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110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Minutes of the Town Council Special Meeting
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
7:00 P.M.
The Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a special meeting in person and via
teleconference.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:01 P.M. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Matthew Hudes, Vice Mayor Rob Moore, Council Member Mary Badame,
Council Member Rob Rennie, Council Member Maria Ristow.
Absent: None.
OTHER BUSINESS
1. Discussion of the Town’s Strategic Priorities.
Chris Constantin, Town Manager, gave a presentation.
Mayor Hudes opened public comment.
Rich Stevens
- Commented on a land use priority, the Town’s vision statement, and core goals.
Ed Lozowicki
- Commented on fire concerns and requested removal and replacement the eucalyptus trees
on Hilow Road.
Jeanne Beliveau-Dunn
- Commented on fire concerns and requested removal and replacement the eucalyptus trees
on Hilow Road.
Patti Elliot
- Commented on fire concerns and requested removal and replacement the eucalyptus trees
on Hilow Road.
Angela Boles King
- Commented on traffic and housing density concerns related to fire safety.
Tim O’Rorke
- Commented on the unhoused hotel program and requested Council’s continued support.
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Jan Schwartz, NUMU
- Commented on concerns with federal funding and grant support for the museum.
Lana Gerasimova
- Commented on concerns with traffic safety and requested stricter design standards for new
developments.
Rachel Hinojosa
- Commented on fire safety concerns and requested Council examine evacuations routes
when considering future growth.
Lee Fagot
- Commented on the Town’s core goals, concerns with traffic safety, and concerns with
housing developments.
Philip Bernosky
- Commented on concerns with state regulations related to development projects.
Lee Quintana
- Commented on concerns with conflicting information in certain documents, requested the
documents be updated, and spoke about fire-resistant building materials.
Carin Yamamoto
- Commented on concerns with losing retail to new developments and on the need to be
recognized as a high-density fire zone.
Annie Schwartzstein
- Requested the Council continue to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
Mayor Hudes closed public comment.
Council provided feedback on the priorities and asked staff to number the priorities for
discussion purposes.
Mayor Hudes called a recess at 8:44 p.m.
Mayor Hudes reconvened the meeting at 9:04 p.m.
Staff presented a document with 12 strategic priorities listed and numbered. Council asked
questions, discussed the numbered strategic priorities and provided the following direction:
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Combine strategic priorities two [Ensure prudent financial management to result in structurally
balanced five-year forecasts and fully funded five-year Capital Improvement Plans, managing
liabilities such as pension costs and leveraging the Town’s assets, efficiencies, partnerships, and
revenue streams] and five [Define and implement a cohesive deferred capital improvement
plan for Town facilities and lifecycle assets]; and identify the following as the top three
priorities for the next 12 to 24 months: [Strategic Priority 1] Further the Town’s emergency
preparedness, resiliency, and response capabilities, particularly in the area of wildfire risk;
[Strategic Priority 2 and 5 combined] Ensure prudent financial management to result in
structurally balanced five-year forecasts and fully funded five-year Capital Improvement Plans,
managing liabilities such as pension costs and leveraging the Town’s assets, efficiencies,
partnerships, and revenue streams, and define and implement a cohesive deferred capital
improvement plan for Town facilities and lifecycle assets; and [Strategic Priority 3] preserve the
Town’s small-town character and provide a range of housing opportunities and historic
neighborhoods while diligently maintaining and implementing the Housing Element.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Moore to have the language [in Strategic Priority 10]
read: “Ensure people of all identities feel a sense of belonging in Los Gatos,
maintaining and enhancing the Town as a welcoming, family-oriented, and safe
community.” Seconded by Council Member Ristow. (Motion fails due to the passage
of a substitute motion.)
After discussion Council Member Rennie made a substitute motion.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Motion by Council Member Rennie to state: “Ensure all residents and
visitors feel a sense of belonging in Los Gatos, maintaining and enhancing
the Town as a welcoming, family-oriented, safe community.” Seconded
by Council Member Badame. AMENDMENT: to add the word “inclusive.”
[Ensure all residents and visitors feel a sense of belonging in Los Gatos,
maintaining and enhancing the Town as a welcoming, family-oriented,
safe, and inclusive community.]
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
Town Manager Constantin stated the refined 11 strategic priorities will be presented at the
next meeting for Council approval.
Vice Mayor Moore and Council Member Ristow stated they are subjects of agenda item
number two and are recusing themselves from the discussion. Vice Mayor Moore and Council
Member Ristow left the Town Council Chambers.
Mayor Hudes stated item two will be held in closed session, but communications will be taken
first. Item two is a conference with legal counsel for existing litigation - Lynley Kerr Hogan vs.
Rob Moore et al.
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VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
Lynley Kerr Hogan
- Commented on the lawsuit and stated she did not intend to sue the Town. Lee Fagot
- Commented on information related to the lawsuit.
Kylie Clark
- Commented on the lawsuit and requested the Town fund representation of Vice Mayor
Moore.
THE TOWN MOVED TO CLOSED SESSION ON THE FOLLOWING ITEM: 2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL— EXISTING LITIGATION (Government Code
§54956.9(d)(1))
Lynley Kerr Hogan vs. Rob Moore et al
Santa Clara County Superior Court Case Number: 25CV456254
The Town Council reconvened in open session. Gabrielle Whelan, Town Attorney, stated the
Town Council met in closed session to discuss two items. The first was a performance
evaluation of the Town Manager and the second was the litigation listed on the agenda. There
was no reportable action on either item.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 10:52 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
_____________________________________
Jenna De Long, Deputy Town Clerk