Attachment 4 - Additional Public Comment Esteemed Council Members,
I am writing to you today to implore you to continue moving forward to help all our
Los Gatos businesses survive the drastic closures and limited business openings during the enforced SIP since March 16, 2020. I will address the parklet program and the Grant monies proposed once again, especially in light of the Federal Assistance Funding the Town has already received and the second round of
Federal Assistance Funds. We know the parklets directly benefit the
restaurants, but at the same time they are increasing business for the retail stores. The Chamber of Commerce has taken a lot of time to talk with both restaurant and retail shops, and there is agreement that the parklets stimulate business for everyone.
I am a big believer and supporter of the parklets; I know more semi-permanent parklets will only enrich our Town’s viability, survivability and ambience. The last motion approved by the Town only allows Grant money to those businesses that haven’t built semi-permeant parklets and those that haven’t provided for the
correct ADA access to the temporary parklets. This is incredibly wrong and unfair to those business that have spent upwards of $90,000 for semi-permanent parklets, and the businesses that have spent money they really couldn’t spare at the time to be sure their temporary parklet complied to ADA access standards.
The Council should allow all businesses and property owners access the same amount of funds thru the Grant process for the parklets, regardless of their status as semi-permanent or ADA compliant. Those monies for the permanent parklets already completed can be used to insure the construction of a safe canopy for
inclement weather that is fire rated to allow for the placement of propane
heaters. The money given should be equal for all, those that paved the way for the semi-permanent parklets and those that made sure their temporary parklet was ADA compliant.
In additon the monies for the parklet grants should be increased significantly and
retroactively with the federal funds the town has received along with the monies the town has already authorized for recovery. Program grants need to increase to a minimum of $30k+ per business if not complete funding with no limitation for past and future parklets. The Town has the remaining ~$1.5MM that was
reallocated from the streetscape fund for COVID recovery efforts. The Town also
received $388k in Federal assistance funding. In addition the Town is about to receive a significant federal stimulus payment, in the several millions of dollars, from the new $1.9T federal aid package.
I appeal to you once again to increase the parklet grant monies for the semi-
permanent parklets, the ADA monies for the temporary parklets and make them available to all businesses and property owners. Thank you,
Sue Farwell ATTACHMENT 4