01 Staff Report
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 03/17/2020
ITEM NO: 1
DRAFT
Minutes of the Town Council Meeting
March 3, 2020
The Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, March 3,
2020, at 7:00 p.m.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Marcia Jensen, Vice Mayor Barbara Spector, Council Member Rob Rennie,
Council Member Marico Sayoc.
Absent: None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Adam Moore led the Pledge of Allegiance. The audience was invited to participate.
PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Jensen presented a Community Champion proclamation to the American Red Cross.
Executive Director Ken Toren and volunteers Sherry Oliver, Denise Ramon-Herrera, and Brad
Gordon, accepted on behalf of the Red Cross and thanked the Town for their support.
COUNCIL/TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
Council Matters
- Council Member Rennie stated he met with the staff liaison of the Valley Transportation
Authority (VTA) Congestion Management Committee.
- Vice Mayor Spector stated she participated in a conference call regarding the Coronavirus
(COVID-19) with the County of Santa Clara and individuals on the State and Federal level;
she attended the West Valley Mayors and Managers meeting; she performed a ribbon
cutting at Office Revolution; and she met with the staff of the West Valley Sanitation
District (WVSD).
Manager Matters
- Outlined the precautions the Town is taking to protect the community against the
Coronavirus.
- Announced the Annual Youth Commissioner and Mid-Year Adult Commissioner recruitment
is underway. Adult Commissioner applications are due May 8 and Youth Commissioner
applications are due May 1.
PAGE 2 OF 8
SUBJECT: Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of March 3, 2020
DATE: March 4, 2020
CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Approve Closed Session Meeting Minutes of February 18, 2020.
2. Approve Council Meeting Minutes of February 18, 2020.
3. Adopt a resolution making determinations and approving the reorganization of an
uninhabited area designated as El Gato Lane No. 4, approximately 0.49 acres, located at
15765 El Gato Lane (APN 523-27-040). Annexation Application AN19-004. Property
Owner/Applicant: Ed Pearson. RESOLUTION 2020-004
4. Approve the Preliminary Design and Authorize Preparation of the Final Design for the Los
Gatos Creek Trail to Highway 9 Trailhead Connector Project 18-832-4505.
5. Highway 17 Bicycle and Pedestrian Overcrossing Feasibility Study
a. Approve the Project Purpose and Need
b. Authorize Staff to Proceed with Design Alternatives for a Separate Bicycle and
Pedestrian Overcrossing.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Sayoc to approve the Consent Items. Seconded by
Council Member Rennie.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
6. Consider an appeal of a Planning Commission decision approving a request for construction
of a new single-family residence and removal of large protected trees on a vacant property
zoned HR-2 1/2:PD. APN 527-09-036. Architecture and Site Application S-18-052. Project
Location: 15365 Santella Court. Property Owner: Christian and Hellen Olgaard. Applicant:
Hari Sripadanna. Appellant: David Weissman. RESOLUTION 2020-005
Erin Walters, Associate Planner, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
David Weissman, appellant
- Commented on his reasons for appealing the project.
Hari Sripadanna and David Fox, applicant
- Commented on the project.
David Weissman
- Responded to the applicant’s comments.
Hari Sripadanna and David Fox
- Responded to the appellant’s comments.
PAGE 3 OF 8
SUBJECT: Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of March 3, 2020
DATE: March 4, 2020
Public Hearing Item #6 – continued
Closed Public Comment.
Council discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Rennie to adopt a resolution denying the appeal of the
Planning Commission decision and approving the application with the required
findings and considerations (Attachment 9, Exhibit A), conditions of approval
(Attachment 9, Exhibit B), and development plans (Attachment 13). Seconded by
Council Member Sayoc.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Sayoc to ask the Policy Committee to review and
determine if the definition of elevation contained in the Hillside Development
Standards and Guidelines should be revised. Seconded by Council Member Rennie.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
7. Staff Recommends that the Town Council Conclude the School Bus Pilot Program at the End
of Fiscal Year 2019/20.
Ying Smith, Transportation and Mobility Manager, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
Dorice Piraino
- Commented in opposition of discontinuing the program.
Moshe Shaham
- Commented in opposition of discontinuing the program and inquired if there were any
other options or compromises that could be explored.
Chetan Jog
- Commented in opposition of discontinuing the program and inquired if there were any
other options or compromises that could be explored.
PAGE 4 OF 8
SUBJECT: Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of March 3, 2020
DATE: March 4, 2020
Other Business Item #7 – continued
Kristen Linden
- Commented in opposition of discontinuing the program and inquired if there were any
other options or compromises that could be explored.
Maria Ristow
- Commented in support of discontinuing the program.
Sashi Balasingam
- Commented in opposition of discontinuing the program and inquired if there were any
other options or compromises that could explored.
Leif Linden
- Commented in opposition of discontinuing the program and inquired if there were any
other options or compromises that could be explored.
Closed Public Comment.
Council discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Mayor Jensen to conclude the School Bus Pilot Program. Motion failed
for lack of a second.
MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Spector to continue the School Bus Pilot Program with the
current budget funding, to direct staff and the community to do further analysis and
to come back to Council with transportation options to and from the our schools, to
consider funding options that may include the use of Measure G funds, and not be
limited by Measure B congestion relief metrics or any other specified type of
financing. Seconded by Mayor Jenson.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
Recess at 9:31 p.m.
Reconvene at 9:42 p.m.
8. Approve the Connect Los Gatos Program and Community Engagement Plan.
Lisa Petersen, Town Engineer/Assistant Parks and Public Works Director, presented the staff
report.
PAGE 5 OF 8
SUBJECT: Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of March 3, 2020
DATE: March 4, 2020
Other Business Item #8 – continued
Opened Public Comment.
No one spoke.
Closed Public Comment.
Council discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Sayoc to approve the Connect Los Gatos Program and
Community Engagement. Seconded by Council Member Rennie.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
9. Term Limits Initiative
a. Accept Elections Official’s Certification of the Sufficiency of the Term Limits Initiative
Petition,
b. Adopt a Resolution Calling the Election, and RESOLUTION 2020-006
c. Direct the Inclusion of the Preliminary Estimated Cost of the Election for the Term Limits
Initiative of $54,200 in the Town Manager’s Proposed Operating Budget for Fiscal Year
(FY) 2020/21.
Shelley Neis, Town Clerk, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
No one spoke.
Closed Public Comment.
Council discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Sayoc to accept the Elections Official’s certification of
the sufficiency of the Term Limits Initiative Petition, adopt a resolution calling the
election (Attachment 3), and direct the inclusion of the preliminary estimated cost of
the election for the Term Limits Initiative of $54,200 in the Town Manager’s
Proposed Operating Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020/21. Seconded by Mayor
Jensen.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
PAGE 6 OF 8
SUBJECT: Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of March 3, 2020
DATE: March 4, 2020
10. Finance Commission Initiative
a. Accept Elections Official’s Certification of the Sufficiency of the Finance Commission
Initiative Petition.
b. Adopt a Resolution Calling the Election and Direct the Inclusion of the Preliminary
Estimated Cost of the Election for the Finance Commission Initiative of $54,200 in the
Town Manager’s Proposed Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2020/21; or RESOLUTION
2020-007
c. Order Report Pursuant to California Elections Code Section 9212.
Robert Schultz, Town Attorney, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
Lee Fagot
- Commented in support of Council adopting the initiative as an Ordinance without
alteration.
Jak Van Nada, proponent of the initiative
- Commented on the reasons for the initiative petition.
Catherine Somers, Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce Executive Director
- Commented in support of Council adopting the initiative as an Ordinance without
alteration.
Closed Public Comment.
Council discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Rennie to accept the Elections Official’s Certification of
the Sufficiency of the Finance Commission Initiative Petition and order report
pursuant to California Elections Code Section 9212. Seconded by Mayor Jensen.
VOTE: Motion failed 1/3. Mayor Jensen, Vice Mayor Spector, and Council Member Sayoc
voting no.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Sayoc to accept the Elections Official’s Certification of
the Sufficiency of the Finance Commission Initiative Petition. Seconded by Vice
Mayor Spector.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
PAGE 7 OF 8
SUBJECT: Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of March 3, 2020
DATE: March 4, 2020
Other Business Item #10 – continued
MOTION: Motion by Mayor Jensen to adopt a resolution (Attachment 4) calling an election to
be consolidated with the Santa Clara County General Election occurring on
November 3, 2020 and direct the Town Attorney to prepare an impartial analysis of
the initiative pursuant to California Elections Code Section 9280 and direct the
inclusion of the preliminary estimated cost of the election for the Finance
Commission Initiative of $54,200 in the Town Manager’s Proposed Operating Budget
for Fiscal Year 2020/21. Seconded by Vice Mayor Spector.
VOTE: Motion passed 3/1. Council Member Rennie voting no.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Sayoc to direct the Town Attorney to work on a
compromise and hope that the proponents would withdraw the initiative. Seconded
by Council Member Rennie.
VOTE: Motion failed 2/2. Mayor Jensen and Vice Mayor Spector voting no.
11. Authorize the Town Manager to Prepare and Execute an Agreement for the Production of
Music in the Park 2020, Including Any Council Direction.
Arn Andrews, Assistant Town Manager, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
Mark Secchia
- Commented on his proposal.
Closed Public Comment.
Council discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Sayoc to approve the recommendation contained in the
staff report. Seconded by Vice Mayor Spector.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
PAGE 8 OF 8
SUBJECT: Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of March 3, 2020
DATE: March 4, 2020
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
Susan Bassi
- Commented on lack of access to public records and a documentary she is doing.
Ed Turner did not come forward.
Robert Lipp did not come forward.
Theodore Chin
- Commented in opposition to the parklet going in at Montebello and Main.
Claire Wilson
- Commented in opposition to the parklet going in at Montebello and Main.
Joanne Justis
- Commented on the traffic issues on Blossom Hill Road and requested changes be made for
pedestrian safety.
Richard Kelso
- Commented in opposition to the parklet going in at Montebello and Main and inquired
how to stop the parklet from going in.
Gerald Scott did not come forward.
John Eichinger
- Commented in opposition of the parklets and Santa Clara Valley Water District putting
fluoride in the water.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 11:44 p.m.
Attest:
_____________________________________
Shelley Neis, Town Clerk