2000-029-Approving The Strategic Plan, July 1, 2000-June 30, 2005RESOLUTION 2000 - 29.
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF .LOS GATOS APPROVING THE
STRATEGIC PLAN, JULY 1, 2000 -June 30, 2005
WHEREAS, developing a strategic plan is the essential first step in budgeting; and
WHEREAS, goals should be identified so that resources can be allocated to accomplish
them;
RESOLVED, that the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos, county of Santa Clara,
State of California, hereby approves the Town of Los Gatos Strategic Plan, July 1, 2000 -June 30,
200:5.
PASSED AND .ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of
Los Gatos, California, held on the :3rd day of April, 2000 by the following vote:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES: Randy Attaway, Jan Hutchins, Linda Lubeck, Joe Przynslci,
Mayor Steven Blanton
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN.: None
SIG1vTED;
MAYOl~OF THE TOWN O1~ LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS,, CALIFORNIA
ATTEST:
CLERK OF T1=IE T OVv'N OF S GA
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
~. Apri13, ~ J
"Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a
matter of choice. "
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
STRATEGIC PLAN
JULY 1, 20D0 -JUNE 30, 2005
MISSION STATEMENT:
To enhance the quality of life in Los-Gatos by providing the highest quality leadership and most efficient
services and facilities.
To provide a working environment which promotes excellence,. fosters cooperation and meets the needs of
the community,. council, employees, board and .commission members, and volunteers.
I. Introduction.
A. Plan Purpose
^ To :meet the Town's needs over the next five years
^ To form the basis for evaluating success
^ To facilitate decision making
^ To :improve communication
B. Strategic Planning Defined
Strategic planning. is a systematic way to manage change which emphasizes consensus building
while considering the environment, available resources,- and possible .futures. Based upon this
information, action plansomcritical issues are implemented, monitored, andadjusted as the situation
changes.
Strategic Planning:
^ concentrates on implementation;
^ focuses on selected issues;
^ explicitly considers resources available, both inside and outside the organization;
^ assesses strengths, weaknesses, and the competitive position. of the .community;
^ emphasizes results; ~ .
^ produces a .coordinated .effort;
^ sets realistic .objectives and .allocates resources to achieve them; and
^ sometimes quantitative, but also stresses the importance of judgment, intuition, and creativity..
Strategic planning is not a panacea. It is not intended to:
^ replace other types of planning;
^ analyze the root causes of major problems; or
^ be a "one-time" effort; it is an evolving, ongoing plan of action.
ATTACffiViI;NT 2
C. Process for Plan I~lopment
The Management Tearn, composed of supervisors and department heads,,. drafted.. revisions to long
and short-term objectives in December 1999. Town Boards; Commissions and Committees provided
input and the Council discussed the plan during its goals workshop in January 2000..
II. Situational. Analysis
A. History
The name Los Gatos comes from "El Rancho Rinconada de Los Gatos," a ranch established in 1839
by a Mexican land grant and' so named because of the large number of mountain lions in the area.
In 1854, James Alexander Forbes purchased' some of this land and built a flour mill.. In 1860,. the
first hotel' was opened'to provide a stage stop on the toll road which had been built between San Jose
and. Santa Cruz..
Wheat production gave way to orchards;. and rapid .growth ensued when the railroad reached Los
Gatos in 1878. The residential subdivisions. of Broadway, Bayview, Fairview, and Almond Grove
were built in the 1880s. By 1887, the population had grown to 1,500 and Los Gatans voted to
incorporate.
Fruit industries faded' slowly during the Depression and. World War II, and the postwar period
brought an influx of people producing. residential and commercial. development: Highway 17 was
constructed through the center of Town in 1957,. and Route 85 was completed in 1994 at the northern
edge of Town. Nonetheless; growth leveled off in the early '70s; leaving Los Gatos with its
small-town atmosphere and' pedestrian-oriented downtown.
The slow growth of the Town over an extended number of years has 1'eft the Town with a heritage
of older,. established residential areas and a downtown withmany historic buildings represenbingthe
various eras in the Town's history. Protection of these historic resources which are a major part of
the Town's. character is an important community goal.
B. Community Values
^ Small Town Character (complete community, human. scale)
Because of its distance from other centers of population, Los Gatos developed as a cornplete
community including residential, business and industrial elements. Preserving, Los Gatos as a
complete and well balanced community has been .and remains. a prominent goal for the
community. From the first l00 acre townsite and an 1890populationof 1,652, Los Gatos grew
slowly so that by 1963' the area was. 6.3' square miles,: with a population of 11,750.. In 1980,. the
area was 10 square miles and' the population had increased to 26,600. The 1990 Census
population was 27,445.. Today Los Gatos covers approximately 14 square miles and has a
population of 3.0,200 (1998 estimate). This relatively slow growth over the first 80 years
resulted in a human scale community with narrow streets,and small buildings.
Los.Gatos'boundariesencompass. awide variety. often-ain,.ranging from, level land to steep and
densely wooded hillsides. The sharp visual contrasts among these features and charming.
architecture create the. picturesque setting. In the midst of an increasingly uniform. urban
complex, this setting has attracted people with a preference for the Town's distinctive, high
quality natural and urban environment.
^ Historic Preservation
The slow growth of the Town over an extended number of years has left the Town with a
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heritage of older, ~ ablished residential areas and a downtow~ ith many historic buildings
representing the various eras in the Town's history. Protection of these historic resources which
area major:part ofthe Town's character is an important community .goal. Two museums, Tait
Avenue and Forbes Mill, help preserve the Town's valued history.
^ Education
The Town is rich in educational and cultural resources. Los Gatos .High School is .housed in
beautiful older buildings with expansive grounds sweeping down to Main Street. Fisher Middle
School, Blossom Hill, Van Meter, and Alta Vista elementary schools are located in Town.
Leigh and Westmont High .Schools, Rolling Hills, Daves Avenue, Carlton, and Noddin
Elementary Schools, and UnionMiddle Sehool also serve Los Gatosresidents. All these schools
have been recognized for the high. achievement of their students. In addition, there are
numerous high quality private schools, which ;provide excellent educational opportunities.
Local commitment to quality education is so high that in 1990, 1994, and again in 1998, voters
passeda parcel tax to enhance the educational programs. Inall, seven chool districts serve Los
Gatos children. West Valley Community College and San Jose State University are located in
neighboring communities. The Los Gatos Public Library provides materials to help students
with their academic programs and to support continuing education for all residents..
^ Openness and Accessibility of Local Government
The small-town character of the :community is :reflected in the Town government's
responsiveness to local .citizens. The Town's various citizen boards, commissions and
committees.provide input on issues ranging from developmentto the arts. Community input is
built into decision-making through informalneghborhood meetings, formal public hearings, and
through the Internet on the Town's government Website and a-mail. By making personal
~~ contact with Council Members and Town staff, or by attending a Council meeting, residents can
directly influence Town policies.
^ :Preserve Neighborhoods
Los Gatos has been identified as one of the world's most desirable places to ;live. Clear
standards for historic dwellings, compatible in-fill .construction and new construction
appropriate to the community needs assure the continued livability of LosGatos neighborhoods.
The Town also works to protect the view of the mountain backdrop and to maintain existing
housing stock by providing :loans .and :grants to income .eligible households.
^ Public Safety
Feeling secure is a major part of any community's quality of life. The Town of Los Gatos .has
one of the lowest crime rates in the .Bay Area. The Town government works with .citizens to
preserve life, mantanhumanrights,protectproperty,andpromote individual.responsibility and
community commitment. The community values law enforcement service which emphasizes
problem solving, personal service, and a strong.Police/communitypartnership exemplified by
over 1.50 volunteers working side-by-side with the officers.
^ Urban Forest
Los Gatos' trees contribute to the beautiful, natural setting of our community. Our trees make
the area more attractive, soften :impervious surface and buildings, provide shade in summer and
remove carbon dioxide .from the .air. Our residents enjoy .and .nurture our -urban forest, The .
Town. has red the Tree City, USA award every year e 1980.
^ Environmental. Quality
In response to the community's desire for a clean environment, the Town participates in or
administers a number of programs and plans which strive to improve the overall environmental
quality of the Town.
Lose. Gatos is a member of the Santa Clara County Congestion Management Agency (CMA).
The CIv1A is designed to meet the goals of increasing the efficiency of existing transit and
roadway systems, planning the best capital improvements to these systems,. and improving the.
local land'-use decision-making- process.... The CMA prepares the biennial Congestion.
ManagementProgram (CMP), a comprehensive county-wide, program designed toxeduce traff-ic
congestion, to enhance-the effectivenessofland-use decision-making and to improve air quality.
The Town's General. Plan.- Transportation Element. addresses various. aspects of transportation.
including the hierarchy ofhighways,.-roadway capacity, hillside circulation,. cut-through traffic
and' public transit. This element also addresses a convenient trails and bikeways-system that is
safe and accessible to promote alternative modes of transportation. such as walking and
bicycling.
The General Plan includes an element to "reduce regionally generated cross-town commute and
short-cut traffic" and. to "inhibit the flow of through traffic in established neighborhoods to the
extent feasible without impacting the freedom. of movement of residents." The .goal of this
element is to provide an integrated' transportation system to meet Los Gatos'' needs while
retaining the Town's- character.
In addition, the. Town provides a number of environmental programs including:- commercial
paper and cardboard. recycling,. household' hazardous. waste collection, non=point source water
pollution prevention, Title 24 Energy Conservation Methods,, alternative fuel vehicles and
fueling facility to improve air quality, and comprehensive residential curbside recycling,.
including: yard waste collection-which is composted.
^ Economic Health
The community takes pride in the fact that Los Gatos is a largely self-sufficient community.
Accordingly, its economy should' provide a full range of goods and services for its citizens. The
community recognizes the: importance of maintaining the strength. and quality of our local
economy. It is apparent that all segments of the community must work together to support and
manage. our economy. The. Town. has many diverse business activities located in the historic
downtown and throughout the community. The quality of the economy affects the Town's
ability to deliver services and the value of residential property.
^ Tradition
The Town cherishes its history and traditions. through many special events: the lighting
of the Christmas tree at Town Plaza, the annual. holiday parade and Cotillion, Music in
the Plaza, arts and crafts fairs, and other events. The: Town- also supports historical
resources such as: The Billy Jones Railroad and carousel at Oak Meadow park; the many
parks; and our public library, a service provided residents for over one hundred years..
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^ Parks ~ ~~
Los Gatans prize the natural beauty of the area .and the .leisure and recreation
opportunities their parks and trails provide. 'The Town park system provides a mixture
of neighborhood parks, ;play lots, .regional park sites and open space .areas including the
Los Gatos Creek Trail. Park facilities provide areas for hiking, bicycling, walking,.
tennis, field:activities, and family picnic areas. Mostparks have playground facilities for
children.
^ Open Space
Los Gatos is dedicated to preserving,:maintaining, and enhancing its open space. Open
space :provides protection for areas of particular scenic beauty and enhances the survival
prospects for endangered plant and animal species.
^ Recreation
Los Gatans value health and vigorously participate in recreation programs which are
made possible through a recreation district in cooperation with local school districts.
^' Community Services
A wide variety of community services are provided and these services are important in
defining the :community. Service groups, non-profits and the Town actively support a
nunnber of cultural, recreational, and human service activities providing a public library,
public :art, housing assistance and rehabilitation, .rent mediation, museums, nutrition,
:health, senior citizen and youth programs.
^ Volunteers
Town volunteers continue to bean integral part of our success. We currently have about
700 volunteers, who contribute over one million dollars' worth o~ labor annually.
Volunteers are essential in maintaining our park trails, installing Council Chamber art
exhibits, coordinating Town sponsored events, painting murals, facilitating senior
activities, furnishing information and referral services, and providing police and many
other. support services.. The volunteer program is not only a budgetary savings to the
Town, government and Town residents, but it also promotes a spirit of cooperation and
trust between the municipality .and the community.
C. Environmental Scan
Located in Silicon Valley, the Town'sprosperity independent on the economic and social health
of the region including its 7,000 technology based companies. Silicon Valley extends across
30 cities including San Jose, the third largest city in California, and parts of Santa Clara, San
Mateo, Alameda-and Santa Cruz Counties. According to Joint Venture: Silicon Valley, this
economic region includes more than 1.2 million jobs and 2.3 million residents. Education,
health care, affordable'housing, public transportation, traffic and volunteerism are some of the
essential community elements which .are monitored to assure the region's continued success.
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Like the rest ilicon Valley, epicenter of the technolo~wolution, the Town is currently
experiencing a favorable economy. Employment. in the valley is rising twice as fast. as the local
labor force.. This phenomenon, however,. has created clogged. freeways, and parking shortages,
lack of affordable housing,. pressure for land. development, and, competition for hiring qualified
employees.. The challenge for the Town is to take advantage of this economic boom while it
lasts, while maintaining a high. quality of life and' preserving the Town's unique character.
III. Vision Statement
The Vision Statement describes the community achieving its full potential, and' drives the Strategic
Plan. The Vision articulates the future for Los Gatos and refYects the high ideals identified by the
community:
Residents are united in their desire to maintain a high quality of life and preserve the. character
of the Town. The overall community consensus is that Los Gatos be afull-service community
that is also environmentally sensitive; that Los Gatos maintains a balanced,. well-designed mix
of residential, commercial, service and open space uses, fostering apedestrian-oriented
communitywith asmall town, village-like character; that Los Gatos supports an active business
community that provides a.wide variety ofgoads and services and a broad rangeof employment
opportunities, eliminating the need to travel to othersommunities; and that Los Gatos provides
a well-run, efficient municipal government that is fiscally healthy, with: high levels of public
safety, recreational;. art and cultural amenities and is committed'to high quality education.
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STRATEG~ PRIORITIES FOR TIIE NEXT FI~, YEARS
July 1, .2000 -June 30, -2005
Strategic Priorities identify those issues which are important :for the community to address over the next.
five years in order to achieve the Vision Statement. 'There is ;no order of importance to the community,
rather these Priorities are of equal importance and .interrelated: '
• Priority: Appearance, Character and Quality of the Community
• I'riority.• Responsive, Accountable and-Cost Effective Government
• Priority: Fiscal Stability
• .Priority: Infrastructure
• Priority: .Transportation, Traffic, and Parking
• Priority:. Personal Growth and Enrichment of the Individual
Goals state what the community wishes to .accomplish or become over the next five years, in relation to a
specific Strategic Priority. Goals provide the basis for decisions about the nature, scope, and priority of
the projects and activities to be taken to achieve the Vision.
Implementation Strategies delineate the specific actions to be taken by the .government ofLos Gatos to
achieve the Vision .and Goals of the Strategic Plan. !Many of these .actions are ongoing activities to be
accomplished each year, This is not, .however, an exhaustive list, but one which includes those
implementation strategies where a special effort will be made.