M 03-02-98TOWN OF LOS GATOS
CALIFORNIA
TOWN COUNCIL/PARKING AUTHORITY
JOINT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
March 2, 1998/Minutes
TOWN COUNCIL
The Town Council/Parking Authority/Redevelopment Agency of the Town of Los Gatos met in the
Council Chambers of the Town Hall, 110 East Main Street, at 7:30 p.m., Monday, March 2, 1998, in
joint regular session.
ROLL CALL
Present:Randy Attaway, Joanne Benjamin, Steven Blanton,
Jan Hutchins, and Mayor/Chairman Linda Lubeck.
Absent:None.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Given by all in attendance.
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Lubeck noted that Closed Session was not held this evening.
SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS (01.01)
Informational report regarding currently scheduled public hearings was received and filed.
TREASURER'S REPORT (02.V)
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Blanton, that Council accept and file the Treasurer's
Report as of January 31, 1998. Carried unanimously.
COUNCIL MEETING CALENDAR (03.10)
Informational report noting the various Council and Commission meetings for March and April.
RATIFICATION OF PAYROLL/JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1998 (04.V)
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Blanton, that Council ratify the check registers for the
payrolls of January 25 through February 7, 1998 paid on February 13, 1998 in the amount of
$328,766.50. Carried unanimously.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE/RATIFICATION/FEBRUARY 1998 (05.V)
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Blanton, that Council ratify the accompanying check
registers for accounts payable invoices paid on February 13 and February 20, 1998 in the amount of
$407,236.04. Carried unanimously.
MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 17, 1998 (06A.V)
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Blanton, that Council approve the Minutes of February
17, 1998 as submitted. Carried unanimously.
MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 21, 1998 (06B.V)
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Blanton, that Council approve as submitted the Minutes
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of the Council Workshop and Study Session with the various Town Commissions, Boards and
Committees held on February 21, 1998. Carried unanimously.
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Town Council Minutes March 2, 1998
Redevelopment Agency Los Gatos, California
POLICE DEPARTMENT/SENSING SURVEY (07.09)
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Blanton, that Council accept report on police
department sensing survey. Carried unanimously.
COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS VEHICLES/RESOLUTION 1998-17 (08A.28)
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Blanton, that Council adopt Resolution 1998-17
entitled, RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS AUTHORIZING THE TOWN
MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF TWO (2) 1998
COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS VEHICLES THROUGH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF
GENERAL SERVICES. Carried unanimously.
COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS FUELMAKER/RESOLUTION 1998-19 (08B.28)
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Blanton, that Council adopt Resolution 1998-19
entitled, RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS AUTHORIZING THE TOWN
MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH PACIFIC GAS & ELECTRIC
COMPANY FOR THE PURCHASE OF ONE (1) USED CNG FUELMAKER. Carried
unanimously.
FLOOD CONTROL ZONE ADVISORY COMMITTEE/COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS (09.37)
SANTA CLARA VALLEY WATER COMMISSION
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Blanton, that Council nominate Vivian Wong, Jr.
Engineer, as Representative and Trish Duarte, Senior Engineering Technician, as Alternate to the
Central and North Central Flood Control Zone Advisory Committees. These appointments will be
made by the District Board of Directors. Carried unanimously.
HIGH STREET 17385/NOTICE OF COMPLETION/RESOLUTION 1998-18 (10.09)
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Blanton, that Council adopt Resolution 1998-18
entitled, RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS ACCEPTING THE WORK OF
FLICK ENTERPRISES, INC., P.O. BOX GF, LOS GATOS, CA 95031 AND AUTHORIZING
THE TOWN MANAGER TO EXECUTE CERTIFICATE OF ACCEPTANCE AND NOTICE
OF COMPLETION FOR RECORDING BY THE TOWN CLERK. Carried unanimously.
LARK AVENUE 16673/PLANNED DEVELOPMENT/ZONE CHANGE/ORDINANCE 2042 (11.09)
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Blanton, that Council adopt Ordinance 2042 entitled,
ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE
EFFECTING A ZONE CHANGE FROM R-1:8 TO RM:5-12 PD AT 16673 LARK AVENUE,
which was introduced at the Council meeting of February 17, 1998, and which was reflected correctly
in the desk item received this evening. Carried by a vote three ayes. Mr. Attaway and Mrs. Benjamin
voted no as reflected in previous record.
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS:
Local Government:
Rick Potter, 144 Newell Court, spoke of listening to the voice of the people throughout Town and
being sensitive to the various segments of our community and the issues that are impacting them.
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Town Council Minutes March 2, 1998
Redevelopment Agency Los Gatos, California
PG&E VASONA SUBSTATION/COUNCIL REQUESTED REPORT (12.09)
Mayor Lubeck stated that this was the time and place duly noted to consider report, concerning
alternative sites for a substation, which was requested by Council January 26, 1998.
Assessment district would be drawn for the benefit zone. Hearing schedules would be determined and
the owners would be given the opportunity to vote on this assessment. This special benefit assessment
district establishment weighted votes/government owned properties would also be valued and vote and
would pay its own percentage of the assessment costs. This would be a special and separate election.
Council Comments:
The process of relocating the PG&E Vasona substation will be a very lengthy and costly process and
the time frame is very uncertain. Council has tried to digest the materials submitted by the presently
affected neighborhoods and would like to have any other potentially affected neighborhoods noticed.
Until now notices have not been sent, by either the Town or PG&E, to the neighborhoods surrounding
the alternative sites for the relocated substation. Council would like the opportunity to obtain input
from these other neighborhoods. Mailed notice will be the most reliable as newspaper delivery is
sporadic. This is genuinely a Town wide consideration and the process should be fair for all parties
and members of Los Gatos who may be affected by this project. The questions of undergrounding,
moving the substation to a safe location, the complexities involving the costs involved in the
alternative locations, and the need of Council to aid the neighborhoods with these many concerns and
choices were discussed.
The following people from the audience spoke to this issue:
William Burns, 140 Newell Ave., agreed with the need to have all property owners participate in the
decision and determine a site that would be acceptable to Los Gatos and PG&E.
Charles Lewis, IV, PO Box 7442, San Francisco, representing PG&E, noted that the CPUC would
accept any comments from the Town to be entered into the Evidentiary Hearing before April 13, 1998.
Ann Rae Johnson, 100 Cherry Hill Court, expressed his concern that the only item on the agenda for
March 23rd CPUC meeting will be whether the PG&E site on Winchester is appropriate. He did not
see any reason to mix up alternative site with this hearing.
Gisselle Ferris, Charter Oaks Circle, noted that the last EIR was done in 1975 and that a new EIR was
needed for this site at this time.
Ann Burns, 140 Newell Ave., spoke of the process and the March 23, 1998 meeting for the Town
Council and residents who should stand united on a decision. The residents submitted their own staff
report for the record.
Lou Rae Kagel, 147 Newell Ave., spoke in support of Council making a decision before the March
23rd meeting.
Carol LaMarre, 204 Charter Oaks Circle, asked Council to take a stand on an alternative site.
Eric Lynch, 510 Clearview Drive, President of the Wimbledon Place Home Owners Assoc.,
suggested that Town request PG&E to underground throughout Los Gatos.
Barbara Pearlman, 183 Newell Ave., spoke of the beautification of Los Gatos and volunteered to
help with the mailing of notices.
Aggie Potter, 144 Newell Ave., believes Council should have made a decision by now and a united
front at the March 23rd meeting would end the PG&E Vasona project on Winchester. She thinks that
both Los Gatos Boulevard and Winchester are Gateways to Los Gatos, and asked that sites K-N-O be
considered since they run by the freeway and have few residences nearby.
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Town Council Minutes March 2, 1998
Redevelopment Agency Los Gatos, California
PG&E VASONA SUBSTATION/COUNCIL REQUESTED REPORT CONTINUED
Council Consensus:
That a Public Hearing notice be prepared. That this notice be a letter of notification explaining the
process determined by the CPUC procedures, and the implications this brings to potentially affected
alternative neighborhoods. That Council receive a draft of this notice by Friday, March 6th, and return
comments in time for the notice to be sent to the printer on March 9th. That this notice be sent to
neighborhoods potentially affected by the alternatives. That the neighborhoods receive a copy of the
map identifying the six proposed options A-G-H-I-N-O, including site K. That the notice include the
CPUC General Public Hearing to be held March 23rd in the Los Gatos Council Chambers at which
time general comments from concerned citizens will be heard. The Mayor will speak at this meeting
to inform the CPUC that Council will agendize this topic for the April 6th Regular Council Meeting,
and the Mayor will forward a letter covering the Council's position on this topic to the CPUC in time
for the CPUC's April 13th and 14th Evidentiary Hearing to be held in San Francisco at which time
sworn testimony will be taken.
SHORT RECESS AT 9:25 TO 9:27
Mayor Lubeck called a short recess.
GENERAL PLAN AND HILLSIDE SPECIFIC PLAN UPDATE PROCESS (13.46)
Council Comments for General Plan Task Force II:
That a matrix be developed that includes representation for various groups, organizations and
neighborhoods. That the appointees to the reformulated committee be willing to accept the
assignment of representing and reaching out to more than one of these interest groups. That the
committee remain at approximately 30 members.
That Council generate a setting for a community study that involves participation and rigueur of
thought. That forums be held that distribute materials and hold discussions, and that peoples' ideas be
considered and measured after these forums. That questionnaires allow the participant to consider the
complexities of the subject, weigh the alternatives, consider the concessions, and give an informed
opinion. That the forums provide for active participation in the study and evaluation of a subject.
That the facilitator look for informed insights, allow for the intelligent input of the participant, and the
interchange of information and ideas between participants and staff. That the framework prepare for a
productive outcome to the project and a way to measure the importance of the subject as it fits into the
matrix of interlinking neighborhoods and interests.
That the contractor and facilitator design a set of research documents to encourage people to learn
about the subject and each other. This should not be a passive search for opinions but a dynamic
vehicle aiding the participant to become more involved and informed. Part of RFP should include
comments as to why this might be a viable course of action. The consultant should be sensitive to
opinion shifts during these meetings. A suggestion is to provide a preliminary questionnaire, and then
repeat the process after the meetings to determine if opinion has shifted during the interaction of the
various interest groups. The time commitment for this process should be about a year.
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Town Council Minutes March 2, 1998
Redevelopment Agency Los Gatos, California
GENERAL PLAN AND HILLSIDE SPECIFIC PLAN UPDATE PROCESS/CONT.
That Council strike the reference to the October 1997 survey as a point of reference. That the
recommendations from the Parking Commission be considered as complete at this time and Council
keep the larger question of parking with themselves. That most of the Downtown Specific Plan has
been accomplished accept for phases 2 and 3 of the parking program. That Barton and Ashman be
added to the Traffic Engineering Consultant List and Gerston be added to the Scientific Survey
Consultant List. That the question of adding an Arts Element to the General Plan be an item of
consideration.
Motion by Mr. Attaway, seconded by Mr. Hutchins, that Council authorize staff to: Prepare
resolution establishing General Plan Task Force II with a maximum of 30 ,members; Advertise for
applications to fill vacancies on General Plan Task Force II in accordance with Town Council criteria;
Prepare necessary reports for amending the General Plan to incorporate sections of the Downtown
Specific Plan that have not been completed and repeal the completed sections of the Downtown
Specific Plan; Send requests for proposals to consultants for data collection during the General Plan
and Hillside Specific Plan update process. Carried unanimously.
COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS VEHICLES/RESOLUTION 1998-17 (08A.28)
Returned to Council from Consent to receive a late Desk Item.
Mayor Lubeck returned to Item #8 on the Consent Calendar for a late desk item presented for
Council's review. Action was already taken by Council under consent, but the resolution was missing
from the report. By Council Consensus the resolution was accepted as adopted earlier on consent.
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT SETTLEMENT REVENUES (14.14)
Motion by Mr. Attaway, seconded by Mr. Hutchins, that Council authorize revenue budget (210-
48500) increases for reimbursement of legal fees by $26, 000, increase fund balance and consider
projects for the Solid Waste Management Program. That staff reevaluate the report and return to
Council with the cost of the Green Machine and Trash compactors and to report on what Green Valley
has to say about Commercial Mixed Paper collection. That thought be given to additional education
concerning the recycling programs and that businesses and offices be included in the program.
Carried unanimously.
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Joanne reported that the station manager of KCAT had resigned, and that 20 resumes were received
for the position. George Samson of Channel 54, a non profit station has been hired. He is excited
about enhancing and expanding coverage of events in town, information for residents, and exploring
fundraising opportunities. He hopes to form a volunteer engineering committee for repairs of
equipment.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lubeck adjourned this evening's meeting at 10:04 p.m.
ATTEST:
Marian V. Cosgrove
Town Clerk
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