Town Council Meeting

TOWN OF LOS GATOS MEETING DATE: 06/03/2025 COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT ITEM NO: 3 DRAFT Minutes of the Town Council Meeting Tuesday, May 20, 2025 7:00 P.M. The Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a regular meeting in person and via teleconference. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:07 P.M. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Matthew Hudes, Vice Mayor Rob Moore, Council Member Mary Badame, Council Member Rob Rennie, Council Member Maria Ristow. Absent: None. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Youth Commissioner Chair Pravin Balasingham led the Pledge of Allegiance. The audience was invited to participate. PRESENTATIONS The Youth Commissioners gave a presentation on the work of the Commission; announced Nina’s Taqueria as the Youth Friendly Business of the Year presentation and Pressed Juicery as the Youth Friendly Green Business of the Year; and Outgoing Youth Commissioners were presented with Commendations. Mayor Hudes announced the Town received the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. Town Manager Chris Constantin introduced the new Emergency Manager Chris Todd who presented a fire update. Mayor Hudes opened public comment. Rob Stump - Commented on wildfire readiness and spoke about recommendations for wildfire initiatives. Allison Zeidler - Commented on concerns with evacuation routess and spoke about investing in an evacuation simulation and developing a comprehensive evacuation plan. 110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832 www.losgatosca.gov PAGE 2 OF 9 SUBJECT: Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of May 20, 2025 DATE: May 20, 2025 Brad Gordon, American Red Cross - Commented on fire preparedness and provided examples for home hardening and creating defensible a space. David Weissman - Commented in support of wildfire prevention efforts and urged the town to continue to pursue initiatives. Mary Buxton - Commented on fire preparation and prevention and stated concern about possible cuts to wildfire prevention. Gus Who - Commented on wildfire prevention and the Santa Clara County Fire Department. Stanford Stickney - Commented on fire breaks and the clearing of trees branches and brush near roads. CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION) 1. Approve the Minutes of the May 6, 2025 Town Council Meeting 2. Approve the Minutes of the May 6, 2025 Town Council Closed Session Meeting 3. Approve the Minutes of the May 13, 2025 Town Council Special Meeting 4. Receive the Monthly Financial and Investment Report for March 2025 5. Adopt a Resolution Declaring Hazardous Vegetation (Brush) a Public Nuisance, Ordering Abatement, and Setting June 17, 2025, as a Public Hearing to Consider Objections to the Proposed Removal of Brush 6. Authorize the Town Manager to Execute a Third Amendment to the Agreement for Services with Sequoia Ecological Consulting Inc. 7. Authorize the Town Manager to Execute a Five-Year Agreement for Services with EcoSanitation, LLC for Downtown Power Washing for a Total Agreement Amount Not to Exceed $287,500. 8. Authorize the Town Manager to Execute a Third Amendment to the Agreement for Consultant Services with AMS Electric LLC (dba Prime Electric LLC) for the Library Battery Power Supply Project (CIP 821-2505) 9. Award Construction Contract for the 2025 Street Repair and Resurfacing Project (CIP No. 811-9901) to O’Grady Paving, Inc., in the amount of $1,713,071; Authorize the Town Manager to Approve Change Orders Up to 10% of the Contract Amount; and Approve the Project Construction Plans 10. Authorize Expenditure Budget Increase for the Shannon Road Pedestrian and Bikeway Improvement Project (CIP No. 813-0218) in the Amount of $88,202 and Authorize the Town Manager to Execute Changes Orders In a Not to Exceed Amount of $253,912 11. Adopt a Resolution to Define a List of Projects for Fiscal Year 2025-26 to be Funded by the State Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 PAGE 3 OF 9 SUBJECT: Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of May 20, 2025 DATE: May 20, 2025 12. Authorize the Town Manager to Execute a First Amendment to the Agreement for Services with OpenGov, Inc. for Additional Services to Support the Existing Enterprise Asset Management and Procurement System Services in an Amount of $11,448.72 for a Total Agreement Amount Not to Exceed $77,804.31 13. Authorize the Town Manager to Execute a Change Order in the Amount of $4,241.78 to an Existing Purchase Order with Lehr Uplifters OpCo, LLC for Additional Build-Out of a Police Department Patrol Vehicle for a New Total Amount Not to Exceed $36,052 14. Authorize the Town Manager to Execute a Second Contract Amendment to the Contract for Legal Services with the Law Firm of Goldfarb & Lipman to Increase the Contract Amount by $75,000 for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $240,000 15. Adopt a Resolution Amending the Los Gatos Youth Commission Enabling Resolution and Rescinding Resolution 2018-059 16. Receive an Update on the Town’s Federal Funding and Grants, Considering Federal Actions Impacting the Town Vice Mayor Moore and Council Member Ristow commented on item number sixteen. Mayor Hudes pulled item number fifteen. Mayor Hudes opened public comment. Brent Ventura - Commented on item number five and spoke about concerns with wildfires. Mayor Hudes closed public comment. MOTION: Motion by Council Member Ristow to approve consent items one through fourteen and sixteen. Seconded by Vice Mayor Moore. VOTE: Motion passed unanimously VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS Juliette Pasucal, Silicon Valley Clean Energy - Gave an update on Silicone Vally Clean Energy's community impact in 2024 and spoke about utilities and energy rebates. Joan Smith - Commented on the wildfire preparation report and management of evacuation traffic, and asked for updates on the old fire hall. Gus Who - Commented on censorship, recent events, legal matters, identification requirements, water rates, and the 2026 Soccer World Cup. PAGE 4 OF 9 SUBJECT: Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of May 20, 2025 DATE: May 20, 2025 John Shepardson - Commented on preserving the open space at 220 Belgatos Road as a critical fire break and evacuation area. - Jeffrey Siegal - Commented on wildfire safety and five-foot defensible space. Mayor Hudes called a recess at 8:19 p.m. Mayor Hudes reconvened the meeting at 8:30 p.m. PUBLIC HEARINGS 17. Conduct a Public Hearing on the Town of Los Gatos Proposed Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 and on the Proposed Capital Improvement Program for FY 2025-26 – FY 2029-30 Chris Constantin, Town Manager, presented the Operating Budget staff report. Council asked preliminary questions. Nicolle Burnham, Parks and Public Works Director presented the Capital Budget staff report. Council asked preliminary questions. Mayor Hudes opened public comment. Heather Newberry - Commented on the shower program, and its impact on the unhoused community, and expressed appreciation for the Town’s support. Ed Lozowicki - Commented on PG& E’s plan to remove Eucalyptus trees on Hilow Road, an issue with a bird study, and requested the Town remove five trees not included in PG&E’s plan. Diane Hembry - Commented on the removal of the five Eucalyptus trees on Hilow Road and spoke about safety concerns. Claude Gauthier - Commented on concerns about evacuation safety and supporting the removal of eucalyptus trees on Hilow Road. PAGE 5 OF 9 SUBJECT: Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of May 20, 2025 DATE: May 20, 2025 Valery Lozowicki - Commented on the fires in Southern California and concerns with the eucalyptus trees. Jeanne Belivau-Dunn - Commented on PG& E’s plan to remove Eucalyptus trees on Hilow Road and requested the Town remove five trees not included in PG&E’s plan. Mark Katz - Commented on the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Disaster Aid Response Team (DART), the services they provide, and concerns about the partnership with the police department. Sara Murphy - Commented on concerns with the possibility of removal of the public restroom in the downtown area. Sue Ahmadian - Thanked the Town for supporting unhoused residents through the hotel program, shower service, food pantry, and rent assistance, and requested the continuation of the grant funding for these programs. Tim O’Rorke - Commented on the Town’s unhoused hotel program and rental assistance, and requested the continuation of the grant funding of these programs. Jan Schwartz, NUMU - Thanked the Town for its support and requested continued funding for the museum. Kimberly Snyder, NUMU - Thanked the Town for its support and requested continued funding for the museum. Julie Micallef, NUMU - Thanked the Town for its support and commented on the impacts of the Civic Center improvements on the museum. Gus Who - Commented on the 2026 soccer, basketball, and football sporting events and requested the town sponsor a team. Jeff Suzuki, Los Gatos Anti-Racism Coalition - Commented on funding for rental assistance and hotel vouchers, and stated concerns with potential cuts to the Library. Lee Quintana PAGE 6 OF 9 SUBJECT: Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of May 20, 2025 DATE: May 20, 2025 - Commented on the Historic Preservation Committee. Jennifer Lin, Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce - Commented on the Chamber’s partnership with the Town, spoke about the services they provide, and requested renewal of their contract for $88,000. Stanford Stickney - Commented in support of funding the Police Department. Ali Miano, Los Gatos Anti-Racism Coalition - Commented in support of homelessness prevention efforts, the hiring of a Senior Mobility Manager, and raising taxes. Mayor Hudes closed public comment. Mayor Hudes called a recess at recess at 10:40 p.m. Mayor Hudes reconvened the meeting at 10:52 p.m. Council discussed the item. MOTION: Motion by Council Member Ristow to take the staff and Finance Commission’s recommendation to move all the proceeds from Measure G this year into the operating (budget). Seconded by Council Member Rennie. VOTE: Motion passed unanimously Council continued to discuss the item. MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Moore to increase the total amount of the community grants fund to $155,000.00 and staff and Council will decide how to split the funds in August. Seconded by Council Member Ristow. VOTE: Motion passed 4-1. Council Member Badame voted no. Council continued to discuss the item. MOTION: Motion by Council Member Rennie to allocate $80,000 towards the removal of the Eucalypts trees on Hilow, from the $100,000,000 emergency budget that was previously allocated Seconded by Mayor Hudes. VOTE: Motion passed unanimously Council continued to discuss the item. PAGE 7 OF 9 SUBJECT: Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of May 20, 2025 DATE: May 20, 2025 MOTION: Motion by Mayor Hudes to add $100,000 in revenue audit and to move forward with $28,000 in charging station and $22,000 in charging station for a total of $150,000 for this year and start on enhanced recovery for DUI and residential alarm registration. Seconded by Vice Mayor Moore. VOTE: Motion passed unanimously MOTION: Motion by Council Member Rennie to continue (the meeting) to 12:30 a.m. Seconded by Council Member Ristow. VOTE: Motion passed unanimously Council continued to discuss the item. MOTION: Motion by Council Member Rennie to approve staff’s recommendations on Tier 1, 2, and 3 (reductions) minus the doggy bags. Seconded by Vice Mayor Moore. VOTE: Motion passed unanimously Council continued to discuss the item. MOTION: Motion by Council Member Ristow to accept the recommendations with the small changes that the council has made put forward by staff for the operating budget and to use the unsigned fund balance to make up the difference Seconded by Council Member Badame. VOTE: Motion passed unanimously Council continued to discuss the item. MOTION: Motion by Council Member Ristow to approve the tiered CIP program and the recommended tiers as provided by staff in the proposed budget. AMENDMENT: to move Pinehurst Community Garden from tier two, class three to tier two, class two. Seconded by Vice Mayor Moore. VOTE: Motion passed 4-1. Council Member Badame voted no. Council continued to discuss the item. PAGE 8 OF 9 SUBJECT: Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of May 20, 2025 DATE: May 20, 2025 MOTION: Motion by Council Member Badame to approve the Fiscal Year 2025 through 2026 List of Potential Donations Consistent with the Town’s Donation Policy. Seconded by Vice Mayor Moore. VOTE: Motion passed unanimously MOTION: Motion by Council Member Badame to extend the meeting to 12:40 a.m. Seconded by Council Member Ristow. VOTE: Motion passed unanimously CONSENT ITEM 15. Adopt a Resolution Amending the Los Gatos Youth Commission Enabling Resolution and Rescinding Resolution 2018-059 Jamie Field, Chief of Police, answered staff questions. Council discussed the item. MOTION: Motion by Council Member Hudes to adopt a Resolution Amending the Los Gatos Youth Commission Enabling Resolution and Rescinding Resolution 2018-008 with the addition of language “and providing a youth perspective to the commissions” (to the sentence in Section iii, prior to the list of Commissions). Seconded by Vice Mayor Moore. VOTE: Motion passed unanimously MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Moore to staff to revisit the appointment policy as it relates to the Youth Commission, to modify the language to change from a specific time period to a more general time period like spring. Seconded by Mayor Hudes. VOTE: Motion passed unanimously COUNCIL/TOWN MANAGER REPORTS Council Matters - Council Member Rennie stated he has nothing to report. - Vice Mayor Moore stated he attended a community meeting with the Bonnie View neighborhood about developments and project concerns. - Council Member Ristow stated she attended the Silicon Valley Clean Energy board meeting. - Council Member Badame stated she participated in the Kwans Turnaround Scholarship Award Luncheon, participated in a meeting of a Citizen Wildfire advisory group, and provided welcoming remarks at the annual Girls on the Run event. - Mayor Hudes stated he was engaged in many activities in the community this week PAGE 9 OF 9 SUBJECT: Draft Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of May 20, 2025 DATE: May 20, 2025 Town Manager Matters - Nothing to report Closed Session Report Gabrielle Whelan, Town Attorney, stated the Council met in closed session to discuss anticipated litigation, existing litigation, and real property negotiations. With regards to the existing litigation, there is a reportable action in that the Town Council authorized a town defense in the case of Deffenbaugh versus the Town of Los Gatos. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 12:32 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: _____________________________________ Keara Johnson, Deputy Town Clerk