ITEM NO. 19.
Bylaws Page 15 of 18 Amended July 17, 2019
Section 9. Treasurer.
The Treasurer shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained, adequate and correct financial records of the Authority, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, and disbursements, and shall have such other duties as are provided for in the Agreement creating the Authority.
Section 10. Chief Executive Officer
The Chief Executive Officer shall be authorized and responsible for the overall management and administration of the Authority and its joint protection programs and shall select and appoint all employees. The Chief Executive Officer shall have such other and related duties as may be prescribed by the Executive Committee or the Bylaws.
ARTICLE VII – MISCELLANEOUS
Section 1. Rules and Regulations of Joint Protection Programs.
As soon as practicable after development of the details of a joint protection program of the Authority, the specific rules and regulations for the implementation of the program shall be adopted by the Executive Committee, which shall cause them to be set forth in written form and a copy thereof distributed to each Member. Such rules and regulations shall be included in any procedure manual prepared by the Authority for the Members.
Section 2. Annual Report.
The Executive Committee of the Authority shall cause an annual report to be sent to the Members not later than 270 days after the close of each fiscal year. Such report shall contain a statement of net position as of the end of such fiscal year and a statement of revenues, expenses, and changes in net position for such fiscal year, and shall be accompanied by the annual audit report thereon and such other information as may be required by law.
Section 3. Defense and Indemnification of Agents of the Authority. (a) For the purpose of this Article, "agent" means any person who is or was an officer, board member, employee, or other agent of the Authority.
ITEM NO. 19.
Bylaws Page 16 of 18 Amended July 17, 2019
(b) The Authority shall provide for the defense and indemnity of any civil action or proceeding brought against any such agent of the Authority in his or her official or individual capacity or both, on account of an act or omission within the scope of his or her agency as an agent of the Authority, and to the extent of such defense as is provided for in California Government Code Section 995 et seq.
Section 4. Inspection of Authority Records.
The accounting, books and records, the list of Members' designated Directors and alternates, and minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee and all other committees of the Authority shall be open to the inspection of any Member at any reasonable time. Such inspection by a Member may be made in person or by agent or attorney, and the right of inspection includes the right to copy and make extracts.
Section 5. Checks and Drafts.
All checks, drafts or other orders for payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, issued in the name of or payable to the Authority, shall be signed or endorsed by the President and Treasurer or by such person or persons and in such manner as, from time to time, shall be determined by the Executive Committee.
Section 6. Register of Demands.
A register of all demands shall be submitted to the Executive Committee for payment approval and shall have attached thereto the affidavit or declaration of the Chief Executive Officer certifying as to the accuracy of the demands and the availability of funds for payment thereof.
The Executive Committee shall not hear, consider, allow or approve any bill or demand against the Authority unless the same is itemized giving names, dates, and particular services tendered, and any other pertinent details as the case may be. Demands for salaries and wages of officers and employees of the Authority may, but need not be, presented to the Executive Committee prior to payment but shall appear on the next register of demands for approval.
After approval of the register of demands by the Executive Committee, the public officer performing the function of Treasurer shall sign the warrant authorizing payment of the demands so approved. Signatures on warrants may be by facsimile.
ITEM NO. 19.
Bylaws Page 17 of 18 Amended July 17, 2019
Section 7. Execution of Contracts.
The Executive Committee may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Authority, and such authorization may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized by the Executive Committee, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the Authority by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or to any amount. The Chief Executive Officer is authorized to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of, and on behalf of, the Authority for services and programs approved by the Executive Committee or Board of Directors, subject to limitations (including budget limitations) set by the Executive Committee or the Board of Directors.
Section 8. Rules of Procedure for Meetings.
All meetings of the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and any other Committees of the Authority, shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order, except where such are in conflict with California law, the Agreement creating the Authority, or the Bylaws, whereupon the latter three shall govern over said Rules of Order.
ITEM NO. 19.
Bylaws Page 18 of 18 Amended July 17, 2019
ARTICLE VIII - AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS
Section 1. Power of Board of Directors.
New Bylaws may be adopted, or these Bylaws may be amended or repealed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum at a meeting of the Board of Directors, except as otherwise provided by the Agreement creating the Authority.
Section 2. Power of Executive Committee.
Subject to the right of the Board of Directors as provided in Section 1 of this Article VIII to adopt or amend Bylaws, Bylaws other than a bylaw or amendment thereof changing the authorized number of members of the Executive Committee may be adopted or amended by the Executive Committee. Any amendment by the Executive Committee shall be on the agenda of the next meeting of the Board of Directors for ratification. An affirmative vote by a majority of the quorum shall constitute ratification of the amendment.
ITEM NO. 19.
PREPARED BY: Sean Mullin, AICP
Planning Manager
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant 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: 12/02/2025
ITEM NO: 20
DATE: November 26, 2025
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Chris Constantin, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Discuss a Letter from the Historic Preservation Committee to the Town Council Regarding Future Historic Preservation Workplan Items and Provide Direction to Staff
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss a Letter from the Historic Preservation Committee to the Town Council Regarding Future Historic Preservation Workplan Items and Provide Direction to Staff.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This discussion has no fiscal impact.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
This discussion supports the Town’s core goal of Community Character and the strategic priority to preserve the Town’s small-town charm and provide a range of housing opportunities and historic neighborhoods, while diligently maintaining and implementing the Housing Element.
BACKGROUND:
At its meeting on September 24, 2025, the Historic Preservation Committee (Committee) discussed several historic preservation topics at the request of the Committee Chair, with the goal of identifying potential items for inclusion in a letter to the Town Council regarding future work plan priorities. The Committee reached consensus on a number of topics to be included in the letter, and the Chair requested that a final draft be returned to the Committee for formal adoption.
On November 19, 2025, the Committee discussed the final draft of the letter to the Council and voted unanimously to adopt the letter.
ITEM NO. 20.
PAGE 2 OF 3
SUBJECT: Discuss a Letter from the Historic Preservation Committee to the Town Council Regarding Future Historic Preservation Workplan Items and Provide Direction to Staff
DATE: November 26, 2025
This letter is being presented to the Council for discussion and consideration at the request of the Mayor.
DISCUSSION:
The Historic Preservation Committee typically has not had a separate work plan as the Town Code prescribes an existing workload of items for their consideration. Per Section 29.80.227 of the Town Code, the powers and duties of the Committee include the following:
1. Regularly review and make recommendations to the Planning Commission concerning the determination of all matters pertaining to historic preservation which comes before the Planning Commission.
2. Review and make recommendations to the Planning Director concerning the determination of a minor residential development permit for properties with a LHP overlay zone or structures which were built prior to 1941.
3. Review and make recommendations to the Planning Director concerning minor residential and commercial exterior alterations not covered under the architecture and site approval process or the minor residential development permit, for designated properties with a LHP overlay zone pursuant to subsection 29.20.485.
4. Upon request of the Planning Director, review pending or proposed building permits dealing with historic structures when it is questionable that the work proposed meets the guidelines for pre-1941 structures.
5. May, on request of the property owner, advise with respect to any proposed work requiring or not requiring a Town permit on any historic structure, a designated landmark site or in a designated historic district. Examples of the work referred to are additions, demolitions, painting and repainting of exterior surfaces, roofing, fencing, landscaping, glazing, and installation of lighting fixtures. In advising, the Historic Preservation Committee shall be guided by the purposes and standards specified in this division and other applicable ordinances and/or development standards. This subsection does not impose regulations or controls on any property.
6. Review and make recommendations to the Planning Director on requests for removal of a pre-1941 property from the Historic Resources Inventory.
Town commissions, committees, and boards serve at the pleasure of the Council, and any work plans are established by Council direction. The Committee’s letter outlines several potential work plan items for consideration (Attachment 1). The topics included in the proposed historic preservation workplan would require review and consideration by the Historic Preservation Committee, Planning Commission, and Town Council. It is not meant to be limited to the Historic Preservation Committee since it addresses the Town’s approach and regulations of historic preservation in the Town.
ITEM NO. 20.
PAGE 3 OF 3
SUBJECT: Discuss a Letter from the Historic Preservation Committee to the Town Council Regarding Future Historic Preservation Workplan Items and Provide Direction to Staff
DATE: November 26, 2025
Staff seeks Council guidance on which items the Council is interested in exploring. Clear direction from the Council will help ensure alignment with Council priorities, efficient use of the Committee’s time, adequate staff support, and appropriate consideration of budgetary impacts. As this is being agendized outside of the regular work plan cycle, staff has not yet had the opportunity to evaluate these items and the impacts may be broad reaching. Once Council provides guidance on items of interest, staff will evaluate the items for impacts for Council’s further consideration, including staffing and budgetary resources.
CONCLUSION:
Staff looks forward to the Council’s discussion on these topics. Additionally, staff will be prepared to discuss the next potential steps based on the Council’s direction.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Letter to the Town Council Regarding Future Historic Preservation Committee Workplan Items
ITEM NO. 20.
To: Mayor Hudes and Members of the Town Council
From: Historic Preservation Committee
Re: Proposed Historic Preservation Committee Work Program Date: November 13, 2025
The Historic Preservation Committee is pleased to submit the proposed Work Program for your review and consideration. The attached document outlines the Committee’s overarching goal, key objectives, and a series of recommended action items designed to support the Town’s historic preservation priorities.
For clarity and ease of reference, the recommended action items are organized into five categories. During the Committee’s Special Meeting on October 29, 2025, members acknowledged areas of overlap among these categories; however, the Committee unanimously agreed to retain them, as each reflects important intersections and gaps within existing guiding documents and policies.
While mindful of the Town’s current budget and staffing constraints, the Committee believes this Work Program is well aligned with the Town’s strategic objectives and will strengthen the preservation, understanding, and stewardship of Los Gatos’ historic resources. We respectfully request the Council’s consideration of the proposed action items.
Respectfully submitted,
Lee Quintana, Chair
Martha Queiroz, Vice Chair
Susan Burnett, Committee Member
Alan Feinberg, Committee Member
Emily Thomas, Committee Member
ATTACHMENT 1
ITEM NO. 20.
Historic Preservation Work Program
Goal of the Work Program
Enhance efficiency, transparency, and understanding of the entire historic resources review and approval process for the community members, committee members/commissioners, Town Council members, and staff.
Objectives of the Work Program
● Objective A: Update and clarify the definitions and required findings for determining historic resource status in Town code
● Objective B: Provide consistency and alignment across Town documents, procedures, and code sections related to historic preservation and resources ● Objective C: Improve the consistency and predictability of decisions by clarifying the criteria and standards used in evaluating historic resources ● Objective D: Improve shared understanding of the purpose and value of historic resources through clearer documentation, communication, and education ● Objective E: Improve efficiency of the Historic Preservation review and approval process ● Objective F: Enhance historic preservation policies and procedures that support Housing Element goals
● Objective G: Update existing historic districts and evaluate potential districts, heritage areas, and special recognition area
ITEM NO. 20.
Recommended Action Items
Area Action Item Justification Objective
Chapter 29
Article I
Division 1. -
Miscellaneous
Sec.
29.10.09030.
- Demolitions
1. Clarify demolition of historic structures (c) Article I Division 1 Sec. 29.10.09030. Demolitions and Article VIII Division 3 Sec. 29.80.310 are not consistent with each other or the Residential Design Guidelines.
Sec. 29.10.09030. (c) cites criteria for permit approval for demolition of a historic structure although the requirements are not identified as findings. It is not clear how these requirements differ or relate to findings listed in Sec. 29.10.09030.(e)(2).
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
2 . Clarify definition of "contributor to a potential
historic district"
Sec. 29.10.09030. (c) term “contributor to a potential historic district” is not defined and only used in the Bloomfield Survey.
3. Clarify the reason for and criteria of the
“report”
In Sec. 29.10.09030.(c) the required “report” is vague and its intent is not clear; it doesn’t state if/when the report is used to determine historic resource status or other decision making.
4. Clarify preservation of historically or
architecturally significant buildings or
structures (e)(2)
Sec. 29.10.09030.(e) is not clear with regards to the difference between findings for historic and non-historic structures and its relevance to granting architecture and site applications.
Chapter 29
Article VIII
Division 3 -
Historic
Preservation
and LHP
Landmark and
Historic
Preservation
Overlay Zone
5. Add definitions of the Town’s historic
resources
The code does not currently include definitions of historic resources or findings in Chapter 29 Article VIII Division 3. The difference between “pre-1941”, “Historic Status Code”, and “contributor” are not defined but used to make decisions. A B
C
D
E
F
G
6. Add findings for different types of historic
resources
7. Clarify the differences between the
Federal/State findings and the Town’s findings
for integrity
8. Clarify the difference between findings and
considerations and when they are applied
Findings are only required with regards to status in the historic inventory. Considerations for all other situations are not clear.
ITEM NO. 20.
Recommended Action Items
9. Change title of Sec. 29.80.290 Standards for
Review from “Standards” to “Considerations”
10. Move Sec. 29.80.290 Standards for Review
to follow definitions
Considerations are currently described in the code as standards.
Sec. 29.80.290 outlines the review process but is currently “hidden” after less used code.
1991
Historical
Resources
Survey
Project
(Bloomfield
Survey and
Historic
Inventory)
11. Update, conduct a new survey, or use the
current survey for reference only
The Bloomfield Survey was a “windshield” survey conducted 30 years ago, therefore, not all pre-1941 structures in Town were evaluated and some structures included in the survey do not meet criteria for a historic resource.
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
12. Add a description of the Bloomfield Survey
including its purpose, study area, methodology,
and final recommendations to the Residential
Design Guidelines
The Bloomfield Survey is central to the review, analysis, and decision making process and its intended use is currently absent from the Residential Design Guidelines. A description of the survey will increase the understanding of the Town’s historic preservation review process.
13. Consider revising the 1941 construction
date for historic resources
This date was chosen because it was the first year the County has comprehensive tax records for the Town. The Bloomfield Survey recommended changing the 1941 date.
14. Protect historic resources not currently
covered under the LHP Overlay by:
a. Designating additional historic districts
and/or updating current historic districts
as recommended by the Bloomfield Survey,
starting with Glenridge
b. Establishing a Heritage Area based on the
Bloomfield Survey area
c. Establishing special recognition areas or
sites to acknowledge architectural, cultural,
or aesthetic resources that are newer than
1941
There are districts in Town with a high concentration of pre-1941 structures that have been identified in the Bloomfield Survey as “potential contributors to historic districts”. The Survey suggested the addition of Historic Districts, specifically Glenridge.
A Heritage Area could protect structures identified as “potential contributors to a historic district” by the Bloomfield Survey.
There are areas of Town outside of current Historic Districts that have architectural, cultural, and aesthetic significance that do not qualify as a historic resource under the current 1941 standard. For example, the mosaics depicting early California life at Riviera Drive.
ITEM NO. 20.
Recommended Action Items
15. Separate the Town’s Inventory of Historic
Resources from the Bloomfield Survey and
publish the Inventory
Not all pre-1941 structures listed in the Survey meet the criteria for a Los Gatos Historic Resource. Publishing the Historic Inventory and list of the Survey would allow better public access and transparency.
Residential
Design
Guidelines
Chapter 4
Historic
Resources
16. Revise and update acceptable substitute
materials including window replacements and
siding materials
There are many new materials available that are of high quality, integrity, and indistinguishable from traditional materials. In addition, these materials may be required by fire code and/or insurance companies for fire safety.
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
17. Add specific guidelines for additions and
accessory structures for historic resources and
historic districts
The Guidelines currently focus on the immediate neighborhood for compatibility, which is appropriate for new construction, but not for additions or accessory structures for historic resources or districts. Specific guidance for additions and accessory structures for historic resources and districts with consideration of the architecture and character defining features of the existing structure rather than immediate neighborhood would be more appropriate.
18. Clarify Section 4.5 Demolitions and
definitions in the sidebar on page 42; cite
findings required to demolish a historic
resource
The process is unclear and does not align with Sec. 29.10.09030 Demolition Code.
Other
19. Add a Flow Chart or Table of the various
types referrals to the HPC
It is not clear how projects move through historic review in Town.
Adding a flow chart, a table, and/or graphics would demystify the process for the various types of applications and projects that are referred to the HPC.
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
20. Sec. 29.40.075. - Floor area ratio
Consider adjusting the garage square footage
included FAR calculations for historic properties
and/or historic districts zoned R-1D and R-D
Historic properties and lots in historic districts typically have smaller detached garages located at the rear of the property.
Garages that are detached from historic structures minimize the mass of additions to existing structures. Changing the FAR calculation to incentivise detached garages would keep the historic pattern of neighborhoods. Alternatively, extending the 400 square foot limit to lots greater than 5,000 square feet could achieve a similar outcome.
ITEM NO. 20.