01 Staff Report.Minutes
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 9/15/2020
ITEM NO: 1
DRAFT
Minutes of the Town Council Meeting
September 1, 2020
The Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a regular meeting via Teleconference
due to COVID-19 Shelter in Place guidelines on Tuesday, September 1, 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 (All participating remotely).
Absent: None
COUNCIL/TOWN MANAGER REPORTS
Manager Matters
- Announced Town staff continues to communicate with County emergency services
regarding the CZU Lightning Complex fires; currently there are no evacuation warnings in
effect for the Town of Los Gatos.
- Encouraged community members to create defensible spaces around homes and structures,
and to visit the Town’s website for more information.
- Announced a banner can be found on the Town’s website homepage with information on
the CZU Lightning Complex fires and resources.
- Announced PG&E intends to perform Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) during the fire
season.
- Encouraged community members to sign up for AlertSCC.
- Announced the State’s new COVID-19 color coded system regarding re-opening and
encouraged the community to visit the Town’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage for more
information.
- Announced that the first Becoming a More Inclusive Community workshop will be held on
September 8, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom and invited the community to attend.
Council Matters
- Council Member Rennie stated he participated in the Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority
(SVCEA) Risk Oversight Committee meeting, a portfolio management training for SVCEA,
the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Congestion Management Program and Planning
Committee (CMPP) meeting, the VTA Capital Program Committee meeting, the Silicon
Valley Bike Coalition effort to deliver bike to work supplies, and attended a Stanford Global
Energy Forum.
PAGE 2 OF 6
SUBJECT: Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of September 1, 2020
DATE: September 1, 2020
Council Matters - continued
- Council Member Sayoc stated she participated in a Cities Association Planning Collaborative
meeting regarding Plan Bay Area 2050.
- Vice Mayor Spector stated she participated in the West Valley Mayors and Managers
Meeting and discussed the Regional Housing Needs Allocation.
- Mayor Jensen stated she had nothing to report.
CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Approve Draft Minutes of the August 18, 2020 Town Council Meeting.
2. Adopt the Town of Los Gatos Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Update.
3. Authorize the Town Manager to Execute an Agreement for Consultant Services with Project
Sentinel for Tenant/Landlord Rental Dispute Resolution Services in an Amount not to
Exceed $34,000 Annually and $170,000 Over the Five Year Term of the Agreement.
4. Authorize the Town Manager to Execute an Agreement for Consultant Services with West
Valley Community Services for Comprehensive Emergency Assistance Program (CEAP)
Services in an Amount Not to Exceed $15,000 Annually and $75,000 Over the Five Year
Term of the Agreement.
5. Authorize the Town Manager to Execute a Certificate of Acceptance and Notice of
Completion for the Work of Pavement Coatings Co. and Authorize Recording by the Town
Clerk for PPW Job No. 19-811-9901 Annual Street Repair and Resurfacing (Slurry
Seal/Rubber Cape Seal) Project.
6. Adopt an Ordinance of the Town of Los Gatos Amending Chapter 18, by Adding Article IX,
Sections 18.90.010- 18.90.050 of the Los Gatos Town Code Entitled Drones and Unmanned
Aircraft Systems. ORDINANCE 2311
7. Approve the Roadside Vegetation Management Plan and Authorize the Town Manager to
Issue a Request for Proposals and Award One or More Contracts for Roadside Vegetation
Management up to the Budgeted Amount of $500,707.
Council discussed the items.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Rennie to approve Consent Items 1-7. Seconded by
Council Member Sayoc.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
Rob Stump
- Urged the Council to create a wildfire prevention and committee to prepare a multi-year
plan to harden the Town from wildfire.
PAGE 3 OF 6
SUBJECT: Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of September 1, 2020
DATE: September 1, 2020
Verbal Communications - continued
Kathleen Willy, Plant-Based Advocates of Los Gatos
- Commented regarding reducing the consumption of animal products to reduce the impact
of climate change and requested the Council include impacts of food sources in the
sustainability section of the General Plan.
Jeffrey Suzuki
- Commented on the Police Department budget and in support of alternative first responder
programs.
Emeric Bisbee
- Commented on the Police Department budget, potential diversion to other programs, and
in support of alternative first responder programs.
Ali Miano, Los Gatos Anti-Racism Coalition
- Commented regarding over-policing based on her observations of an incident in Bachman
Park and requested Council reallocate Police funds to community services and alternative
first responder programs.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
8. Adopt a Resolution Approving a Change to the Town’s Comprehensive Fee Schedule
Amending Library Fines and Charges. RESOLUTION 2020-037
Ryan Baker, Library Director, presented the item.
Mayor Jensen opened Public Comment.
No one spoke.
Mayor Jensen closed Public Comment.
Council discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Spector to adopt a resolution approving a change to the
Town’s comprehensive fee schedule amending library fines and charges. Seconded
by Council Member Sayoc.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
PAGE 4 OF 6
SUBJECT: Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of September 1, 2020
DATE: September 1, 2020
9. Deny an Appeal of a Planning Commission Decision Approving a Request for Demolition of
an Existing Single-Family Residence, and Construction of a New Single-Family Residence on
Property Zoned R-1:10. Located at 146 Robin Way. APN 532-12-015. Architecture and Site
Application S-19-043. Property Owners: Mehrdad and Leila Dehkordi. Applicant: Gary
Kohlsaat. Appellant: James Zaky. Project Planner: Diego Mora.
Diego Mora, Assistant Planner, presented the item.
Jim Zaky, Appellant, explained the basis for his appeal.
Leila Dehkordi, Applicant, and Gary Kohlsaat, Architect, presented the proposed development.
Mayor Jensen opened public comment.
Deborah Johnson
- Commented in support of the proposed development.
Robert Buxton
- Commented in opposition of the proposed development.
Gordon Yamate
- Commented in opposition of the proposed development.
Mayor Jensen closed public comment.
Jim Zaky, Appellant, made closing comments.
Gary Kohlsaat, Applicant, made closing comments.
Council discussed the item.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Sayoc to deny an appeal of a Planning Commission
decision approving a request for demolition of an existing single-family residence,
and construction of a new single-family residence on property zoned R-1:10.
Located at 146 Robin way. APN 532-12-015. Architecture and site application S-19-
043. Property owners: Mehrdad and Leila Dehkordi. Applicant: Gary Kohlsaat.
Appellant: James Zaky. Project planner: Diego Mora. Seconded by Mayor Jensen.
VOTE: Motion passed 3/1. Vice Mayor Spector voting no.
PAGE 5 OF 6
SUBJECT: Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of September 1, 2020
DATE: September 1, 2020
OTHER BUSINESS
10. Highway 17 Bicycle and Pedestrian Overcrossing Recommendations (Project 818-0803):
a. Approve the Feasibility Study for the Highway 17 Bicycle and Pedestrian Overcrossing
(Project 818-0803);
b. Proceed with the final design of a separate bridge structure between 16 and 20 feet
wide located immediately south of the Blossom Hill Road Bridge;
c. Authorize staff to proceed with analyzing three bridge type options: concrete, steel
truss, and steel arch, and solicit community input in the final design phase;
d. Authorize the Town Manager to submit a grant application to Caltrans in the Active
Transportation Program, seeking grant funds for project construction; and
e. Commit up to $1 million in future budget (FY 2023/24) as match funding for the ATP
grant.
Ying Smith, Transportation and Mobility Manager, presented the item.
Mayor Jensen opened Public Comment.
Jacob Schroder, Ohlone Court
- Commented in opposition of the item, stated concerns regarding the planning process and
requested Council allow more time to consider alternatives to the proposed
recommendation.
Maria Ristow
- Used her time to show a video produced by Town staff in support of the project.
Ray Brizgys
- Commented in opposition of the item, stated concerns regarding the planning process, and
requested Council allow more time to consider alternatives to the proposed
recommendation.
Robert Buxton
- Commented in support of the item.
Tassia Babalis
- Commented in opposition of the item and requested the item be tabled for further
discussion.
Rodney Smedt
- Commented concerns regarding the planning process and requested Council allow more
time to consider this project.
PAGE 6 OF 6
SUBJECT: Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of September 1, 2020
DATE: September 1, 2020
Other Business Item #10 - continued
Rami Kanama
- Commented in support of improving the bridge, expressed concerns regarding the planning
process, and requested Council allow more time to consider alternatives to the proposed
recommendation.
John Smart
- Commented on concerns regarding the planning process and requested Council allow more
time to consider alternatives to the proposed recommendation.
Mayor Jensen closed Public Comment.
Council discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Mayor Jensen to
• Approve the Feasibility Study for the Highway 17 Bicycle and Pedestrian Overcrossing
(Project 818-0803);
• Proceed with exploring designs options of a final bridge structure between 16 and 20
feet wide located immediately south of the Blossom Hill Road Bridge;
• Authorize staff to proceed with analyzing three bridge type options: concrete, steel
truss, and steel arch, and solicit community input in the final design phase;
• Authorize the Town Manager to submit a grant application to Caltrans in the Active
Transportation Program, seeking grant funds for project construction; and
• Commit up to $1 million in future budget (FY 2023/24) as match funding for the ATP
grant.
Seconded by Council Member Rennie.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 10:06 p.m.
Submitted by:
_____________________________________
Jenna De Long, Deputy Clerk