15 Desk Item - San Jose Water Company Projects`pW N 0
~~S ~GASps
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
DISCUSSION:
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
FEBRUARY 22, 2005
MEETING DATE: 02/22/05
ITEM NO. 15
DESK ITEM
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
DEBRA J. FIGONE, TOWN MANAGER /
DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION ON OPTIO :OR SCHEDULING
TOWN PAVING AND SAN JOSE WATER COMPANY PROJECTS ON N.
SANTA CRUZ AVENUE
Attached is a copy of an e-mail from Ginger Rowe which was received on 2/21/05.
Attachment: E-mail dated 2/21/05 from Ginger Rowe
Distribution: Rich Pardini, San Jose Water Company
ca44,.,(e- 6-C, csk/vo
PREPARED BY: PAMELA S. JACOBS
Assistant Town Manger
N:\MGR\AdminWorkFiles\cnclrpts\2-22 SantaCruzAveDeskItem.wpd
Reviewed by: S) Assistant Town Manager Town Attorney Clerk Administrator
Finance Community Development Revised: 2/22/05 3:37 pm
Reformatted: 5/30/02
M ki e Wasserman - Council Meeting 2/22/2005 reatreetscape project Page 1J
From: "Ginger" <ginger@timeoutclothing.com>
To: <mwasserman@losgatosca.gov>, <dmcnutt@losgatosca.gov>,
<sglickman@losgatosca.gov>, <jpirzynski@losgatosca.gov>, <bspector@losgatosca.gov>
Date: Mon, Feb 21, 2005 11:54 PM
Subject: Council Meeting 2122/2005 re:streetscape project
Dear Los Gatos Council Members,
It is with great concern that I am writing you to express my opinion regarding the upcoming streetscape
project scheduled for North Santa Cruz Ave. I have attended most all of the meetings regarding the
project and have been very impressed with the cooperation we have received from the public works
director, John Curtis and other community development officials over the past two years.
It was a much needed relief when we were given a "reprieve" from last summer's scheduled street
improvements. It was becoming evident that our businesses were suffering over the past two years of
sidewalk reconstruction. Poor timing of the sidewalk improvement projects in combination with the
condition of the economy proved to be too large an obstacle for many businesses to overcome.
We are just now bouncing back from the slow economy, only to be dealt another blow to the operations of
our businesses. We know that there will never be an "easy" time for this project to take place, but I see
another "Lot 4 Catastrophe" taking place at the expense of the merchants, employees, townspeople and
customers, which directly, negatively affects the town's income from sales tax revenue.
After the last meeting, some interesting facts were pointed out. Primarily, the fact that the street is not
actually sinking and does not need to be replaced at this time raises the question as to why it is being
proposed at all. This street replacement proposal allows San Jose Water Company the opportunity to
redo their main water lines which is the real time consuming portion of the project.
We had originally agreed to close the street completely and facilitate the project to provide the quickest
time frame with the least economic impact. However, with the introduction of SJWC's proposal, I feel the
Town of Los Gatos should reconsider the partial open partial, close concept. The reason I feel this should
be considered is that everyone knows that delays during construction occur on a regular basis, and I do
not think our businesses could handle the hardships onset by these delays. I feel strongly that this project
should be postponed until a more efficient, well thought out and timed plan can be agreed upon by all
parties.
We have been told that the urgency of this project is due to an existing bond that the town must act upon
or lose money. We have asked specific questions relating to the bond such as the amount and/or any
possibilities of extension but have not been given any clear response.
Is it fair or even wise for the town to try and save money on this bond, knowing full well that the street
repaving project will jeopardize the survival of the merchants, employees, and consumers that constitute
,.Mike Wassermann- Council Meeting 2122/2005 re:streetscape project Page 2
the character of the friendly, downtown community ambiance for which the Town of Los Gatos has
become known?
Regards,
Ginger Rowe
Time Out Clothing
108 N. Santa Cruz Ave.
Los Gatos, CA 95030
408-354-8653
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