September 18, 2021 Announcement -
$7 Million State Budget Investment for Wildfire Prevention and Emergency Preparedness 

September 20, 2021 Joint Town Council and Planning Commission Study Session

The agenda and reports for the September 20, 2021 Special Joint Meeting of the Town Council and Planning Commission Study Session at 4:00 p.m. are available online.  Please join us to discuss the Draft 2040 General Plan.

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 local 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/89871429325?pwd=SVJaRGxEZ29ZdjFHQXh6WnBoaHRpUT09 with password: 408621. 

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.

September 21, 2021 Town Council Meeting

The agenda and reports for the September 21, 2021 Town Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. are available online.  Among the items on the agenda, the Town Council will consider referring the Flag Policy to next year's Strategic Priorities and updating Town Commission and Committee applications and enabling resolutions.

• In person: Provide your name and the item number you would like to speak on with the Town Clerk or Deputy Clerk
• Zoom webinar: Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device: click this link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89212630438?pwd=dzBjd1RveXVaZ2NWT01FWTFWZjJUQT09 Password: 895140. 
• 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.
• Join by telephone: Dial: 877-336-1839. Conference code: 969184

September 22, 2021 Planning Commission Meeting

The agenda and reports for the September 22, 2021 Planning Commission meeting are available online. The Planning Commission will consider a request to modify the conditions of approval for an existing Architecture and Site application for the property at 244 Harding Avenue. 

Planning Commission meetings are held regularly on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Commission meetings are broadcast live on KCAT-15. Live and archived videos are also available online.

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 interested in providing oral comments real-time during the meeting, you must join the Zoom webinar at https://losgatosca-gov.zoom.us/j/89243487393?pwd=Ulo4WXBaY0dEcHFQTEtPT2FhcGZ6dz09 with password: 253099. 

To access the meeting by phone, dial (213) 270-2124 or (888) 273-3658 (US Toll Free) with conference code 898841.
 
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, without a Zoom app, you must notify the Community Development Director  at PlanningComment@losgatosca.gov which item(s) you would like to speak on prior to 7:00 p.m. the day of the meeting. 
• 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 Planning Commission meeting.

If you are unable to participate in real-time, you may send an email to PlanningComment@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 Chair has the option to modify this action on items based on comments received.

For details on this agenda or about Planning Commission meetings, please send an email to the Community Development Department.

There is still time to share your thoughts regarding the Draft General Plan!

• Newsletter with Key Proposed Changes
• Draft General Plan
• Draft General Plan Environmental Impact Report
• June 29, 2021 Community Meeting Recording
• Comment Form

• New Racial, Social and Environmental Justice Element;
• Increased housing opportunities for mixed use developments in commercial areas and missing middle housing in neighborhoods with design requirements;
• New Community Place Districts to provide more objective design standards and focus on community form for all development;
• Shift in focus of transportation policies to street design, connectivity, and mobility for all users (bicycles, pedestrians, vehicles, etc.)  to reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled;
• New goals in the Environment and Sustainabilty Element; and
• Expanded policies to prepare for wildfire, climate change, and community health threats.

Resurfacing Work on Winchester Boulevard

Survey Work Near Blossom Hill Road Continues
Through End of September

County Fire Launches New Product to Simplify Evacuations: Zonehaven - Attend a Free Webinar!

In the event of a wildfire or public safety emergency, fire department and law enforcement agencies will issue evacuation orders and other protective actions for impacted areas. Zonehaven is a web-based platform that provides real-time evacuation updates.

Kitchen Pail Disbursement for Food Scraps

On June 9^th, 2021, Valley Water’s Board of Directors adopted Resolution 21-86, declaring an emergency water shortage, and calling for water savings of 15% compared to 2019 usage. In response to the emergency water shortage, The Town of Los Gatos has launched the #DroughtReadyLG webpage dedicated to up-to-date drought information, Town water conservation actions, and residential and commercial water conservation resources. 

Construction on Los Gatos Boulevard
Between Lark Avenue and Walker Street

Becoming an Inclusive Community

Visit the Town's webpage, Becoming an Inclusive Community to find information about the Town's commitment to inclusivity, equity, justice, and diversity, including related Town Council actions, Council action on Police reforms, 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.

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

On June 11, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom took executive action to terminate the state’s stay-at-home order and tiered Blueprint for Safer Economy. Measures that were included in the blueprint to protect public health, such as physical distancing, capacity limits, and the county tier system, terminated on June 15.

The Governor issued an executive order to begin the “winding down” of the 58 executive orders that have been implemented since the beginning of the pandemic. The provisions will sunset in phases, beginning in June through September.  The California Department of Public Health also released a new public health order that went into effect on June 15 and replaces the previous public health orders.

For more information on local guidance, please visit the County Public Health website. 

For information from Santa Clara County regarding vaccines, visit their official dedicated webpage at www.sccfreevax.org.

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."