Desk ItemCOUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: JANUARY 19, 2016
MEETING DATE: 01/19/16
ITEM NO: 6
DESK ITEM
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL �� nn //// �/ /� /
FROM: LAUREL PREVETTI, TOWN MANAGE4Ad -` jZ�
SUBJECT: TRAFFIC AROUND SCHOOLS
A. AUTHORIZE THE TOWN MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONSULTANT
AGREEMENT WITH TRAFFIC PATTERNS TO EVALUATE AND MAKE
RECOMMENDATIONS SPECIFIC TO REDUCING VEHICULAR TRAFFIC
AROUND SCHOOLS IN A BASE CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $71,631 WITH A
CONTINGENCY OF $7,163.
B. AUTHORIZE A BUDGET ADJUSTMENT TO TRANSFER THE NECESSARY
FUNDS FROM THE SPECIAL STUDIES RESERVE.
REMARKS:
After the staff report was distributed on January 14, 2016, staff received the following comment from a
Council Member and the attached public comment (Attachment 2):
Why haven't the schools agreed to contribute? Have they had insufficient time to meet and
respond or is there some other reason?
Staff was able to discuss this with Hillbrook School within the last several months. The request to the
Los Gatos – Saratoga Union High School District and the Los Gatos Unified School District occurred
last week via email and phone conversations and more formally Monday morning via letter. These
schools have not had enough time to respond. Staff recommends proceeding with or without a
contribution from the schools.
Attachment (Previously received with Staff Report on January 14 2016)
1. Agreement for Consultant Services with Exhibit A containing the Traffic Patterns Proposal.
Attachment received with this Desk Item:
2. Public Comment received from 11:01 a.m. Thursday, January 14, 2016 through 11:00 a.m. Tuesday,
January 19, 2016.
PREPARED BY: MATT MORLEY
DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND PUBLIC KS
Reviewed by: Assistant Town Manager —U��Jown Attorney 76r,,—Finance
From: Angelia Doerner fmailto:saveourhood(&vahoo.com)
Sent: Tuesday, January 19, 2016 10:31 AM
To: Council; BSpector; Marico Sayoc; Marcia Jensen; Steven Leonardis; Rob Rennie
Subject: ]an 19 Meeting - Agenda Item 6 Desk Item
"Staff has asked the Los Gatos - Saratoga High School District and Los Gatos Union School
District to make a financial contribution to the study and both are reviewing the request.
Hillbrook School has already committed to a contribution in proportion to the contribution of
the school districts. St. Mary's School did not respond to inquiries. Any contributions
from the schools will offset the total cost of the project to the Town. "
I am greatly disappointed that our school districts (minus Hillbrook) have not responded to
this request with more enthusiasm and acknowledgement of their shared responsibility for
such issues. In particular, given the state of "negative declaration" claimed by LGHS in
relation to their expansion plans, it is not just disappointing - rather it is inexcusable.
I cannot see ANY VALUE in studying the traffic around LGHS (and ignoring throughout
downtown from 2:OOp - 4:OOp) until the expansion plans are completed. This effort should
have been exerted to respond to the negative declaration of such plans! I understand the
Town has no jurisdiction over what the schools do - but it should at least be vocal
in representing the interests of its residents in relation to ANY plans affecting traffic and
other ancillary impacts outside school borders.
Please reconsider the scope of these services relating to Main St (LGHS) to
address traffic - related consequences (and relevant suggestions) giving
consideration to the expansion plans (as currently designed) - especially as it
relates to the intersection of Main /Pleasant including the placement of a parking
lot at that intersection.
One of the major accomplishments of Ms. Jensen's mayorship was the increased
collaboration between the Town and the Schools reg shared values and initiatives - Safe
Routes for Schools, green bike lane trials, etc. As I have done in the past, I continue to
applaud such efforts by the Town, and Ms. Jensen personally. But I see these
accomplishments as truly one -sided - where is the evidence of such commitment from the
Schools in relation to broader Town -wide issues, e.g., TRAFFIC? Simply - "Show me the
money!! l"
I know community meetings will be held and other important progress made for continued
contributions to such efforts by the Town (Staff time and $$$) and residents, especially
volunteers on related Board - appointed commissions and committees. I'm sure there are
similar efforts (other than $$$) by the Schools. However, it appears such efforts are with
blinders on - focused on their micro -world without regard to the Town as a whole - or to the
totality of residents who contribute to their coffers.
Angelia Doerner
Live Simply, Laugh Often
ATTACHMENT 2