.
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No one spoke.
Mayor Badame closed public comment.
MOTION: Motion by Mayor Badame to continue the hearing to January 16, 2024. Seconded
by Council Member Moore.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
Recess 9:20 p.m.
Reconvene 9:31 p.m.
17. Consider an Appeal of a Planning Commission Decision to Approve a Lot Line Adjustment
Application in Accordance with California Government Code Section 66412(d) for Three
Adjoining Lots on Property Zoned R-1:20. Located at 17200 Los Robles Way. APNs 532- 36-
075, -076, and -077. Lot Line Adjustment Application M-23-001. Statutorily Exempt from
CEQA as a Ministerial Approval in Accordance with Public Resources Code Section Page 5
21080(b)(1) (CEQA Statute) and CEQA Guidelines Section 15268. Application is Only for
Ministerial Approval of a Lot Line Adjustment Pursuant to Section 66412(d) of the
Subdivision Map Act. Property Owners: Daran Goodsell, Trustee and Mark Von Kaenel.
Applicant: Tony Jeans. Appellant: Alison Steer. Project Planner: Ryan Safty. RESOLUTION
2023-068
Jennifer Armer, Planning Manager, presented the staff report.
Mayor Badame opened public comment.
Allison Steer, Appellant, made opening comments.
Tony Jeans, Applicant, made opening comments.
No one from the public spoke.
Shannon Jones, Applicant Representative, made closing comments.
Babak Naficy, Appellant Representative, made closing comments.
Mayor Badame closed public comment.
Council discussed the item.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Rennie to deny the appeal and adopt the resolution in
Attachment 9 of the Staff Report. Seconded by Council Member Ristow.
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VOTE: Motion passed 4-0-1. Vice Mayor Hudes abstained.
OTHER BUSINESS
18. Authorize Revenue and Expenditure Budget Adjustments in the Amount of $125,000 to
Recognize Receipt and Expenditure of a County of Santa Clara Grant Received by the Town,
and Provide Direction on the Allocation of the Grant for Adult Day Services and/or Case
Management in Consideration of the Recommendation from the Community Health and
Senior Services Commission.
Katy Nomura, Acting Human Resources Director and Assistant Town Manager, presented the
staff report.
Mayor Badame opened public comment.
No one spoke.
Mayor Badame closed public comment.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Rennie to authorize revenue and expenditure budget
adjustments in the amount of $125,000 to recognize the receipt and expenditure of
a County of Santa Clara Grant Received by the Town, and accept the Community
Health and Senior Services Commission recommendation that the funds be divided
to fund at least a 1.0 Full-Time Employee (FTE) for adult day services and to fund
contract case management services with the remaining amount with a goal to be as
close as possible to a 0.5 FTE for case management, not require a graduate degree
for the case manager position, and have the adult day services Request for Proposals
(RFP) be issued first. Seconded by Council Member Ristow.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
19. Review the Revenue Modeling Report Prepared by NBS and Provide Direction on Any Ballot
Measures to Consider for Polling.
Katy Nomura, Acting Human Resources Director and Assistant Town Manager, presented the
staff report.
Mayor Badame opened public comment.
No one spoke.
Mayor Badame closed public comment.
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Council discussed the item.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Moore to authorize consultant to poll for a 1/8 cent
sales tax and a commercial parcel tax. Motion failed for lack of a second.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Hudes to continue this item to February 20, 2024, and
consider it at the same time they look at the five-year forecast, with a document
stating what the messaging will be. Seconded by Mayor Badame.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 11:33 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
_____________________________________
Jenna De Long, Deputy Town Clerk