Item 10 Staff Report Accept Report on July 9, 1995 Mini-Town Hall ExperimentCOUNCIL AGENDA
DATE: 7/17/95
ITEM NO. % 0
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: JULY 12, 1995
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: ACCEPT REPORT ON JULY 9, 1995 MINI -TOWN HALL EXPERIMENT
RECOMMENDATION:
Accept report. For information only, no action required.
BACKGROUND:
Mayor Pat O'Laughlin suggested the possibility of a "mini Town Hall" to be held once a month at Sunday
mornings' Farmer's Markets. Mayor O'Laughlin, Community Services Director Regina Falkner, and I set up
a card table and chair at the July 9th Farmer's Market. We met members of the public, answered various
questions, took suggestions, and dispensed information brochures on Town activities. Thirty to 35 people
stopped to visit. Many expressed pleasure that the Mayor and Town staff are willing to give up time on
Sunday mornings to meet the public.
The following is a sampling of some of the comments received:
► Four people expressed their desire that Starbucks not be allowed in the downtown area.
• Four people asked about household hazardous waste collection.
► One person expressed concern about the sidewalks behind Van Meter School.
► Three people expressed the hope that Los Gatos would provide Police services to Monte Sereno.
► One person complained of bicycle riders' not walking their bicycles on Forbes Mill bridge.
• Three people stopped by to encourage Council to adopt the utility users tax.
• A non-resident couple asked about our recycling program.
► A gentleman from Sunnyvale complained about our Ligustrum (Privit) trees. He felt that if we could not
take them out altogether, they should be sprayed to prevent blooming.
• Two people expressed concern that the Council had not allowed the Chamber of Commerce to close
North Santa Cruz Avenue for two days.
► Two people suggested that Council take the lead in developing a patriotic celebration on the Fourth of
July.
► One person felt that Council should undertake the Art and Wine Festival now that the Chamber of
Commerce is not doing it.
One person asked what she could do to help out the Town. We immediately signed her up as a volunteer
candidate.
PREPARED BY: DAVID W. KNAPP, Town Manager
DWK:pm Revised: 7/13/95 10:53 am
MGRO85 A:ICNCLRPTSI7-17-1
Reviewed by: Is'" Attorney Clerk Finance N. Treasurer
COUNCIL ACTION/ACTION DIRECTED TO:
Form: 6/21/95
PAGE 2
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: ACCEPT REPORT ON JULY 9, 1995 MINI -TOWN HALL EXPERIMENT
JULY 12, 1995
Staff will be following up on these items. The next mini Town Hall is scheduled for August 6. The Police
Department is scheduled to be the featured department.
We intend to improve the process next time by wearing name tags and bringing along some rocks to weight
down our brochures.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS:
Is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
July 17, 1995
Los Gatos, CaiLfornia
TRANSIT ASSIST PROGRAM DISSOLUTION (09.19)
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mrs. Lubeck, that Council authorize elimination of
positions of the Transit Assist Program Coordinator as of July 28, 1995, and Transit Assist
Program Assistant as of July 18, 1995. Carried by a vote of 4 ayes. Mrs. Benjamin was absent.
Council consensus that letters of commendation from the Council be awarded to the Transit
Assist staff.
MINI -TOWN HALL/SUNDAYS IN TOWN PLAZA (10.10)
Mr. Blanton thanked the Mayor for implementing this program. Mr. Blanton also requested
consideration of a July 4th celebration for the community. Mayor O'Laughlin suggested a
simple, family orientated event to be held on the High School lawn. Council consensus to place
this subject on the agenda of August 7, 1995 at which time Mrs. Benjamin will be present.
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS (23.10)
Brazil -World Cup celebrations:
Mayor O'Laughlin reported that there would be Brazilian festivities the week of August 6-13,
1995. These events will commemorate Brazil's winning of the World Cup '94. The Brazilian
government has made the request that they be able to celebrate that memorable event in Los
Gatos.
Grenada -Sister City exchange:
Mr. Attaway noted that the City of Grenada has requested being a Sister City of Los Gatos as
a cultural exchange. This will be considered when there is more information regarding the City
and its community.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mr. Attaway, that this evening's meeting be adjourned at
8:47 p.m. Carried unanimously.
TC:D7:MM071795
ATTEST:
Marian V. Cosgrove
Town Clerk
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