05 Staff Report - Chamber
Reviewed by: Assistant Town Manager, Finance Director, and Town Attorney
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 09/15/2020
ITEM NO: 5
DATE: September 10, 2020
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Consider the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce Proposal to Install Light
Displays in Various Locations at an Estimated Cost to the Town of
Approximately $150,000.
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce proposal to install light displays in various
locations at an estimated cost to the Town of approximately $150,000.
BACKGROUND
The Town Council has taken many proactive steps to support the Los Gatos community and its
economic recovery due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among these actions, the
Town Council repurposed the Downtown Streetscape Revitalization Capital Improvement
Project to create outdoor spaces for business activities on Town properties. Specifically on May
26, 2020, the Town Council unanimously voted to utilize the Downtown Streetscape
Revitalization project to install temporary parklets by removing on-street parking on North
Santa Cruz and Main Streets, adding dedicated curbside pickup locations, and making other
modifications to the downtown. On June 8, 2020, Council allocated $150,000 from the
Downtown Streetscape Revitalization project ($1.9 M) for these improvements.
At its October 6 meeting, the Town Council is scheduled to consider additional economic
recovery efforts as winter approaches and the Public Health Orders continue to change. This
item is expected to include policy considerations as well as additional investments in the
downtown. Staff is in the process of preparing the report and cost estimates are not available
at this time. Expenses would likely not require a large share of the remaining funds in the
Downtown Streetscape Revitalization/Economic Recovery project.
PAGE 2 OF 3
SUBJECT: Consider Chamber Light Proposal at an Estimated Cost to the Town of $150,000
DATE: September 10, 2020
DISCUSSION
The Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce is requesting a funding allocation from the Downtown
Streetscape Revitalization/Economic Recovery project for the installation of lighting displays at
various locations around the downtown (see Attachment 1). A cost estimate is included in the
proposal.
Parks and Public Works staff met with the Chamber to review the display concept and provided
some insight as to what is feasible and where challenges may be found. The elements of the
project are still evolving which means that the estimated $150,000 amount is a high level
estimate that may be understated at this point. The ability of PPW to do the install depends on
how involved the work is and competing maintenance responsibilities and other priorities,
particularly if the Council directs additional work associated with the larger COVID Economic
Recovery effort for the business community. It is important to note that much of the work
associated with the lighting display would occur on private property, which would require
significant coordination and care in addressing liability, building/electrical code requirements,
and other issues.
CONCLUSION:
The Town Council should consider the Chamber’s proposal and determine whether or not it
would like to fund the project in whole or in part. Among the options for consideration:
• Fund the entire project, including installation, storage, utility costs, and other
unforeseen costs.
• Fund a portion of the project with installation completed by the Chamber’s contractor in
coordination with the Town. The Chamber would be responsible for storage, utility
costs, and other unforeseen costs.
• Do not fund the project.
FISCAL IMPACT:
If the Council directs that the Town should contribute to this proposal in whole or in part, the
funds would come from the Economic Recovery Project budget.
COORDINATION:
The preparation of this report was coordinated with the Parks and Public Works and
Community Development Departments, and the Town Manager and Town Attorney Offices.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
PAGE 3 OF 3
SUBJECT: Consider Chamber Light Proposal at an Estimated Cost to the Town of $150,000
DATE: September 10, 2020
Attachment:
1. Chamber Proposal