Staff Report with attachments
PREPARED BY: Jim Harbin
Superintendent
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney, Finance Director, and Interim
Parks and Public Works Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 04/19/2022 ITEM NO: 9
DATE: April 8, 2022
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Approve the Phil Knopf Minors Baseball Complex Naming Addition to Balzer
Field Signage
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the Phil Knopf Minors Baseball Complex naming addition to Balzer Field signage.
BACKGROUND:
Balzer Field is a baseball field primarily used by Los Gatos Little League (LGLL) located on Miles
Avenue just east of the Los Gatos Creek Trail. The signage for Balzer Field resides behind center
field on the backside of the scoreboard that has been in place for several years and has reached
the end of its serviceable life.
In March of 2014, Los Gatos Little League recognized Phil Knopf for 35 years of volunteer
service in the League and was presented with a bronze plaque by Santa Clara County Supervisor
Mike Wasserman and Los Gatos Mayor Steve Leonardis.
DISCUSSION:
In February of 2022, Parks and Public Works (PPW) staff received a letter (Attachment 1) from
Los Gatos Little League requesting permission to replace the scoreboard and signage at Balzer
Field and to amend the signage to say “Phil Knopf Minors Baseball Complex at Balzer Field” as a
tribute to Phil Knopf’s long-standing service to LGLL. Additionally, the League has requested
PPW to install the bronze plaque on the Balzer Field snack shack building.
On April 4th, 2022, LGLL Director Ryan Bertsch brought the request before the Parks
Commission and was well received, passing unanimously.
PAGE 2 OF 2 SUBJECT: Phil Knopf Minors Baseball Complex Naming Addition DATE: April 8, 2022
CONCLUSION:
Per the Naming Town-Owned Facilities Policy (Attachment 2) the LGLL has demonstrated a
connection between the individual they seek to honor and the facility to be named. As such,
staff recommends approving the Phil Knopf Minors Baseball Complex Naming Addition to Balzer
Field.
FISCAL IMPACT:
LGLL will bear all costs for the scoreboard and signage materials and installation. The Parks and
Public Works Department will install the bronze plaque on the snack shack building using
existing funds in the Operating Budget.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
Attachments:
1. Los Gatos Little League Letter
2. Town Policy for Naming Town-Owned Facilities
Los Gatos Little League
PO Box 93
Los Gatos, California 95031
Email: lgll@lgll.org
March 28, 2022
Town of Los Gatos
Attn: Parks and Public Works Department, Jim Harbin
41 Miles Avenue
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Mr. Harbin:
This communication is issued to request the Town of Los Gatos Parks and Public
Works Department (TLGPPWD) approval of signage updates at Balzer Field as
described herein. The requested signage updates are necessary to both modernize the
existing scoreboard and entrance signage at Balzer Field as well as recognize of Phil
Knopf for his long standing service to Los Gatos Little League (LGLL).
Specifically, Los Gatos Little League intends to modernize the current scoreboard and
entrance signage at Balzer Field. We are requesting TLGPPWD’s approval of the new
scoreboard and signage to include “Phil Knopf Minors Baseball Complex” as well as
place a large bronze plaque on the Balzer Field service building as presented by former
Town of Los Gatos Mayor Steve Leonardis and Santa Clara County Supervisor Mike
Wasserman in March 2014 (reference Attachment A).
Images below are included for visualization purposes and define the scope of intended
changes proposed by LGLL.
Improvement request #1: Replace existing Balzer Field scoreboard, update signage at
top of scoreboard and update/replace wood frame structure to accommodate change in
scoreboard size.
Existing Proposed
Attachment 1
Los Gatos Little League
PO Box 93
Los Gatos, California 95031
Email: lgll@lgll.org
Existing scoreboard: 62.5”H x 97”W
Proposed scoreboard: 90”H x 96”W; Electro-Mech LX1130
Structure: Intention is to replace existing 6”x6” pressure treated wood beam structure
with galvanized steel poles to support replacement scoreboard size; electrical
connection to remain unchanged in UV compliant flexible electrical conduit.
Improvement request #2: Replace existing Balzer Field sign facing to Miles Avenue and
update with new signage to appropriately fit with updated scoreboard size.
Existing Proposed
Existing sign (painted plywood): 48”H x 96”W
Proposed sign (reflective aluminum): 90”H x 96”W
Improvement request #3: Place the large bronze plaque on the Balzer Field service
building as presented to Phil Knopf in 2014. Reference image below for details of
plaque contents.
Los Gatos Little League
PO Box 93
Los Gatos, California 95031
Email: lgll@lgll.org
LGLL will assume financial and liability responsibility specific to the requested
scoreboard and signage improvements at Balzer Field. LGLL however requests
TLGPPWD complete the installation of the large bronze plaque on the Balzer Field
service building. LGLL expects to complete the scoreboard improvements in May 2022
subject to lead-times and material availability.
We look forward to having your support with completing the described improvements as
outlined herein. Please reach back should you have specific questions.
Regards,
Ryan Bertsch
Director, Fields and Facilities
Los Gatos Little League
Los Gatos Little League
PO Box 93
Los Gatos, California 95031
Email: lgll@lgll.org
Attachment A: Service award presentation to Phil Knopf per March 2014 Los Gatos
Weekly newspaper article.
COUNCIL POLIC Y
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
Subject : Naming Town-Owned Facilities Page :
Enabling Actions :
1 of 1
Resolution 1996-13 3
Effective Date :10/21/96 Revised Date :
To establish a policy for naming Town-owned facilities .
SCOP E
This policy applies to all Town-owned facilities, other than streets (which are covered by othe r
procedures).
BACKGROUN D
There are many deserving individuals after whom facilities could be named . The strength of
the community is derived partially from its history, which includes its events and outstanding
citizens . This policy seeks to provide for honoring Los Gatos' history .
POLIC Y
Since there are more deserving people than there are facilities, it is the policy of the Tow n
Council to consider naming Town-owned facilities after individual persons only in th e
following circumstances :
1.When an extremely close connection can be made between the history of the facility itsel f
and the person after whom the facility is to be name d
2.When the facility to be named is located in a Town park, as is the case with the Bill Maso n
Carousel
PROCEDURES
When such requests are received from groups or individuals it will be incumbent upon th e
nominators to show the connection between the individual they wish to honor and the facilit y
to be named . A copy of this policy will be provided to any requesting groups or persons .
APPROVED AS TO FORM :
d Town Attorney
ADMINMANO 1 A:\ADMINMANRENAMING.FAC
Attachment 2
RESOLUTION 1996 - 13 3
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATO S
ESTABLISHING COUNCIL POLICY ON NAMIN G
-TOWN-OWNED PUBLIC FACILITIE S
WHEREAS, because there are many more worthy people than Town-owned facilities ,
renaming facilities after people is not in the best interests of the community .
THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED :
It is the policy of Town Council not to name Town-owned facilities after people a s
indicated in the attached Council Policy .
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Lo s
Gatos, California, held on the 21st day of October, 1996 by the following vote :
COUNCIL MEMBERS :
AYES :Joanne Benjamin, Linda Lubeck, Mayor Randy Attaway .
NAYS :Steven Blanton .
ABSENT :Patrick O'Laughlin .
ABSTAIN :
MAYO 'IF THE TO % OF LOS GATO S
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNI A
ATTEST :
CLERK OF THE TOWN OS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
SIGNED :