M 06-09-87TOWN OF LOS GATOS CALIFORNIA
TOWN COUNCIL/PARKING AUTHORITY AGENDA
JUNE 9, 1987
TOWN COUNCIL
The Town Council/Parking Authority met in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall at
7:38 p.m. in a continued regular session.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:Eric D. Carlson,Robert L. Hamilton and Mayor Brent N. Ventura.
ABSENT:Joanne Benjamin, and Thomas J. Ferrito.
PUBLIC HEARING 87/88 BUDGET
The School District request for resurfacing of the high school tennis courts. Gene
Goldberg, Los Gatos-Saratoga Recreation Department, spoke on the need to resurface
the courts and answered questions regarding combining the maintenance of the courts
with other Town parks. The Recreation Department is allocating $5,000.00 for the
tennis court resurfacing and the School is requesting $10,650.00. Robert Bryant, Parks,
Forestry, & Maintenance Department, answered Council questions regarding combining
this project with other Town projects. Discussion was held on whether the Recreation
Department and the High School would consider funding the Town in the amount they
have budgeted so the Town would be the prime contractor instead of the Town giving
the money to the Recreation Department.
Chamber of Commerce request for fund. Steve Friedman, Chamber member, spoke on
the funding request for an economic study of the Town so the Chamber could provide
better information services to residents and visitors to Los Gatos. Sue LaForge also
spoke on the parking issue.
KCAT request for funding. Mayor Ventura stated, for the record, he is Director on the
KCAT Board of Directors and will abstain from voting. Dan Wyman, member of KCAT
Board, spoke on the funding request in the amount of $22,500.00 to get KCAT back on
the air. How much air time will $22,500.00 give? It should buy approximately 10 hours
per week. They are requesting 1/3% of cable TV franchise revenue from Los Gatos and
also Monte Sereno. Other sources of funding are: fund raiser to raise $4,000.00;
continued utility grant of $2,500.00; business community underwriting $1,500.00; and
2% of cable franchise revenue is currently being funded by Los Gatos. Diane Carlson,
KCAT Board member from the School District, spoke on the goals and needs of the
station. She stated "Budget A: buy staff person that allows the facility to be utilized.
"Budget B" allows for station programming, allows for promotion and publicity to get
more funds and canned programming. Council wants to manage the Manager towards
a goal of having the station on the air. Production is not the main goal.
Youth Activities funding. Jan Willoughby, parent in the community, spoke on the four
option of the proposal for establishing teen programs, activities and the creation of a
teen center in Los Gatos. Requesting to fund a director to work with the Recreation
Department, and civic organizations to involve teens in activities on friday and saturday
evenings because the teenagers have nothing to do in Town. Mr. Goldberg, Recreation
Department, stated they would be happy to work with the Town, in any way, in
developing the type of program that the youth want. The teens need to set the program
for themselves. Chris Cook and Jason Logan read a letter written by Jacon Bowman in
support of a teen center. Chris Cooks stated the teens feel the Town's philosophy is
passive resistance against change. Kristen Ravenscroft, Stacy Haas, and others spoke
in support of a teen center. Mayor Ventura commented that he understood why the
youths felt a certain amount of hostility and abandonment; but he feels the Town does
recognize the youth achievements and contributions to the community. Youth input and
participation is the best way to resolve the problem. The Town wants to work with the
youths, to address their needs as the Town has invested substantially in programs to
meet those needs already.
San Jose Symphony request for funding. Mr. Carlson stated he would not be voting on
this issue do to a possible conflict of interest. Mimi Carlson, member of the San Jose
Symphony, requested a grant of $15,000.00 to fund the "in school program". This
program introduces the students to the different section of the orchestra. The
$15,000.00 breaks down to $3,000.00 per school.
The Town Manager reported one of Council's policies is to have operating revenues
match operating expenditures and the budget has a cushion of about $39,000.00.
$16,000.00 was cut from the various budgets last evening and could be added to the
$39,000.00 for a total of $55,000.00. All the requests received this evening have merit.
Council discussed funding possibilities of this evening requests.
KCAT funding request. Consideration for the KCAT funding will be taken up when all
Council members are present. Mr. Carlson stated he felt it would be well to consider an
extra $7,000.00 for KCAT if the Board would revise the current budget to show the goal
is provide 10 hours of air time; what they think it might be; what they would do, should
they be successful in fund raising, on how the money would be spent. So Council
would have a plan to see what Council would get for the money they are putting in.
Tennis Courts funding. Mr. Carlson moved to allocate $10,600.00 assuming the High
School and the Recreation Department will give the Town, their allocated money. Then
the Town contracts for the resurfacing and if the Town can get a better bid the savings
is to go the Town. Mr. Hamilton seconded. Carried by a vote of three ayes. Mrs.
Benjamin and Mr. Ferrito were absent.
Chamber of Commerce request for funding. Mr. Hamilton moved to continue this to the
first quarter budget review and reconsider funding for the Chamber of Commerce
economic study at that time. Mr. Carlson seconded. Carried by a vote of three ayes.
Mrs. Benjamin and Mr. Ferrito were absent.
Youth Activities funding. Mr. Carlson requested an action plan and they should do
something rather than study things. He feels the Youth Commission together with the
staff member should start the activity of youth coordinating. Mayor Ventura feels there
is a need for a Youth Activities Coordinator and the question is whether the Coordinator
should be a volunteer or a paid staff person. Mr. Hamilton proposed to fund youth
activities coordinator for one quarter (summer months) and review at the end of the
quarter to see if there was an impact or whether or not this is the right thing to do.
Mayor Ventura feels there needs to be more than a quarter to get a performance record
to evaluate. Should provide the minimal amount necessary to allow the Recreation
Department to coordinate with the Youth Commission, Community Services
Commission and take primary responsibility to become the center for information for
youth activities coordination. The money given to the Recreation Department could be
used for youth activities coordination and the Town should provide more money either
from an existing youth program or from the General Fund and allow the program to
operate on a one year basis and evaluate the program at budget time next year. Mayor
Ventura moved to direct staff to contact the Recreation Department regarding allocating
up to $15,000.00 for the establishment of a Youth activities Coordinator to work in
conjunction with the Town's Youth Commission and staff and report back. Mr. Hamilton
seconded. Carried by a vote of three ayes. Mrs. Benjamin and Mr. Ferrito were absent.
Mr. Carlson moved to transfer the $2,000.00 reallocated from the Federal Government
to the Community Services Budget and hold a public hearing. Mr. Hamilton seconded.
Carried by a vote of three ayes. Mrs. Benjamin and Mr. Ferrito were absent.
The Town Manager reported the Community Development Block Grants public hearing
is required for next fiscal years funding. This was done by a consensus motion by the
Council.
Town Attorney's Budget. The Town Attorney presented Council with a breakdown of
expenditures for contractual litigation services in the 1986/87 budget. There was
discussion on the $6,000.00 for eight secondary dwelling unit litigations and the
increase in the cost of litigation. It was consensus of Council to add two indicators to the
Attorney's budget. 1. The number of secondary dwelling unit action be limited to eight.
2. No more than 15% of the Attorney's budget be used for outside attorney's fees.
Town Treasurer's Budget. The Town Treasurer, Nogah Bethlahmy, reported on the
duties and costs of his department; the need to increase the hours and salary of the
Deputy Treasurer; need for a PC in Treasurer's office; and either increase the
Treasurer's salary now or around the next election.
Mayor Ventura declared the meeting adjourned at 11:00 p.m.
ATTEST:
Rose E. Aldag
Town Clerk