Discuss General Plan Update Task Force FormationDATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
MEETING DATE: 3/17/97
STUDY SESSION
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
March 11, 1997
MAYOR AND TO COUN IL
TOWN MANAGER
r
DISCUSS GENERAL PLAN UPDATE TASK FORCE FORMATION
BACKGROUND:
At your last Council meeting you discussed forming a task force to begin community discussion of the General Plan.
DISCUSSION:
Attached is a letter from Council Member Hutchins to Jim and Maggie Creighton on organizing to review the Town's
General Plan.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS:
Is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
Attachment: March 7, 1997 letter from Council Member Hutchins to Jim and Maggie Creighton
PREPARED BY: DAVID W. KNAPP
Town Manager
DWK:pm
MGR 112 A:\CNCLRPTSA'PASKFORC.GP
Reviewed by: `+.Atigrney Finance Revised: 3/12/97 2:37 pm
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Reformatted: 10/23/95
ge: 1 From; Jan Hutchins Communications Prepared: Fri, Mar 7, 1997 01:04 PM
Jan Hutchins, Los Gatos Town Council
Phone: 408.395.5356, FaXc 408.356.4216, a -mail 7anComm@i.netcom.com
Mailing address: I6450 Los Gatos Blvd, Suite I07, Los Gatos, CA 95032
March 7, 1997
To: Jim and Maggie Creighton
Fax # 354-8012
Re: Council presentation 3-17-97
Dear Jim and Maggie,
Thank you again for agreeing to allow our town to gain from your knowledge
and skills. We look forward to Jim's presentation at our meeting the evening of the
17th at the council chamber.
The mayor hag derided to ('convene a group of T.oc C;atoc Citizens to review cnir
General Plan. We sense the difficulty involved and seriousness required to do this
properly and would like your guidance to understand the key considerations
involved. Thus, we would appredate an approximately 15 minute presentation on
"Suggestions for Structuring Public Participation in the Los Gatos General Plan
Review." I hope you would be willing to stay another 10 minutes or so to answer
questions from the council and staff. If these time frames are unrealistic please let
us know.
We will appredate some key definitions about setting up a process for public
partidpatlon, how to select the citizen partidpants, mistakes to avoid, and any
recommended techniques. We also need to understand the liaison, staffing and
other ongoing relationships that must exist during the process.
As I understand it, the mayor wants the entire review to be complete before
December of 1997 and the outcome to:
* reflect a consensus of the community about the Los Gatos General Plan
* encourage ongoing participation in town issues by a new group of future "leaders"
* reduce or eliminate the existing sense of alienation from the town council felt by
some citizens
We have all been impressed by the effectiveness of the Merchants and
Residents Committee for New Parking and we understand many of your techniques
were used to achieve the progress they have made in building a consensus on that
issue. Thank you for your work there and thank you in advance for helping us set
up this review.
Wishing you health,
Jan Hutchins
cc: Dave Knapp, Town Manager
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
CALIFORNIA
TOWN COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
March 17, 1997
Minutes
TOWN COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
The Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos met in the Council Chambers of Town Hall, 110
E. Main St., at 9:40 p.m. Monday, March 17, 1997, in regular session adjourned to study
session.
ROLL CALL
Present: Randy Attaway, Steven Blanton, Jan Hutchins
Linda Lubeck, and Chairman/Mayor Joanne Benjamin.
Others: Town Manager Dave Knapp, Jim Creighton and members of the public.
STUDY SESSION:
CONSIDERATIONS FOR FORMING GENERAL PLAN COMMITTEE
Mr. Jim Creighton, representing his consulting company, made a presentation on establishing
effective community participation and gathering productive community input. He spoke
regarding "Suggestions for Structuring Public Participation in the Los Gatos General Plan
Review." He noted selection techniques for the committee; support staff for the necessary
reports and analysis; methods for obtaining general public participation; and in particular,
Council support during the final decision making process.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Benjamin adjourned the meeting at 10:25 p.m.
ATTEST:
David W. Knapp
Town Manager and Deputy Town Clerk
TC: D8: RA031797