Attachment 3 - Additional Public CommentMarch 6, 2021 Council meeting.
Item 13 - Provide Direction for the Potential Uses of the American Rescue Plan Act Funds
Earmarked for Los Gatos
Madam Mayor and Council members
The Grant the Town received, $5.7M, is being reapportioned tonight in the proposal you are
considering, Item 13, at a rate that only allocates a bit more than $3.7 M to various, and I agree,
worthy projects, leaving about $2m surplus. These “surplus” funds can be used for other
economic recovery needs now. Lets allocate all the funds for the purposes they were intended
–to keep the Town’s commitment to the various organizations that provide critical services to
all our citizens, including many non-profits. And, in particular, lets target one of the most
vulnerable constituents in our Town - our Senior citizens.
•Some additional data: at least 1/3 of our Town’s population will be 65 or older by
early 2023 according to the Housing Element. These are folks who have been a
strong part of our community for years, perhaps generations, and importantly,
who have helped make our community the enjoyable place we all share.
•A “well-managed” Town should provide recreation and senior services to the full
community; And, NOTABLY different from Los Gatos, most senior services are actually
FUNDED by municipal governments for those citizens, whom they represent and they
serve!
•LGS Adult Recreation acts as a gateway to provide valuable resources to these, our more
vulnerable senior community members, collaborating with other non-profits to do so.
•It’s impossible now during COVID challenges to provide robust services when LGS Adult
Rec cannot afford their current Staff salaries; and Seniors who do participate in many of
the social programs make donations to help cover some of the operating costs, but
operating costs are beyond the current revenue model.
•Ceasing lease payments to the Town for the E Main St. Adult Recreation Center facility
provides much of the cost savings necessary to move forward to reinstall Staff FTEs
during this critical time and provide the additional services identified as now necessary
for our senior citizens.
•The community deserves an upgraded and more inclusive Senior Community Center and
this should be part of the Town’s 20-year General Plan, or sooner! They provide many
services that are unduplicated by any other Town partner.
•Specifically, the facility needs to have its infrastructure updated to meet code
and safety requirements. Currently, the facility is run down and in need of
maintenance and refurbishment.
•Many of the rooms can be repurposed so as to engage more adults for more
inclusive programs. Paying the rent noted in the past to the Town precludes the
LGS Recreation from making such investments in YOUR building. Please provide
the ongoing funding to help the Rec make such changes. Invest in YOUR
building.
•The Town’s commitment to an age-friendly initiative requires the Town government to
be more VESTED in partnerships with those providing the services. This is an excellent
opportunity to leverage such resources for best outcomes with these federal funds.
Also, I assume the Mayor is recusing herself from this vote due to the conflict of being the
CEO of CASSY, which will receive additional (and needed, I might add), funding, as part of
this initiative.
Thank you, and keep up the good work.
Lee Fagot ATTACHMENT 3