M 04-22-96TOWN OF LOS GATOS
CALIFORNIA
TOWN COUNCIL/PARKING AUTHORITY
April 22, 1996
Minutes
TOWN COUNCIL
The Town Council/Parking Authority of the Town of Los Gatos met in the Council Chambers of the
Town Hall, 110 East Main Street, at 6:05 p.m., Monday, April 22, 1996, in regular session.
ROLL CALL
Present:Joanne Benjamin, Steven Blanton, Linda Lubeck (arrived at 6:35 p.m.)
Patrick O'Laughlin and Mayor Randy Attaway.
Absent:None.
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS:
Annexations:
Egon Jensen, 182 Lester Lane, spoke concerning new Town annexations and the financial impacts on
the Town in accepting these annexations. Staff spoke of recent analytical findings which may prove
new construction and recent sales connected with the annexations become a financial benefit to the
Town.
TOURNEY ROAD #6/ANNEXATION/RESOLUTION 1996-48 (01.14)
Staff noted that annexations are now considered on an individual basis which show their fiscal impact
upon the Town and weigh that value against intrinsic values such as land use planning as related to our
specific and general plans.
The following person from the audience spoke to this issue:
Dorothy Shaddock, 116 Town Terrace, questioned the hillside standards of the Town compared to the
County. Staff commented that the County and neighboring communities are now looking at Los
Gatos' standards and incorporating them into a West Valley Communities County Agreement.
No one else from the audience addressed this issue.
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mrs. Benjamin, that Council adopt Resolution 1996-48
entitled, RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS ORDERING THE ANNEXATION
OF CERTAIN UNINHABITED TERRITORY DESIGNATED AS TOURNEY ROAD #6 TO
THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS. Carried by a vote of 4 ayes. Mrs. Lubeck was absent.
1996-2001 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM/1996-97 OPERATING BUDGET (02.06)
Mayor Attaway stated that this was the time and place duly noted to consider: Presentation of
Proposed 1996-2001 Capital Improvement Program; Public Discussion of 1996-2001 Capital
Improvement Program; Presentation of Projected Revenues Available for 1996-97 Operating Budget;
Public Discussion of 1996-97 Operating Budget.
Mr. Knapp explained the CIP adoption process and noted that the CIP would be considered again on
May 13 and June 3, 1996 and that the Operating Budget would come before Council again on May 29
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and June 17, 1996.
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April 22, 1996
Los Gatos, California
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM CONT:
The following people from the audience spoke to this issue:
Mike Abkin, 122 Olivar, spoke of the need for maintenance of the infrastructure to be included in the
CIP, and to trim down the unfunded list in the CIP.
Dorothy Shaddock, 116 Town Terrace, asked that Council turn down funding from other agencies,
especially for new projects. She requested that the infrastructure be maintained first.
Councilmember Lubeck spoke of removing $400,000 from the operating budget and placing it into
streets, primarily N. Santa Cruz from Blossom Hill to Los Gatos Saratoga Road (a $650,000 project).
She noted that the use of these funds would be an ongoing process over five years. Other
councilmembers agreed but suggested additional funding mechanisms and further considerations
during budget time. Mrs. Lubeck requested additional information on sidewalk repair cost sharing
with the property owners.
Egon Jensen, 182 Lester Lane, spoke of the street trees which have caused the sidewalks to
deteriorate within twenty years. He noted that the homeowners should be given responsibility for the
street trees before they are asked to share the burden of the sidewalk repair.
Councilmember Lubeck spoke of the use of one time money to repair the Civic Center Plaza
(basement roof) and to repay this funding over a three year period. Mayor Attaway agreed with the
need for repair but is against the use of one time monies.
Rick Melzig, 340 Bella Vista, spoke to the need of a new generator at Town Hall. He thought a
smaller one would be more appropriate. Town Manager addressed the need for disaster emergency
center to have a secure source of power.
Mike Abkin, 122 Olivar, spoke regarding the storm drain maintenance funding and inquired about the
parking lot programs.
No one else from the audience addressed this issue.
OPERATING BUDGET 1996-97
Mr. Knapp addressed budget issues noting that the Town had close to $16,000,000 in reserves. He
explained the revenue growth as it relates to expenditure forecasts and addressed reasons for the
decline of Town revenues over time. Most important of these are the State's take away of local
property tax and the auto industry's move toward mega auto malls.
Council Comments:
Mr. Blanton does not want to consider cutting crossing guards or park rangers.
Mr. O'Laughlin felt that all aspects of the budget are up for review when the hearings take place. He
is looking toward reductions in service to fund the needed infrastructure repairs.
Mrs. Lubeck has identified several areas she is willing to consider in service reductions feeling that
the people had spoken in the last election asking for service cuts and street improvements.
Mrs. Benjamin asked that private avenues be identified for funding services which the Town acquired
during years when the Town had abundant revenue sources.
Mr. Attaway does not want to consider elimination of crossing guards but would like the Town to
negotiate those services with other agencies or funding sources.
The following people from the audience spoke to this issue:
Gary and Catherine Elhert, 71 Broadway, spoke of the Transient Occupancy Tax, and ways in
which to generate additional transient occupancy tax revenues for the Town. He suggested that one
third the possible revenue remains uncollected. He and his wife presented a proposal on how to
collect that revenue.
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April 22, 1996
Los Gatos, California
OPERATING BUDGET CONT.
Speakers continued:
Rick Melzig, 340 Bella Vista, addressed the benefits portion of the budget and suggested reductions
there.
Mike Abkin, 122 Olivar, addressed the proposal of $500,000 in the budget ear marked for
infrastructure and pointed out that Town benefit costs are about the same as his company's.
Dorothy Shaddock, 116 Town Terrace, asked that the arts not be funded. She also asked for an
accounting of the costs to the Town for the Brazilian World Cup event.
Sandy Eddy, 95 Church Street, as a frequent user of the Library she would rather pay a users fee than
see the Library close one day a week.
Egon Jensen, 182 Lester Lane, suggested that the property purchased for the construction of a new
library be sold. The rent that it now generates does not create a fair return on the amount invested in
that property. He also asked for an audit on the Town's contractual services with Monte Sereno.
No one else from the audience addressed this issue.
Council Comments:
Mr. Blanton was in favor of selling the Library property and cutting funding to KCAT. He is not in
favor of closing the Library one day.
Mr. O'Laughlin was willing to look at the possibility of selling the Library property. Approved of
cutting KCAT but is looking for public input on all issues of the budget during the scheduled hearings.
Reductions in service are necessary and public input will be needed during the process.
Mrs. Benjamin was also willing to look at the property sale but would prefer not to close the Library
one day a week.
Mr. Attaway continued to view the Library property as an asset and reserve investment, and if the
money generated would just return to reserves, he is not in favor of selling at this time.
Mrs. Lubeck shared her consideration of the budget and the focus of infrastructure maintenance with
staff and Council. Her suggestions for service cuts to fund street repairs were Town Council benefits;
KCAT funding cut in half; Senior Planner filled with Associate Planner; Cut one Police Sergeant; Cut
one Police Officer; Cut one Parking Control Officer; Cut one Community Services Officer; Close the
Library one day; Library furlough the week before Christmas; Cut Park Ranger Program; Cut Arborist
to half time; Charge fees for Arborist; Share cost of school fields maintenance; Concessions at Oak
Meadow Park; Cut Community Grants in half; Review fund balances in the General Fund, such as
Solid Waste Management/Self Insurance/Workmen's Comp; Employee Association Negotiations to cut
accruals for sick leave and vacation leave; Development fees addressed.
Mayor Attaway reaffirmed that the CIP would be considered again on May 13 and June 3, 1996 and
that the Operating Budget would come before Council again on May 29 and June 17, 1996.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mr. O'Laughlin, that this evening's meeting be adjourned at
9:36 p.m. Carried unanimously.
ATTEST:
Marian V. Cosgrove
Town Clerk
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