January 25, 2021 Policy Committee Meeting

The agenda and reports for the January 25, 2021 Policy Committee meeting at 5:00 p.m. are available online. The Policy Committee will consider the meeting schedule for 2021 and discuss future work plan items.

This meeting is being conducted utilizing teleconferencing and electronic means consistent with State of California Executive Order N-29- 20 dated March 17, 2020, regarding the COVID- 19 pandemic. The live stream of the meeting may be viewed on television and/or online. In accordance with Executive Order N-29- 20, the public may only view the meeting on television and/or online and not in the Council Chamber.

If you are not interested in providing oral comments real-time during the meeting, you can view the live stream of the meeting on television (Comcast Channel 15) and/or online on the Town-branded YouTube page.

If you are interested in providing oral comments real-time during the meeting, you must join the Zoom webinar at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85448993204?pwd=ZHRRQitXMCtYb2ZodmxHT2xqWUFvZz09 with password: 238881.

To access the meeting by phone, dial (636) 651-0008 or (877) 336-1839 (US Toll Free) with conference code 969184.

During the meeting:

When the Chair 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. If you are participating by calling in, press #2 on your telephone keypad to raise your hand.
When called to speak, please limit your comments to three (3) minutes, or such other time as the Chair may decide, consistent with the time limit for speakers at a Council meeting.

If you are unable to participate in real-time, you may email to PublicComment@losgatosca.gov with the subject line “Public Comment Item #__ ” (insert the item number relevant to your comment) or “Verbal Communications – Non Agenda Item.” Comments will be reviewed and distributed before the meeting if received by 3:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. All comments received will become part of the record. The Chair has the option to modify this action on items based on comments received.

For more information on this agenda or about Town Council meetings, please call 408-354-6832 or send an email to the Town Manager's office.

January 26, 2021 Special Town Council Meeting -
Strategic Priorities

The agenda and reports for the January 26, 2021 Special Town Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. regarding Strategic Priorities are available online. The community is invited to attend this meeting where the Council will consider ongoing and new Town priorities for the next two years.

This meeting is being conducted utilizing teleconferencing and electronic means consistent with State of California Executive Order N-29- 20 dated March 17, 2020, regarding the COVID- 19 pandemic. The live stream of the meeting may be viewed on television and/or online. In accordance with Executive Order N-29- 20, the public may only view the meeting on television and/or online and not in the Council Chamber.

If you are not interested in providing oral comments real-time during the meeting, you can view the live stream of the meeting on television (Comcast Channel 15) and/or online on the Town-branded YouTube page.

If you are interested in providing oral comments real-time during the meeting, you must join the Zoom webinar at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83535252379?pwd=eFZjUVozdEdleEdFczRKb1FRK0k1UT09 with password: 191144. To join by phone, dial (636) 651-0008 or (877) 336-1839 (US Toll Free) using Conference Code 969184.

During the meeting:

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. If you are participating by calling in, press #2 on your telephone keypad to raise your hand.
When called to speak, 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 are unable to participate in real-time, you may email to PublicComment@losgatosca.gov with the subject line “Public Comment Item #__ ” (insert the item number relevant to your comment) or “Verbal Communications – Non Agenda Item.” Comments will be reviewed and distributed before the meeting if received by 5:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. All comments received will become part of the record. The Mayor has the option to modify this action on items based on comments received.

For more information on this agenda or about Town Council meetings, please call 408-354-6832 or send an email to the Town Manager's office.

January 28, 2021 Special Joint Meeting of the Town Council and Finance Commission - Study Session

The agenda and reports for the January 28, 2021 Special Joint Meeting Study Session of the Town Council and the new Finance Commission at 7:00 p.m. are available online. The Town Council and Finance Commission will receive a financial overview and discuss implementation of elements of Measure A.

This meeting is being conducted utilizing teleconferencing and electronic means consistent with State of California Executive Order N-29- 20 dated March 17, 2020, regarding the COVID- 19 pandemic. The live stream of the meeting may be viewed on television and/or online. In accordance with Executive Order N-29- 20, the public may only view the meeting on television and/or online and not in the Council Chamber.

If you are not interested in providing oral comments real-time during the meeting, you can view the live stream of the meeting on television (Comcast Channel 15) and/or online on the Town-branded YouTube page.

If you are interested in providing oral comments real-time during the meeting, you must join the Zoom webinar at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85163767547?pwd=TnFlOGQ5c2laK0xKNWdkRHdCMzYydz09 with password: 515250. To join by phone, dial (636) 651-0008 or (877) 336-1839 (US Toll Free) using Conference Code 969184.

During the meeting:

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. If you are participating by calling in, press #2 on your telephone keypad to raise your hand.
When called to speak, 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 are unable to participate in real-time, you may email to PublicComment@losgatosca.gov with the subject line “Public Comment Item #__ ” (insert the item number relevant to your comment) or “Verbal Communications – Non Agenda Item.” Comments will be reviewed and distributed before the meeting if received by 5:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. All comments received will become part of the record. The Mayor has the option to modify this action on items based on comments received.

For more information on this agenda or about Town Council meetings, please call 408-354-6832 or send an email to the Town Manager's office.

Free Santa Clara County Fire Department Adult 50+ Disaster Preparedness & Home Safety Classes

The Santa Clara County Fire Department is offering free online disaster preparedness and home safety classes to the Los Gatos and Monte Sereno communities throughout the first half of 2021. Class dates, descriptions, and registration links are below:

Crime Prevention and Home Fire Safety
March 24, 2021
10 - 11:15 a.m.
Protect against fraud and identity theft. Discuss personal safety and home security protection methods. Identify suspicious activity and know when to report it. Understand fire risks and practice safety habits to prevent fires. Develop a home escape plan.
Register at: https://onlinecrimefiresafetylosgatos2021.eventbrite.com

Fall Prevention
May 20, 2021
10 - 11:15 a.m.
Identify fall risks and learn simple and effective home modifications to prevent falls. Get connected with community resources to maintain safety and wellness. Meet local firefighters and see the fire engine and equipment.
Register at: https://onlinefallpreventionlosgatos2021.eventbrite.com

Be Ready: Be Prepared!
June 10, 2021
4 - 5:30 p.m.
Learn about Bay Area disaster risks, how to make a plan and prepare for a disaster, disaster supply kit contents, and how stay informed during and after the disaster. Learn about important communication systems and how to communicate with your support network during a disaster.
Register at: https://onlinebereadylosgatos2021.eventbrite.com

General Plan Update

The Town is updating its General Plan, the document that will guide the Town for the next 20 years. Be a part of planning our future!

Agendas, meeting summaries, teleconference links, and other materials are available on the General Plan update website by clicking PARTICIPATE.

The Town also invites interested residents and businesses to get involved online through the website www.losgatos2040.com and EngagementHQ.

Becoming an Inclusive Community

Visit the Town's webpage, Becoming an Inclusive Community to find information about the Town's commitment to inclusivity and diversity, including related Town Council actions, advance promotion of future workshops, an overview of Police Department community policing, and a dedicated email for comments and inquiries regarding these important issues.

If you have concerns, experiences, questions, or ideas regarding how Los Gatos can be more welcoming for all, please let us know by sending an email to Community@losgatosca.gov.

PG&E Underground Electrical Work on Winchester

PG&E’s contractor, Underground Electric, has started underground electrical infrastructure upgrades on Winchester Boulevard from Wimbledon Drive to Vineland Avenue. PG&E advanced the project on Winchester in anticipation of the Town’s Winchester Boulevard resurfacing work planned for summer 2021.

Once resurfaced, the Town imposes a 5-year moratorium on street work to ensure new pavement is not disturbed. If utility work impacting pavement is required within the 5-year moratorium period, the Town Parks and Public Works Department would require stringent rehabilitation measures to restore the street condition.

The work is scheduled for completion by March 2021. The permitted work hours for this project are between 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. A Town approved traffic control plan will be in place for the duration of the project as well as message boards alerting drivers of the upcoming construction and possible delays.

Prepare for Fire Season

During Shelter in Place, you can actively prepare for next year's fire season and reduce your wildfire risk!

Time spent staying at home is the perfect opportunity to start creating defensible space around your house by: trimming brush and removing weeds and low hanging tree limbs, organizing your Firewise community in creative non-gathering ways, or hardening your home.

While many wildfire preparation activities can be done safely under Shelter in Place orders, residents should strictly adhere to all County and State guidelines. Additionally, when doing work, be aware of preventing injuries that would require care from the already strained medical system.

For details, please visit: https://sccfiresafe.org/prepare/shelter-in-yard/.

Below are additional steps you can take to be personally prepared for wildfire season:

Don’t be a source of ignition! Cease any risky activities like using outdoor machinery, barbecuing, improperly towing chains etc., as one less spark, one less wildfire!
Pack your GO Bag Now.
Agree on an Evacuation Plan for your family including pets. Where will you meet and how will you get there?
Be ready to leave immediately if an order is issued.
Sign up for emergency alerts with AlertSCC and Nixle.

Visit the Town's Be Wildfire Ready webpage for more information on how to be prepared and what you can do to help protect your home.

State of California and County of Santa Clara
COVID-19 Guidelines

On August 28, 2020, Governor Newsom announced the Blueprint for a Safe Economy, which uses a Color Tier System to slow the spread of COVID-19. The colors (Purple/Widespread, Red/Substantial, Orange/Moderate, and Yellow/Minimal) reflect the number of new COVID-19 cases and how the disease is spreading locally. They also provide a framework for a safe progression of opening more businesses and activities.
Citing concerns regarding a sudden rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the State of California announced on November 16, 2020 that Santa Clara County is moving from the Orange Tier directly back into the most restrictive Purple Tier of the Blueprint for a Safer Economy, effective November 17, 2020. Visit the State's COVID-19 website to view the status of activities within each County.

Under the Purple Tier, many non-essential indoor business operations are closed. The State’s website includes information regarding the Purple Tier and its impact on businesses and activities.

On November 19, 2020, the State of California issued a Limited Stay at Home Order to stop all non-essential work and activities from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. in Purple Tier Counties, including Santa Clara County. The Order is effective from November 21, 2020 through December 21, 2020 and more information can be found on the State COVID-19 website.

On December 3, 2020, the State of California announced a regional Stay Home Order, which will go into effect within 48 hours in regions with less than 15% ICU availability. It prohibits private gatherings of any size, closes sector operations except for critical infrastructure and retail, and requires 100% masking and physical distancing in all others. The order will remain in effect for at least 3 weeks and, after that period, will be lifted when a region’s projected ICU capacity meets or exceeds 15%. This will be assessed on a weekly basis after the initial 3 week period. The following day, on December 4, 2020, the Health Officers for the Counties of Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, and the City of Berkeley announced that the State's Regional Stay Home Order will be implemented prior to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) bed availability reaching the critical level of 15%. The State's Stay Home Order is effective December 6, 2020 in Santa Clara County. In a January 8, 2021 statement issued by the California Department of Public Health, the State extended the Regional Stay at Home Order, which was originally set to expire on January 8, due to the region’s ICU bed capacity remaining below 15%. All restrictions remain in place until the Bay Area’s four-week ICU projection shows a capacity of greater than or equal to 15%. Learn more about this order on the State COVID-19 website.

COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to rise significantly and rapidly, both nationally and locally. Public Health Officials urge residents to refrain from all travel, to gather with persons outside of their household only outdoors, and to limit interactions with persons outside of their immediate household.

All businesses must have a Social Distancing Protocol on file with the County and displayed. See the Santa Clara County Health website for more information on local guidance and directives that all businesses in Santa Clara County must follow.

K-12 schools that have not yet opened cannot open while Santa Clara County is in the Purple Tier. K-12 schools that have already opened may continue to be open pursuant to the County Schools Directive and State Guidelines.

Please remember that when there are discrepancies between State and County guidelines, the stricter Order controls.

Santa Clara County COVID-19 Vaccine Information

For information on Santa Clara County’s plans regarding vaccines, visit their official dedicated webpage at www.sccfreevax.org.

Santa Clara County Business Database

Curious about which businesses are COVID-19 prepared? You can now search the Santa Clara County business database to see which businesses are following Social Distancing Protocols. Search by name, type or location: https://sdp.sccgov.org/.

Businesses must require the following for employees and customers:
-Face coverings (exceptions for medical reasons)
-Social distancing
-Handwashing or provide hand sanitizer stations

Concerns About Not Following County COVID 19 Guidelines

If you have concerns about a business, school, or healthcare provider not following Santa Clara County COVID-19 Guidelines, visit the County Health website to report a concern.

CHECK for Your Safety!

Santa Clara County requires ALL businesses to post and implement a Social Distancing Protocol. The “COVID-19 Prepared” Checkmark Sign and Visitor Information Sheet should be posted at the business entrance. The Social Distancing Protocol provides important information about hand-washing, hand-sanitizing, cleaning, social distancing, signage, training, control measures, how to report a complaint, and other safety measures. For more information, visit the Santa Clara County Public Health website. Remember when you enter a business to CHECK for your safety!

COVID-19 Testing

Testing for COVID-19 is accessible and widely available in Santa Clara County. Testing is 100% covered by health insurance, safe, confidential, and free. Testing does not affect immigration status, require a doctor’s note, or require insurance.

If you are in the following groups, County Public Health highly encourages you to get tested once a month: healthcare workers, first responders, other frontline workers, anyone who is notified that they were exposed to someone who was confirmed to have COVID-19, anyone who is 60 years of age and older, and anyone with chronic medical conditions.

The County has a handy interactive map that makes it easy to find a testing location nearest to where you live or work. Visit www.sccfreetest.org for details.

Update to Available Town Services

Police Department: Fully operational. Non-essential functions are postponed until further notice. Personnel are utilizing remote means to handle non-life threatening calls when appropriate. For more information, visit the Department website.

Community Development Department: Temporarily closed to the public. No in-person counter services are currently available.  Inspections that can be completed via video are being scheduled and other on-site inspection services are evaluated on a case by case basis. Limited staff resources are available to perform work on permits remotely.  Electronic permit submittal, resubmittal, and limited issuance started on April 17^th. Please visit the Town’s Building and Planning webpages for further information on this option.

Library: The Library is providing Patio Pick-Up services only as of December 7, 2020. Due to the recent changes in health orders, in-building browsing and shared computer use are temporarily suspended.  Follow Facebook, Instagram, and the website for a schedule of remote storytimes and other fun activities. Other online services such as e-books and e-magazines are available. For questions, email library@losgatosca.gov.

Parks and Public Works Department:  Parks and trails are open. Please remember to maintain social distance, wear face coverings, and wash/sanitize your hands. Park restrooms are available and cleaned on a daily basis. Routine maintenance of streets and parks continues at reduced levels. Selected construction projects and support for urgent work for utility companies exempt from the County Order continue. Email any concerns to ppw@losgatosca.gov.

Economic Vitality Department: Resources for small businesses, employers, and employees are available here and on the Town website. The Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce is also a good source of information for businesses and the community. Any questions can be emailed to Monica Renn at mrenn@losgatosca.gov.

Finance Department: Business license services are available remotely via email at businesslicense@losgatosca.gov.

Clerk Department: Requests for public records are being processed, but time limits to respond have been suspended. We appreciate the importance of your request and will do our best to respond within 10 days, but responses may be delayed until such time the order is suspended and Town Hall opens fully for all services.

Lifesaving Information For Emergencies (L.I.F.E.) File

Emergencies can happen when we least expect them to and many of the requests for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) happen within the home. The Town of Los Gatos is partnering with the Santa Clara County Fire Department to promote their new L.I.F.E. file program. The L.I.F.E. File is a simple tool individuals and families may use to assist emergency responders during a medical emergency. First Responders rely heavily upon the patient, and/or the patient’s family members, to provide information used to help in the treatment and care of the patient. However, there are times when the patient is unable to provide this information and family members may not be present or available to assist First Responders during a medical emergency. The L.I.F.E. File information includes past pertinent medical history, allergies to medications, medications currently prescribed to the patient, advanced medical directives and any additional information. The L.I.F.E. File pouch is a vinyl magnetic pouch that is placed in an easily seen location on the front or side of the refrigerator.

You may pick up L.I.F.E. Files from Town Hall and local fire stations. If you, or anyone you know, would like additional information on the L.I.F.E. File program please contact Jackie Rose, Community Outreach Coordinator at JRose@losgatosca.gov

How can we help you if we can't reach you? While you have signed up to receive these weekly "What's New" emails, many of your neighbors may have remained in the dark because they did not receive current information from the Town. In addition to emergency communications, you may sign up for Town notifications regarding infrastructure projects in your neighborhood, Town events, meetings, and other topics of community interest.

Please encourage your friends and neighbors in Los Gatos to sign up for Town communications through "Notify Me" at: www.losgatosca.gov/notifyme. Type your email address in the box and select "sign in." From there, you can subscribe to the topics you wish and you are able to unsubscribe at any time.

If you need help, call the Town Manager's Office at (408) 354-6832 during business hours or email engage@losgatosca.gov with subject "Sign Me Up."

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