Public Comment Received 1101 am to 500 pm June 16From: Sue Farwell
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2020 10:46:35 AM
To: Monica Renn <mrenn@losgatosca.gov>
Cc: Catherine Somers <catherine@losgatoschamber.com>
Subject: Council Meeting 6/16/20 Desk Item
Council Members,
Before you head into your summer break from council meetings I want to tell you that as a resident of
our town, a member of the Chamber of Commerce and a property owner in the downtown district I am
very excited at the opportunities you have provided with the outdoor dining and shopping areas. It was
critical to move quickly and I appreciate the funds and speed to used to get the K-Rail in place. I look
forward to all the work the businesses will put into making these areas unique and functional. I want to
caution the council about spending a lot of money in permanent concrete planters, I think waiting to see
the how the Covid-19 phases open and restrictions are removed or replaced will give everyone a better
idea of how to best utilize the funds to assist our town in reopening and revitalization.
One area that is Critical to Survival in the coming months are the potential PSPS in the downtown
district. I know that Arn Andrews and Matt Morley have been working on the gird and overlay fixes with
PGE to eliminate the crippling devastation to the businesses that are shut down when the PSPS
occur. Everyones hope is that the “fix” by PGE to the known addresses caused by the grid configuration
will be implemented before the fire season. The problem is this is not a guarantee.
I am going to look at providing emergency power from Peterson Power for the businesses
affected. They can supply power directly to the businesses thru the individual electrical panels, and 1
truck could serve multiple businesses/buildings if stay are adjacent to each other. I have had a
conversation about this option and the grid fixes with Arn Andrews, and we will review the options
available after meeting onsite at the businesses next week.
I ask the council to consider the cost of the power rental in the overall monies allotted in the funds
approved to reopen Los Gatos. We will have a better idea of the cost and feasibility but this option
could be another make or break point for our businesses as we move forward.
Thank you
Sue Farwell
From: BSpector <BSpector@losgatosca.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2020 2:45 PM
To: Jacob Chen
Cc: Laurel Prevetti; Janette Judd
Subject: Council Referral: Addressing Racism in Los Gatos: Defunding the Police
Hi Jake-
Thank you for your message. It is good to hear from you.
We will not be able to add an agenda item for tonight’s meeting under our ordinances governing
noticing. However our meeting will be on Zoom and you could speak on this subject during Verbal
Communications.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Your Neighbor,
Barbara
On Jun 16, 2020, at 2:33 PM, Jacob Chen <jacobchen2022@u.northwestern.edu> wrote:
Dear Ms. Spector,
I hope you’re having a good week. My name is Jake Chen, and I’m your neighbor on Edelen Avenue. I’m
Randi and Steve’s son in the green house across the street. As a fellow Los Gatos resident and neighbor,
I care deeply about the future of this town, and I know you do too.
I’m writing you today to implore you to bring up the police department’s budget at the town council
meeting tonight. While I know the police in Los Gatos dutifully try to protect our residents, it is evident
that the history of the police is rooted in anti-blackness. Though many of us may have never felt
threatened by the police, this only highlights our own privilege. While the police may be a force meant
to protect us, the wealthy non-black citizens, this is not the case for black people and other POC in our
country and community. I’m happy to hear from the town’s email that there are anti-racism and
deescalation training programs in place for our cops, but at the end of the day, these are simply not
enough. Even in Minneapolis, deescalation intervention was required by law, yet that program did
nothing to stop the murder of George Floyd. Moreover, the town’s email states that cops are required
to wear body cameras for all law enforcement interactions. However, at a recent protest, I witnessed a
friend ask an officer when he had to turn his body camera on, and his response was “I don’t know.”
Therefore, although these preventative measures have good intentions, I doubt that they will actually
effectively create change. Moreover, I question whether these measures will preemptively stop racism
within law enforcement as opposed to mainly dealing with the aftermath of misconduct. At its core, the
very institution of the police upholds systemic racism, and thus, Los Gatos’s support of them does as
well. In order to support black lives in our community and in the Bay Area, I think it necessary to begin
to defund the police.
I would urge the town council to consider allocating some of the police’s budget towards creating anti-
racist programs in our town. Growing up in Los Gatos as an Asian American, I’ve endured racist
microaggressions and ignorant comments throughout my life. Moreover, I’ve witnessed an
overwhelming amount of anti-black comments and actions from both teenagers AND adults. Whether
that be through people saying the n-word or white washed history lessons, Los Gatos is not exempt
from racism. As a predominately white community, how can we show up for our black neighbors,
community members, and friends? How can the town council, which is predominately white, support
the people of color that are relying on them? I think a great start would be to reconsider the police’s
budget at the meeting tonight.
Los Gatos prides itself on its safe, close-knit community. By defunding the police and investing more
money and energy into anti-racist education and action, we can make that statement true for people of
all races.
I’ve called Los Gatos my home for the past nineteen years, and because of that, I want to see us do
better. With cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles beginning to defund their police programs, we
have a chance to follow their lead and make Los Gatos more inclusive for everyone. I really hope you’ll
consider bringing this issue up at the town council meeting tonight.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely but not silently,
Jake
From: Catherine Somers <catherine@losgatoschamber.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2020 4:30 PM
To: Council <Council@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Desk Item for Tonight's Meeting - Verbal Comments for your Consideration
Good Afternoon Council –
Hoping I am not too late to have this included as a desk item for your consideration at tonight’s meeting.
I will be brief.
Most of you saw the letter I emailed to the Town Manager last week and while she did respond, I still
am not clear as to how exactly we are proceeding with the Economic Recovery plan. We love that the
pop up patio experiment has begun. Everyone is beyond thrilled. All have agreed to be patient as you
do a little juggling and a little painting. As you will be on hiatus for the next 6 weeks I want to make sure
that we can pivot or change things if the need should arise.
I am hopeful you might clarify a few things for me tonight so that the Chamber has correct and factual
information that we can share with the public. I also think you are consenting to have a few “special”
Council meetings at dates certain should the need arise. Hopefully, those will not be necessary.
As I understand the resolution or minutes from the special meeting on Monday June 8th, Council agreed
that the planters were on hold and would not even be considered again or ordered until further
notice. Some people are under the impression that the order has been placed for the planters and that
they will be here in due time – like 8 weeks. At tonight’s meeting, perhaps you can remind the public of
your decision just so everyone is on the same page and not expecting something that is not going to
arrive.
Next, I want to be sure that if necessary adjustments or a great idea comes forth in the weeks while you
are away, you have directed Town staff to take swift action. I think that was Council Woman Sayoc’s
request in the first resolution that “staff can be flexible and take swift action if necessary”. Again, my
understanding is that the Town Manager has the authority to approve any change, adjustment or new
idea up to $50,000. Ms. Prevetti mentioned in her email that she only has permission to use $150,000
of the remaining money in the Economic Recovery Project Fund? Is that right? If more was needed,
then the public should assume you would call for one of those special meetings.
What is the process by which we should present other good ideas? I never received an answer to that
question. And to whom should we give those ideas?
While I am in favor of being conservative with this Fund, as is most of my Board and the many
businesses with whom we interact, I do think there are a few other projects that could benefit the Town
as we move through these phases of recovery. We have a ways to go, especially if our County decides to
slow the pace.
Here are a few ideas we hope you will consider this evening:
Better Signage regarding the Town’s safety precautions - they could be prominently placed next
to a few Sanitation Stations
More messaging on all social media platforms explaining Town’s position on social distancing,
wearing masks, etc.
Right hand turns only onto North Santa Cruz Ave during Summer Beach Traffic Peak Hours – and
other signage for Locals Only
An all-way cross walk at Main and NSC.
A bigger bolder brighter cross walk at Rte 9 and NSC (A Caltrans request)
Portable bathrooms near Gray’s Lane. It is unfair and unsafe for Loma Brewing Company to
carry that liability.
Bike Racks – in various locations throughout town.
Music
Lights
Street Pole Banners - A new refreshed look
Open Air Market - July 23
Thanks. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and will be available to answer any questions you may
have.
Have a great break.
Catherine Somers and the entire Chamber staff