07 Attachment 1 - Addendum Public CommentATTACHMENT 1
From: Phil Koen
Sent: Sunday, August 30, 2020 12:21 PM
To: Matt Morley <MMorley@losgatosca.gov>
Cc: Laurel Prevetti <LPrevetti@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Agenda item #7
Matt,
In reviewing the Roadside Vegetation Management Plan, the vegetation map on page 1 of
Figure 2 appears to have incorrectly identified a road that doesn’t exist. I have attached the
map in question. The map shows a road extending up Fairview Ave to the Town boundary.
There is no roadway that extends from Fairview Ave to the Town Boundary.
I have attached a picture of the street map for this area. As you can see Wadsworth Ave
extends from Fairview Ave past San Jose Water’s storage reservoir (which is critical
infrastructure for the Town and is shown as #1) and then intersects Laurel Ave. Laurel Ave and
Wadsworth provide a critical evacuation road for the multi-family complex (shown as #2)
bordered by Laurel Ave, Wissahickon Ave, Overlook Ave and Madrone Ave.
I would request that the vegetation map be corrected to reflect Wadsworth Ave and Laurel Ave
as evacuation routes.
I have also attached pictures of both Laurel Ave and Wadsworth Ave. As you can see there is
extensive dense vegetation with considerable overhead growth. Given that both Laurel Ave and
Wadsworth Ave are roads that serve as evacuation routes for the multi-family complex and as
well as a fire emergency access road to protect the water reservoir and the multi-family
complex, I believe that these roads should be designated as VMAL priority level 1. They
certainly meet the criteria outlined in the Vegetation Management Plan for priority level 1
designation.
The lot that is located between Laurel Ave and Wadsworth Ave needs to be abated of all
hazardous vegetation and downed wood. I have drawn this lot to your attention before, so I
know you are aware of the specific issues associated with this parcel. The potential for wildfire
to spread from the roadside vegetation to the adjacent properties and the critical water storage
infrastructure is very high. This can easily be confirmed by inspecting the lot.
Thank you.
Phil Koen
ATTACHMENT 1
ATTACHMENT 1
ATTACHMENT 1
Wadsworth Avenue
ATTACHMENT 1
Laurel Avenue
ATTACHMENT 1
From: Matt Morley <MMorley@losgatosca.gov>
Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2020 11:07 AM
To: Phil Koen
Subject: RE: re-evaluate the Town’s hillside fire prevention program
Mr. Koen
This coming Tuesday we will ask the Town Council to approve a Roadside Vegetation
Management Plan and authorize contracts for up to $500,000 to begin implementation of the
plan. This plan is essential to ensuring residents have a safe evacuation route in case of a fire
and compliments other efforts with our partners who implement the Town’s weed and brush
abatement programs.
In addition, we have applied for a multi-million dollar FEMA grant to address additional needs
in our Town owned open spaces. Although FEMA has not provided a timeline on this
opportunity, it has been some time since we applied and we are hoping to hear soon.
We’re continuing to push forward on this effort and will keep the Town Council appraised of
the progress within the budget we have available now. Should we determine that additional
funds are necessary, we will bring that discussion to the Council
Please let me know if I can provide additional information.
Matt Morley ● Director
Parks and Public Works ● 41 Miles Ave, Los Gatos CA 95030
Ph: 408.399.5774
www.losgatosca.gov
From: Janette Judd <jjudd@losgatosca.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2020 7:07 AM
To: Phil Koen
Cc: Matt Morley <MMorley@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: RE: re-evaluate the Town’s hillside fire prevention program
cc: Mayor and Town Council
Town Manager L. Prevetti
PPW Director M. Morley
Good morning,
ATTACHMENT 1
Thank you for your e-mail, received by the Town Council and Town Manager. By copy of this
message, the Manager’s Office has referred your comments to Parks and Public Works Director
Matt Morley for review and response.
Once again thank you for contacting the Town of Los Gatos and voicing your comments.
Best regards,
Janette Judd
Executive Assistant
Town Council and Town Manager
From: Phil Koen
Sent: Sunday, August 23, 2020 1:46 PM
To: Marico Sayoc <MSayoc@losgatosca.gov>; Rob Rennie <RRennie@losgatosca.gov>; BSpector
<BSpector@losgatosca.gov>; Marcia Jensen <MJensen@losgatosca.gov>
Cc: Laurel Prevetti <LPrevetti@losgatosca.gov>; Maria Ristow; Heidi Owens; Matthew Hudes;
Jak Van Nada; Rob Stump
Subject: re-evaluate the Town’s hillside fire prevention program
Dear Council Members,
The map below shows the evacuation area currently in effect from the Santa Cruz (CZU) fire.
The distance to the Town border from the edge of the evacuation area is now less than 3 miles.
We need to seriously commit to hillside fire prevention. In my view the Town has not
adequately addressed this real danger. The funding in the FY 21 budget for hillside fuel
reduction is woefully inadequate. This was pointed out by a number of residents during the
budget hearings..
Why not re-allocate all of the remaining money in the Downtown scape capital project to
hillside fire prevention? We need to protect the Town before we can worry about remaking the
downtown scape.
Thank you .
Phil Koen
ATTACHMENT 1
Sent from my iPhone