Council Meeting

TOWN OF LOS GATOS MEETING DATE: 04/20/2021 COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT ITEM NO: 3 Minutes of the Town Council Meeting April 6, 2021 The Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a regular meeting via Teleconference via COVID-19 Shelter in Place Guidelines on April 6, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M. ROLL CALL Council Members Present: Mayor Marico Sayoc, Vice Mayor Rob Rennie, Council Member Mary Badame, Council Member Matthew Hudes, Council Member Maria Ristow. (All Participating Remotely.) Absent: None PRESENTATIONS i. Los Gatos Poetry Month Proclamation and Poetry Reading by new Poet Laureate - Poet Laureate Jen Siraganian read an original poem. CLOSED SESSION REPORT Robert Schultz, Town Attorney, stated Council met in Closed Session as duly noted on the agenda and there is no report. COUNCIL/TOWN MANAGER REPORTS Manager Matters - Announced Youth Commission recruitment is open with applications due by 4:00 p.m. on April 30, 2021. - Announced free COVID-19 testing will be held at the Adult Recreation Center on April 19; appointments are strongly recommended and will be available beginning April 12. Council Matters - Council Member Badame stated she attended two General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) meetings with Council Member Ristow; a Stop Asian Hate Rally with Mayor Sayoc, Council Member Ristow, and Vice Mayor Rennie; and met with residents. - Council Member Hudes stated he attended a meeting of the League of California Cities Peninsula Division meeting, Homelessness Roundtable, and Mayors and Council Members Roundtable, and met with representatives of Harmonie Park and Grosvenor regarding the North 40 Phase II. 110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832 www.losgatosca.gov PAGE 2 OF 10 SUBJECT: Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of April 6, 2021 DATE: April 13, 2021 Council Matters - continued - Council Member Ristow stated in addition to the items already mentioned, she attended the Council Policy Committee meeting with Mayor Sayoc; met with community member Kevin Arroyo, representatives of Harmonie Park and Grosvenor, and State and local representatives from the U.S. Humane Society; and conducted bicyclist and pedestrian counts for a Town grant. - Vice Mayor Rennie stated he attended the Stop Asian Hate Rally; League of California Cities Homelessness Roundtable; Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) Legislative Committee and Mobile Source Committee meetings; two Turnout4Transit meetings; Green Foothills Community Night virtual event; Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority (SVCEA) Risk Oversight Committee Special meeting, New Member Orientation, Finance and Administration Committee, and Legislative Committee meetings; Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Special Board Meeting; Community Health and Senior Services Commission (CHSSC) meeting as a liaison; and West Valley Mayors and Managers meeting. - Mayor Sayoc stated that in addition to the items mentioned above, she has been appointed to the Santa Clara County Hate Crime Task Force. CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION) 1. Approve Draft Minutes of the March 16, 2021 Joint Town Council and the Complete Streets and Transportation Commission Meeting. 2. Approve Draft Minutes of the March 16, 2021 Town Council Meeting. 3. Adopt the Proposed Town Council Policy: Travel and Expense Policy for Elected Town Officials as Recommended by the Council Policy Committee. 4. Appoint Jen Siraganian to the Honorary Position of Town Poet Laureate for a Term Beginning April 2021 and Concluding December 2023. 5. Consider a Request for Approval for a Zone Change from R-1D:LHP (Single-Family Residential Downtown with a Landmark and Historic Preservation Overlay) to C-2:LHP (Central Business District with a Landmark and Historic Preservation Overlay) and a General Plan Amendment to Change the Land Use Designation from Medium Density Residential to Central Business District, for Property Located at 4 Tait Avenue. APN: 510- 44-054. Zone Change Application Z-20-002 and General Plan Amendment Application GP-20-001. Property Owner: Town of Los Gatos. Applicant: Jim Foley. 6. Authorize the Town Manager to Execute a Certificate of Acceptance and Notice of Completion for the Public Right-of-Way Improvements Completed by Davidon Homes for the Highlands of Los Gatos on 15700 Shady Lane and Authorize the Town Clerk to Submit for Recordation. 7. Approve an Amendment to the Classification Plan to Create a Flexibly Staffed Parking Control Officer Job Series. 8. Adopt a Resolution Approving the Parcel Map for 20 Dittos Lane and Accepting Easement Dedications. RESOLUTION 2021-005 9. Adopt the Proposed Council Policy Committee Enabling Resolution as Recommended by the Council Policy Committee. RESOLUTION 2021-006 PAGE 3 OF 10 SUBJECT: Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of April 6, 2021 DATE: April 13, 2021 Consent Items – continued 10. Authorize the Town Manager to Issue a Request for Proposals to Hire a Consultant to Assist with the Town's Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Work Plan. 11. Adopt a Resolution Denouncing Hatred and Violence Toward Diverse Los Gatos Communities. RESOLUTION 2021-007 Council Member Hudes pulled item 9. Vice Mayor Rennie pulled item 10. Cyndi Sheehan pulled item 11. MOTION: Motion by Council Member Badame to approve consent items 1-8. Seconded by Council Member Hudes. VOTE: Motion passed unanimously. Item 5 passed 4/1, Council Member Ristow recused. VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS Catherine Somers, Chamber of Commerce - Requested the Town waive all special events fees to implement Picnic in the Park events and consider closing N. Santa Cruz Avenue on Thursday evenings May through September from 4 to 8 p.m. for a new event “Celebrate Home” and requested assistance from the Town with the funding and street closure. John Lochner - Requested Council consider supporting installation of a ferris wheel at Oak Meadow Park at no cost to the Town. OTHER BUSINESS 12. Discussion with District Attorney Jeff Rosen and Community Leaders to Encourage Reporting of Hate Incidents and Crimes and Standing in Solidarity with Others. Jeff Rosen, District Attorney, gave a presentation on the differences between hate crimes and hate incidents. Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager, and Pete Decena, Police Chief, presented the staff report. Kristi Grasty, Rabbi Melanie Aron, and Kareen Syed, panelists, commented on how to be upstanders and an ally. PAGE 4 OF 10 SUBJECT: Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of April 6, 2021 DATE: April 13, 2021 Other Business Item #12 – Continued Opened Public Comment. Germaine Talesfore Gulan - Commented on her experience of being harassed. Maria Wong - Shared her experience of being harassed due to her political ideology. Alicia Cinema Stereo (Spargo) - Shared the experience of a family that was verbally harassed based on race and the experience of a person that was yelled at for wearing a mask. Commented there should be consequences for hate speech and making others feel unsafe. Louis LP - Requested the Town refrain from setting rules and requested the individuals in the community to do the right thing. Cyndi Sheehan - Requested the Town protect the citizens no matter the characteristics of the individuals and shared her experience of being harassed. Chris Novak - Commented on concerns regarding groupthink and encouraged the Town to seek many viewpoints. Kaye - Commented on her experience of being discriminated against because of her political ideology. Jeff Suzuki - Commented on the disheartening comments of the previous speakers and concerns of people of color feeling unsafe. stated resources are needed in the community to respond to the hate incidents and hate crimes, and asked Council and staff to ask themselves if the resources are enough. Yvette - Commented that hate crimes due to race were being prioritized over hate crimes due to other characteristics. PAGE 5 OF 10 SUBJECT: Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of April 6, 2021 DATE: April 13, 2021 Other Business Item #12 – Continued Sanaz - Commented on concerns that a political divide among community members and the potential for escalation. Marsha Palitz-Elliott - Commented on the coming together of stakeholders to increase understanding and finding comfort in being in our community and requested the Town sponsor training opportunities. Keith - Commented on his experience of driving through a political rally and being harassed. Catherine Somers, Chamber of Commerce - Commented on the path of the discussion and how many different groups feel discriminated against and marginalized. Dalila, Act for America - Inquired about the source of the hate crime and incident statistics and commented regarding political divide among the community members. Lynley Kerr Hogan - Commented on her experience of being discriminated against and harassed. Recessed at 9:14 p.m. and resumed at 9:22 p.m. Eric West - Commented on wanting to not lose his freedoms and shared his experience of being discriminated against. Joseph - Requested the Town renounce racism and hate of any group. Amy Nishide - Commented that masks are being made political and expressed concerns that systemic racism may be confused with prejudice and discrimination. Vida Sabouri - Commented concerning the influence on the children and teenagers in the community and requested the community consider tolerating each other. Closed Public Comment. PAGE 6 OF 10 SUBJECT: Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of April 6, 2021 DATE: April 13, 2021 Other Business Item #12 – Continued Mayor Sayoc thanked the panelists and the community for participating in the discussion. 13. Provide Direction for the Potential Uses of the American Rescue Plan Act Funds Earmarked for Los Gatos. Arn Andrews, Assistant Town Manager, presented the staff report. Opened Public Comment. Catherine Somers, Chamber of Commerce - Requested the Council consider allocating funds toward waving rent for the Los Gatos Recreation Center and NUMU, non-profit partners, parklet program, and events. Ami Davis, NUMU - Thanked the Town for forgiving rent for the last year; requested continued rent forgiveness through fiscal year 2022 to assist in continued recovery from the effects of the pandemic. Sue Farwell - Requested the Town accelerate the Dixon Parking Plan, implement the employee parking program, parking shuttle, and allocate funds towards parklets installed prior to the pandemic. Jim Foley - Requested the Town consider allocating funds to the parklet program by reimbursing business owners for previously constructed parklets and funding future parklets. Lee Fagot - Requested the Town allocate all the remaining unallocated funds from the staff proposal, approximately $2 Million, for the full rent relief in Town owned property for non-profits listed in the staff report and to provide additional funding for additional senior services and the needed maintenance/repairs to the Adult Recreation Center building. Jan Schwartz, NUMU - Thanked the Town for forgiving rent for the last year. Requested continued rent forgiveness through fiscal year 2022 to assist in continued recovery from the effects of the pandemic. Nancy Rollett, LGS Recreation - Thanked the Town for forgiving rent for the last year. Requested continued rent forgiveness through fiscal year 2022 to assist in continued recovery from the effects of the pandemic. PAGE 7 OF 10 SUBJECT: Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of April 6, 2021 DATE: April 13, 2021 Other Business Item #13 – Continued Closed Public Comment. Council discussed the matter. MOTION: Motion by Council Member Ristow to utilize approximately $3.2 million to replace lost revenue sufficient to balance the FY 2020/21 and FY 2021/22 budgets. Seconded by Council Member Badame. VOTE: Motion passed 4/1, Council Member Hudes opposed. MOTION: Motion by Council Member Ristow to utilize $250,000 to provide additional support to the parklet grant program of $20,000 per business and to return to Council for further discussion on a loan program at a future date. Seconded by Mayor Sayoc. VOTE: Motion passed 4/1, Council Member Hudes opposed. MOTION: Motion by Council Member Ristow to utilize $360,000 to provide a 100% waiver of rent and utilities for the Town of Los Gatos lessees New Museum of Los Gatos (NUMU), Friends of the Library, Billy Jones Railroad, Soccer and Little Leagues, and Los Gatos-Saratoga Community Education and Recreation (LGS Rec) for FY 2021/22. Seconded by Council Member Hudes. VOTE: Motion passed unanimously. MOTION: Motion by Council Member Ristow to utilize $50,000 for continued Conditional Use Permit subsidies of fifty percent. Seconded by Council Member Hudes. VOTE: Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Sayoc recused herself from discussion and vote on allocation for non-profits due to conflict of interest with CASSY and left the meeting. Council discussed item two of the staff report. MOTION: Motion by Council Member Ristow to utilize $60,000 to provide additional $15,000 grants to West Valley Community Services, Counseling and Support Services for Youth (CASSY), Next Door Solutions, and Live Oak Senior Nutrition. Seconded by Council Member Hudes. VOTE: Motion passed 4/1, Mayor Sayoc recused. PAGE 8 OF 10 SUBJECT: Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of April 6, 2021 DATE: April 13, 2021 Other Business Item #13 – Continued Mayor Sayoc rejoined the meeting. The Council directed staff to return to Council at a future date with information on potentially eligible storm drainage projects, a loan program for parklets, and an additional grant for Los Gatos Recreation. 9. Adopt the Proposed Council Policy Committee Enabling Resolution as Recommended by the Council Policy Committee. RESOLUTION 2021-006 Shelley Neis, Town Clerk, presented the staff report. Opened Public Comment. Marcia Jensen - Commented on the purpose, scope, and effectiveness of the Policy Committee and requested Council adopt the resolution. Lee Fagot - Requested Council add to the resolution a formal process of developing the Policy Committee workplan to be approved by Council to ensure alignment with Council priorities and ensure outreach to determine the needs of the community. Closed Public Comment. Council discussed the matter. MOTION: Motion by Council Member Hudes to extend the meeting time until 12:30 a.m. Seconded by Council Member Ristow. VOTE: Motion passed 4/1, Vice Mayor Rennie opposed. MOTION: Motion by Mayor Sayoc to adopt the proposed Council Policy Committee enabling resolution as recommended by the Council Policy Committee with language change to clarify the Committee as an advisory, recommending body to the Town Council. Seconded by Council Member Ristow. VOTE: Motion passed 3/2, Council Members Hudes and Badame opposed. PAGE 9 OF 10 SUBJECT: Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of April 6, 2021 DATE: April 13, 2021 10. Authorize the Town Manager to Issue a Request for Proposals to Hire a Consultant to Assist with the Town's Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Work Plan. Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager, presented the staff report. Opened Public Comment. Lee Quintana - Commented about concerns with the item going back to the Policy Committee rather than involving an independent committee that doesn’t include participation from the public or Chamber, and that she had raised her hand before public comment was closed on item nine and she was disappointed that she was not allowed to speak. Catherine Somers, Chamber - Commented in favor of the item and requested Council have the vendor include the Chamber to create a stronger narrative of JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, inclusion). Alicia Cinema Stereo (Spargo) - Commented in favor of the item and requested Council have the vendor include the Chamber to create a stronger narrative of JEDI. David Weissman - Commented that he had raised his hand to speak on item nine before public comment was closed and he was very disappointed that he was not allowed to speak. Closed Public Comment. Council discussed the item. MOTION: Motion by Council Member Badame to authorize the Town Manager to issue a request for proposals to hire a consultant to assist with the Town's Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Work Plan with the amendment to bring the item back to Council for further consideration. Seconded by Council Member Ristow. VOTE: Motion passed unanimously. MOTION: Motion by Council Member Ristow to extend the meeting time until 12:40 a.m. Seconded by Council Member Hudes. VOTE: Motion passed unanimously. PAGE 10 OF 10 SUBJECT: Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of April 6, 2021 DATE: April 13, 2021 11. Adopt a Resolution Denouncing Hatred and Violence Toward Diverse Los Gatos Communities. RESOLUTION 2021-007 No staff report was given due to technical difficulties. Opened Public Comment. No one spoke. Closed Public Comment. MOTION: Motion by Council Member Ristow to adopt a resolution denouncing hatred and violence toward diverse Los Gatos communities. Seconded by Council Member Badame. VOTE: Motion passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 12:30 a.m. Respectfully submitted: _____________________________________ /s/ Jenna De Long, Deputy Clerk