20101129 - Study Session - Joint meeting with Town Commissions to discuss stategic goals0'N R OF
1p COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: NOVEMBER 18, 2010
MEETING DATE: 11/29/10
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: GREG LARSON, TOWN MANAGER -
SUBJECT: JOINT STUDY SESSION WITH TOWN COMMISSIONS TO DISCUSS
PROPOSED STRATEGIC GOALS
BACKGROUND
In April 2010, the Town Council adopted the 2010 -2012, Core Values and Strategic Goals. The
November 29 Council/Commissions Confluence is being held to receive input from key Town
commissions regarding goals they would like Council to consider for inclusion in the 2011 -2013
Town Strategic Goals. A representative from each of the following commissions/boards will be
provided up to five minutes to introduce suggested priorities, then join in a group discussion:
Arts and Culture Commission, Community Services Commission, Library Board, Parks
Commission Planning Commission, Transportation & Parking Commission and Youth
Commission.
Commission input will be considered by Council at its early 2011 Retreat when it will discuss
changes, if any, to the current Strategic Goals.
The national, state, regional and local economies all continue to be impacted by, if not suffer
from, the so- called "Great Recession" with high unemployment, stagnant home prices, and
declining tax revenues. Consequently, the Town's capacity to expand existing services or to add
new services or projects will be particularly challenging given the ongoing budget reductions
needed for the foreseeable future to maintain a balanced budget.
DISCUSSION
Seven of the Town's key commissions were asked to suggest strategic goals for Council's
consideration. A listing of their recommendations is provided below. These recommendations
are the commission/board proposals and have not been analyzed by staff. In some cases,
PREPARED BY : Regina A.
Communitfe*cesDirector
Reviewed by: 1' Assistant Town Manager Town Attorney
Clerk Administrator Jn a Finance mmunity Development
PAGE
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: COMMISSIONER CONFLUENCE
NOVEMBER 18, 2010
proposals outline specific projects rather than strategic goals. If directed, staff can evaluate these
items for inclusion in the Manager's proposed Operating Budget.
Arts and Culture Commission (ACC)
The ACC has spent the last year developing an Arts Master Plan which it will present to Council
December 6th. If approved, the Commission requests that the Arts Plan be included in the
Strategic Goals.. This is consistent with the existing goal which states:
• Restructure community arts and culture programs and services to meet community
priorities and needs.
Community Services Commission (CSC)
The CSC is not recommending any new strategic goals. However, it asks that Council carryover
all of the Civic Enrichment Strategic Goals and the following summarized goals into the 2011-
2013 document:
• Increase communication with community.
• Respond to ongoing structural deficit.
• Expand the Los Gatos Prepared campaign.
Library Board
The Library Board recommends that the Council carryover the following goal into the next 2011-
-2013 document:
• Complete construction and opening of new library providing new and expanded library
services.
Specifically, the Board asks that this be interpreted to include funding of staff so the new library
can be open 54 hrs /wk and that additional funds be made available for collection development.
The Board also recommends that the Town continue the goal of increased community
communication and improve the Town's website. Members find the Town site difficult to
navigate.
Parks Commission
The Parks Commission proposes three new projects for inclusion in the Town's 2011 -13
Strategic Goals:
• Develop a Turf Conversion Policy. (Quality Public Infrastructure)
The Parks Commission proposes to draft a change to Town Policy regarding the use of
turf in the Town's parks. The Parks Commission's goal is to convert turf to drought
tolerant plant and natural hardscape in certain park areas of low intensity, recreational or
decorative use. Further, in conformity with the Town's General Plan and in collaboration
with Parks and Public Works and the community at large, the Parks Commission
proposes to analyze issues such as aesthetics, costs, security, and other factors by
converting turf at an initial site within the next year.
PAGE
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: COMMISSIONER CONFLUENCE
NOVEMBER 18, 2010
• Improve connections between existing on -street bicycle lanes, multi -use trails, and open
space (General Plan Policy OSP -3.2; Civic Enrichment)
• Develop a maintenance plan and criteria for each park. (Quality Public Infrastructure and
Civic Enrichment)
In addition, the Commission proposes the continuance of two existing goals summarized below:
• Develop master plan for new sports /recreation facility.
• Increase communication with community. The Commission would like to expand
outreach with regard to parks, recreation, and Town beautification efforts.
Planning Commission (PC)
The PC would like Council to carryover three existing Strategic Goals. It requests a joint study
session to discuss the following two higher priority goals as well as other topics such as
"community benefit":
• Update the Los Gatos Blvd. Plan; the Commission would like this to include a traffic
study, and relate the Plan to the North Forty, Downtown and the Vasona light rail. It also
recommends that the Plan be extended to the northern Town limits.
• Complete and adopt the 2020 General Plan focused update, including new Housing
Element. As part of this goal, the PC requests interim guidance on Affordable Housing
Overlay Zones.
Lastly, the Commission requests that the goal regarding review of the Town's policy regarding
the serving of alcohol in restaurants and other establishments be continued.
Transportation & Parking Commission (TPC)
The TPC proposes three new projects:
• Revisit the comprehensive downtown parking garage plan from the 1960's as it relates to
the current downtown parking garage concept. Also, pursue the purchase of available
parking in the downtown area, i.e. Royce Street. Investigate bonds as a source of revenue
for. construction of downtown parking structures with a similar approach used for Parking
Garage #4. (Fiscal Stability)
• Work together with the Planning Department to ensure compliance with AB 1358
"Complete Streets Program." This bill requires that the Town, upon any substantive
revision of the circulation element of the general plan, modify the circulation element to
plan for a balanced, multimodal transportation network that meets the needs of all users
of streets, roads, and highways. (Public Infrastructure)
• Propose and develop a program to evaluate traffic circulation procedures /techniques,
traffic safety enforcement, and student parking on and off the Los Gatos High School
campus. This pilot project would be designed in cooperation with the Town's Police
Department, Transportation and Parking Commission, the Los Gatos - Saratoga Joint
Union High School District, and the Los Gatos High School Administration. (Good
Governance)
PAGE 4
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: COMMISSIONER CONFLUENCE
NOVEMBER 18, 2010
• Perform a comprehensive assessment of residential permit parking signs in the Almond
Grove District. Replace old signs that are inconsistent and replace them with uniform
signage for residential permit parking. (Quality Public Infrastructure)
• Prepare an official Town of Los Gatos Bicycle & Trail Map. (Civic Enrichment)
Youth Commission
The Youth Commission proposes the following projects for inclusion in the Town's Strategic
Goals:
• Continuation of the Youth Friendly Business Program
• Programs /services to reduce teen stress
• Policies to limit teen access to tobacco
• Inclusion of youth focused retail and teen retailers in the North 40
CONCLUSION
The Town's Strategic Plan identifies priorities and provides staff with guidance in developing
the Annual Operating Budget. The study session with the commissions is an opportunity to
obtain informed community input.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
The recommended action is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
FISCAL IMPACT
Any new strategies or projects proposed by the commission and included in the Town Council's
2011 -13 Strategic Goals would be incorporated into the Town's Annual Operating budget.
Attachments:
2010 -2012 Strategic Goals
Distribution:
Arts and Culture Commission
Community Services Commission
Library Board
Parks Commission
Planning Commission
Transportation & Parking Commission
Youth Commission