M12-05-2011P a g e 1
Council/Agency Meeting 12/19/11
Item #8b
MINUTES OF THE TOWN COUNCIL/PARKING AUTHORITY/REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY MEETING
DECEMBER 5, 2011
The Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Special Meeting on Monday,
December 5, 2011 at 5:30 P.M.
TOWN COUNCIL/PARKING AUTHORITY/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
SUSTAINABILITY STUDY SESSION HELD AT 5:30 P.M.
Jennifer Savage, Associate Planner, presented the staff report.
Joanna Jensen and Nicole Vermilion, consultants from The Planning Center DC&E,
presented the report.
Council Questions
- Questioned the timeline for adopting a sustainability plan.
- Questioned whether more micro-level actions should be considered.
- Questioned the degree to which the plan should reflect realistic goals that can be
accomplished with limited resources and the degree to which the plan should reflect
idealistic goals.
- Questioned what "intensification" means in context of the Sustainability Plan and as
compared to other local communities with higher growth rates.
- Questioned the source of housing projection numbers.
- Questioned the changing status of SB 375 and its application to the proposed
Sustainability Plan.
Ms. Jensen and Ms. Vermilion
- Commented that the General Plan provides for a two year timeline to adopt the
specific Sustainability Plan.
- Commented that additional measures may be included at Council’s direction.
- Commented that the document reflects implementation goals that will actually
reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.
- Commented that some measures are easier to quantify than others, but an example
of intensification is whether projects with certain densities are being approved.
- Commented that the housing projection numbers come from the General Plan.
- Commented that SB 375 describes how the locations of employment and housing
affect greenhouse gas emissions.
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Sustainability Study Session – Continued
Greg Larson, Town Manager
- Commented that staff seeks feedback from Council on the sustainability measures,
which will later be presented to members of various commissions and the public.
Council Comments
- Questioned the relationship between the sustainability plan and the possibility of
CEQA challenges.
Ms. Jensen
- Commented that this process and plan provides protection under CEQA.
The Town Council provided feedback after considering each of the following measures:
Green Building
Transportation
Renewable Energy and Low Carbon Fuels
Energy Conservation
Water and Wastewater
Solid Waste
Open Space
Purchasing
Community Action
MEETING RECONVENED AT 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Steve Rice, Vice Mayor Barbara Spector, Council Member Steven
Leonardis, Council Member Diane McNutt, and Council Member Joe Pirzynski.
Absent: None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Lynsey Chiala from Blossom Hill Elementary led the Pledge of Allegiance. The
audience was invited to participate.
TOWN COUNCIL MATTERS
Council Member Steven Leonardis
- Commented that Town Staff and volunteers successfully hosted the Holiday
Parade.
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TOWN MANAGER MATTERS
Greg Larson, Town Manger
- Commented that the Friends of the Library will host a book sale and guitar concert
on Friday, December 9, 2011.
- Commented that Boards and Commission applications are due on December 8,
2011, with interviews currently scheduled for December 19, 2011; however, due to
a potential scheduling conflict, staff requests that the meeting be adjourned to a
Special Meeting to allow for flexibility in scheduling to December 20, 2011, if
feasible.
Did You Know??
Jessica von Borck, Economic Vitality Manager
- Commented that there is extended holiday parking to encourage residents to shop
locally.
- Commented that free valet parking is available in downtown Los Gatos until
December 24, 2011.
- Commented that the Chamber of Commerce produced a free coupon book and is
also hosting carriage rides.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Judith Propp, Town Attorney, stated there was no closed session for this meeting.
CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. North 40 Specific Plan Monthly Update
2. Approve the extension of the appointment of Parthenia M. Hicks, Los Gatos Poet
Laureate, from an end date of April 4, 2012 to December 31, 2012.
3. Santa Clara Valley Water District Grant Agreement Adopt a resolution approving
the Town of Los Gatos to accept grant funds from the Trail and Open Space Grant
Program under the Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Program of
2000.
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Consent Items – Continued
4. State of California Office of Traffic Safety Grant.
a. Accept grant from the State of California Office of Traffic Safety in the amount
of $103,975 to support pedestrian and bicycle safety awareness programs
and initiatives.
b. Authorize General Fund budget adjustment recognizing an increase in FY
2011/12 Police Operating Grant Revenue in the amount of $103,975 and
authorize a $103,975 expenditure appropriation increase to police operating
grant program account 4808.
TOWN COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
5. Approve Council/Agency minutes of November 21, 2011.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Joe Pirzynski to approve Consent
Items #1-5.
Seconded by Vice Mayor Barbara Spector.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS (Up to three minutes may be allotted to each
speaker to address matters that are not on tonight’s agenda.)
Ms. Sogg
- Expressed concern about the policy regarding the wording on plaques for donated
shelves in the library.
Mr. Larson
- Commented that all donor recognition needs to follow the Donor Solicitation Policy
adopted by the Council.
Ms. Quintana
- Commented on public support and fundraising efforts for the Los Gatos Library.
Mr. Larson
- Commented that the policy does allow “In Memoriam” text on plaques.
- Commented that the library construction continues on time and on budget.
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PUBLIC HEARINGS
6. Introduction of Architecture and Site Application S-11-054. Property Location: 100
Costances Court. Property Owner: Mission Way, LLC. Applicant: Sanford Havens.
Appellant: David Crites. Consider an appeal of a Planning Commission decision
approving modification of an approved Architecture and Site Application to
construct a new single family residence on property zoned R-1:8 PD. APN: 523-25-
052.
Wendie R. Rooney, Director of Community Development, presented the staff report.
Council Questions
- Questioned the impact of a court hearing on November 21, 2011, in a lawsuit
challenging the Council’s approval of the final map for this project.
Ms. Propp
- Commented that the Santa Clara Superior Court heard a challenge to the Council’s
approval of the final map, but declined to issue an injunction or stay to delay the
project,
- Commented that the court has not issued a final ruling.
- Commented that nothing prevents the Council from taking action on the current
agenda item.
Open/Closed Public Hearing
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Joe Pirzynski to deny the appeal and
uphold the decision of the Planning Commission to approve
Architecture and Site application S-11-054.
Seconded by Council Member Steven Leonardis.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Joe Pirzynski to adopt a resolution
denying an appeal of a Planning Commission to approve an
architecture and site application on property zoned R-1:8:PD
(Attachment 14).
Seconded by Steven Leonardis.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
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OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business for this meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
At 7:30 p.m., the meeting adjourned to a Special Meeting if necessary or to the regular
meeting on December 19, 2011.
Attest:
/s/Mazarin A. Vakharia
Clerk Administrator