Staff Report.Social Host
Reviewed by: Town Manager 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: 11/02/2021 ITEM NO: 10
DATE: October 28, 2021
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Provide Direction to Strengthen the Town’s Social Host Ordinance and
Update the Youth Party Guidelines
RECOMMENDATION:
Provide direction to strengthen the Town’s Social Host Ordinance and update the Youth Party
Guidelines.
BACKGROUND:
The Town Council adopted modifications to its Municipal Code provisions regarding alcohol use
by minors (“social host”) in 1989, and in 1997 the Council established a youth curfew
(Attachment 1). Under the leadership of former Police Chief Scott Seaman, the Police
Department worked with the Youth Commission to establish Youth Party Guidelines in 2005
(Attachment 2).
Unfortunately, the use of alcohol by Los Gatos youth has become more prevalent and can lead
to other serious health and safety concerns [see Attachment 3, letter from Los Gatos Saratoga
Union High School District (LGSUHSD) Superintendent Dr. Grove]. In response, the Mayor has
placed this topic on the agenda to obtain direction from the Town Council to strengthen the
Town Code and update the Youth Party Guidelines.
DISCUSSION:
The issue of underage drinking is not unique to Los Gatos. An initial search of ordinances from
other municipalities found examples from Larkspur, Santa Barbara, Manhattan Beach, Ross, and
Sebastopol (see Attachments 4 through 8). The approaches of the other communities may
provide ideas for how Los Gatos can strengthen its own Ordinance. Alternatively, the Council
may have other direction based on public testimony received at the Council meeting. The
LGSUHSD will be making a presentation to the Council of its findings and concerns.
PAGE 2 OF 2 SUBJECT: Social Host Ordinance DATE: October 28, 2021
CONCLUSION:
Staff is looking forward to the Council’s discussion and direction to modernize the Town Code
on this topic, create a deterrent for underage alcohol consumption, and identify more
meaningful enforcement for youth and adults who may violate the new provisions. Staff also
recommends that the Youth Party Guidelines be referred to the Youth Commission for an
update.
COORDINATION:
The preparation of this report was coordinated with the Town Attorney.
FISCAL IMPACT:
As with any Ordinance change, the Town does incur costs with MuniCode to incorporate the
modifications to the online and hardcopy versions of the Code. These expected expenditures
are budgeted annually.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
Attachments:
1. Existing Social Host Ordinance
2. Existing Youth Party Guidelines
3. Letter from Dr. Grove, LGSUHSD Superintendent
4. Larkspur
5. Santa Barbara
6. Manhattan Beach
7. Town of Ross
8. Sebastopol