12 Attachment 5 - Community Survey CommentsTown of Los Gatos - Budget Process Survey SurveyMonkey
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Q3 For the category that you ranked as the highest priority, please provide
a specific example of a project or service that you'd like to see the funds
support. For example, if you picked Police Services, a specific example
could be additional traffic enforcement.
Answered: 112 Skipped: 21
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#RESPONSES DATE
1 Promotion of Green Monday and plant-based eating in Los Gatos.1/16/2020 11:13 AM
2 Support the Park Improvements with planting more trees, a large community garden, litter pick-
up, cleaning waterways, a community bee colony, a community solar installation on a public
building. Either a new group or more responsibility to the park employees.
1/16/2020 9:37 AM
3 More user friendly and self explanatory bike/pedestrian paths, trails, lanes, storage, etc.1/16/2020 9:33 AM
4 More children's programs 1/16/2020 8:37 AM
5 Fund the pensions. Self explanatory.1/15/2020 10:07 PM
6 Fix the streets and traffic speed mitigation of key locations.1/15/2020 9:17 PM
7 Crime enforcement 1/15/2020 8:08 PM
8 Mobility that supports a walkable community is core to who Los Gatos is, particularly with those
neighbirhoods adjacent to downtown. There are several streets that have yet to get the much
needed sidewalks despite all the money invested in almond grove repavements.
1/15/2020 8:06 PM
9 safer/separated walking areas down shannon, and kennedy rds. Safer crosswalks on those
streets and LG blvd.
1/15/2020 7:03 PM
10 Traffic enforcement.1/15/2020 5:58 PM
11 I would include in parks, the grounds of the schools. Some of the elementary schools
(especially Daves grounds) are a dangerous mess and could be used more by the community if
it was not full of holes. We also need more soccer fields, as everyone knows.
1/15/2020 5:26 PM
12 Overtime I would like to see more small corner parks within down town - demolish that hideous
Chase building and put in a small park
1/15/2020 5:00 PM
13 Pay down unfunded pension liability. The large liability will hurt our ability to fund #2 through #7
in the future. Also find ways to reduce the growth in the pension obligation, e.g. hire only
employees who are covered by PEPRA in general and for police services, hire only people with
less than 5 years in the pension system
1/15/2020 4:21 PM
14 definitely traffic enforcement in the summer when the roads are clogged because drivers block
intersections
1/15/2020 4:19 PM
15 Traffic enforcement of course, but keep LG a safe town as we grow and the communities
around us grow as well
1/15/2020 4:00 PM
16 More dedicated/painted bike lanes.1/15/2020 3:52 PM
17 Additional Police Officers 1/15/2020 3:43 PM
18 Expand to Complete Streets...safety is top priority 1/15/2020 3:30 PM
19 Parking enhancement options for the library to make it easier to visit as well as additional
resources which they always need. (valet parking? shuttles? I'm not sure but it's super difficult
to park down there for a length of time.)
1/15/2020 3:11 PM
20 increase force to establish a better presence in east los gatos 1/15/2020 2:32 PM
21 Many public service employees have pension plans that are not presently adequately funded. If
Los Gatos school and other public service employees are in this category, we need to take care
of it. These employees accepted less pay, understanding that they would their deferred pay as
retirement benefits. We OWE it to them!
1/15/2020 2:22 PM
22 More pedestrian crossings and improvement to existent crossings in terms of visibility and
reduced crossing distance at crossing points. Especially downtown but everywhere
1/15/2020 1:42 PM
23 Upgrading of the Creektrail to incorporate fitness equipment, more benches, water fountains
and trash can. Also include more art work along the route. Put a wall between the 17 and trail
on the bit that is exposed to make it less exposed and ensure safety of pedestrians and a nicer
experience in general. The Creek trail a great asset for LG residents and more should be done
to highlight it.
1/15/2020 1:39 PM
24 Making Santa Cruz Ave pedestrian only or one way. Highway 9 traffic approaching downtown 1/15/2020 12:19 PM
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needs to be slowed down earlier and the pedestrian crossing there needs to be safer.
25 Safer route on blossom hill over hwy 17 1/15/2020 12:00 PM
26 More youth programs at the library, specifically, computer games or other types of games that
bring together youths for social, educational activity.
1/15/2020 11:47 AM
27 Nothing specific comes to mind, I just believe that we should do everything possible to get
people out of cars and on their feet/bicycles. It's good for the environment and personal health.
So I would prioritize this first.
1/15/2020 11:02 AM
28 We need to provide more safety measures around Van Meter and Blossom Hill Elementary
schools for our children. Blossom Hill Rd and LG Blvd have become high speed zones with
distracted drivers and red light runners. Installing speed bumps, roundabouts, or any other
effective to measure to get drivers to pay attention and slow down needs to be of utmost
importance. We are relying on a few crossing guards to keep our children safe in a very
dangerous driving environment!
1/15/2020 10:20 AM
29 Fixing worst streets in the town, and rough roads/potholes in general.1/15/2020 10:06 AM
30 All potholes filled and no rough roads 1/15/2020 10:01 AM
31 More visibility in traffic enforcement around town, in neighborhoods ie: Wedgewood Ave 1/15/2020 9:58 AM
32 n/a 1/15/2020 9:40 AM
33 road closures/alt routes/etc 1/15/2020 9:10 AM
34 more detectives to search for and catch criminals including the smaller crimes of shoplifting, car
break -ins, stealing delivered packages etc.
1/15/2020 9:05 AM
35 Make Shannon more bike friendly. It is a major bike corridor to points south and is too narrow
for cars, let alone bikes and cars.
1/15/2020 8:48 AM
36 Change to one-lane with wider bike path (as like BHR by the park).1/15/2020 8:45 AM
37 Please replace all aging "slurry" pavement streets in town. The aggregate comes off daily and
is a slipping hazard. Every street in town should look well kept with asphalt.
1/15/2020 8:29 AM
38 more police patrolling...education on burglary prevention in our neighborhoods, education on
where to place cameras on our properties to prevent theft. clean our freeway on ramps and off
ramps from garbage
1/15/2020 8:13 AM
39 Paying off pension liabilities secures financial health of town.1/15/2020 7:48 AM
40 Creating more pedestrian and bicycle pathways helps create better communities by bringing
folks out and effectively reduce traffic congestion, policing requirements and pollution.
1/15/2020 7:27 AM
41 More police 1/15/2020 7:21 AM
42 Control the traffic lights at the intersections of Highway 9 and a) Univesity Ave and b) Santa
Cruz Ave, to improve traffic flow.
1/15/2020 7:01 AM
43 Pay down the Town’s portion to the State to pay let interest in the future.1/15/2020 6:49 AM
44 Pension debt will eventually wipe out the funds needed for all o the other projects.1/15/2020 6:43 AM
45 Adding Sidewalks/ bike lanes on SHannon Rd.1/15/2020 5:06 AM
46 Bicycle lane improvements particularly along Blossom Hill west of Union Ave where no
shoulder exists today. The only way to safely bicycle along this corridor today is to weave
through the neighborhoods which is pleasant but not very efficient. Additionally in the evenings
Blossom Hill can be very congested and dangerous for non-automobiles. Beautification along
LG Almaden Rd West of Union.
1/14/2020 10:40 PM
47 More playgrounds for children, additional hiking trails in different ecosystems for varying ability
levels (Belgatos & Heinz trails get very steep quickly
1/14/2020 10:39 PM
48 more reading materials; more cultural programs 1/14/2020 10:36 PM
49 Modified Shaded Fuel Breaks for all Los Gatos public roadways in the WUI, specifically the
VHFHZs.
1/14/2020 10:32 PM
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50 listed in description above 1/14/2020 10:25 PM
51 Additional traffic enforcement.1/14/2020 10:08 PM
52 Rent control in Los Gatos should be maintain even if a new landlord buys an old building here.
That means your rent control law is useless because people use the loop holes to change your
so called rent control.
1/14/2020 10:04 PM
53 Restroom at Bachman. fenced in dog run at Bachman. Better playground equipment.
RESTOCK THE CREEK WITH FISH ( give the youth something to do) Creek trash cleanup.
1/14/2020 9:44 PM
54 Slower traffic measures and mid-road school zone signs around schools and nearby
intersections for BH Elem, Van Meter Fisher and Dave’s if needed
1/14/2020 9:36 PM
55 More programs at Los Gatos parks, such as the summer concert series or movie nights.1/14/2020 9:29 PM
56 We would love to have an off leash dog park in town! We are tired of driving to CAMPBELL!!!1/14/2020 9:10 PM
57 Build an above parking garage - attractive like Santa Barbara - and it will bring many more
people to town - also save us from summer weekend traffic standstills.
1/14/2020 9:04 PM
58 I don't have a specific idea, but it can be difficult to navigate the cars/bikes/people on Main St.,
so I would support any plans to make this easier/safer.
1/14/2020 9:00 PM
59 I think the police Dept does a great job making the Town feel safe. They may improve on the
summer traffic situation
1/14/2020 9:00 PM
60 Parking garage 1/14/2020 8:46 PM
61 For Library Services - more programs & resources in support of STEM/STEAM; additional staff
& library hours
1/14/2020 8:29 PM
62 Paved pedestrian walk on major routes to schools to begin with - for example on Kennedy.1/14/2020 8:23 PM
63 ADA upgrades to parks and a new all inclusive playground at Oak Meadow Park.1/14/2020 8:13 PM
64 I'd like the pension to be fully funded so as to make sure retired staff are fully provided for and
the town does not face a lawsuit.
1/14/2020 8:12 PM
65 Tax Reduction. Just because you can compel revenues from constituents does NOT mean you
should spend any excess you have confiscated. Give it back. NONE of the other priorities are
so overwhelming that you should not return the excess. BTW, Public Art and Pension
“obligations” should NOT be on any list of real priorities. Art is TRULY subjective. Art should
come to the public through philanthropic donation, not taxation. Pensions are an anachronistic
remnant of a long gone era. No one, except for government employees receive a pension.
Unless and until the private sector offers a majority of its employees a pension should
government offer its employees one. That government has undunded pension liabilities is a
casualty of BAD management and NOT the responsibility of the taxpaying public. Let the bad
negotiators bear the burden.
1/14/2020 8:00 PM
66 More police presence for watching / ticketing speeders / unsafe drivers and for crime watch in
our neighborhoods. On Nextdoor I read a lot about home break ins, doorstep package theft and
cars and also robberies. Let's put the pressure on these individuals to show the police care and
will take action. I also live just off Blossom Hill road and see lots of speeders and people who
run red lights. Super dangerous! The Los Gatos police could also make a ton of extra money
for the town by ticketing these individuals while making our town safer in the process - win/win!
1/14/2020 7:54 PM
67 God pot holes 1/14/2020 7:32 PM
68 LG unfunded pension liabilities is a "ticking time-bomb"...that could bankrupt the town...1/14/2020 7:26 PM
69 a public service officer available in one of the two locations, and advertised as the primary
contact for questions and concerns, as it is now, it seems that officers--sometimes out on
patrol--have to return to the station to deal with issues that are not critical, also, it was unclear
to me as a member of the general public where I should go to get questions asked
1/14/2020 7:25 PM
70 Put the money in the bank 1/14/2020 7:17 PM
71 Unfunded pension liabilities are a disaster waiting to happen. I don’t want us to be a Stockton or
Vallejo.
1/14/2020 7:16 PM
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72 If the town has made pension commitments to its workers, these should be funded.1/14/2020 7:15 PM
73 Add additional bike lanes. For existing bike lanes, keep them clean of debris and with smooth
pavement (los gatos-saratoga road needs work)
1/14/2020 7:01 PM
74 Pay down the crippling pension debt. It costs us 7%1/14/2020 7:01 PM
75 Some low income housing on the north 40 would make sense.1/14/2020 7:00 PM
76 Reduce pension liability 1/14/2020 6:58 PM
77 Improved (functioning) water fountains and water bottle refill stations at all town parks
combined with lower water bowls for pets to drink from. Sail type shades or something similar
over Oak Meadow and Blossom Hill parks play structures. They are unusable in the summer
months past 9am because of the plastic temperature. A more kid friendly splash pad aside from
the one in town plaza (oak meadow?). There are great examples in neighboring towns parks.
1/14/2020 6:29 PM
78 The planning commission should directed and be amply funded to poll the public and develop a
comprehensive plan to insure that downtown development meets stringent criteria that
addresses the look and feel.
1/14/2020 6:26 PM
79 Ah, yes. You guessed my concern. Traffic enforcement would be my pick.1/14/2020 6:12 PM
80 Absolutely traffic enforcement. It’s an issue especially near the schools. But I live on Bayview
and less than 10% of drivers stop at the stop signs. We need enforcement. These fees that are
collected could go a long way toward paying for necessary services.
1/14/2020 6:11 PM
81 Aren’t we obligated to pay promised pensions?1/14/2020 6:07 PM
82 Crime prevention 1/14/2020 5:57 PM
83 Pavement Improvement i.e. beach traffic abatement 1/14/2020 5:55 PM
84 Roads are terrible, need major maintenance and improvements. Bike lane changes are a waste
of money - no aware of any incidents that warranted this expense (green lanes, cones, etc.).
1/14/2020 5:54 PM
85 Unlike Sunnyvale and Cupertino and most other communities, we have virtually no public art in
Los Gatos. Also would like to see more art programs/shows etc.
1/14/2020 5:45 PM
86 Cameras on street corners to identify speeders and vandals to make the Almond Grove area
more safe.
1/14/2020 5:35 PM
87 More traffic enforcement by our police services.1/14/2020 5:34 PM
88 More safety measures for pedestrians and bicycles 1/14/2020 5:26 PM
89 Unless you are counting on Calpers, which I wouldn't, this town might have a big problem down
the line with pension benefits
1/14/2020 5:25 PM
90 I picked unfunded liabilities because I have heard so much about it at the meetings and it
seems like just that specific thing is such a looming issue that it needs to be a top priority.
1/14/2020 5:23 PM
91 Traffic calming/enforcement and neighborhood patrols. FYI, This came to mind before reading
your example in #3.
1/14/2020 5:22 PM
92 Pedestrian safety improvements on hiway 9, maintenance of residential sidewalks, finish
putting handicapped ramps on all street corners, and better cleaning/maintenance of bike lanes
on hiway 9
1/14/2020 5:19 PM
93 Kennedy has had a pothole close to the light for years. Shouldn’t cost a lot to fix it, but it was
ignored when all the other roadwork was done last summer.
1/14/2020 5:18 PM
94 Convene leaders from these fields plus investors and supporting businesses to understand how
Town could create a preeminent innovation environment in the business district. May involve
zoning changes and incentives for these type of businesses to locate here. At scale, a vigorous
innovation environment can counter the challenges of traffic, housing, and retail uncertainty.
1/14/2020 5:18 PM
95 Just want there to be enough police to be able to answer calls as needed, and for them to be
supported.
1/14/2020 5:17 PM
96 No specific street. Just make sure that all are paved, markings are clear and bright, signs are in
place, and street lamps are lit. In general, there should be no excuses for anyplace in town to
1/14/2020 5:13 PM
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be in poor condition, and have inoperable equipment and signs.
97 Police Service is #1. Protection of our residents and their personal property and our students.
Traffic enforcement, traffic safety programs. Road improvements and save for unfunded
pension programs.
1/14/2020 5:13 PM
98 We spend way too much on police relative to the value received. Police are going to bankrupt
our little town.
1/14/2020 5:09 PM
99 Overall improving long-term solvency.1/14/2020 5:07 PM
100 Traffic control especially in residential neighborhoods & around schools. We need to make this
community a safer place for pedestrians. This is beyond beach traffic weekends.
1/14/2020 5:05 PM
101 More visible patrolling of neighborhoods (improved police presence), especially during the
workday hours.
1/14/2020 5:04 PM
102 Additional police to improve their street presence.1/14/2020 5:04 PM
103 I would love to experience Los Gatos as a town vs. a drive thru for beach traffic and believe we
can find some way to combine a plaza that will draw many to stay and linger and enjoy our
wonderful town and dissuade driving through....
1/14/2020 5:03 PM
104 parking enforcement 1/14/2020 5:00 PM
105 I think connectivity by pedestrian pathways, bike lanes, and public transit should be our highest
priority. I work in San Jose and would prefer not to drive, but have no other choice.
1/14/2020 5:00 PM
106 no more potholes. Re-time street lights on Los Gatos Blvd and on /university and Highway 9.1/14/2020 4:59 PM
107 We have a lot of streets that need work. We have delayed maintenance for a long time. Even
though we have been working on it , it's time to catch up.
1/14/2020 4:56 PM
108 Transition employee retirement plans from defined benefit to defined contribution.1/14/2020 4:55 PM
109 It is our duty to fund or renegotiate pension obligations.1/14/2020 4:53 PM
110 Vegetation clearing.1/14/2020 4:52 PM
111 The library is a hub for our community. They should have funding for expanding programs and
partnerships with other service agencies
1/14/2020 4:51 PM
112 Highest #1 priority is reducing unfunded pension liabilities. You do not need any more info than
that.
1/14/2020 4:50 PM