Addendumv°
��S GA"tOS
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
JANUARY 16, 2015
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
GREG LARSON, TOWN MANAGER
MEETING DATE: 01/20/15
ITEM NO: 6
ADDENDUM
SUBJECT: RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION
REGARDING A VETERANS MEMORIAL AT THE LOS GATOS CIVIC
CENTER
REMARKS:
During the November 4, 2014 Council meeting regarding this subject, questions were raised
regarding the subsequent Planning review process and likely costs dependent on final Council
direction. Here is the response from Community Development:
The discretionary planning review process will depend on the overall scope of the proposed
Veterans Memorial improvements. If the improvements can be approved by the Development
Review Committee then the application fee would be approximately $2,300. If the improvements
require Planning Commission review, then the application fee would be approximately $5,700. If
the improvements also require Town Council review then the fees would be approximately $9,500
(this includes a $500 deposit for transcription of the Planning Commission meeting).
The environmental review process will also depend on the overall scope of the proposed Veterans
Memorial improvements. The cost for an Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration would
require a deposit of $5, 750. This is the base deposit and staff would obtain a scope and cost for the
work from our environmental consultant. Staffdoes not believe that the improvements currently
being discussed would require a full Environmental Impact Report, but if one was determined to be
needed, staff would obtain a scope and cost for the work from our environmental consultant.
The attached public comments (Attachment 14) were received after the 11:00 a.m. Thursday,
January 15 deadline for inclusion in the Council Staff Report distributed on January 15.
PREPARED BY: CHRISTINA GILMORE
Assistant to the Town Manager
Reviewed by: N/A Assistant Town Manager N/A Town Attorney N/A Finance
N:\MGR \AdminWorkFiles\2015 Comcil ReportsVao.20 \Veterans Memorial StaffReport.Add ®dum.docx
19T.6) WA
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: VETERANS MEMORIAL RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE ARTS AND
CULTURE COMMISSION REGARDING THE PLACEMENT OF A VETERANS
MEMORIAL AT THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS CIVIC CENTER
JANUARY 16, 2015
Attachments 1 -13 (Previously received on January 15, 2015):
1. Elements Recommendations —First Choice Tally
2. Elements Recommendations— Second Choice Tally
3. Elements Recommendations— Combined Tally
4. Verbatim minutes from November 20, 2014
5. Verbatim minutes from December 4, 2014
6. Verbatim minutes from December 11, 2014
7. Verbatim minutes from December 18, 2014
8. Verbatim minutes from January 8, 2015
9. Photograph of Civic Center Site Recommendations
10. Photograph of Redwood Grove in front of old library
11. Photograph of open space between Police headquarters and old library
12. Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation of Los Gatos brochure
13. Public communication received through11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 15, 2015
Attachment 14 (Received with this Addendum):
14. Public communication received from 11:01 a.m. Thursday, January 15, 2015 through 11:00
a.m. Friday, January 16, 2015
Attachments: Kent-Hillhouse Letter.pdf
- - - -- Original Message---- -
From: Rex Naden [mailto:rexCa)rexna den. com]
Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2015 11:41 AM
To: Christina Gilmore; Council
Cc: Kent Hillhouse; Rex Naden
Subject: Letter from General Kent Hillhouse, Veteran's Memorial Foundation
Honorable Mayor and Council Members,
General Kent Hillhouse has requested that I forward the attached letter which is pertinent to your upcoming January 20,
2015 Town Council meeting.
Thank you and sincerely,
Rex Naden
ATTACHMENT 14
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VETERANS
** FOUNDATION
October 15, 2015
Los Gatos Town Council
Honorable Mayor and Council Men and Women,
RECEIVED
vi(- E,rnc�,1
JAN 15 2C'5
a�j iverecA
MAYOR & TOWN COUNCIL
The purpose of this letter is to provide the Los Gatos Town Council with the position of the Veteran's
Foundation on the inputs from the Arts and Culture Commission, the Los Gatos Town Council and other
citizens of the Town of Los Gatos. The Foundation wishes to thank the Arts and Culture Commissioners for
their inputs and the time they spent to review our original design proposal. 1 think you'll find that the
Veteran's Foundation has been very flexible in adjusting our design:
Inclusion of female representation in the
Reduce the height of the statuary.
The arbor should be made from materials
consistent with those that currently exist in the
The design has been altered to include female
The Foundation's artist has resized the statutory
to reflect a height similar to that of the circular
The Foundation agrees and modified the design
as attached.
nummate the mist fountain Agreed and removed_
Reduce the footprint to accommodate multiple
community uses of the plaza.
Remove the four plaques of recognition that are
proposed to adhere to the walls of adjacent
Remove additional walkways to the Civic Center
Memorial bricks can be added to the existing
Presuming this can be accomplished without
creating engineering problems, the Foundation
proposes that the Town of Los Gatos and the
Foundation collectively combine resources
(financial and talent) to remove or modify the
existing fountain structure so that the
community benefits from a significant increase in
usable area versus what exists todnv
Agreed and removed.
Agreed and removed.
Agreed.
Now we look to the Town Council to meet us half way. It is vitally important that the Los Gatos Veteran's
Memorial deliver a message of reverence, respect and gratitude to our veterans, military service members
and first responders who have defended America's freedom. Arbors alone do not do that. We all deserve a
world -class Memorial that captures the hearts and minds of viewers, and by virtue of its prominent location,
Honoring Our Veterans
VETERANS MEMORIAL & SUPPORT FOUNDATION OF LOS GATOS
110 EAST MAIN STREET • Los GATOS, CA 95030 • www.HonorAVet or • 408- 354 -6853
sends a clear message that Los Gatos values the contributions of these deserving men and women. The
Foundation requests the attached revamped figurative statuary be approved for the memorial focal point.
The alternate locations are unacceptable to the Foundation, as will be described in a separate letter.
I'd also like to add a few words about the statuary. There have been suggestions that it be more abstract in
nature. The Viet Nam Memorial Wall is an example of an abstract design. For the living men and women who
have served our country, such abstract memorials appear as tombs -- reminders of the horrors of war. And,
while it's true that the U.S. Military is called upon to defend the Country, it is equally important for our
audience to recognize that the U.S. Military is crucial in supporting victims of natural disasters around the
globe, e.g. the earthquake in Haiti, and the nuclear plant meltdown in Japan. Perhaps closer to home is the
recent effort to contain the Fbola outbreak and prevent its spreading to the US. We believe figurative statues
are more suitable than abstract statues in portraying the courage, solidarity, unselfish determination and
commitment demonstrated by our service people, both past and present, to protect the citizens of this Los
Gatos. A figurative statue becomes a celebration of the freedoms we so cherish.
The Foundation trusts that its demonstrated flexibility will support the Los Gatos Town Council in making the
decision to authorize use of the Civic Center plaza (existing fountain area) as the location for the Foundation's
Memorial and to approve, in concept, the statuary that you see in the design attached. We request that the
alternative locations for the statuary be rejected.
With your approval, we can begin work immediately towards transforming the Civic Center plaza to an
inviting space that is welcoming, respectful, and becomes a destination for visitors to Los Gatos.
Sincerely,
Major General Kent Hillhouse
U.S. Army (ret)
Vice President
Los Gatos Veterans Memorial Foundation
Honoring Our Veterans
VETERANS MEMORIAL & SUPPORT FOUNDATION OF LOS GATOS
110 EAST MAIN STREET • Los GATOS, CA 95030 • www HonorAVet.org •408- 354 -6853
From: almen2000(cbaol com fmaiILo:almen2000Ca1aoI com]
Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2015 12:55 PM
To: Council
Subject: Veteran's Memorial
My name is Al Eagle. I have been a citizen of Los Gatos for 45 years. I am a Veteran and a member of the Los Gatos
Lions.. I support the Los Gatos Veterans' Memorial as requested by the Foundation. It will be paid for by the Foundation
and others, not the town. It is worthy.
My understanding is that the Arts and Culture Commission is against any statuary. Without statuary the memorial is
meaningless. It would be unnoticeable and its message not understood.
I understand that some may be against military, war, etc, but to ignore those who made the ultimate sacrifice for us is
clearly wrong and shameful.
Please pass this worthy project.
Al Eagle
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Attachments: locations_letter_v2.pdf
- - - -- Original Message---- -
From: Rex Naden [mailto:rexCalrexnaden coml
Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2015 3:17 PM
To: Christina Gilmore; Council; Greg Larson
Cc: Kent Hillhouse; Barbara Naden
Subject: Letter from Rex Naden Veteran's Memorial Foundation- corrected Subject of email
Honorable Mayor and Council Members,
Please review the attached letter which is pertinent to your upcoming January 20, 2015 Town Council meeting.
Thank you and sincerely yours,
Rex Naden
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RECEIVED
'V' i a. I ar�
JAN 15 2015`ve�
Se I
MAYOR & iO4o iv COUNCIL
VETERANS
* * ** FOULNDATION
15 January 2015
Honorable Mayor and Council Men and Women of Los Gatos
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Re: Potential Locations for Veteran's Memorial at the Los Gatos Civic Center
Dear Mayor and Council Men and Women,
I am a 25 year resident and taxpayer of Los Gatos, and a member of the Veteran's Foundation of Los Gatos.
This letter represents my views and those of the Veteran's Foundation.
Thank you for your decision to place a Veteran's Memorial at the Los Gatos Civic Center, and for the list of
Potential locations suggested by the Town. It is entirely fitting to consider all Civic Center possibilites for
location ofthe Memorial.
The Veteran's Foundation has reviewed these potential locations in detail, with multiple walk - throughs,
measurements, photography sessions, 3D modeling with video animations, and discussions.
The following matrix summarizes our results, with A indicating the best result and F indicating the worst
result:
* Railings, AC Unit
** Immediately adjacent to Potential Museum Sculpture Collection
* ** Excavation, Grade Leveling, New Sidewalk and Concrete Pad needed
Honoring Our Veterans
VETERANS MEMORIAL & SUPPORT FOUNDATION OF LOS GATOS
110 EAST MAIN STREET . LOS GATOS, CA 95030 . www.HonorAVet.org . 408- 354 -6853
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as Event Venue and walking
C
achine Noise
A Not
A
C
B
B D * **
- with Museum Use
C Considered
F
B
C
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A
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A
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* Railings, AC Unit
** Immediately adjacent to Potential Museum Sculpture Collection
* ** Excavation, Grade Leveling, New Sidewalk and Concrete Pad needed
Honoring Our Veterans
VETERANS MEMORIAL & SUPPORT FOUNDATION OF LOS GATOS
110 EAST MAIN STREET . LOS GATOS, CA 95030 . www.HonorAVet.org . 408- 354 -6853
Please note that we have included a criterion which includes "Serve as Event Venue" to indicate that the
Foundation plans to hold modest events at the site of the Memorial, for example for patriotic holidays
as well as educational events including students and teachers. It is natural to expect the Museum, the
Friends of the Library, the Library, and other Town citizens to take advantage of a revamped and re-
freshed Plaza as an inviting event venue.
In Summary:
Pageant Grounds and Bridge were previously ruled out and thus were not not considered.
Raised platform upper deck- Not acceptable due to 1) high noise level from AC and other mechanical
equipment, and 2) limited square footage. This area was also not recommended by the Arts and Culture
Commission.
Upper Corner Deck near Rose Garden- Not acceptable due to 1) lack of prominence /prestige of the lo-
cation, 2) low visibility due to adjacent fencing and a large existing AC condenser unit, 3) proximity of the
location to the Museum, and 4)noise from the AC unit. This area too was not recommended by the Arts
and Culture Commission.
Lower space between Police and Museums- Not acceptable due to 1) complete lack of visibility from
outside the Civic Center, 2) entirely unsuitable as a venue for events and 3) disrespectful proximity to
trash dumpsters (the dumpsters are located in an area of hardscape modifed to house them, e.g. they are
not easily moved).
Civic Center Lawn (clarified by Staff as the ivy- covered space between two Redwoods and adjacent to
the Museums lower entrance)- Not acceptable due to the following:
1) It is our understanding that the Museums may desire to install a collection of Sculptures near their
northwest entrance. If this is the case, these sculptures will be immediately adjacent to the Veteran's Me-
morial. Such close proximity may create dissonance between the artistic styles, scale, and materials of the
various pieces of statuary and the Veteran's Memorial. Such dissonance would detract from the emotional
impact and the visual separation desired for a Veterans Memorial. The converse is also true; co- location
of a Veteran's Memorial may be less than ideal for the Museum's entrance and potential Sculpture display.
In addition to the potential artistic dissonance, it is expected that attendees at events held by the Veterans
Foundation at this location could potentially reduce the easy Flow of foot and ADA traffic to this Libary
entrance.
2) This area is on a slope of over 10 degrees; in order to create a space for statuary and /or an event ven-
ue, considerable construction is needed to excavate, drain, and stabliize soil in the area. Then concrete or
appropriate hardscape must be installed, and finally the statuary installed. The delay time for planning
this extensive project, as well as the cost, are not acceptable to the Foundation.
3) There are two existing sculptures in this area. The Barati commemorative scuplture in the ivy area is
not obtrusive and would not create a conflict. However, the large abstract metal sculpture near Pageant
Way on the West side of the lawn and near the car showroom would be close enough to the Veteran's
Memorial to create additional dissonance, and would reduce visibility of the Veteran's Memorial from the
Honoring Our Veterans
VETERANS MEMORIAL & SUPPORT FOUNDATION OF LOS GATOS
110 EAST MAIN STREET • LOS GATOS, CA 95030 • www.HonorAVet.org • 408 - 354 -6853
northwest direction
The only location meeting the Town's objective of presenting a world -class Veteran's Memorial is the Cen-
ter of the Upper Deck of the Civic Center.
This location is the most prestigious location in the Town and it meets the requirements of honor, respect,
prominence, and it will be an excellent venue for Town events.
The Foundation is Flexible as to utilization of the exiting non - operating fountain. It is the recommenda-
tion of the Arts and Culture Commission that the fountain be removed. While such removal would free up
considerable space for events and for walking space, it is our opinion that the engineering aspects of such
a plan must be carefully considered. Thus, we are prepared to support removing portions of the fountain
perimeter and filling the water basin with a walkable surface, thus significantly increasing open space
while avoiding the time delays and cost associated with complete removal of the fountain.
Modification of the fountain should be done with the understanding that such modification is generally
beneficial to all citizens, as evidenced by the Arts and Culture Commission's recommendation.
The Foundation continues to include in its design an extensive arbor system which now compliments the
award - winning Civic Center and Libary architectures. The arbor system will dramatically increase the
attractiveness of the deck area by providing living plants, shade, and additional seating. The Arts and
Culture Commission has recommended construction of such an arbor system and the Foundation is in full
agreement.
Sincerely yours,
7,� f/
Rex Naden
Citizen of Los Gatos
Honoring Our Veterans
VETERANS MEMORIAL & SUPPORT FOUNDATION OF LOS GATOS
110 EAST MAIN STREET . LOS GATOS, CA 95030 . www.HonorAVet.org . 408- 354 -6853
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From: Heidi Herz <hhgrK@,anr com>
Date: January 16, 2015 at 12:00:43 AM PST
To: "CGilmore losgatosca gov" <CGilmorena losgatosca gov>
Cc: Heidi Herz <hherzna apr com>
Subject: Veteran's Memorial
Hi Christina,
I wanted to put in my vote of support for the memorial.
This is the way to utilize the fountain area and create an art piece of substance and meaning.
Los Gatos is the best of all worlds and is Americana at its purist. What better place is thereto
honor our veterans?
Thanks so much for your consideration!
Heidi Herz
hherz@Vr.com
com
Alain Pinel Realtors
BRE 01234067
408.205.9625
650.209.0838
Thank you for your referrals!
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Attachments: Vet Mem January 15.docx; ATTOOOOJ.htm
From: Mary Ellen Kaschub <mekaschubCa�comcast net>
Date: January 16, 2015 at 9:25:08 AM PST
To: <c�ilmorena loseatosca sov>
Subject: Letter to Town council re: Jan 20 Veterans Memorial Proposal
Christina:
Attached is my letter to the Town Council which I would appreciate your including in their
packet or forwarding to them individually or including it in their packet, I am not sure of the best
process to get it to them in advance of the meeting next week..
Thanks for your help.
Mary Ellen Kaschub
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January 15, 20115 RECEIVED
To: Members of the Town Council of Los Gatos JAN 16 2015
Re: Proposed Veterans Memorial hearing Jan 20. MAYOR & TOWN COUNCIL
I wish to share my concerns and opposition to the proposed veterans memorial that
is presented by the Veterans Memorial Support Foundation. I am not against a
memorial per se, but I think the Town and its citizens should be more involved with
the concept, the design and the location than has been done to date.
Personally 1 feel a memorial should be a reflective place, a place that is quiet and
peaceful vs. tall and muscular. The current design appears to glorify war rather than
honor the sacrifices and loss that war brings to individuals and families.
This past fall I was in Laguna Beach, another unique community, and was impressed
with a town process that involved the closing of one block downtown, local
musicians played, easels with at -scale renderings of a proposed development
project were on display. Residents were encouraged to give their feedback on large
boards as well as ask questions. This was an open community process and
discussion. 1 think the proposed Veterans memorial process has been the opposite
of that.
My key concerns in short are:
1) Our town civic center is an architectural -award winning building complex. It
is horizontal in design; the new library fits into that horizontal profile. Any
new components need to be architecturally compatible and well designed.
2) The current proposed statuary is not compatible.
3) We have a beautiful town center. Let's not ruin it because a special- interest
group wants to fund and maintain their own memorial design and
aspirations.
4) If the Town desires a memorial, then the competition for it's design should
be open to local and /or regional artists who would be more in tune with our
community, town character and unique locale.
5) The town center will be home to a new museum and bookstore. These
operations should be consulted, reflected and integrated into whatever is
developed on the plaza.
In sum, I encourage the Town Council to "go back to the drawing board" and
determine if our citizens want a war memorial and what type, if any, is desired. If
so, then initiate a call for a design competition with the parameter that it reflects our
community. Select an outside committee of design professionals to determine best
site and oversee the memorial design selection process. The current town Arts and
Culture Commission can maintain oversight.
This is a unique community and I want it to stay that way. Please give careful
consideration to all the very valid concerns that surround this proposed memorial.
Sincerely,
Mary Ellen Kaschub
320 Massol Ave.
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