PREPARED BY: Katy Nomura
Assistant Town Manager
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Town Attorney, and Finance Director 110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832 www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 03/19/2024
ITEM NO: 14
DESK ITEM
DATE: March 19, 2024
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Receive an Update on Unhoused Initiatives, Authorize Revenue and Expenditure Budget Adjustments in the Amount of $1,417.50 to Recognize a Reimbursement, and Provide Any Direction
REMARKS:
Attachment 3 contains public comment received between 11:01 a.m. Monday, March 18, and 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 19, 2024.
Attachment Received with the Staff Report:
1. Public Comment
Attachment Received with the Previous Addendum:
2. Additional Public Comment
Attachment Received with this Desk Item:
3. Additional Public Comment
ATTACHMENT 3
From: Margaret Smith
Sent: Monday, March 18, 2024 4:39 PM
To: Council <[email protected]>
Cc: Town Manager <[email protected]>
Subject: Unhoused Initiatives, Item 14, March 19, 2024 Town Council Meeting [EXTERNAL SENDER]
Dear Madame Mayor and Council Members:
As a longtime resident of Los Gatos and a local business owner, I wanted to write in support of the further funding of the Unhoused Initiatives, a matter that comes before you as Item 14 on the Agenda for tomorrow evening’s meeting. Often, when funds are expended for social services, they seem to go into a vacuum of bureaucracy and the public seldom sees tangible results. How fortunate we are, that our experience here in Los Gatos is different thanks to the excellent stewardship of those managing the Unhoused Initiatives programs.
Reports on results of the funds used to expand the Food Pantry and the Shower Ministry show actual, detailed, use of those funds for the betterment of our unhoused community. What a difference having a stable source of food and opportunity to shower must make on our unhoused.
The temporary restrooms at the park have not only served the unhoused but every Sunday when I visit the Farmer’s Market, I see families using the restrooms, so there is a tangible benefit to the entire community not just one segment in need.
I’d also like to mention the hotel program. Yes, we have the detailed numbers of how and when the rooms are used. But also, as a member of the business community, I can tell you that I had a very visceral positive reaction during the recent downpours. I realized one evening that I no longer had an unhoused person huddled up against the wall at the back of Domus doing his/her best to stay out of the rain. As I drove down N. Santa Cruz to drop off mail, and then down Main Street, I realized I didn’t see any unhoused huddled against any of the buildings. This was different than in the past. I know because of the hotel program, the unhoused now have an option to stay inside, out of severe weather.
I urge you to continue the Unhoused Initiatives programs and provide ongoing funds to the excellent organizations that work every day to make a difference in our community. These organizations are led by people who are effective and accountable, and that’s what makes our experience in Los Gatos different than many other communities. We aren’t just pouring money into bureaucracies and have to wonder how the funds are being used. We see the positive results.
Thank you also for the work you do to keep Los Gatos a thriving, caring community.
Margaret Smith