M06-04-12P a g e 1
Council/Agency Meeting 6/18/12
Item #1
MINUTES OF THE TOWN COUNCIL/PARKING AUTHORITY
STUDY SESSION
JUNE 4, 2012
The Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Study Session and Town
Council Meeting on Monday, June 4, 2012.
STUDY SESSION CALLED TO ORDER – 5:15 P.M.
Sustainability Plan Study Session
- Jennifer Savage, Associate Planner, presented the staff report.
- Joanna Jensen from The Planning Center DCE presented a Summary of Measure
Reductions and Implementation.
Council Discussion
The Town Council reviewed the refined list of Sustainability Plan Measures and
provided feedback to staff and consultants for the completion of the Sustainability Plan.
REGULAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER - 7:00 PM
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Steve Rice, Vice Mayor Barbara Spector, Council Member Steven
Leonardis, Council Member Diane McNutt, and Council Member Joe Pirzynski.
Absent: None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Max Saunders, from Blossom Hill Elementary School, led the Pledge of Allegiance. The
audience was invited to participate.
PRESENTATIONS
Benjamin Baranovsky, Youth Commission Chair, presented the 2012 Youth Friendly
Business of the Year award to Los Gatos Meats.
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Presentations - Continued
Mayor Steve Rice presented commendations to the following outgoing student
commissioners:
Adam Gramling
Hirsch Goswamy
Kiara Stickney
Killian Jackson
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
There was no closed session for this meeting.
COUNCIL/TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
Council Matters
Manager Matters
Greg Larson, Town Manger
- Introduced Sgt. Lane Davis from the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department
who is rotating through the Executive Team
- Commented that Los Gatos High School graduation is occurring on June 8th and
Town Hall will be closed early on Friday to ease traffic congestion.
- Commented that the Friends of the Los Gatos Library are providing treats for the
students who attend the study hall in the library.
- Commented that the Jubilee Celebration will take place on August 10, 2012 and the
Town is looking for volunteers to host parties in various parks.
Did You Know??
Jessica von Borck, Economic Vitality Manager
- Commented that various summer activities are available for all age groups,
including Music in the Park, Fourth of July Celebration, Jazz on the Plazz, and
Fiesta des Artes.
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CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Approve Council Minutes of
a. May 14, 2012 Council Study Session
b. May 21, 2012 Regular Council Meeting
2. Approve Town Council Meeting Schedule for FY 2012/13
3. Student Commissioner Appointments
Mayor Rice asked the incoming student commissioners in the audience to stand
and be recognized.
4. Adopt resolution establishing the FY 2012/13 GANN Appropriations Limit for the
Town of Los Gatos.
5. Adopt resolutions approving the Town of Los Gatos Fiscal Year 2012/13 Operating
Budget and FY 2012/13 - FY 2017/18 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), carry
forward appropriations, and other approved adjustments and minor corrections
Item 5 was pulled from the consent agenda.
6. Adopt a resolution approving a fund balance policy for the General Fund and
delegating authority to the Town Manager to "assign" ending fund balances in
accordance with Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 54
7. Adopt resolution authorizing the transfer of Community Development Block Grant
Funds and Housing Conservation Program Loans, and related budget adjustments
8. Request to separate the AHOZ review process for a portion of the form er
courthouse property from the remaining AHOZ Properties.
Item 8 was pulled from the consent agenda.
9. Belwood Gateway Permanent Installation of Traffic Calming Devices. Accept report
on the permanent installation of traffic calming devices for Belwood Gateway
neighborhood.
10. PPW Job No. 10-19 University Avenue Resurfacing (Shelburne Way to Vasona
Dam) Approve plans and specifications for the University Avenue Resurfacing
(Shelburne Way to Vasona Dam) project and authorize staff to advertise the project
for bid.
11. PPW Job. No. 11-16 FY 2011/12 Street Repair & Resurfacing Project 811-9901.
Reject the bids for FY 2011/12 Street Repair and Resurfacing Project and authorize
staff to rebid the project.
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Consent Items - Continued
MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Barbara Spector to approve Consent Items
#1-11 exclusive of Items #5 and #8.
Seconded by Council Member Steven Leonardis.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
Council Member Leonardis abstained from the vote on Item
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mr. Beritzhoff
Expressed concern about the operations of Hillbrook School.
Council Questions
- Questioned whether the Hillbrook School issue is on a future Council agenda.
Mr. Larson
- Commented that Hillbrook School submitted a CUP modification application, which
Council will consider after the Planning Commission considers it.
- Commented that staff is reviewing the existing CUP and complaints to ensure that
the existing CUP is not violated.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
12. Abatement of Hazardous Vegetation (Brush) Overrule objections and ordering
hazardous vegetation abatement (brush)
Todd Capurso, Parks and Public Works Director, presented the staff report.
Open the Public Hearing
Mr. Toombs
- Expressed concerns about the timing and communication of the program.
Mr. Rice
- Expressed concerns about the timing of the program.
- Commented that seed heads need to drop before the grass is cut, which could be
from May 15 - June 15 of any year, depending on the weather.
Council Questions
- Questioned Mr. Rice’s opinion as to what is an ideal deadline date for the brush to
be cut.
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Item #12 – continued
Mr. Capurso and Mr. Larson
- Commented that staff will communicate the speakers’ concerns to County Fire.
MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Barbara Spector overrule any objections
received by June 4, 2012 and order Abatement of Hazardous
Vegetation (Brush)
Seconded by Council Member Joe Pirzynski.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
13. Adopt resolution amending FY 2012/13 comprehensive fee schedule to continue
and adjust certain department fees, rates, and charges (Staff recommends
continuance to June 18, 2012)
Mr. Larson
- Commented that staff recommends continuance of this item to allow for further
noticing of affected parties.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Joe Pirzynski to continue the
adoption of a resolution amending FY 2012/13 comprehensive fee
schedule to continue and adjust certain department fees, rates, and
charges to June 18, 2012.
Seconded by Vice Mayor Barbara Spector
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
14. Zoning Code Amendment A-12-001. Applicant: Town of Los Gatos Introduction of
an ordinance amending the zoning code to incorporate the State’s Density Bonus
Program. It has been determined that this program was considered in the 2020
General Plan EIR and therefore, any potential environmental impacts have been
considered and mitigated and no further environmental review is required
Wendie Rooney, Director of Community Development, presented the staff report.
Open the public hearing.
Ms. Quintana
Expressed concern about the proposed ordinance.
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Item #14 – continued
Mayor Steve Rice directed Mazarin Vakharia, Clerk Administrator, to read the title of the
proposed ordinance.
Closed the public hearing.
Council Questions
- Questioned how the proposed ordinance fits with the Town’s condominium
conversion policy.
- Questioned the ordinance and its relation to overlay zones.
- Commented that the Planning Commission did exemplary work on this issue.
Ms. Rooney
- Commented that overlay zones are not dictated by state law and that the Town
through its housing element chose to use overlay zones to meet affordable housing
needs.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Joe Pirzynski to accept the Planning
Commission’s findings and recommendations in the form of
meeting minutes (Attachment 5) and to follow the recommendation
of the Planning Commission and adopt the Zoning Code
Amendment A-12-001 and Resolution and to make the required
findings that the proposed Zoning Code amendments are
consistent with the General Plan and its Elements (Attachment 6).
Seconded by Vice Mayor Barbara Spector.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Joe Pirzynski the introduce the
ordinance of the Town of Los Gatos effecting the zoning code
amendment (Attachment 7) and adopt a resolution implementing
the Town's State Density Bonus Guidelines (Attachment 8)
Seconded by Vice Mayor Barbara Spector.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
Pulled Consent Item #8
8. Request to separate the AHOZ review process for a portion of the former
courthouse property from the remaining AHOZ Properties
Ms. Rooney, Director of Community Development, presented the staff report.
Opened the public hearing
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Pulled Consent Item #8 - continued
Ms. Quintana
- Expressed concerned about the process and procedure and timing of the project.
Mr. Tersini
- Expressed support for staff’s recommendation.
Mr. Johnson
- Commented on the history of Mid-Peninsula Housing and expressed support for the
proposed project.
Ms. Bryant
- Expressed support for the proposed project.
Closed the public hearing.
Council Discussion
- Commented that there are inherent risks to the developer.
- Commented that there is no implied approval of the project just because this
application is being separated.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Joe Pirzynski to separate the AHOZ
review process for a portion of the former courthouse property from
the remaining AHOZ Properties.
Seconded by Council Member Steven Leonardis.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
Pulled Consent Item #5
5. Adopt resolutions approving the Town of Los Gatos Fiscal Year 2012/13 Operating
Budget and FY 2012/13 - FY 2017/18 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), carry
forward appropriations, and other approved adjustments and minor corrections .
Council Comments
- Commented that the work on Main Street by the San Jose Water Company is
impacting the condition of the street.
- Commented that perhaps Council should move up the slurry seal of Main Street
instead of using the money designated to slurry seal parking lots.
- Commented on tree lighting and its funding.
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Pulled Consent Item #8 - continued
Todd Capurso, Parks and Public Works Director
- Commented that the condition of the road would be improved before the end of the
project by the San Jose Water Company.
- Commented that the slurry seal on Main Street could be done a year earlier than
planned in the CIP
Mr. Larson
- Commented that some businesses have wrapped the trees in front of them with
Town’s consent and this program may be expanded into planter boxes.
- Commented that the CIP is funded five years in advance from the fund balance and
it may be necessary to draw from future CIP budgets if the Council considers this
project a priority.
Council Discussion
- Commented that during the Town’s Jubilee Year, it is important to celebrate the
downtown with lighted trees.
- Commented that a proposal for tree lighting brought to Council in August would be
best.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Joe Pirzynski to adopt resolutions
approving the Town of Los Gatos Fiscal Year 2012/13 Operating
Budget and FY 2012/13 - FY 2017/18 Capital Improvement
Program (CIP), carry forward appropriations, and other approved
adjustments and minor corrections.
Seconded by Mayor Steve Rice.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously. Council Member Steven Leonardis
abstained. The other Councilmembers voted aye.
OTHER BUSINESS
15. Height Pole and Netting Policy Consideration of modification to and implementation
of the height pole and netting policy
Wendie Rooney, Director of Community Development, presented the staff report.
Council Questions
- Requested more information on height balloon.
- Questioned whether there have been projects where story poles have not been
used.
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Item #15 - continued
Ms. Rooney
- Commented that height balloons are helium balloons used to represent the overall
height of the building.
- Commented that there were 8 projects in the past where story poles were not used.
Opened the Public Hearing
Mr. Shepardson
- Expressed concern about the current height pole and netting policy.
Closed the Public Hearing
Council Discussion
- Commented that the public needs actual representation of height, especially now
that very large projects are being considered.
- Commented that story poles or balloons may not be feasible on a project site, but
there are always workable alternatives which provide actual representations of
height.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Steven Leonardis to strike the
second to last paragraph of the current policy.
Seconded by Vice Mayor Barbara Spector.
Council Discussion
- Commented that story poles and/or balloons may not always be workable and some
alternatives or exceptions may be needed.
- Commented that this issue is important to the community and there should not be
staff driven exceptions to the policy.
- Commented that computer simulation technology provides a better representation
than balloons, which can be misleading.
- Commented that the community should be allowed t o fully vet a proposed project.
- Commented that the system has worked.
- Commented that technology should be part of the process and so should staff's
input.
- Commented that the goals are to inform the public that something is going on and to
provide an accurate representation of what is going on.
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Item #15 - Continued
AMENDED MOTION: Motion by Council Member Steven Leonardis to continue
the item to a date uncertain for staff to bring forward
alternatives to second to last paragraph based on other
community's practices.
Seconded by Vice Mayor Barbara Spector.
VOTE: Motion passed 4/1. Council Member Joe Pirzynski voted
nay. The other Council Members voted aye.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:23 p.m.
Attest:
/s/Mazarin A. Vakharia
Clerk Administrator