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M12-21-09 Study Session 1 MINUTES OF THE TOWN COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY DECEMBER 21, 2009 The Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Special Meeting (Study Session) on Monday, December 21, 2009 at 5:30 P.M. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Diane McNutt, Vice Mayor Joe Pirzynski, Council Member Steve Rice, Council Member Barbara Spector, Council Member Mike Wasserman Absent: None. VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Davis  Commented that he serves as a one-man homeowners association for the public of Los Gatos.  Commented that he has a copy of the Redevelopment Agency goals which were created to correct the streets in the Almond Grove district and to help with parking in the downtown area.  Commented that the funding for the new library is taking away from Redevelopment funds which could be used for the Almond Grove district. Closed Verbal Communications DISCUSSION Study Session on final plans for the new library and the draft Environmental Impact Report Staff report made by Pamela Jacobs, Assistant Town Manager. Chris Noll, Noll and Tam Architects  Made a presentation on the progress of the new Library Project design and commented on the proposed materials. 2 Study Session – Continued Council Discussions  Questioned if Pageant Park would be integrated into the library project.  Questioned the timing for the awarding of the bids for the project.  Questioned if staff has initiated a process to design the integration of an entryway to Pageant Park.  Would like the integration of Pageant Park moved to a high priority on the Capital Improvement Project list.  Requested that staff look into a planning process even though funds are not available at this time.  Requested information on the additional cost to integrate Pageant Park as part of the new library project.  Suggested that the component to integrate Pageant Park be listed as a possible donor project so that the community may contribute to the cost of the project.  Requested clarification on the process for moving 17 Fiesta Way.  Thanked the Council, Friends of the Library, and the community for their support on the new library project. Ms. Jacobs  Clarified that they do plan to include the integration of Pageant Park as a future Capital Improvement Plan project.  Commented that funding is not available at this time due to the sizable cost of relocating the cooling tower.  Commented that staff does agree that integrating Pageant Park is a priority and the Town is hoping that funds may become available if bids come in under the projected amount.  Clarified that the project’s bid award will be in May, 2010.  Clarified that if the project is in the Capital Improvement Plan and staff identifies available funding sooner, then staff can come back to Council to modify the timing in the Capital Improvement Plan.  Clarified that if staff were to identify available funding for the integration of Pageant Park, then there would be sufficient time to design the integration in conjunction with the construction of the new library.  Commented that the Town has designed the new library to accommodate the integration of an entryway to Pageant Park. 3 Study Session – continued Ms. Jacobs – Continued  Clarified that the Town has two potential opportunities to move 17 Fiesta Way to a new development.  Commented that the Town is also looking into property which could be purchased to relocate the home to be used for Below Market housing. If those opportunities do not pan out then the Town will be relocating the Fiesta House to an interim location on Town property located at Lark Avenue and Winchester Boulevard. Open Public Comments Ms. Dougherty  Thanked the Council for their support f or the proposed library design.  Commented that the design blends with the surrounding community, the Civic Center and Los Gatos High School. Ms. Hill  Commented on supporting the proposed design and stated that there is no property tax increases for the citizens of Los Gatos.  Commented that the design complements the Civic Center. Ms. Laurence  Commented on supporting the design of the new library and commended the architects on the proposed design materials.  Commented on the teen uses and the diverse areas within the new Library design. Ms. Martin  Commented on supporting the new library design and is thrilled with the new history wing.  Thanked Council and staff for their support. 4 Study Session Public Comments – Continued Ms. Baum  Commented on supporting the new library project.  Supports the teen room, the fireplace, and the history room all within the new design.  Thanked Council, staff and the community for their support. Ms. King  Commented on supporting the new library.  Commended the architects, staff and Council on a beautiful design. Ms. Rice  Expressed concerns about all the trees that were taken down along the hillside last week.  Questioned whether or not the trees would be replaced and that she hopes the proposed project will not destroy the hillsides and the trees on the hills. Closed Public Comments Council Discussions  Questioned if the Town would be replanting trees to replace any trees that have been removed from the site. Ms. Jacobs  Commented that the tree trimming and removal were part of the Environmental Impact Report and the arborist worked very closely with the environmental consultant to identify trees that need to be kept and as well as trees that needed to be removed.  Commented that a majority of the trees on the hillside will remain and replacement trees will be planted either on the site or elsewhere for all trees that would need to be removed. 5 Study Session Council discussions - Continued Ms. Davis  Commented that a majority of the trees on the hillside would not be removed.  Commented that there is one large oak tree that is in hazardous condition and has been recommended by the arborist to be removed.  Commented that the trees that were removed already had to be removed to access the utility poles.  Commented that there will be some utility relocation occurring during the first stage of the project.  Clarified that there is a full landscape plan which will show the location of new trees that will be planted on the hillside as well as in the new parking areas. Council Discussions  Questioned if the Town may achieve the LEED gold certification for the proposed project.  Encouraged Ms. Rice to interface with staff so that she understands the specifics of what’s going to be happening at the location. Mr. Noll  Commented that they will be doing a number of recalculations with the mechanical, plumbing, landscape, and electrical engineers and architects to see where the project falls for LEED certification.  Commented that the LEED certification status is based on a point system and every point has to be documented.  Commented that the Town is very close to the gold LEED certification and may have the tally by mid January, 2010. Council Discussions  Questioned Condition Item #70 which states that the developer should install all new relocated or temporary removed utility services including telephone and electric and all other communication lines underground. 6 Study Session – Continued Kevin Rohani, Town Engineer  Clarified that all utilities for the project will be routed underground. There will be one feed line which feeds from Cleland Avenue down to Villa Avenue. There is an existing line which will be relocated parallel to the East.  Clarified that the trees were trimmed to gain access to the utility poles and that they will regrow into the corridor. ADJOURNMENT Attest: Jackie D. Rose, Clerk Administrator