Staff Report 2004 Council RetreatMEETING DATE: 01-24-04
COUNCIL RETREAT
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: JANUARY 16, 2004
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: DEBRA J. FIGONE, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: 2004 COUNCIL RETREAT
PURPOSE:
The purpose of the 2004 Town Council Retreat is to identify and discuss priorities and strategic
issues for 2004. This staff report presents background information on the strategic issues on the
Council Retreat agenda, and the questions Council may want to address regarding the issues. As was
done at last year's retreat, Shawn Spano from Public Dialogue Consortium will facilitate the Council
discussion.
DISCUSSION:
Strategic Framework
The Town has had a Strategic Plan to guide staff work efforts, set work priorities, and track progress,
with the current planning period being 2000 — 2005. Rather than reviewing an update to the current
Strategic Plan as has been done in past years, staff would like to discuss with Council how the
Town's planning documents — the Strategic Plan, the General Plan and the Administrative Work
Plan — can evolve to provide a more meaningful framework to guide implementation of the Town's
priorities. Staff seeks Council's feedback and input on an approach to build on these documents to
develop a 2005 to 2010 strategic plan as was noted at last year's retreat.
To assist with this discussion, staff suggests starting with the priorities and goals from the current
Strategic Plan (Attachment 1). These priorities and goals are ones thought to be important to address
when the current Strategic Plan was developed in 2000, with some revisions to the goals last year
to reduce overlap and provide clarity.
PREPARED BY: Pamela S. Jacobs
Assistant Town Manager
Reviewed by: Assistant Town Manager Town Attorney Clerk Finance
Community Development Revised: 1/16/04 9:22 am
Reformatted: 5/30/02
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The priority areas in the Strategic Plan are broad, covering a wide range of community life and
government responsibility. The General Plan, another of the Town's strategic planning documents,
is the foundation upon which land use decisions are to be based. Recognizing that land use decisions
encompass more than zoning, the General Plan also includes elements regarding housing,
transportation, open space, conservation, noise and safety, all required elements. The Town's
General Plan includes additional elements regarding Route 85 and the Vasona Corridor, Community
Design, and Human Services. Within each of the ten elements, the General Plan includes goals,
policies and implementing strategies.
Attachment 2 is the Administrative Work Plan, which is a management tool that sets forth key work
projects for the year. The Work Plan includes special projects, projects requiring significant
interdepartmental coordination, and projects of special interest to the Council.
Each of these documents guides the Town's efforts and decisions, whether related to community
priorities on a five-year horizon, to land use and development matters, or to the annual work
program. Staff sees a value in continuing to have each of these types of documents as a guide;
however, we want to ensure that the Strategic Plan reflects the community's current priorities and
goals and to provide a level of detail higher than the Work Plan (the Strategic Plan currently lists
strategies that are task -oriented similar to the Work Plan). Staff suggests that we return to Council
prior to next year's retreat with recommended revisions to the priorities and goals to better reflect
the priorities as they have evolved through Council and community input over the past four years
since the Strategic Plan was first adopted. Council could then provide feedback and input into the
priorities, goals, and implementing strategies. Council may want to consider a focused community
input process to help shape the priorities and goals, as well, which would require that more time and
resources be devoted to the development of the Strategic Plan. Staff seeks Council feedback and
input on this approach to evolving the Strategic Plan, as well as any comments on the Plan's current
priorities and goals.
Strategic Issues Discussion
Following are the strategic issues for 2004 identified by the Council for discussion at the Council
Retreat. The issues are presented in the categories established last year for purposes of discussion,
including Fiscal Health and the Economy; Communication, Outreach and Feedback; and Community
Services. Background information is provided for several of the issues, as well as questions the
Council may want to consider in providing direction to staff.
Fiscal Health and the Economy
Budget Process Review. For this issue, staff would like to clarify the recommended purpose and
content of the February 24, 2004 Council Study Session on the mid -year budget and FY 2004-2005
budget development. The recommended purpose of the Study Session is to update the Council on
the current and next year fiscal situation, to share staff proposals for addressing the budget shortfall
and their service level impacts, and to receive direction on proposals to pursue for the FY 2004-2005
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proposed budget. Attachment 3 is a draft outline for the session, which the Town Manager will
describe at the Retreat.
Town Development Process. The Town has a very thorough and rigorous community development
process. The public has mixed perceptions about the process. On the one hand, the process is
viewed positively as instrumental in maintaining the Town's and neighborhoods' character and
effectively managing the Town's growth and development. On the other hand, the process is viewed
as overly time-consuming and costly. Individual members of the public may actually share both of
these views at different times, depending on whether they are involved in a project themselves or a
project is occurring in their neighborhood.
This issue presents an opportunity for the Council to discuss these perceptions, and any steps that
may be taken to balance interests in a way that ensures that development continues to reflect the
community's values while minimizing unwarranted delays and costs. Staff will discuss efforts
underway to streamline the development process to ensure consistent and timely staff assistance.
Staff wants to ensure that Council is aware and supportive of our continuing efforts to achieve
efficient processes and systems while maintaining architectural excellence and opportunities for
public input. To this end, we continuously look for ways to improve our systems and procedures
to enhance customer service to the Council, Planning Commission, applicants, neighbors, and the
public in general. To do this, we are optimizing the use of the professional staff, the quality of staff
work and staff responsibility throughout the process. In making these improvements we are mindful
of the importance of demonstrating good judgment, earning and maintaining credibility, and
remaining responsive to the high standards of the Planning Commission, Town Council and the
community.
The Council may want to discuss the respective roles of the Council, the Planning Commission, and
other advisory bodies such as the Development Review Committee, the Consulting Architect and
staff in making land use and development decisions and how best to use each group to ensure an
effective and efficient process. The Council may also want to discuss how public and neighborhood
expectations contribute to development process timelines and how to best balance the Town's strong
commitment to public participation with public expectations that at times contribute an inordinate
amount of time to the process.
Technology. The Mayor would like to discuss opportunities to use technology to enhance the
economic vitality of the Town, such as the deployment of WiFi technology and improvements to the
Town's web site.
Communication, Outreach and Feedback
Marketing strategy. This issue spans both the Fiscal Health and Economy and the Communication,
Outreach and Feedback categories in that it relates to stimulating the local economy and to
communicating with the community. The issue builds on the Town's Economic Vitality Plan and
the community outreach efforts discussed at last year's retreat.
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Based on a discussion with Mayor Glickman and Council Member McNutt, staff has prepared the
attached staff model of a marketing plan (Attachment 4). The purpose of having a marketing plan
is to provide a roadmap for focusing time and resources to achieve the Town's marketing goals and
objectives. The Town has limited resources, both staff and funds, to devote to marketing the Town.
It is important to prioritize how we allocate those resources and to leverage our resources by working
with partners, such as the Chamber of Commerce, the hotels, the merchants and others. A marketing
plan sets forth goals, objectives and strategies to guide our efforts.
The staff model of a marketing plan provides a starting point for discussion. The model includes the
purpose of the plan, marketing goals and objectives, a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities,
and threats), a marketing strategy to achieve the goals and objectives, and the beginnings of an
implementation strategy. The information contained in the staff model derives from efforts currently
underway, internal work in progress with a marketing consultant as part of a free "marketing
makeover" won by staff, and comments and ideas by Council members and staff.
For the Council discussion, staff seeks feedback and input on the marketing plan model.
Recognizing that the Town has limited resources, feedback on priorities for the Town's marketing
focus would be helpful, as well as comments about where our business/private sector partners could
take the lead in marketing efforts
Community Services
Use of Town Parks. At the December 15, 2003 Town Council meeting, Vice Mayor Mike
Wasserman requested that the Town Council discuss at a future meeting the use of parks, specifically
Oak Meadow Park, for sports facilities/fields such as soccer fields. The Council concurred that this
discussion would occur at the Town Council Retreat. Subsequently, at the January 5, 2004 Council
meeting, a resident spoke under Verbal Communications regarding the need for a skateboard park
in the Town. Mayor Steve Glickman requested that an item be placed on the January 20' agenda
to receive public input on the use of Town parks for sports facilities prior to the Council discussion
at the upcoming retreat.
Staff has prepared an informational report (Attachment 5) to provide background information on the
parks and their current use. The item on the January 20' agenda to receive public input on park usage
will provide some information about the need/demand for other uses at Town parks. As the Council
discusses the use of Town parks for sports facilities, issues to be considered include, but may not be
limited to, the following:
• Vision and goals;
• Scope of the problem to be solved in the short and long term;
• Options available;
• Town responsibility and role;
• Public notice and hearing process to receive input/concerns;
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• Capital and maintenance costs;
• Funding availability;
• Environmental review;
Operations (e.g., reservation responsibilities; ancillary uses, such as food and beverage etc).
Youth Commission. At its 2003 retreat, Council considered youth issues generally, and the issue
of a Youth Commission specifically. As an outcome of the discussion, Council directed staff to
"Explore the possibility of holding a youth summit with youth and leaders from existing community
groups serving youth to identify issues and actions the Town and its partners can address, as one way
to collect information about and assess the interest in the creation of a youth commission or other
focused efforts."
Following the retreat, staff recognized that the community efforts within the Alive...And Loving Life
(ALL) initiative, specifically the March 8, 2003 Community Conversation and the discussions
leading to that event, would serve well to inform the community on youth issues similar to a youth
summit. The Town, Council and community participated in this discussion which led to the
capturing of broad and specific information on issues of importance to youth and the community.
One specific project arising from the Community Conversation was an interest in the formation of
a youth commission. In the summer of 2003, a project team within ALL convened to develop this
idea.
Attachment 6 is a report which resulted from the youth commission project team. The report was
prepared by Andrea Schneider, Town Consultant for ALL. Ms. Schneider served as co -facilitator for
the work group with Ms. Chloe Wilder, a Los Gatos High School student. Members of Town Staff,
specifically the Chief of Police and Community Services Director, participated in the work group
as well. The report captures the history of a youth commission in Los Gatos and outlines steps taken
by the work group to survey youth commission responsibilities and composition within Santa Clara
County. The information collected by the work group supplements that collected by the Community
Services Department for the 2003 Council Retreat.
The work group purposefully kept its focus broad, not assuming that the discussion would
automatically lead to a formal youth commission but perhaps to a semi -formal advisory body.
General themes emerged from the group's work. There is a value in having a mechanism for youth
to have a voice in Town affairs and issues relating to youth. Some level of formality or structure is
important. Any group, however, can also remain flexible or permeable, so that additional youth can
join or leave around specific issues. It has been envisioned that youth involvement would be more
around issues, and less for the purpose of planning specific youth activities, although
participants/members would likely participate in certain specific planning activities. Terms of service
were recommended as 1-3 years with composition suggested in the range of 10-15 teens, with
representatives from 8`h to 12th grades.
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In discussing this issue at the retreat, Council may want to consider the following questions:
What should be the focus/charter of a youth commission/advisory body?
What should the relationship of a youth commission/advisory body be with community
groups/organizations relative to the group's/organization's it existing work?
Is it best to have a formal commission with a specific mandate/duties or should an alternative
structure be considered to inform or advise on issues and provide specific service on
individual projects?
• What is the interest of the Council relative to make-up and selection of the group?
Town's Relationship with Recreation District. In September 2003 the Town Manager received
the attached letter from Steve Rauwolf, Director of Los Gatos -Saratoga Community Education
and Recreation (Attachment 7). Mr. Rauwolf suggested either informal (staff level) or formal
(with Board/Council representatives) discussions on the relationship between the District and the
Town. The Mayor at the time (Council Member Decker) and the Town Manager discussed these
options. The Town Manager was asked to begin at the informal level, and these conversations
have been very positive. The Town and District have been collaborating and coordinating on
issues consistently over the last 3 years. Examples include the 4th of July celebration, the
opening event for the Town Plaza, the joint agreement on the use of the Los Gatos High School
pool for community purposes, Alive and Loving Life, Santa in the Plaza, ongoing senior services,
etc. The Town Manager and the Director meet approximately bi-monthly to touch bases, update
each other on the status of issues and programs in their respective areas of responsibility, and
identify any opportunities to work together. Questions for Council discussion during the retreat
include: Are expanded forms of communication and collaboration between the Town and the
District needed/desired? Are formal lines of communication needed/desired between Council and
Board members? Are there other interests to explore?
Council Relations — Working Together
This is an opportunity for Council to check in with one another to discuss how the Council team
is working together. The Council may want to refer to the summary of the Council's discussion
on working together from last year's retreat (Attachment 8, Exhibit A) as a starting point.
CONCLUSION:
The annual Council retreat provides a forum for the Council to confirm priorities and identify
other areas to explore within available resources. The Administration looks forward to
accomplishing priority projects and working with Council and the community to anticipate and
plan for future strategic issues.
Direction set at the retreat will be agendized for February 2, 2004 for Council approval. The
Mayor will then draw upon key themes for the State of the Town address on February 9, 2004.
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Attachments:
1. Priorities and Goals from the 2000-2005 Strategic Plan
2. Administrative Work Plan for FY 2003-2004
3. Draft Outline for February 24, 2004 Council Study Session on the Budget
4. Staff Model of Marketing Plan for the Town of Los Gatos
5. Use of Town Parks Report
6. Alive and Loving Life, Youth Commission Work Group Suggestions
7. Letter from Steve Rauwolf, Director of Los Gatos -Saratoga Community Education and
Recreation
8. Discussion and Direction Regarding Town Council Retreat, 2003 Town Council Retreat
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS
July 1, 2000 - June 30, 2005
PRIORITY 1: APPEARANCE, CHARACTER AND QUALITY OF THE COMMUNITY
Goal 1 - Maintain Town's Unique Character and Appearance
Goal 2 - Maintain Environmental Quality
Goal 3 -Address Housing Needs for Our Changing Demographics
PRIORITY 2: RESPONSIVE, ACCOUNTABLE AND COST EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT
Goal 1 - Provide Excellent Customer Service
Goal 2 - Maintain Accessibility of Town Elected Officials and Staff to the Community
Goal 3 - Achieve the Highest Possible Productivity
Goal 4 - Maintain the Highest Quality Personnel and Performance
PRIORITY 3: FISCAL STABILITY
Goal 1 - Maintain a Reliable Revenue Base
Goal 2 - Partner with Other Governments
PRIORITY 4: INFRASTRUCTURE
Goal 1 - Plan for and Manage Infrastructure Effectively
Goal 2 - Enhance Public Facilities
PRIORITY 5: TRANSPORTATION, TRAFFIC, AND PARKING
Goal 1 - Promote Multi -Modal Transportation Opportunities
Goal 2 - Monitor and Mitigate Traffic Issues
Goal 3 - Address Parking Issues in Business Districts and Neighborhood
PRIORITY 6: PERSONAL GROWTH AND ENRICHMENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL
Goal 1 - Coordinate Delivery of Human Services
Goal 2 - Provide Quality Library Service Relevant to the Needs of the Community
ATTACHMENT 1
Fall 2003 Vista and Annual Report
Lead: Jennifer Miller, Administrative Analyst
The Town of Los Gatos newsletter, the "Vista," provides the Town organization with a means to communicate
with residents of the Town. It is produced twice yearly, in April and October, and sent via direct mail to all
Los Gatos addresses. The Fall edition included the 2002-03 Annual Report for the Town, as a special, inserted
section. Complete.
CSD-03-WPOI
Spring 2004 Los Gatos "Vista"
Lead: Jennifer Miller, Administrative Analyst
The Town of Los Gatos newsletter, the "Vista," provides the Town organization with a means to communicate
with residents of the Town. It is produced twice -yearly, in April and October, and sent via direct mail to all
Los Gatos addresses.
CSD-03-WP02
2004 Council/Commission Retreat
Lead: Regina Falkner, Community Services Dir.
The annual Council/Commission Retreat is a structured time for Town Commission, Committee, and Board
members to discuss with Council their past accomplishments and goals for the next year. Also, Commissioners
often present ways in which Council might facilitate the work of their Commissions. The Retreat is held off -
site, over most of a day, with each Commission allotted a time to speak with Council.
CSD-03-WP03
2004 Volunteer Recognition Event
Lead: Susan Buxton, Volunteer Coordinator
The Volunteer Recognition Event is held annually, during National Volunteer Recognition Week in April. The
event is held to honor Town volunteers who serve on Boards and Commissions, volunteer in all Town
departments, and help with special events. An early evening reception is held in the Neighborhood Center and
includes refreshments, flowers, entertainment, brief remarks by Council members, and a recognition item for
each volunteer. Donations are solicited from local businesses to provide food to augment the catered menu,
balloons, decorations, and flowers. This year the event will be held on April 22, 2004.
CSD-03-WP04
2004 July 4th Event
Lead: Susan Buxton, Volunteer Coordinator
The Fourth of July Event is a day -long celebration sponsored by the Town, the Chamber of Commerce, Los
Gatos -Saratoga Community Education and Recreation, and local businesses. The event includes live
entertainment, a lunchtime food court, displays, games, a lawn concert, a bar-b-que dinner, and evening
dancing.
lies day, January 20,;2004
CSD-03-WP05
ATTACHMENT 2
Community/CDBG Grant Allocation
Lead: Jennifer Miller, Administrative Analyst
The Town administers an annual funding cycle for two grant programs: Community Development Block Grants
(CDBG), and Community Grants. Previously, these two grant funding cycles were separate. The two cycles
are now merged into one, with the goal of simplifying the process for grant applicants, recommending
Commissions, and Town staff.
CSD-03-WP08
Keep Los Gatos Beautiful 2004
Lead: Lauren Mende Tacke, Recycling Coord.
Each April, a series of events and programs are held to celebrate "Keep Los Gatos Beautiful Month." Keep
Los Gatos Beautiful Month was established to celebrate National Earth Day, National Arbor Day, and National
Volunteer Recognition Week, which all occur during the month of April. Celebrating these events gives the
Town the opportunity to educate the public about solid waste and environmental issues, to beautify the
community, and to celebrate community service by invoving as many groups, organizations, schools, and
residents as possible.
CSD-03-WP09
2004 Community Garage Sale
Lead: Lauren Mende Tacke, Recycling Coord.
The California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989 (AB939), requires that cities and counties develop
source reduction and recycling programs to reduce the amount of waste disposed of in landfills. To meet this
requirement, the Town has implemented numerous reduction and recycling programs, including the
Community Garage Sale. Initiated in 1998, this program invites residents to hold a garage sale on a specified
date each May. The Community Garage Sale event meets two AB939 objectives: first, waste is diverted from
local landfills; and second, the community is educated about the importance of the "Three Rs:" reduce, reuse,
and recycle. Furthermore, the Community Garage Sale is a community -building activity, which allows
residents to meet their neighbors.
CSD-03-WP 10
Music in the Park 2004
Lead: Angie Gay, Administrative Secretary
Music in the Park (MIP) is a ten -week, Sunday afternoon concert series sponsored by the Los Gatos Arts
Commission. Concerts are free to the public and feature a multi -ethnic, multi -cultural, and multi -generational
music venue to the Los Gatos community.
CSD-03-WP11
Page 2of14
BMP Guidelines Revision
Lead: Regina Falkner, Community Services Dir.
The Below Market Price Housing Program (BMP Program) requires the construction of dwellings that persons
of moderate income can afford to buy or rent. It applies to all multi -unit residential construction projects. The
BMP Program is authorized by LGMC Section 29.10.3000 et seq., and managed according to the "Below
Market Price Housing Program Guidelines" (BMP Guidelines), adopted by Res. 2000-131. This BMP
Guidelines Revision project will update the BMP Guidelines, with the goals of maximizing the BMP Program's
benefit to the community, and of facilitating an effective administration of the program.
CSD-03-WP 12
Commercial Design Guidelines
Lead: Suzanne Davis, Associate Planner
Prepare commercial design guidelines for commercial zones Townwide. It is intended that these guidelines will
be used by applicants for preparing development application submitals and by the Town when evaluating and
acting on commercial development applications.
DEV-03-WP01
Housing Element Update
Lead: Suzanne Davis, Associate Planner
In July 2003, the State certified the Town's Housing Elemement pursuant to minor modifications. These
modifications as directed by the State were adopted by the Town Council in FY 2003-2004. Complete.
DEV-03-WP02
General Plan Implementation
Lead: Bud Lortz, Director of Comm. Dev.
The General Plan Implementation Plan includes 139 implementing strategies that require further study. Forty
three strategies were targeted for implementation in the curent fiscal year. These include strategies that are
being investigated or are in progress, strategies that the project manager will have accountability for, and those
that require the support/expertise of a consultant. As strategies are pursued, an individual work plan is
prepared.
DEV-03-WP06
Sobrato Development Amendment
Lead: Suzanne Davis, Associate Planner
Review and processing of Planned Development and Architecture & Site application amendments for a mixed
use project located at 14300-14350 Winchester Blvd. The applicant is currently proposing a modifed Planned
Development for Town Council consideration.
DEV-03-WP10
Banner Program
Lead: Marty Woodworth
Design and implement additional banner designs for Downtown and for Los Gatos Blvd. This involves
working with a Banner Working Group made up of members appointed by the Town Council. Work involves
determining designs and production of banners. The program will continue to help unify both the Downtown
and Los Gatos Blvd. area as well as providing color and interest.
DEV-03-WP15
Personal Services Business Analysis
Lead: Bud Lortz, Community Services Director
Analysis of the current inventory of Personal Services businesses in the Downtown C2 District relative to other
uses, and recommendations about allowing these types of businesses to occupy retail space in the Downtown in
the future.
DEV-03 -WP 16
RDA Affordable Housing
Lead: Marty Woodworth
Redevelopment law requires that all redevelopment agencies expend 20% of their tax increment revenues on
affordable housing activities. The Los Gatos Redevelopment Agency currently has about $2.5 million in its
housing fund with annual revenues of approximately $800,000. The Agency has recently completed the
Habitat for Humanity House on Charles Ave. and the Project Match 5 unit affordable senior project on
Blossom Hill Rd. The Agency is proceeding with an initial feasibility analysis of an affordable housing project
near the Downtown area as well as analyzing other potential affordable housing opportunities. The Agency is
developing a loan program to encourage affordable second units on properties in the Redevelopment Area.
DEV-03-WP 17
RDA Administration
Lead: Marty Woodworth
Effectively provide administration of all aspects for the Los Gatos Redevelopment Agency. This includes
budget preparation, reporting, administrative duties, and implementation of the Redevelopment Plan. In
addition, perform property management duties related to the Town owned houses on Fiesta and Villa. The
Agency recently completed the process to extend the Agency's eminent domain authority for 12 years. The
Agency will begin the process to update the Agency's five-year implementation plan which will expire on June
30, 2004. The Agency will continue to monitor redevelopment legislation.
DEV-03-WP18
Economic Vitality Program
Lead: Marty Woodworth
The Los Gatos Economic Vitality Program was adopted by the Town Council on July 1, 2002. The Program
calls for a variety of actions to maintain and increase the economic vitality and diversity of the Town. Actions
include business visitations, business recognition, business surveys, business outreach to various parts of the
Town, business attraction, working with special groups such as the auto dealers and hotels/motels, and others.
DEV-03-WP20
Gateways Design
Lead: Marty Woodworth
The Agency has formed a Gateway Design Working Group that has met several times to provide
recommendations on Gateway designs at Highway9/Santa Cruz Ave. and at Wood Rd./Santa Cruz Ave. These
recommendations will be forwarded to the Town Council for review and comment. Following that, a funding
plan and schedule for completion will be developed. The Council will need to determine the timing for the
process to begin the design process for the Town -wide gateways.
DEV-03-WP2
Development Team Coordination
Lead: Bud Lortz and John Curtis
DEV-03-WP22
Staff from Community Development and Parks and Public Works are working together to build a stronger
Development Team. The work plan for this effort includes retreats to identify issues and opportunities,
meetings to monitor progress, and the implementation of a communication plan to address issues as they arise.
Performance Based Budgeting
Lead: Pamela Jacobs, Asst Town Manager
With the planned emphasis for future Operating Budgets to be on performance management, the Finance
Department will be assisting the Town Manager's office in the restructuring of the budget processes and
documents to incorporate performance management into Town budget decisions.
FIN-03-WP02
Admin Policy & Procedure Revisions
Lead: Stephen Conway, Fin & Admin Sery Director
The Finance department in conjuction with the Town Manager's Office and departmental stakeholders will
focus on re -engineering several processes in the coming year: 0(1) Contract and Agreement Process;❑(2)
Purchasing Policies & Procedures; 0(3) Travel & Training Policies.
FIN-03-WP03
Page'.f'1`
Update Fee Analysis
Lead: Stephen Conway, Fin & Admin Sery Director
The Town approved new fees for FY 2002/03 based upon FY 1997/98 financial data. This project will update
that analysis with current information for the remainder of FY 03/04 and for FY 04/05.
FIN-03—WP04
Investment Policy & Procedures Review
Lead: Stephen Conway, Fin & Admin Sery Director
The Finance Department will consult with the Town Treasurer to review and revise current investment policies
and strategies, investment reporting and analysis, and day to day investment practices.
FIN-03—WP05
Injury & Illness Prevention Program
Lead: Gary Rogers, Human Resources Director
The Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IPP) will be updated to be consistent with current State
requirements and the specific needs of the Town. The IPP is a document describing the Town's safety and
injury and illness prevention efforts. Sections of the plan will be identified and placed on separate work plans
based on need for amendment, update or establishment (e.g. Hearing Protection Plan, Bloodborne Pathogen
Plan, Fall Prevention Plan, Exposure Control Plan, etc.). A draft IPP will be prepared and distributed to the
departments and the safety committee for review and comment. Following integration of comments, the new
policy will be adopted, a training module developed, and training for all Town employees scheduled.
HR-03—WPO 1
Workers' Comp. Admin. Improvements
Lead: Gary Rogers, Human Resources Director
Efforts to improve the administration of the Town's workers' compensation program will be pursued as part of
this project. Activities will include: improvement to accident/incident reporting procedure; development of a
workers' compensation claim processing procedure; development of employee injury/illness response
procedures; supervisory/management training; and employee training.
HR-03—WP02
Collections/Historic Preservation Fundraising
Lead: Peggy Conaway - Library Director
The Library is fundraising as a result of budget reductions for collections and also to accomplish our historic
digitization project. Because usage is up but resources are down, the Library is seeking funding for books, CDs
and DVDs from the public. An amazon.com "Wish List" has been created, which allows the public to pay for
selected titles needed for the Library's collections. In addition, a brochure is being produced which will solicit
monetary gifts for the purchase of books and DVDs. Funding for the historic digitization project is also being
sought from the public, and the Library is applying for a number of grants, including an Institute of Museum
and Library Science grant from the federal government. Friends of the Library will sponsor full -page
newspaper ads, seeking contributions.
LIB-03-WP01
Local History Digitization Project
Lead: Peggy Conaway - Library Director
The Library is undertaking a challenging project to preserve our vast, unique local history collection, much of
which is currently not accessible to the public. Included in this collection are: 24,000 news clippings from Los
Gatos newspapers; 1,200 photographs, many dating to the 19th Century; 195 microfilm rolls of local
newspapers from 1881 - present; maps; and 19 oral history tapes. The project seeks to digitize and index this
collection, making it available on the Internet. A digitized, indexed collection makes it possible for
researchers, students, or the curious to explore local history at the Library, at school or at home. In addition to
this collection being available via the Library's Web site, the Library Director, working with Library Staff, will
author a local history photography book, which will be part of Arcadia Publishing's acclaimed "Images of
America" series.
LIB-03-WP02
Self -Service Checkouts
Lead: Linda Dydo - Assistant Library Director
In an effort to manage greatly increased library circulation and control ongoing costs of delivering library
services, the Town Manager designated a portion of her Productivity Contingency Fund for FY 2003-04 for
purchase of additional Checkpoint products, services and related equipment to extend the concept of self-
service to the adult library. The library will establish a self-service corner, located near the plaza entrance, that
will allow customers to retrieve material they have requested, check out all library materials, and check their
own library accounts. Volunteer greeters and library staff will train customers in all aspects of self-service
checkout, account monitoring, and online renewal. This selfservice point will also poise the library to
implement self -registration for library cards, and payment of online fines, when the library's integrated
computer system is upgraded to provide these capabilities.
LIB-03-WP05
Tuesday, January 20 2004
FILL Internship
Lead: Shirley Skellenger, Reference Sup.
The Library has applied for, and received, a FILL (From Interns to Library Leaders) intern for the Spring of
2004. FILL is a program at San Jose State University School of Library and Information Science which
provides paid interships created to promote public librarianship, and provide practical experience which allows
students to explore the diverse and rewarding aspects of the profession. While at the Library, and under
professional supervision, our intern will shadow librarians at the reference desks, work on the library Web site,
select materials, observe the cataloging process, act as a greeter/trainer at the newly installed self -check, assist
with storyhour, attend a Friends Friday Forum, and attend a book club discussion. At the end of the internship,
the library completes appropriate paperwork for the Library School at SJSU.
LIB-03-WP06
Information Technology Plan
Lead: Pamela Jacobs, Assist. Town Manager
With the rate of technological change accelerating, and the needs of the Town constantly changing, it is
important to identify the critical uses and needs of technology as they exist currently, and as they will be
needed into the next few years. The Information Technology (IT) Plan will help guide the Town in its
technology use and growth in this period. The first phase of the plan included educating the Technology
Advisory Committee on key public sector trends in technology, interviewing all departments and conducting
field assessment of technology use. The second phase included a workshop for staff to review the first phase of
work and to develop the Town's Information Technology Vision, Goals and prioritize potential IT projects
within communities of interest. The IT Plan was approved by Council in the Fall, 2003. Complete.
MGR-03-WPO 1
Civic Center/Library Master Plan
Lead: Pamela Jacobs, Assistant Town Manager
The outcome of the Civic Center/Library Master Plan will be a plan that describes the services the Town
provides, how the Town can best provide those services, and how Town facilities can best accommodate the
delivery of those services. Developed with extensive input from customers, stakeholders, employees, and the
community -at -large, the Master Plan will provide a blueprint for enhancing Town services through operational
and facility improvements.
County Land Exchange
Lead: Pamela Jacobs, Assistant Town Manager
This project involves negotiation with the County of Santa Clara to exchange property located in Vasona Park.
The Town of Los Gatos owns 13 acres in Vasona Park, located in a prominent area. The goal of the exhange is
to maximize the Town's ownership of property available for Oak Meadow Park purposes. Subsequent use of
the newly -acquired Town -owned property may include a skatepark, parking, picnic areas, or other recreational
uses.
MGR-03-WP02
MGR-03-WP03
Page 8 of Tra,'
AT&T Comcast Franchise Renewal
Lead: Jenny Haruyama, Administrative Analyst
The purpose of the AT&T Comcast Franchise Renewal is to renew the Town's existing cable television
franchise agreement with the Town's existing cable provider: AT&T Comcast. The renewal process provides
an opportunity to enhance the Town's public communications infrastructure and advance the quality of life in
the community. These type of benefits include: substantial cable system upgrades; improvements in quality of
service; contributions of television channels, facilities, and equipment for local programming; advanced
provider networks capable of supporting high speed Internet access; and video, voice, and data facilities that
link schools, libraries, and government buildings to allow for more efficient communication.
MGR-03-WP04
Council Policy Development
Lead: Jenny Haruyama, Administrative Analyst
The purpose of the Council Policy Committee is to identify and address areas, issues, and concerns where
Town Council policy needs to be communicated, documented, clarified, or developed in order to enhance the
effectiveness of the Council in carrying out its policy making role in the council/manager form of government.
This workplan tracks the progress of the policy development as recommended by the Council Policy
Committee and as directed by the Town Council.
MGR-03-WP06
Leadership Los Gatos
Lead: Jenny Haruyama, Administrative Analyst
The purpose of Leadership Los Gatos is to engage, educate, and develop Los Gatos citizens for leadership roles
in the community, neighborhood organizations, schools, churches, and Town Government.
MGR-03-WP08
Emergency Operation Center Training
Lead: Captain Duino Giordano
As part of its ongoing focus on Emergency Preparedness, in November 2003 the department developed and
participated in another Emergency Operations Center training exercise, in coordination with other agencies in
Santa Clara County. Additionally, the Department continues to coordinate a Community Emergency Response
Team (CERT) consisting of community volunteers. A third class will be held beginning January 2004. CERT
training includes the following areas: disaster preparadness, fire safety and suppression, disaster medical
operations and psychology, light search and rescue, and CERT team organization.
PD-03-WP01
c,f'1
Parking Management Plan
Lead: Carol Musser, Parking Coordinator
Further development of the downtown Parking Management Plan will continue during FY 2003-04. The
Department initiated the program in response to growing community concerns over parking, especially in the
downtown area. The goal of the project is to alleviate these concerns through the development and enforcement
of a unified parking permit sytem. The outcome of the Parking Management Plan is to provide the community
with a viable and expandable solution to parking problems.
PD-03-WP02
Mobile Data Computer Installation
Lead: Captain Alana Forrest
One of the major goals of the Police Department is to continually challenge the traditional definitions of law
enforcement services by implementing innovative technology solutions that improve efficiency and
performance. To achieve this goal, the Department will install Mobile Data Computers (MDC) in patrol
vehicles in the first three months of 2004. A computer -based Automated Reporting System was implemented in
November and December 2003. The project, funded almost entirely with state grant funds, will enable officers
to conduct police services in the field. MDCs provide in -car access to local, state, and federal databases;
reporting templates; and in-house Records Management Systems (RMS). Future capabilites will include
additional high speed wireless transmission sites, document imaging and direct data feeds to RMS.
PD-03-WP03
PD Website Redesign
Lead: Captain Alana Forrest
As part of its focus on technoloy, the Department hascompleted the first phase in a redesign of its website. The
new multimedia website is database driven and offers various levels of interactivity both internally and through
the community. The website offers a simple yet refined look and feel, and acts as a highly functional
organization tool. Future iterations of the site will focus on crime prevention and youth programs and will
provide numerous opportunities for the department to partner with community groups. The project will include
3 phases that focus on short term needs and longer term visions.
PD-03-WP04
Police Policy Manual Revision
Lead: Captain Alana Forrest
The Department will revise its policy manual to present updated policy information in a more clear and consise
manner and to improve the functionality of the manual. Staff adopted the current manual on October 1, 1993,
but have not made major formatting revisions since this time. The Department has worked this year with an
outside consulting firm who is providing the necessary professional services to revise the new policy manual. A
draft of the manual is being reviewed by the Department in January and February, 2004.
PD-03-WP05
Tuessds , Janus
2003 Haunted Forest event
Lead: Captain Duino Giordano
For a number of years, the Department has coordinated with volunteers, other Town departments and local
businesses to sponsor the Halloween Haunted Forest in Oak Meadow Park. This year, the event was held for 5
nights in October, a reduced schedule from prior years. The event in future years will likely be transferred to an
outside volunteer group to produce with little participation by Town staff.
PD-03-WPO6
Alive...And Loving Life Initiative
Lead: Captain Alana Forrest
This community initiative is a collaboration within the Los Gatos community between the Town, non-profit
and community organizations, Los Gatos schools and individuals. The intiative focuses on creating an
environment within Los Gatos for the health and safety of youth. The Alive...And Loving Life (ALL) Initiative
is comprised of specific projects and periodic community activities. In the future, ALL will serve as a
coordinating and initiating body to furtherand support community efforts, including the efforts of existing
organizations.
PD-03-WP07
Southside & Montebello Pkg Lot Impv.
Lead: Kevin Rohani, Town Engineer
Improve the parking lot to increase downtown parking availability. Included is the demolition of old bus depot
trailer, resurfacing and restriping of the south parking lot, and constuction of a new lot entry at the Montebello
Lot. The south lot is completed, except for PE&E connection of the electrical system. The Montebello Lot
construction will commence in mid -February.
Infrastructure Needs Assessment
Lead: Kevin Rohani, Town Engineer
To conduct an initial Needs Assessment of the Town's infrastructure. Priority areas of focus will be on the
Town's buildings, streetas, parks and underground storm drainage system. The results of the initial assessment
will assist in the prioritization of future capital planning and programming investments, including meeting
future GASB-34 requirements. A contract for a software system to support the assessment will be brought to
the Town Council in February 2004.
PPW-03-WP02
Winchester/Daves Imp.#02-27
Lead: Jessy Pu, Traffic Engineer
Installation of traffic signal at intersection of Winchester and Daves Avenues to improve pedestrian safety.
Complete.
PPW-03-WP03
PPW-03-WP04
fit,escl y, January 20, 2004
Town Digital Map Project #03-24
Lead: Kevin Rohani, Town Engineer
This project prepared new and accurate digital maps of the Town of Los Gatos. Project included installation of
survey control monuments throughout town and the preparation of topological and aerial maps to provide
accurate data that greatly improve the foundation of the Town's GIS and CAD applications. Next steps are to
identify applications for using the GIS maps in ongoing operations.
PPW-03-WP05
Vasona Trail Feasibility Study
Lead: Tim Boyer, Parks Superientendent
Determine feasibility of extending pedestrian/bicycle trail around Vasona Lake Park. A draft report has been
prepared. Staff raised several questions and the consultant is revising the report.
PPW-03-WP08
Santa Cruz Ave. Streetscape Phase 2
Lead: John Curtis, PPW Director
Phase Two is complete. Phase 3 is scheduled for FY 04-05. Staff will work with the downtown merchants in
03-04 to prepare for Phase 3.
PPW-03-WP09
Town -wide Arterial Study
Lead: Kevin Rohani, Town Engineer
Evaluate current and future traffic conditions for Town arterial streets and identify potential problems and
solutions. Council approval of scope of work and funding is required. Project currently is not funded.
Curb, Gutter Sidewalk Replacement
Lead: Kevin Rohani, Town Engineer
The annual repair and replacement of deficient curbs, gutters and sidewalks throughout Town, in coordination
with the annual Street Resurfacing Program as appropriate. Staff is preparing the construction project for the
2004 construction season.
PPW-03-WP10
PPW-03-WP11
iruessda J�inutry 2€1; 2!
Quito Road Bridge Replacement
Lead: Kevin Rohani, Town Engineer
This project will replace two functionally obsolete bridges that span San Tomas Aquino Creek along Quito
Road. This project is a joint effort between the Town of Los Gatos, City of Saratoga (lead agency) and the
Santa Clara Valley Water District. Latest information available indicates that the project will not begin until
2005.
PPW-03-WP 12
L. G. Creek Bridge Seismic Retrofit
Lead: Kevin Rohani, Town Engineer
Seismic Retrofit Improvement Project to the Los Gatos Creek Bridge spanning Blossom Hill Road. Project is
underway and will be completed by February, 2004.
PPW-03-WPI 3
Blossom Hill Rd Sidewalk
Lead: Kevin Rohani, Town Engineer
This project included a sidewalk along the south-east side of Blossom Hill Road, to close a 'gap' in the
pedestrian route that is heavily used by school children walking to nearby Fisher School, and pedestrians.
Complete.
PPW-03-WP14
Downtown Parking Zone/Sign Project
Lead: Kevin Rohani, Town Engineer
Improvements to the downtown parking zone areas and associated signs. Parks and Public Works staff to install
new signs. The project is on hold, pending completion of downtown construction projects.
PPW-03-WP15
ADA Upgrades for Public Facilities
Lead: Bruce Smith, Facilities Maintenance Coord
Improvements to three Town properties to achieve compliance with ADA standards. Will rehabilitate public
restrooms at Blossom Hill Park, Forbes Mill Museum, Tait Museum and Neighborhood Center. Also includes
improvements to Neighborhood Center front doors. Complete.
PPW-03-WP 17
9
own of Litoi.
Special Projects Work Plan Summary
By Department
Retaining Wall Replacement
Lead: Kevin Rohani, Town Engineer
Repair and/or replacement of several retaining walls that have become structurally deficient. The current
contract in this program will be completed in February, 2004.
PPW-03-WP 18
Geotech Consultant Review
Lead: Kevin Rohani, Town Engineer
In order to protect public health and safety, and facilitate safe development of land in the Town of Los Gatos,
the Town requires that engineering geology and geotechnical report(s) be submitted to the Town for peer
review for proposed development in: (1) the hillside areas of Town; (2) and areas delineated by the state
Seismic Hazards Mapping Act. The purpose of peer review was to establish and maintain uniform quality
standards for engineering geologic and geotechnical engineering reports(s) submitted to the Town, and thereby
reduce and mitigate geologic and seismic hazards. In addition, the purpose of peer review was to establish
procedures to insure that the design of the geotechnical elements of project as shown on the Plans are
consistent with the geotechnical engineering recommendations contained in the geotechnical engineering
report, and to insure that the geotechnical engineering elements of the project are constructed according to the
Plans. Complete.
PPW-03-WP19
NPDES Program Implementation
Lead: John Curtis, PPW Director
Phase I implementation of National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements.
Summary of new Permit Requirements: Group One Projects: Any development (public or private),
street/highway, or significant redevelopment that creates or replaces one acre or more of impervious surface -
will be required to have stormwater treatment (ST) Best Management Practices(BMP) by 7/1/03. Group Two
Projects: Any development, street/highway, or significant redevelopment that creates or replaces 5,000 sq.ft. or
more of impervious surface- will be required to have ST BMP's by 10/15/04. The following implementation
measures are necessary: Develop & implement an Operation & Maintenance verification program for ST
BMPs; Implement a Hydro graph Modification Management Plan to control increases in peak runoff resulting
from development; Evaluate and revise conditions of approval, design standards, General Plans and
Environmental Review Processes; Develop a waiver/compensation system for projects where ST BMPs are
infeasible. The ordinance to enable this work was introduced January 5, 2004.
PPW-03-WP20
Sanitary Sewer System Analysis
Lead: John Curtis, PPW Director
Analyze roles of Town staff, and West Valley Sanitation District staff in maintaining Town sanitary system
while meeting new regulations imposed by the Clean Water Act. The purpose of the analysis is to determine
the most cost effective means to maintain the system.
PPW-03-WP21
Flood Plain Management Ordinance
Lead: John Curtis, PPW Director
The Flood Plain Management Ordinance was adopted on October 3, 1998. It was updated to incorporate the
FEMA and DWR model ordinance provisions. Complete.
PPW-03-WP22
Street Resurfacing Program FY 03-04
Lead: Kevin Rohani, Town Engineer
To repair and resurface public streets for FY 03/04 Capital Improvement Program. This contract is to be re-
commenced in the spring, 2004, as weather improves.
PPW-03-WP23
'Tuesday, January 20, 2004
e15of1-
Council Study Session
Mid -Year Budget Review and FY 2004-05 Budget Development
Draft Session Outline
February 24, 2004, 6:00 p.m.
I. Purpose of Study Session
II. History of Fiscal Situation and Efforts to Manage
III. Mid -Year Update
• Mid -year performance
• FY 03-04 problem (local v. VLF)
• Adjustments to -date to contain costs
• Savings v. Bridge strategy for remaining gap
• FY 04-05 problem (local v. state takes)
IV. FY 03-04 and FY 04-05 Reduction Proposals
• Proposals by department (reductions and revenue)
• Service level impacts
• Proposals considered but not recommended
• Future possibilities to explore
V Feedback and Direction on Priorities
ATTACHMENT 3
STAFF MODEL
MARKETING PLAN FOR THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PURPOSE
The purpose of the marketing plan for the Town of Los Gatos is to provide a
roadmap for focusing time and resources to achieve the Town's marketing
goals and objectives.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Goal I: Maximize tax revenues received by the Town, including sales tax,
property tax, Transient Occupancy Tax, and business license.
Objectives:
A. Increase local residents' awareness of opportunities
for and benefits of shopping and dining in Los Gatos.
B. Increase awareness among visitors from the region
and beyond about opportunities for shopping and
dining in Los Gatos.
C. Increase awareness among visitors from the region
and beyond about opportunities to stay overnight in
Los Gatos.
D. Increase awareness among homebuyers about
opportunities to live in Los Gatos.
E. Increase awareness among businesses about
opportunities to locate in Los Gatos or to remain in
Los Gatos.
Goal II: Enhance the image of Los Gatos as a special place to live, visit and
do business.
Objectives:
A. Increase the level of awareness, in general, about the
positive attributes and qualities of Los Gatos.
B. Increase the community's level of awareness about
and participation in Town services and events.
STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES, OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS
Following are staff's initial thoughts on the strengths and opportunities, and
weaknesses and threats that may have an impact on the Town's marketing
efforts. These and others identified subsequently should be considered in
shaping marketing messages and tactics.
ATTACHMENT 4
Strengths and Opportunities
Location nestled at the foot of the mountains.
Historic downtown and neighborhoods.
Downtown streetscape improvements
Good reputation as quaint and charming.
Marketing partners: Chamber of Commerce, hotels, wineries, merchants
Bizlnk listing as one of "Best Downtowns"
Articles in VIA and Sunset
Wineries and high quality hotels
Music, film, Shakespeare, and holiday events
High caliber schools
Property values
Demographics: Household income; education; homeownership
Limit on formula retail; managed growth; high standards, etc.
Perception about building/development process designed to protect
community character and quality of development
Weaknesses and Threats
Silicon Valley economic downturn; recovery lagging other areas
High housing costs
Limited conference space
Recent publicity about solar panels and Talbot's door — negative inferences
No organized downtown or other business district associations
Santana Row retail and restaurants competition
Limited resources and staff capacity to devote to marketing
Perception about building/development process being time-consuming and
costly
Perception about parking in Downtown area
Limit on formula retail
Public view about role of government in marketing the Town
Marketing Strategy
Attached are some initial thoughts on a marketing strategy for the Town. The
matrix includes the different audiences the strategy could target, the general
message(s) for each audience targeted, the communication strategy to reach
the audiences, the responsible entities for implementing the communication
strategies, the timeline, and the budget. The "communication strategies"
include marketing themes and tactics to implement them. Each of these
strategies would require much more detail in the form of a work program
before proceeding. The responsibility column denotes the suggested lead for
the individual strategies. The timeline and budget columns are left blank
pending Council comments and direction.
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esi ents ✓ Shop Los Gatos Summer in Los Gatos — package Chamber*
✓ Enjoy Los Gatos events summer events, shopping, dining and Merchants, restaurants
✓ Lucky to live in Los Gatos winery opportunities to present as Event sponsors
insert, print and electronic ads, and Town Of Los Gatos
posters
✓ Insert in Mercury
✓ Ads in Weekly, Chronicle, Tribune,
Bee, and Valley paper
✓ Radio ad
✓ Comcast ad
✓ Posters
✓ KCAT, web notice
Los Gatos for the Holidays — package Chamber*
holiday events and shopping and Merchants
dining opportunities to present as print Town Of Los Gatos
and electronic ads and posters
✓ Ads in Weekly, Chronicle, Tribune
✓ Radio ad
✓ Comcast ad
✓ Posters
✓ KCAT, web notice
Los Gatos: My Home Town Town of Los Gatos*
✓ Trivia on web
✓ Saturday in the Park neighborhood
picnics
✓ Vista — spotlight on neighborhoods
✓ Weekly — good news stories,
coverage
✓ What's New marketing
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Same as noted above
Same as noted above
Chamber*
Merchants, restaurants,
hotels, wineries
Town Of Los Gatos
Message Marketing Strategy
• High income, eclectic, Commercial Real Estate
and charming ✓ Los Gatos brochure
• Executive living, SV ✓ Ongoing communication
workforce, quality space, General Marketing
Town welcome ✓ Los Gatos brochure
✓ Downtown business map
✓ VIA magazine ad and articles
✓ Sunset magazine ad and articles
1 Various coverage/lists
Summer in Los Gatos
Los Gatos for the Holidays
General Marketing
Summer in Los Gatos
Los Gatos for the Holidays
General Marketing
Weekend in Los Gatos — package
hotel stay, shopping and dining
certificates, winery concert to present
as prizes in radio contest
✓ Radio ad
✓ What's New marketing
1,1GIMV11Qi ViWtVi uiscover Los Gatos Summer in Los Gatos
Weekend in Los Gatos
General Marketing
Homebuyers Home = Los Gatos Residential Real Estate
✓ Los Gatos brochure
✓ Ongoing communication
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2
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON LOS GATOS PARK USE
Los Gatos Park System
The Los Gatos Park System includes 16 park areas, open space, over 8 miles of trails, athletic
fields, medians and planter areas. The total area of the system is 196 acres. Within the systems
there are 37 acres of lawn, 16 acres of shrubbery, 116 acres of open space, and 2 museums.
Following is a matrix depicting the parks and open space in Los Gatos and the facilities available
in each.
Park
Total
Acreage
Grass
Acres
A
R
P
B
BB
T
Other
Bel Gatos
17.0
1.1
Y
Y
La Rinconada
14.0
1.8
Y
Y
1
Oak Meadow
12.0
4.6
8
Y
Y
2
RR/ Carousel
Blossom Hill
9.2
6.0
Y
Y
Y
6
Ball Field
Live Oak
Manor
4.1
2.3
Y
Y
1
Bachman
3.6
2.3
Y
Y
1
Civic Center
2.9
0.9
Ross Creek
1.0
Town Plaza
0.6
Fountain
Pageant
Grounds
0.4
0.1
Y
Fairview Pl.
0.3
Heinz
85.0
Open Space
Worcester
11.2
Open Space
Novitiate
8.0
Open Space
Oak Hill
Playlot
0.6
0.1
Y
Y
Howes Playlot
0.5
Y
Y
Balzar Field
0.9
0.9
Y
Y
Ball Field
Forbes Mill
0.5
Y
Museum
Los Gatos
Museum
0.3
Y
Museum
ATTACHMENT 5
Legend for Facilities
A - Picnic Areas
R - Restrooms
P - Playlots
B - Basketball
T - Tennis
BB - Bocce Ball
Park System Uses
The parks system is used by people of all ages, not only from Los Gatos and Monte Sereno (for
whom the parks serve as their park system) but for people who live outside the town and city
limits. At the same time, many of the Los Gatos parks are considered to be neighborhood parks,
which tend to attract park visitors predominantly from the surrounding neighborhood.
Recreational and competitive sport areas, tennis, and bocce ball in all of the parks are in regular
use. Lawn areas are used daily for non -organized activities, such as frisbee tossing, pickup games,
playing catch, sunning, strolling, and dog walking/playing. The Civic Center lawn has been used
successfully for music in the summer on a weekly basis and for the 4th of July celebration, and the
Town Plaza has become the venue for "Jazz on the Plazz" and for the Farmer's Market.
With regard to Oak Meadow, park visitors come from the Town as a whole and from surrounding
communities. Visitors use Oak Meadow and Vasona interchangeably, often not aware where one
park ends and the other begins. The playlots, picnic areas, railroad, and carousel are widely used,
even in marginal weather. The playlots are usually filled during the day, seven days each week.
As the largest lawn area within the park system, the lawn at Oak Meadow is used for the above
non -organized activities to a significant extent. In addition, the lawn area has been used annually
for Shakespeare performances, the Haunted Forest, and Screen on the Green. The new bandstand
presents additional opportunities to use portions of the lawn in proximity to it for entertainment
and other activities.
Perhaps the largest group of park system users, excluding trail users, is picnickers. This is
particularly true in Oak Meadow. The eight picnic areas in Oak Meadow Park are fully reserved,
during better weather, for parties and reunions. A ninth area is proposed to meet the growing
demand for picnic space. The proposed additional picnic area is in the area of the old bandstand
where the cupola was located. The Los Gatos Rotary Club has contributed funds to construct a
trellis to provide shade for picnicking in this area. Oak Meadow Park is also home to a jet plane,
originally intended as a playlot attraction for young children to climb on. It was received by the
Town in 1974 and is now approaching 50 years in age. It has been repaired by staff regularly and
cannot be used safely in hot weather, as the hot metal of the plane can burn feet and hands. It is
currently surrounded by yellow tape and is out of service as a playlot attraction for these reasons.
Staff is suggesting that the annual renewal of the Town's agreement with the USAF for the loan
of the plan be reconsidered, with the alternative that the Air Force remove the plane from Oak
Meadow.
Park System Operation and Maintenance
The Parks Division of PPW has 15.10 full time employees in the Fiscal Year 03/04 budget, with
two of the field positions defunded. Of the remaining 13 positions, 11 work in the field in
maintenance, tree trimming and as Park Service Officers. Town park maintenance staff maintain
62 public sites (including parks, trails, open space, athletic fields, and medians), trim trees, seven
conduct the urban forestry program, provide Park Service Officers to assist the public, and
coordinate volunteer efforts such as tree planting to retain the Town's standing as a "Tree City
U.S.A," the weekend workers who perform community services in parks and trail maintenance,
and the Adopt -a -Planter Program on Santa Cruz Avenue, which is expanding to include trails and
other planting areas.
Due to previous and current budget shortfalls, the budget for the Parks Division has been reduced
over the past two fiscal years and may be reduced further. The current year budget reflects the
de -funding of two maintenance worker positions and reduction in temporary staff hours. Given
the continuing fiscal challenge, resources for the Parks Division may be reduced further in the
upcoming FY 2004-2005 budget, likely reducing the capacity to maintain current service levels in
existing parks.
Local Organized Youth Sports
As part of preparing this background report, staff has attempted to gather information on local
organized youth sports. This information may not be complete; however, it provides a starting
point for understanding where organized youth sports are played. This information is summarized
below:
Organization
Sport
Playing Fields
Los Gatos United
Soccer
Fisher/Van Meter and other
schools when available
Los Gatos Recreation District
Soccer
Blossom Hill School
Live Oak Manor
Los Gatos Recreation District
Tennis
Blossom Hill Park
United Soccer League
Soccer
Unknown
Fisher Middle School
Tennis
Blossom Hill Park
3
In addition, there are many informally run practice sessions for soccer in many Town parks and
on school properties. Within Los Gatos and Monte Sereno, there are playing field areas at six
schools:
Daves Avenue School
Blossom Hill School
Fisher Middle School
Louise Van Meter School
Carlton School
Stratford School
Playing fields at these schools have been used by outside groups. From information received by
staff, fields at Los Gatos High School and Leigh High School are not available for use by outside
parties at this time.
General Plan Policy Regarding Parks and Playing Fields
Although the Town's General Plan does not include a recreational element, the Open Space
element does address playing fields in the following goal, policy and implementing strategy:
Goal 0.G.1.1.: To acquire open space areas within the Town of Los Gatos, particularly
lands which provide recreational uses and will protect the public health, welfare, and
safety of residents and visitors.
Policy 0.P.1.5: Promote a system of Town parks and trails and maximize the use of
public utility easements, flood control channels, school grounds, and other quasi -public
areas for recreational uses and playfields.
Implementing Strategy 0.1.1.5: Assess the need for additional developed parks and
playfields in the Town of Los Gatos. The Parks Commission is noted as the responsible
party for this strategy.
This element also includes reference to preserving school playing fields as developed open spaces
in another policy and implementing strategy.
4
Youth Commission Report
Town of Los Gatos
June 6, 2003
Youth Commission Working Group Suggestions
Report Submitted to Town of Los Gatos
June 2003
History of Los Gatos Youth Commission
R ECE 9VEr
SEP 1 8 2003
The Town established its first Youth Advisory Commission in 1970. It consisted of
adults and students and was directed, in summary, to identify existing resources for
youth, identify needs, and report this information to Council along with alternatives as to
how the needs could be met. The Commission was slated to exist 2 years and was staffed
by the Delinquency/Crime Prevention Officer.
A Youth Advisory Commission was again established in 1980 and tasked with essentially
the same duties as its predecessor. In 1993, Council accepted the Commission's
recommendation that it be sunseted. The Commission cited three primary reasons for its
recommendation:
1. It felt that it had met its primary objective through existing services and activities and
determined that youth needs were largely being met.
2. They perceived their projects as being duplicative of those being provided by other
community organizations.
3. Students appointed to the Commission often had other obligations and were unable to
meet Commission related commitments.
The Commission also recommended that Council expand the Community Services
Commission to include two youth members. Council acted on this recommendation at
the same meeting at which the YAC was sunseted.
Youth Commission Working Group — Spring 2003
Background Information
The Youth Commission Working Group met three times: April 8th, April 29th and May
13th to determine the purpose, need and structure of a Youth Commission in Los Gatos.
The idea for (re-) establishing a Youth Commission was generated from two different
meetings. First through a Town Council Retreat in January 2003 and again through one
of the project groups at the March 8th Community Conversation where Town Council
member, Mike Wasserman and Vice Mayor, Steve Glickman, were in attendance, as
well as other interested parents and youth. There were 24 participants present at the first
meeting — an equal number of youth and adults. About 12 people were present at each of
the following meetings. Andrea Schneider, Town Consultant and Chloe Wilder, LGHS
student, facilitated the meetings.
Attachment 6
1
Youth Commission Report
Town of Los Gatos
June 6, 2003
Issues
From the beginning, the idea of a formal body giving youth "a voice" in Los Gatos
resonated with the Working Group. It was seen as an opportunity to empower youth in a
way that they could be heard. The group also felt that a "youth perspective" and an
opportunity for youth to voice their issues should be an important part of decision -
making in the Town. It was hoped that this type of body would increase communication
and understanding between adults and youth. It would bridge awareness and reduce
misunderstanding and help to increase the number of teen -oriented activities and civic
participation. It would be an outstanding learning opportunity for those youth interested
in getting involved. In turn, the Town would be investing in its future citizens, forming a
partnership with youth and would benefit from a new understanding and perspective in
regards to its teens.
Another key issue was the need for this effort to be representative of a diverse group of
youth. There is no system presently in place that would ensure equal and diverse
representation. There are many other opportunities currently in our town for youth
involvement such as Student Council, Reality Check, El Gato, CASA, Outhouse Board
and School Board to name a few. The Working Group felt these groups were doing an
adequate job organizing teen activities and events as well as community service and that
this should not be the focus of a new youth group.
Actions
It was decided that people in the Working Group would partner up - one adult and one
youth - to investigate various youth commissions, task forces and advisory committees in
other local towns and cities. The teams wanted to find out how they function and/or to
see if they have any other meaningful ways to involve their youth with the community.
An interview form was developed to guide the investigation (see attached). The towns
covered were as follows: Cupertino, Gilroy and Morgan Hill, Milpitas and Mt. View,
Palo Alto and Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Santa Clara County and San Jose. Not everyone
was successful in connecting with a town, but the following is a sampling:
San Jose Youth Commission — goal was to provide a youth perspective regarding
community issues. Their biggest success has been running teen conferences on important
youth issues like drugs and gangs. Funding and adequate leadership are the biggest
obstacles. There are 10 students on the commission from 16-21 who need to be available
24/7. They are appointed by city council district, serve a 3-year term, and they put in a
lot of time. Their position on the Commission is taken very seriously.
Cupertino Youth Commission — goal is to advise the City Council on matters relating to
teens in the city. They have been successful holding job fairs, dances and doing
community service. They feel "extremely influential" on matters concerning youth in the
2
Youth Commission Report
Town of Los Gatos
June 6, 2003
city. The biggest obstacle is fostering participation and getting everyone's ideas
expressed because it is such a diverse group. There are 13 members from grades 8-12.
Sunnyvale Teen Advisory Council —goal is to plan and implements activities for teens.
Their biggest success has been local band concerts open to youth. Their biggest obstacles
are commitment and scheduling and getting youth to take ownership of the events.
Members must be attending high school and are appointed for one year, which can be
renewed.
Santa Clara City Youth Commission — acts as an advisory Board to the City Council on
matters regarding youth. Review and make recommendations to Town Council. Some
successes have been the development of a skate park and teen center, a newsletter, a
leadership conference and recreation activities. Obstacles are recommending enough
ideas so that some become a reality. 15 members meet once/month and serve a one-year
term.
Los Gatos
There is a Community Services Commission that has two non -voting teens slots and a
Parks Commission that has 2 students, out of a Board of 9, and they can vote on matters
relating to parks and trails.
Key Findings from Investigations
• Youth act in an advisory/creating activities role — no voting rights — how much of the
teen voice is heard?
• Many boards/commissions are tied to Parks and Recreation
• Terms seem to be 1-3 years with about 12 participants each year
• Most involved high school age youth — not middle school
• Hard to determine if they represent themselves or the interests of a diverse
youth population
• Training was not addressed but seems to be a key component
• Other cities in the County have some form of a youth board or commission —
is there a reason Los Gatos doesn't have one?
• Each city has a different reason for establishing a board — what would our
purpose be? What would our goals be?
• Need to do more research locally, statewide and nationally on organizations that
serve youth in this capacity to learn about their successes and obstacles.
Possible Obstacles
• Can we find enough kids interested in this type of commitment — hard to fill town
positions already
• Would teens burn out after 6 months and/or get distracted with conflicting
• activities?
• How would it be promoted and marketed?
3
Youth Commission Report
Town of Los Gatos
June 6, 2003
• YC's would have to have a true voice and a meaningful purpose — would they have
voting rights?
• How do you ensure continuity when kids graduate, move or have more pressing
demands?
• How do we make sure enough elected members people attend the meetings on a
regular basis?
• How does it connect with the high school? How would it be different than Student
Council?
• Is this the best way to get youth involved in civic affairs and/or leadership activities?
Recommendations
At the end of 3 sessions, the Working Group recommends that an elected body of youth
be established by the Town of Los Gatos in order to give youth a voice in the town and to
empower them. The group could not decide if this body should be in the form of a
formal youth commission or some type of an advisory group that was more fluid and
gathered energy around specific issues on a quarterly basis or every other month. They
preferred the structure of this youth group to be looked into further by the Town Manager
and staff since they seemed split between making it a formal vs. fluid body.
Suggested Guidelines
The Working Group would like to see the development of leadership skills and a training
program for new participants. They felt that 15 members — 3 members per grade from 8th
to 12th grade would be a good number. Participants would have to live in
95030,31,32,33 zip codes. They would be able to bring issues to the Town Council and
access information. Youth could air complaints and ideas at meetings. They could
initiate ideas or respond to suggestions. They must represent the youth voice in Los
Gatos and be elected in a manner that would ensure representation of all different types
of youth.
The Working Group all agree that this group does not have to spend time planning teen
activities since it is being done by multiple organizations at the high school and in the
community. It could, however, be used for individual projects such as educating teens on
certain issues or planning a youth conference.
These are only guidelines for the Town to consider based on the preliminary findings of
this Working Group. The group would be available for questioning, research or more
dialogue as needed.
Special Thanks to Laurie Terrat for her note taking and drafting of this report, Regina
Falkner for sharing past history with the group and Chloe Wilder for co -leading with such
expertise and spirit.
Submitted by: Andrea Schneider, Town Consultant and Facilitator
4
Youth Commission Report
Town of Los Gatos
June 6, 2003
Attachments
Youth Commission/Working Group Investigation Questions for Other Towns and Cities
Please see if you can get information on the following questions:
1. Goal/Objectives
2. Who or what group is responsible for the Commission, Advisory, Task Force?
3. In what ways do they get youth participation? Do they have active participation?
4. What are the biggest obstacles?
5. What are some of their big successes?
6. What is their best advice for Los Gatos?
7. How long is the Youth Appointment?
8. What is their arrangement for oversight?
9. What is the most powerful youth group in their city? What makes it so good?
10. Great Advice?
Investigation Pairs:
Nicole Wasserman and Chris Miller
Steve Glickman and Lindsay Funston
Kim Smith and Kevin Slattery
Kellin Dunne and Steve Rauwolf
Chris Miller and Julia Moorhead
Chanel Cramer and Michael Bertoldo
Mike Wasserman and Chloe Wilder
Cupertino
Gilroy and Morgan Hill
Milpitas and Mt. View
Palo Alto and Sunnyvale
Santa Clara
Santa Clara County
San Jose
5
Youth Commission Report
Town of Los Gatos
June 6, 2003
Working Group Participants
Julia Moorhead
Snowgir1126@aol.com
Chris Miller
camillier@scu.edu
Kim Smith
knsmithlg@aol.com
Nicole Wasserman
Nicnac055@aol.com
Lindsay Funston
spritengum@aol.com
Chanel Cramer
Calichick500@hotrnail.com
Ali Cramer
Calichick500@,hotmail.com
Michael Bertoldo
Corrupt86@hotmail.com
Steve Rauwolf
steve@lgsrecreation.org
Kellin Dunne
Bluidgr122@aol.com
Kevin Slattery
handeman@sbcglobal.net
Mike Wasserman
mwasserman@aol.com
Negin Saei
supemegin@vahoo.com
Scott Seaman
sseaman@town.los-gatos.ca.us
rTh
Laurie Terrat
Lterrat@aol.com
Steve Glickman
steve@glicktech.com
David Burkhart
kmalbright@attbi.com
Felix Li
LGUnitedFC@aol.com
Regina Falkner
rfalkner@town.los-gatos.ca.us
David Ross
Sara Slattery
Horsegur114@yahoo.com
Megan Slattery
Smartypants810na,hotmail.com
Greg Benton
Greg481@aol.com
Jacqui Kemp
wackvjaxs@attbi.com
Andrea Schneider
cmtyactn@aol.com
6
Community
Education and Recreation
Serving the Community Since 1955
September 9, 2003
Ms. Debra Figone
Town Manager
Town of Los Gatos
1 I0 East Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95031
Dear Debra:
DECEIVED
SEP 1 0 2003
TOWN MANAGER
Administration
123 East Main Street
Los Gatos, Ca. 95030
Phone: 408/354-8700
Fax: 408/395-3828
www: Igsrecreation. org
Steve Rauwolf, Director
Los Gatos -Saratoga Community Education and Recreation exists to help build a healthy
community by providing recreation and community enrichment services to the
communities of Los Gatos, Saratoga, and Monte Sereno. One of the many strategies
employed to achieve this vision is establishing and maintaining effective partnerships
with the municipal governments of the communities we serve.
In the spirit of improving our service to the community, I extend an invitation to the
Town to meet and review our relationship from the perspective of the past and with an
eye to the future. Otis meetings could identify and affirm those aspects of our partnership
that are flourishing to the benefit of the community, address any areas of concern that if
resolved could benefit all, and envision the future and establish a framework to ensure an
effective partnership for tomorrow.
These meetings could include staff only from both our agencies or our Governing Board
is willing to appoint representatives from the Board to be included in these meetings if
the Town wishes to include the Mayor or other council members. In any case, we are
committed to ongoing cooperation and development of this most valuable partnership and
in that spirit we extend this invitation.
Sincerely,
Steve Rauwolf
Director
Attachment 7
Los Gatos -Saratoga High School District
A Joint Powers Agency
Los Gatos Union School District
Saratoga Union School District
PREPARED BY:
Reviewed by:
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
...EETING DATE: 01-21-03
ITEM NO.
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
JANUARY 16, 2003
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
DEBRA J. FIGONE, TOWN MANAGER
DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION REGARDING TOWN COUNCIL
RETREAT
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve the meeting minutes from the Town Council Retreat held January 10 and 11, 2003.
2. Discuss and provide direction regarding the suggested actions identified during the Council
Retreat.
BACKGROUND:
The Town Council held a Council Retreat on January 10 and 11, 2003 at the Toll House Hotel. The
purpose of the Retreat was to provide an opportunity for the Town Council to discuss how they
would like to work together as a Council team, to review an update of the Town's 5-year strategic
plan and to discuss key strategic issues for future consideration.
DISCUSSION:
Attachment 1 provides the summary of the Council Retreat, including the meeting minutes from the
Retreat, and the suggested actions for follow-up (Exhibit A). Staff is seeking Council approval of
the meeting minutes, and discussion and direction regarding the suggested actions.
The suggested actions represent our interpretation of Council's comments and discussion, taking care
to not lose the essence of the comments while summarizing and making clear the intent of the
comments. We have framed most of the suggested actions as items to explore in recognition that
we will need to evaluate them in the context of available resources and other work plan priorities,
as was discussed at the Retreat.
At the same time, we did hear Council identify priorities among these suggested actions. From a
work plan perspective, the more significant of these include the following:
Pamela S. Jacobs
Assistant Town Manager
Assistant Town Manager OIL Attorney Clerk Finance
Community Development Revised: 1/16/03 3:49 pm
Reformatted: 5/30/01
Attachment 8
DRAFT
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
TOWN COUNCIL RETREAT
January 10 and 11, 2003
Meeting Minutes
TOWN COUNCIL RETREAT
The Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos met at the Toll House Hotel, 140 South Santa Cruz
Avenue, at 3:30 p.m., Friday, January 10, 2003 and 8:30 a.m., Saturday, January 11, 2003 in a
Council Retreat.
COUNCIL ATTENDANCE
Present:
Sandy Decker, Mayor
Steve Glickman, Vice Mayor
Diane McNutt, Council Member
Joe Pirzynski, Council Member
Mike Wasserman, Council Member
FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2003 SESSION
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
Ray Davis voiced concern that the Town had scheduled two public meetings at the same time,
spoke about the Sobrato Company's actions in other markets regarding converting office space to
housing, and expressed concern about the process regarding a recent appeal before the Town
Council.
Purpose of Retreat
Mayor Decker opened the meeting with her vision for the Retreat.
Debra Figone, Town Manager, discussed why the Retreat was important from her perspective.
Shawn Spano, consultant to the Town, presented the purpose of the Retreat as an opportunity for
the Town Council to discuss how they would like to work together as a Council team, to review
an update of the Town's 5-year strategic plan and to discuss key strategic issues for future
consideration.
Meeting Discussion
Exhibit A, attached to these minutes provides summary notes from this session and a listing of
the suggested actions for follow-up.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Decker closed this evening's session at 7:30 p.m.
ATTACHMENT 1
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
TOWN COUNCIL RETREAT
SUGGESTED ACTIONS
January 10-11, 2003
January 10t Session: Working Together
Implementation and Assessment of Retreat Items
At the conclusion of the Friday session, the council asked: How will we know that this
retreat was a success 6-9 months from now?
In response, staff agreed to compile a summary report identifying the main points and
suggested action items discussed at the retreat. These items will then be assessed in a
progress report or follow up meeting/retreat with the council.
What is an Effective Council Member?
Effective council members are able to balance the following tensions or competing
values.
• Being proactive about creating change in the community vs.
seeking to preserve and protect the community
• Leading and educating the public on an issue vs.
following the wishes of the public
• Recognizing the short term and
long term implications of an issue and decision
What is an Effective Council Team?
• Members are prepared and knowledgeable on the issues
• Decisions are made based on the best available information, and a careful
interpretation of the data
• Members rely on community input and council discussion at council meetings in
making final decisions
• There are no coalitions or well defined voting blocks
What Constitutes Effective Council Discussion?
• There is an openness to differing points of view
• Members are able to disagree with one another
• Differences are managed constructively
• Members listen to each other with respect
EXHIBIT A
January llth Session: Looking Forward
The Strategic Framework
Council asked a number of questions and clarifications in response to the Town
Manager's update of the strategic plan. In addition to comments about specific
implementation strategies, one overarching action item was suggested.
Suggested action: When possible, staff should provide council with quantitative data
regarding status on priorities and goals as a way to help assess success. Example: the
number of graffiti incidents per year.
Issue Category #1: Fiscal Health and the Economy
Suggested action: Explore the possibility of creating an economic advisory board (or
committee, roundtable, etc.), taking into consideration mission, goals and composition
that will make the group most effective.
Suggested action: Explore the possibility of bringing appropriately -scaled convention
groups and trade shows to Los Gatos. Align with the San Jose Convention and Visitors
Bureau to help identify Los Gatos as a destination for people attending conventions in
San Jose.
Suggested action: Explore providing Council on a regular basis a fact sheet reporting
sales tax revenue, commercial and residential vacancy rates and other relevant economic
trend information .
Suggested action: Explore attracting medical technology firms to locate in town as a
complement to the Town's hospitals and medical centers.
Suggested action: Staff should continue to make personal contacts with commercial
tenants and owners, including an increased emphasis on reaching out to the brokerage
community.
Suggested action: Continue to explore alternative options for enhancing revenue,
including user's fees, commercial business license fees, etc.
Suggested action: Explore the possibility of annexation based on a cost/benefit analysis
of each site, including infrastructure condition, Town service costs, revenue generated,
etc.
Issue Category #2: Communication Outreach and Feedback
Suggested action: Proceed with conducting the Human Needs survey, incorporating
Council input and ensuring the survey methodology is sound to ensure valid results.
3
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
TOWN
SUGGESTED ACTIONS
January 10-11, 2003
COUNCIL RETREAT
January 10th Session: Working Together
Implementation and Assessment of Retreat Items
At the conclusion of the Friday session, the council asked: How will we know that this
retreat was a success 6-9 months from now?
In response, staff agreed to compile a summary report identifying the main points and
suggested action items discussed at the retreat. These items will then be assessed in a
progress report or follow up meeting/retreat with the council.
What is an Effective Council Member?
Effective council members are able to balance the following tensions or competing
values:
• Being proactive about creating change in the community vs.
seeking to preserve and protect the community
• Leading and educating the public on an issue vs.
following the wishes of the public
• Recognizing the short term and
long term implications of an issue and decision
What is an Effective Council Team?
• Members are prepared and knowledgeable on the issues
• Decisions are made based on the best available information, and a careful
interpretation of the data
• Members rely on community input and council discussion at council meetings in
making final decisions
• There are no coalitions or well defined voting blocks
What Constitutes Effective Council Discussion?
• There is an openness to differing points of view
• Members are able to disagree with one another
• Differences are managed constructively
• Members listen to each other with respect
EXHIBIT A
January 11th Session: Looking 14 orward
The Strategic Framework
Council asked a number of questions and clarifications in response to the Town
Manager's update of the strategic plan. In addition to comments about specific
implementation strategies, one overarching action item was suggested.
Suggested action: When possible, staff should provide council with quantitative data
regarding status on priorities and goals as a way to help assess success. Example: the
number of graffiti incidents per year.
Issue Category #1: Fiscal Health and the Economy
Suggested action: Explore the possibility of creating an economic advisory board (or
committee, roundtable, etc.), taking into consideration mission, goals and composition
that will make the group most effective.
Suggested action: Explore the possibility of bringing appropriately -scaled convention
groups and trade shows to Los Gatos. Align with the San Jose Convention and Visitors
Bureau to help identify Los Gatos as a destination for people attending conventions in
San Jose.
Suggested action: Explore providing Council on a regular basis a fact sheet reporting
sales tax revenue, commercial and residential vacancy rates and other relevant economic
trend information .
Suggested action: Explore attracting medical technology firms to locate in town as a
complement to the Town's hospitals and medical centers.
Suggested action: Staff should continue to make personal contacts with commercial
tenants and owners, including an increased emphasis on reaching out to the brokerage
community.
Suggested action: Continue to explore alternative options for enhancing revenue,
including user's fees, commercial business license fees, etc.
Suggested action: Explore the possibility of annexation based on a cost/benefit analysis
of each site, including infrastructure condition, Town service costs, revenue generated,
etc.
Issue Category #2: Communication Outreach and Feedback
Suggested action: Proceed with conducting the Human Needs survey, incorporating
Council input and ensuring the survey methodology is sound to ensure valid results.
3
•
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
CALIFORNIA
TOWN COUNCIL/PARKING AUTHORITY
RETREAT AGENDA
January 24, 2004/Minutes
TOWN COUNCIL
The Town Council/Parking Authority/Redevelopment Agency of the Town of Los Gatos
met at the Toll House - Cabernet Room, 140 South Santa Cruz Avenue, at 8:45 a.m.,
Saturday, January 24, 2004, in retreat session.
ROLL CALL
Present: Council: Sandy Decker, Diane McNutt, Joe Pirzynski,
Mike Wasserman and Mayor/Chairman Steve Glickman
Staff: Community Development Director, Bud Lortz;
Town Attorney, Orry Korb; Public Works Director, John Curtis;
Community Services Director, Regina Falkner; Police Chief,
Scott Seaman; Library Director, Peggy Conaway; Finance Director,
Steve Conway; Assistant Town Manager, Pamela Jacobs; Town
Manager, Debra Figone.
RETREAT SESSION FOR TOWN COUNCIL
Council and staff discussed and reviewed the following items which appeared on the
posted agenda:
1. Strategic Framework
2. Strategic Issues Discussion
• Fiscal Health and the Economy
• Communication, Outreach and Feedback
• Community Services
• Other Strategic Issues
3. Council Relations - Working Together
4. Wrap-up
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Glickman adjourned this session at 4:00 p.m.
ATTEST:
Debra J. Figone
Town Manager and Deputy Town Clerk