"Outside the Box" Utility Box Art Program

Deadline: Friday, December 2, 2016

Calling all artists! The Town of Los Gatos Parks & Public Works Department announces the unique opportunity for artists to submit designs for the Utility Box Art Program.

Are you or someone you know a talented artist? Help us beautify utility boxes around Town with environmentally-themed works of art! Selected artists will receive a $500 stipend for their work. Interested participants must complete this application to be considered.  Successful proposals will harbor the sense of community, sustainability, and creativity, further enhancing the ambiance of the Town. The chosen designs will be converted into a vinyl wrap and installed on select utility boxes around Town.  For more information on the program and how to apply, please click here.

Potential Changes to the North 40 Specific Plan

On November 17, 2016, the Town’s General Plan Committee completed its review and discussion of the Town Council suggestions for potential changes to the North 40 Specific Plan.  The potential amendments are intended to be specific, require no additional environmental analysis, and require no modifications to the Town’s certified Housing Element of the General Plan. The intention is not a rewrite of the entire Plan. The video of the November GPC meeting is available here. The video from the prior GPC meeting (October 27, 2016) regarding this topic is available here.

The suggestions were identified at a Special Meeting of the Town Council on September 27, 2016. The General Plan Committee discussed all of the ideas and provided recommendations on the Council’s suggestions, as well as additional items proposed by Committee members and by the public. The GPC recommendations will be the basis for detailed amendments to the Specific Plan for consideration during public hearings before the Planning Commission (scheduled for December 15, 2016 at 7 p.m.) and Town Council (no tentative date). The verbatim minutes of both GPC meetings will be available with the December 15 Planning Commission agenda packet.

The community is welcome to submit comments in writing to Sally Zarnowitz at szarnowitz@losgatosca.gov or Joel Paulson at jpaulson@losgatosca.gov for inclusion in the Staff Memo/Addendum/Desk Item to the Planning Commission. The deadline for all written correspondence is 11:00 a.m. the day of the meeting.

Questions about your water bill?

The Town of Los Gatos has received concerns from residents regarding recent water bills. The Town does not have jurisdiction over water rates. As a courtesy, the Town is providing the following information to residents who have questions or concerns.  If you believe that there is an error in your water bill, please contact San Jose Water Company customer service at 408/279-7900 or customer.service@sjwater.com.  After working with SJWC and the dispute is not resolved, you may work with the California Public Utilities Commission’s Consumer Affairs Branch for assistance. For more information, please visit their website.

To share your thoughts/opinions on the current rate structure adopted by the San Jose Water Company, please email: customer.service@sjwater.com.  Notice will be given by San Jose Water Company via newspaper ad(s) and on its website with regards to future General Rate Case proceedings. The proceedings include a Public Participation Hearing hosted by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) which provides an opportunity for the public to address and provide input to the CPUC. You may also sign up for the CPUC’s subscription service to receive information about formal proceedings at: http://subscribecpuc.cpuc.ca.gov/

Every year, Santa Clara Valley Water District sets groundwater production charges, treated water charges, and its annual budget after months of study and public deliberation. This year, the rate setting process starts on December 13 with an update at the District’s regular board meeting and concludes in May with the adoption of the following year’s rates. As the process continues, information on the charge-setting process and public hearings are posted here.

The District invites public input on the proposed charges and the services and projects these charges pay for. Information regarding the Board, its meetings, and other ways to communicate with the Board Members can be found here. This is also a useful link to track upcoming Board agendas to monitor issues that may influence water rates directly or indirectly. The public is welcome to participate in all Board meetings.  In addition, materials presented at a recent community meeting are available here.

Dittos Lane Request for Proposals

The Council-approved Request for Proposals to sell the Dittos Lane property is now circulating and proposals are due on January 13, 2017.

Are you interested in future policies, proposed development, or other issues affecting the Town?

The best way to receive notification is by signing up for the Town’s “Notify Me” subscriptions.  For example, if you are interested in parking, you are welcome to sign up for Town Council, Parking and Infrastructure Council Ad Hoc Committee, Transportation and Parking Commission, and Planning Commission. You will receive notification and links to future agendas and reports. You can then monitor the activities of these groups and participate at your convenience.

To sign up for “Notify Me,” please visit: www.losgatosca.gov/notifyme. Type your email address in the box and select sign in. From there, you can subscribe to the items that you want and you can always choose to unsubscribe from a list anytime. Need help signing up? Contact the Town Manager’s Office at (408) 354-6832.