Council Meeting
Regular MeetingLos Gatos, CA · October 18, 2022
Minutes
TOWN OF LOS GATOS MEETING DATE: 11/01/2022
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Minutes of the Town Council
October 18, 2022
The Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a regular meeting in-person and utilizing
teleconferencing means on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:01 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Rob Rennie, Vice Mayor Maria Ristow, Council Member Mary Badame, Council
Member Matthew Hudes, Council Member Marico Sayoc.
Absent: None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pravin Balasingham led the Pledge of Allegiance. The audience was invited to participate.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Gabrielle Whelan, Town Attorney, stated Council met as duly noted on the October 13 and 18,
2022 Closed Session agendas and stated there is no reportable action.
COUNCIL / MANAGER MATTERS
Council Matters
- Council Member Sayoc stated she attended the West Valley Community College Roots
Pantry Grand Opening and attended the Cities Association Board meeting on behalf of the
Mayor.
- Council Member Badame stated she attended the Finance Commission meeting as an
observer; chaired the Conceptual Development Advisory Committee meeting which was
continued November 9 due to a lack of quorum; attended the West Valley Solid Waste
Management Authority Board meeting and the West Valley Clean Water Authority Board
meeting; met with Alan Feinberg the creator of “Discover LOST Gatos” the historical walking
tours, and a KCAT Board Member to discuss various issues in Town.
- Vice Mayor Ristow stated she attended the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Foundation
Recognition Luncheon, the Police Academy, the First Fridays Senior Service Committee
event at the Palms for community members 55 and older, the Finance Committee meeting
as an observer, the Complete Streets and Transportation Committee meeting as an
observer, and met with residents on various topics.
- Council Member Hudes stated he attended the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Foundation
Recognition Luncheon, the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Emergency Communication Leadership
meetings “HAM Cram” class and Community Emergency Response Team exercises, the
Senior Service Roadmap Sub-Committee meetings, and the Finance Commission meeting.
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
PAGE 2 OF 7
SUBJECT: Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of October 18, 2022
DATE: October 25, 2022
Council Matters – continued
- Mayor Rennie stated he attended the Bay Area Air Quality Management District Technology
Implementation Steering Committee meeting, the Stationary Source Committee meeting,
and the Board meeting; attended the Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority (SVCEA) Finance
Committee meeting, the SVCEA Risk Oversight Committee meeting, and Board meeting;
attended the Valley Transportation Authority Board and Policy Advisory Committee
meetings; and the Finance Commission meeting.
Manager Matters
- Announced that Board, Commission, and Committee recruitment is underway, applications
are due on December 2, at 4:00 p.m. and more information can be found on the Clerk
webpage.
- Announced a Housing Element Advisory Board Committee meeting will be held on
Thursday, October 20th via teleconference.
- Announced free COVID-19 testing will take place on October 27, 2022 at the Adult
Recreation Center and appointments will be available beginning Thursday, October 20.
- Announced ballot boxes are now outside of Town Hall and the Library.
CONSENT ITEMS
1. Approve Draft Minutes of the October 4, 2022 Special Town Council Meeting.
2. Approve Draft Minutes of the October 4, 2022 Town Council Meeting.
3. Approve Draft Minutes of the October 13, 2022 Closed Session Town Council Meeting.
4. Adopt a Resolution Reaffirming Resolution 2021-044 and Making Findings Pursuant to
Government Code Section 54953, as Amended by Assembly Bill 361, and, Due to Health and
Safety Concerns for the Public, Authorizing the Use of Hybrid Meetings for the Town Council
and the Continued Use of Virtual Meetings for Boards and Commissions While Town Staff
Makes the Necessary Arrangements to Transition to Hybrid Meetings for All Town Boards,
Commissions, and Committees. RESOLUTION 2022-065
5. Adopt an Extension to June 30, 2023 to the Town’s Economic Recovery Resolution to Allow
for the Continued Support of the Town’s Economic Recovery Efforts, including the
Completion of the Construction and Implementation of the Semi-Permanent Parklet
Program. RESOLUTION 2022-066
6. Adopt a Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Town Manager to Execute the Project
Specific Maintenance Agreement for Los Gatos Creek Trail with the California Department
of Transportation. RESOLUTION 2022-067
7. Authorize the Town Manager to Enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Los
Gatos Saratoga Union High School District and Los Gatos Union School District to Participate
in a Community Norms Effort at a Cost Not to Exceed $16,800.
8. Receive Independent Accountants’ Report on Agreed-Upon Procedures on Measure G
Revenues and Expenditures for the Period March 1, 2019 to June 30, 2021.
PAGE 3 OF 7
SUBJECT: Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of October 18, 2022
DATE: October 25, 2022
Consent Items – continued
9. Storm Drainage System Repair at 62 Ellenwood Avenue (CIP No. 816-0420):
a. Reject All Bids Received and Opened on October 10, 2022 for the Project; and
b. Authorize the Town Manager to Re- Bid the Project with Changes that May Reduce
Project Cost.
Opened public comment.
No one spoke.
Closed public comment.
MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Ristow to approve items 1-9. Seconded by Council Member
Badame.
VOTE: Motion passes unanimously.
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
Christopher Bajorer
- Requested the Town adopt a rigorous process for validating the residency of an applicant
who requests to build an Accessory Dwelling Unit or split a lot.
Tom Picraux, Senior Service Committee Chair
- Commented on the Senior Service Roadmap Sub-Committee progress.
John Shepardson
- Commented on the Albright settlement funds, and suggested the Town make better use of
the Finance Commission, hire an outside consultant to review the budget, have the Santa
Clara County Sheriff make a proposal to provide police services to the Town, and possibly
submit a parcel tax ballot measure to help fund police services.
OTHER BUSINESS
10. Receive an Annual Report Regarding the Independent Police Auditor Function.
Gabrielle Whelan, Town Attorney, provided the staff report.
Opened public comment.
No one spoke.
Closed public comment.
Council discussed the item and received the report.
PAGE 4 OF 7
SUBJECT: Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of October 18, 2022
DATE: October 25, 2022
11. Discuss the Housing Element Process and the Next Steps for the Referendum of the 2040
General Plan Land Use and Community Design Elements, and Provide Direction on the
Preferred Approach for the Referendum.
Gabrielle Whelan, Town Attorney, and Joel Paulson, Community Development Director,
provided the staff report.
Opened public comment.
Ronald Meyer
- Inquired where the 2040 General Plan can be accessed and commented in support of
Option B in the staff report to place the measure on the ballot at the November 2024
General Municipal Election.
Richard Kananen
- Commented on the Housing Element, opposed rezoning to higher density, and supports
restoring the land use goal to preserve, promote and protect the existing small town
character and quality of life in Los Gatos.
Diane Pleasant
- Commented on the small town character of the Town and requested the Council consider
adding the word “small” back into the verbiage of the 2040 General Plan.
Rob Stump
- Commented on the referendum and spoke in support of the option to rescind and replace
the Land Use and Community Design Elements of the 2040 General Plan.
Rick Van Hoesen
- Commented on the referendum and stated support for Option C to rescind and replace the
Elements as listed in the staff report.
Barbara Dodson
- Commented on the General Plan, did not support placing the referendum on a ballot, and
supports the option to rescind and replace.
Markene Smith
- Commented on concerns with the housing numbers and affordable housing, requested the
Council consider adding transit solutions and energy efficiency, requested the phrase
“preserve, promote and protect the existing small town character and quality of life” be
added back into the Plan, and supported the rescind and replace option.
PAGE 5 OF 7
SUBJECT: Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of October 18, 2022
DATE: October 25, 2022
Other Business item #11 – continued
Kathryn Morgan
- Commented on concerns with water, housing, traffic, and parking, and requested a
guaranteed percentage of affordable housing.
Sutton Roley
- Commented on concerns with housing numbers being higher that the State mandated
number and would like to revisit the General Plan every eight years in line with the Reginal
Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) cycle to make any necessary amendments.
Lee Quintana
- Commented on the difference between increasing density in a General Plan designation and
upzoning in the Zoning Code. She also explained that the Zoning Code may limit what might
be possible within a General Plan land use designation.
Lee Fagot
- Commented on concerns with too much housing, the impacts of traffic, parking, water use,
and electricity, and would like Council to commit to preserve, promote and protect the
existing small town character and quality of life in Los Gatos.
Catherine Somers, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director
- Commented in support of the 2040 Community Design Element and requested Council
consider implementing workforce housing and additional transportation solutions.
Ken Arendt
- Commented on concerns with the increased housing numbers, availability of affordable
housing, stated he would not want to go through an expensive ballot measure and would
like to preserve the small-town character.
Younggang “Jason” Xu
- Commented on the small town character.
Melanie Hanssen
- Commented in support of option C in the staff report and commented on the Design
Element.
Bill Kraus
- Commented that the housing number buffer should be reduced from 15% to 3 to 5% and
recommended adding the goal of preserving the small town character back into the 2040
General Plan.
PAGE 6 OF 7
SUBJECT: Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of October 18, 2022
DATE: October 25, 2022
Other Business item #11 – continued
Ian Land
- Commented on moderating growth, stated concerns with pressures on infrastructure, and
spoke about rescinding and replacing the elements and voting on the proposed amended
elements in 2024.
Kevin Ma
- Commented on the need for housing and discussed compliance issues with the Housing
Element.
John Shepardson
- Commented on concerns with the possible number of units, the draw on the Town’s
resources, and supports keeping the small town character language and include Justice,
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) in the 2040 General Plan.
Randi Chen
- Commented that not all parcels are eligible for upzoning due to other constraints and Town
Codes; stated that the 12,000 housing unit number is unrealistic; and said that requiring
different types of housing can enhance the small town character.
Joanne Rodgers
- Commented in support of Option C and opposed adding 12,000 units.
Jake Wilde
- Commented the Town has a need for additional housing given the job housing ratio.
Closed public comment.
Recess 9:16 p.m.
Reconvene 9:27 p.m.
Council discussed the item.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Hudes to reconsider the Land use and Community
Design elements after adoption of the 2040 Housing Element, no later than the time
frame for the 2024 election. Seconded by Council Member Badame.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
PAGE 7 OF 7
SUBJECT: Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of October 18, 2022
DATE: October 25, 2022
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
_____________________________________
/s/ Jenna De Long, Deputy Clerk
Agenda
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
OCTOBER 18, 2022
110 EAST MAIN STREET AND TELECONFERENCE
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
LOS GATOS, CA
7:00 P.M.
Rob Rennie, Mayor
Maria Ristow, Vice Mayor PARTICIPATION IN THE PUBLIC PROCESS
Mary Badame, Council Member
Matthew Hudes, Council Member
Marico Sayoc, Council Member
How to participate: The Town of Los Gatos strongly encourages your active participation in the
public process, which is the cornerstone of democracy. If you wish to speak to an item on the
agenda, please follow the participation instructions on page 2 of this agenda. If you wish to speak
to an item NOT on the agenda, you may do so during the “Verbal Communications” period, by
following the participation instructions on page 2 of this agenda. The time allocated to speakers
may change to better facilitate the Town Council meeting.
Effective Proceedings: The purpose of the Town Council meeting is to conduct the business of
the community in an effective and efficient manner. For the benefit of the community, the Town
of Los Gatos asks that you follow the Town’s meeting guidelines while attending Town Council
meetings and treat everyone with respect and dignity. This is done by following meeting
guidelines set forth in State law and in the Town Code. Disruptive conduct is not tolerated,
including but not limited to: addressing the Town Council without first being recognized;
interrupting speakers, Town Council or Town staff; continuing to speak after the allotted time
has expired; failing to relinquish the podium when directed to do so; and repetitiously addressing
the same subject.
Deadlines for Public Comment and Presentations are as follows:
Persons wishing to make an audio/visual presentation on any agenda item must submit the
presentation electronically, either in person or via email, to the Clerk’s Office no later than
3:00 p.m. on the day of the Council meeting.
Persons wishing to submit written comments to be included in the materials provided to
Town Council must provide the comments as follows:
o For inclusion in the regular packet: by 11:00 a.m. the Thursday before the Council
meeting
o For inclusion in any Addendum: by 11:00 a.m. the Monday before the Council meeting
o For inclusion in any Desk Item: by 11:00 a.m. on the day of the Council Meeting
Town Council Meetings Broadcast Live on KCAT, Channel 15 (on Comcast) on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.
Rebroadcast of Town Council Meetings on the 2nd and 4th Mondays at 7:00 p.m.
Live & Archived Council Meetings can be viewed by going to:
www.LosGatosCA.gov/TownYouTube
IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, IF YOU NEED SPECIAL ASSISTANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING,
PLEASE CONTACT THE CLERK DEPARTMENT AT (408) 354-6834. NOTIFICATION 48 HOURS BEFORE THE MEETING WILL ENABLE THE TOWN
TO MAKE REASONABLE ARRANGEMENTS TO ENSURE ACCESSIBILITY TO THIS MEETING [28 CFR §35.102-35.104]
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TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
OCTOBER 18, 2022
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT 110 EAST MAIN STREET AND TELECONFERENCE
7:00 PM
IMPORTANT NOTICE
This is a hybrid meeting and will be held in-person at the Town Council Chambers at 110 E.
Main Street and virtually through the Zoom webinar application (log-in information provided
below). Members of the public may provide public comments for agenda items in-person or
virtually through the Zoom webinar by following the instructions listed below. The live stream
of the meeting may be viewed on television and/or online
at www.LosGatosCA.gov/TownYouTube.
PARTICIPATION
To provide oral comments in real-time during the meeting:
Zoom webinar: Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device: Please click this URL to
join: https://losgatosca-
gov.zoom.us/j/82608393569?pwd=SmNVUlFWL2NJNzhydmsrTnhmc3JWZz09
Passcode: 139751. You can also type in 826 0839 3569 in the “Join a Meeting” page on the
Zoom website at https://zoom.us/join.
o When the Mayor announces the item for which you wish to speak, click the “raise hand”
feature in Zoom. If you are participating by phone on the Zoom app, press *9 on your
telephone keypad to raise your hand.
Join by telephone: Join by Telephone: Dial: USA 877 336 1839 US Toll-free or 636 651 0008
US Toll. Conference code: 686100
o If you are participating by calling in, press #2 on your telephone keypad to raise your
hand.
In-Person: If you wish to speak during the meeting, please complete a “speaker’s card”
located on the back of the chamber benches and return it to the Town Clerk. If you wish to
speak to an item on the agenda, please list the item number. If you wish to speak on an
item NOT on the agenda, please list the subject and you may speak during the “Verbal
Communications” period. The time allocated to speakers may change to better facilitate the
Town Council meeting.
When called to speak, you may be asked to provide your full name and your town/city of
residence. This identifying information is optional and not a requirement for participation. Please
limit your comments to three (3) minutes, or such other time as the Mayor may decide,
consistent with the time limit for speakers at a Council meeting. If you wish to speak to an item
or items on the Consent Calendar, please state which item number(s) you are commenting on at
the beginning of your time.
If you are unable to participate in real-time, you may email to PublicComment@losgatosca.gov
the subject line “Public Comment Item #__ ” (insert the item number relevant to your comment)
or “Verbal Communications – Non-Agenda Item.” Comments received by 11:00 a.m. the day of
the meeting will be reviewed and distributed before the meeting. All comments received will
become part of the record.
Page 2
RULES OF DECORUM AND CIVILITY
To conduct the business of the community in an effective and efficient manner, please follow
the meeting guidelines set forth in the Town Code and State law.
The Town does not tolerate disruptive conduct, which includes but is not limited to:
addressing the town Council without first being recognized;
interrupting speakers, Town Council, or Town staff;
continuing to speak after the allotted time has expired;
failing to relinquish the microphone when directed to do so;
repetitiously addressing the same subject.
Town Policy does not allow speakers to cede their commenting time to another speaker.
Disruption of the meeting may result in a violation of Penal Code 403.
MEETING CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
COUNCIL / MANAGER MATTERS
CONSENT ITEMS (Items appearing on the Consent Items are considered routine Town business
and may be approved by one motion. Any member of the Council may request to have an item
removed from the Consent Items for comment and action. Members of the public may provide
input on any or multiple Consent Item(s) when the Mayor asks for public comments on the
Consent Items. If you wish to comment, please follow the Participation Instructions contained on
Page 2 of this agenda. If an item is removed, the Mayor has the sole discretion to determine when
the item will be heard.)
1. Approve Draft Minutes of the October 4, 2022 Special Town Council Meeting.
2. Approve Draft Minutes of the October 4, 2022 Town Council Meeting.
3. Approve Draft Minutes of the October 13, 2022 Closed Session Town Council Meeting.
4. Adopt a Resolution Reaffirming Resolution 2021-044 and Making Findings Pursuant to
Government Code Section 54953, as Amended by Assembly Bill 361, and, Due to Health
and Safety Concerns for the Public, Authorizing the Use of Hybrid Meetings for the Town
Council and the Continued Use of Virtual Meetings for Boards and Commissions While
Town Staff Makes the Necessary Arrangements to Transition to Hybrid Meetings for All
Town Boards, Commissions, and Committees.
5. Adopt an Extension to June 30, 2023 to the Town’s Economic Recovery Resolution to
Allow for the Continued Support of the Town’s Economic Recovery Efforts, including the
Completion of the Construction and Implementation of the Semi-Permanent Parklet
Program.
6. Adopt a Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Town Manager to Execute the Project
Specific Maintenance Agreement for Los Gatos Creek Trail with the California
Department of Transportation.
Page 3
7. Authorize the Town Manager to Enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the
Los Gatos Saratoga Union High School District and Los Gatos Union School District to
Participate in a Community Norms Effort at a Cost Not to Exceed $16,800.
8. Receive Independent Accountants’ Report on Agreed-Upon Procedures on Measure G
Revenues and Expenditures for the Period March 1, 2019 to June 30, 2021.
9. Storm Drainage System Repair at 62 Ellenwood Avenue (CIP No. 816-0420):
a. Reject All Bids Received and Opened on October 10, 2022 for the Project; and
b. Authorize the Town Manager to Re- Bid the Project with Changes that May Reduce
Project Cost.
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS (Members of the public are welcome to address the Town Council
on any matter that is not listed on the agenda. To ensure all agenda items are heard and unless
additional time is authorized by the Mayor, this portion of the agenda is limited to 30 minutes
and no more than three (3) minutes per speaker. In the event additional speakers were not able
to be heard during the initial Verbal Communications portion of the agenda, an additional Verbal
Communications will be opened prior to adjournment.)
OTHER BUSINESS (Up to three minutes may be allotted to each speaker on any of the following
items.)
10. Receive an Annual Report Regarding the Independent Police Auditor Function.
11. Discuss the Housing Element Process and the Next Steps for the Referendum of the
2040 General Plan Land Use and Community Design Elements, and Provide Direction on
the Preferred Approach for the Referendum.
ADJOURNMENT (Council policy is to adjourn no later than midnight unless a majority of Council
votes for an extension of time).
Writings related to an item on the Town Council meeting agenda distributed to members of the Council within
72 hours of the meeting are available for public inspection at the front desk of the Los Gatos Town Library,
located at 100 Villa Avenue, and are also available for review on the official Town of Los Gatos website. Copies
of desk items distributed to members of the Council at the meeting are available for review in the Town Council
Chambers.
Note: The Town of Los Gatos has adopted the provisions of Code of Civil Procedure §1094.6; litigation
challenging a decision of the Town Council must be brought within 90 days after the decision is announced
unless a shorter time is required by State or Federal law.
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