Attachment 2 - Public CommentsFrom: Phil Seaman
Date: October 3, 2022 at 2:24:49 PM PDT
To: Michael Glow
Cc: Laurel Prevetti <LPrevetti@losgatosca.gov>, Maria Ristow <MRistow@losgatosca.gov>, Marico Sayoc
<MSayoc@losgatosca.gov>, Mary Badame <MBadame@losgatosca.gov>, Matthew Hudes
<MHudes@losgatosca.gov>, Rob Rennie <RRennie@losgatosca.gov>, Gitta Ungvari
<GUngvari@losgatosca.gov>, Andy & Fran Edwards , Devin & Toni Conway
, Jan Taylor "LosGatos, Weekly Times"
<lgwt@community-newspapers.com>, "Robinson, James H." <jhrobinson@mercurynews.com>, Ed
Clendaniel <eclendaniel@bayareanewsgroup.com>, Shannon Susick , Sandy
Decker , James U Hall
Subject: Re: Pedestrian Bridge Project
EXTERNAL SENDER
Michael,
Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I went on line and voted for the lowest cost option.
https://www.losgatosca.gov/2556/Hwy-17-Bicycle-Pedestrian-Overcrossing
Cheers,
Phil
On Mon, Oct 3, 2022 at 1:40 PM Michael Glow wrote:
Dear Gentlepersons of the Los Gatos Town Council:
My household budget does not operate at a deficit. Even so, if I were looking to buy a car and the
candidates were a Toyota, a Volvo, or a Mercedes, I'd buy the Toyota. It is my understanding that the
town budget has been operating at a deficit, and that future budgets call for continued deficits. That
begs the question, how can the town consider any alternative bridge construction other than the least
expensive option that fills the need?
Respectfully yours,
Michael Glow
Attachment 2
From: june beeler
Sent: Friday, October 7, 2022 2:02 PM
To: Council <Council@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Proposed Pedestrian/Bike bridge
EXTERNAL SENDER
To all Town Council Members:
I am writing to express my view and disapproval, of the "high priority town project". namely the
proposed Pedestrian/Bike new bridge construction, on Blossom Hill Road, on the Hwy 17
overpass.
I consider this project to be unnecessary, as designed, and extremely expensive! I'm not sure if
the money allocated for this project comes from a government grant? However, the high cost
of personnel for the design, construction and materials during four phases, lasting over five
years, is outlandish! The amount of money this will cost could be spent elsewhere, in our town,
to better advantage.
During the 50 plus years that I have been a Los Gatos resident, I have not heard of any problem
or serious accident, to either pedestrians or bicyclists, as they traverse, over the existing
Blossom Hill overpass. Other less expensive, less intrusive, more cost effective means, to
ensure complete safety, to people walking or biking, in that area, could simply be to upgrade
the existing Blossom Hill overpass, with fencing, separating the traffic from the bike lane, in
particular. The bike lane could be widened, utilizing the sidewalk, to accommodate people,
riding in both directions. A new sidewalk area addition could be cantilevered out, attached to
the outer side, of the overpass. I have seen that solution, in effect, at another overpass, in
another town.
Now, the town wants to secure the public's approval, for one of the three proposed designs, to
"cement" this project, in place,
by requesting people to vote, in a survey... It seems obvious that the two designs, with
decorative steel "railings", designed for appearance, only, and being more costly, is not a good
choice. IMO, neither is the third choice, of a "streamlined" concrete structure, the best
answer. Building such a "heavy duty" structure is not practical when it won't be used by cars,
trucks or buses, only people, That option also requires building retaining walls, on both sides,
of the overpass, causing additional, unnecessary expense!.
Also, IMO, the planter area, separating traffic, from the bike lanes, offers no safety protection,
whatsoever! Extending the fencing would provide better protection... Actually, it is hard to
determine, from the visual, whether any fencing is placed on the outer edge, of the proposed
sidewalk, over Hwy 17? It would be, derelict not to do so...
Even though it could be considered "late, in the game", it is never too. late to save financial
resources, to shelve this design proposal for a better, more innovative, cost effective
alternative! Send it back to the "drawing board"! The decision, by the current Town Council, is
vital. If the town is concerned about a possible deficit, this is one area, to be frugal.
With all respect, thank you for your attention and consideration, of my comments about this
project...
Sincerely,
June Beeler
From:
Sent: Friday, September 16, 2022 1:57:21 PM
Cc: 'Joe Rodgers'
Subject: question about proposed pedestrian bridge
EXTERNAL SENDER
HI Mary and Matthew, my two favorite town council members,
I have a question about the proposed pedestrian bridge. The Town of LG posted on nextdoor.com that
they are doing a survey gathering public input as to which of 3 bridge choices the public would like. It
also said that the bridge would cost 25-38 million dollars to build. Is this a done deal? Are they definitely
building it, or is it up for consideration?
If it gets built, where does the money come from? I got a very vague answer on nextdoor.com from
Holly Young Senior Management Analyst with the town. She also wanted to take my questions offline
and suggested I contact Janice Chin. I responded for the sake of transparency I would like to have some
basic questions answered staying on nextdoor.com because there were several people on that post who
were interested in the answers as well.
How can our town even afford this? I know we are in a very large deficit.
Kind regards,
Lisa Harris