Council Meeting
Regular MeetingLos Gatos, CA · December 20, 2022
Minutes
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Minutes of the Town Council
December 20, 2022
The Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a regular meeting in-person and utilizing
teleconferencing means on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Maria Ristow, Vice Mayor Mary Badame, Council Member Matthew Hudes,
Council Member Rob Moore, Council Member Rob Rennie.
Absent: None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Dominic Farwell led the Pledge of Allegiance. The audience was invited to participate.
COUNCIL / MANAGER MATTERS
Council Matters
- Council Member Hudes stated he attended the Senior Service Committee Roadmap
subcommittee meetings, the Finance Commission meeting, and Senior Service Committee
meetings.
- Council Member Rennie stated he attended the Bay Area Air Quality Management District
(BAAQMD) Board meeting, the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Policy Advisory
Committee meeting, Cities Association Holiday Party, the Swearing-In of Assembly Member
Pellerin, the Silicon Valley Clean Energy Risk Oversight Committee meeting, the BAAQMD
Legislative Committee meeting, the Finance Commission meeting, and the Silicon Valley
Clean Energy Board meeting.
- Council Member Moore stated he attended the retirement celebration for Diane Fisher of
the Jewish Community Relations Council.
- Vice Mayor Badame stated she attended the West Valley Sanitation District Authority Board
meeting and observed the December 20th Finance Commission meeting which was
cancelled due to lack of a quorum.
- Mayor Ristow stated she attended the Cities Association Holiday Party, the Silicon Valley
Bike Coalition Open House and Members Party, the Safe Routes to School (SR2S) Volunteer
Luncheon, the Azerbaijani Solidarity Concert, taught Bike Skills to 5th Graders, took a Horse
Drawn Carriage Ride and thanked the Chamber of Commerce, and announced a Hannukah
on Main event to be held on December 22nd at 5 p.m. on the Civic Center Lawn.
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
PAGE 2 OF 5
SUBJECT: Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of December 20, 2022
DATE: January 6, 2023
Manager Matters
- Announced free valet parking service is available through Saturday, December 24.
- Announced Town Administrative Offices will be closed Friday, December 23 and will re-
open on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.
- Announced the Library will be closed December 23-26 and December 30, 2022 - January 2,
2023.
- Announced a new online business license module will be implemented soon, and additional
information is available on the Town website.
CONSENT ITEMS
1. Approve Minutes of the December 6, 2022 Town Council Meeting.
2. Approve Minutes of the December 13, 2022 Town Council Special Meeting.
3. Approve Minutes of the December 13, 2022 Town Council Special Meeting Regarding
Commission Interviews.
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 2022-076
5. Reaffirm the Town Council Code of Conduct Policy.
6. Adopt 2023 Council Committee Appointments.
7. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR):
a. Receive the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the Fiscal Year Ended
June 30, 2022, and
b. Adopt a Resolution Confirming June 30, 2022 Fund Balances in Accordance Fiscal Year
2021/22 Final Audit and Town Council General Fund Reserve Policy. RESOLUTION 2022-
077
8. Approve a First Amendment to the Agreement with Turbo Data Systems, Inc. in the Amount
of $110,774 for a Total Amended Agreement Amount Not to Exceed $206,041.54 for a
Three-Year Extension of Parking Citation and Permit Parking Processing Services.
9. Authorize the Continuation of the Business License Late Fee Penalty Suspension into the
2023 Calendar Year.
10. Authorize the Town Manager to Execute an Assignment of Agreement with Bartel
Associates, LLC to Assign the Agreement to Foster and Foster Consulting Actuaries, Inc.
Council Member Hudes pulled item #7.
Opened public comment.
No one spoke.
Closed public comment.
PAGE 3 OF 5
SUBJECT: Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of December 20, 2022
DATE: January 6, 2023
Consent Items – continued
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Rennie to approve items 1-10, exclusive of item 7.
Seconded by Vice Mayor Badame.
VOTE: Motion passes unanimously.
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
Chris Wiley
- Requested Council “bury the hatchet” by ripping up a piece of paper with a picture of a
hatchet that was distributed to each Council Member.
LOC
- Commented on hate speech and how to express hurt feelings.
PUBLIC HEARING
11. Consider a Request for a Continuance for an Appeal of a Planning Commission Decision to
Deny a Fence Height Exception Request for Construction of a Six-Foot Fence Located Within
the Required Front Yard Setback and a Vehicular Gate Set Back Less than 18 Feet from the
Edge of the Adjacent Street on Property Zoned R-1:10. APN 523-04-043. PROPERTY
OWNER/APPELLANT: David and Ilana Kohanchi. APPLICANT: Nina Guralnic.
Jennifer Armer, Planning Manager, presented the staff report.
Opened public comment.
No one spoke.
Closed public comment.
Council discussed the item.
MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Badame continue an appeal of a Planning Commission
decision to deny a Fence Height Exception request for construction of a Six-Foot
Fence located within the required front yard setback and a vehicular gate set back
less than 18 feet from the edge of the adjacent street on property zoned R-1:10.
APN 523-04-043. PROPERTY OWNER/APPELLANT: David and Ilana Kohanchi.
APPLICANT: Nina Guralnic to a date certain of January 17, 2023 per the appellant’s
request. Seconded by Council Member Moore.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
PAGE 4 OF 5
SUBJECT: Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of December 20, 2022
DATE: January 6, 2023
OTHER BUSINESS
12. Review and Approve the Town’s Response to the 2022 Civil Grand Jury of Santa Clara
County Report Entitled, “If You Only Read the Ballot, You’re Being Duped.”
Gabrielle Whelan, Town Attorney, provided the staff report.
Opened public comment.
No one spoke.
Closed public comment.
Council discussed the item.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Hudes to revise the proposed response to the Grand
Jury to accept recommendations 1b and 1c and leave the rest of the letter as is.
AMENDMENT: Revise the response to state the Town is planning to implement
recommendation 1c if the County Counsel is open to doing the review, then the
ballot question would be provided for a five-day review, and if no comment is
received within five days, the Town would proceed with its proposed ballot
question. Also, the response to the Grand Jury should include the reasons why the
Town feels this recommendation is unnecessary and under these specific
circumstances, the Town will submit the response. Seconded by Vice Mayor
Badame.
VOTE: Motion passes unanimously.
13. Discuss the Housing Element Update and Provide Direction on Next Steps.
Jocelyn Shoopman, Associate Planner, provided the staff report.
Opened public comment.
No one spoke.
Closed public comment.
Council discussed the item.
PAGE 5 OF 5
SUBJECT: Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of December 20, 2022
DATE: January 6, 2023
Other Business Item #13 – continued
MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Badame to bring the Housing Element to the Council for
consideration of adoption before January 31, 2023, and utilize the minimum density
for calculating the residential capacity of the Site Inventory with the understanding
that additional sites may need to be selected to comply with California Housing and
Community Development Department (HCD) requirements. Seconded by Council
Member Rennie.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
Pulled Consent Item #7
7. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR):
a. Receive the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the Fiscal Year Ended
June 30, 2022, and
b. Adopt a Resolution Confirming June 30, 2022 Fund Balances in Accordance Fiscal Year
2021/22 Final Audit and Town Council General Fund Reserve Policy.
Arn Andrews, Assistant Town Manager, provided the staff report.
Opened public comment.
Ron Dickel
- Commented on the item and stated the Commissioners reviewed the report and were given
opportunities to make comments.
Closed public comment.
Council discussed the item.
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Rennie to receive the Annual Comprehensive Financial
Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, as recommended by the
Finance Commission and adopt a resolution confirming June 30, 2022 Fund Balances
in accordance with Fiscal Year 2021/22 Final Audit and Town Council General Fund
Reserve Policy. Seconded by Council Member Moore.
VOTE: Motion passed 3-2. Vice Mayor Badame and Council Member Hudes voted no.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:02 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
_____________________________________
/s/ Jenna De Long, Deputy Clerk
Agenda
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA* AMENDED
DECEMBER 20, 2022
110 EAST MAIN STREET AND TELECONFERENCE
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
LOS GATOS, CA
7:00 PM
Maria Ristow, Mayor
Mary Badame, Vice Mayor PARTICIPATION IN THE PUBLIC PROCESS
Matthew Hudes, Council Member
Rob Moore, Council Member
Rob Rennie, 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 Tuesday 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
DECEMBER 20, 2022
110 EAST MAIN STREET AND TELECONFERENCE
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
LOS GATOS, CA
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/85823222034?pwd=dHFYcnl3c3ZpaWJRWVo3NytGbWNLUT09
Passcode: 666638. You can also type in 858 2322 2034 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.
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If you are unable to participate in real-time, you may email to Clerk@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.
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
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 Minutes of the December 6, 2022 Town Council Meeting.
2. Approve Minutes of the December 13, 2022 Town Council Special Meeting.
3. Approve Minutes of the December 13, 2022 Town Council Special Meeting Regarding
Commission Interviews.
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. Reaffirm the Town Council Code of Conduct Policy.
Page 3
6. Adopt 2023 Council Committee Appointments.
7. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR):
a. Receive the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the Fiscal Year Ended
June 30, 2022, and
b. Adopt a Resolution Confirming June 30, 2022 Fund Balances in Accordance Fiscal Year
2021/22 Final Audit and Town Council General Fund Reserve Policy.
8. Approve a First Amendment to the Agreement with Turbo Data Systems, Inc. in the
Amount of $110,774 for a Total Amended Agreement Amount Not to Exceed
$206,041.54 for a Three-Year Extension of Parking Citation and Permit Parking
Processing Services.
9. Authorize the Continuation of the Business License Late Fee Penalty Suspension into the
2023 Calendar Year.
10. Authorize the Town Manager to Execute an Assignment of Agreement with Bartel
Associates, LLC to Assign the Agreement to Foster and Foster Consulting Actuaries, Inc.
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.)
PUBLIC HEARINGS (Applicants/Appellants and their representatives may be allotted up to a total
of five minutes maximum for opening statements. Members of the public may be allotted up to
three minutes to comment on any public hearing item. Applicants/Appellants and their
representatives may be allotted up to a total of three minutes maximum for closing
statements. Items requested/recommended for continuance are subject to Council’s consent at
the meeting.)
11.* Consider a Request for a Continuance for an Appeal of a Planning Commission Decision
to Deny a Fence Height Exception Request for Construction of a Six-Foot Fence Located
Within the Required Front Yard Setback and a Vehicular Gate Set Back Less than 18 Feet
from the Edge of the Adjacent Street on Property Zoned R-1:10. APN 523-04-043.
PROPERTY OWNER/APPELLANT: David and Ilana Kohanchi. APPLICANT: Nina Guralnic.
OTHER BUSINESS (Up to three minutes may be allotted to each speaker on any of the following
items.)
12. Review and Approve the Town’s Response to the 2022 Civil Grand Jury of Santa Clara
County Report Entitled, “If You Only Read the Ballot, You’re Being Duped.”
13. Discuss the Housing Element Update and Provide Direction on Next Steps.
ADJOURNMENT (Council policy is to adjourn no later than midnight unless a majority of Council
votes for an extension of time).
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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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