110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832 www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 02/10/2026
ITEM NO: 1
DESK ITEM
DATE: February 10, 2026
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Chris Constantin, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Discussion of the Town’s Strategic Priorities and Budget Process REMARKS:
Attachment 5 contains additional public comments received after 11:01 a.m., Thursday, February 5, 2026.
Attachments Received with the Staff Report:
1. Current language of the Town’s mission, vision, and core goals
2. Town’s 2025-2027 Strategic Priorities
3. 2025-26 CIP Project Status
4. Public Comment
Attachment Received with this Desk Item:
5. Additional Public Comment
From: Toni Kent
Sent: Monday, February 9, 2026 4:43 PM
To: Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Public bathrooms
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Dear mayor Moore and members if our town council…please can there be movement (pun intended…if it helps…) on the formally approved idea of public bathrooms…not only for the public but for our unhoused. Diarrhea-ly needed!!!
Thank you,
Toni Kent
40 yr LG resident with local kids and grandkids, business owner, and Methodist Church Shower Lead Sent from my iPhone
From: Susan Trone
Sent: Monday, February 9, 2026 4:50 PM
To: Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Public Bathrooms in Downtown Los Gatos
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Dear Town Council,
As a citizen of Los Gatos I am writing to express my concern for the lack of public restrooms in downtown Los Gatos. This is not only an issue for myself, my family and guests while downtown shopping or attending events but also for our unhoused residents.
Please address this matter at your next meeting and consider funding this project.
Thank you,
Susan Trone
Blossom Hill Road
Los Gatos 95032
Sent from my iPhone
From: MAUREEN CAPPON-JAVEY
Sent: Monday, February 9, 2026 4:51 PM
To: Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Here's the poop?
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Good evening Rob. I’m sending off this quick note to voice my support for placing a full time public restroom in an appropriate location in ToLG.
Let’s admit it. We’ve all had the unfortunate experience of “really needing to go” and nary a pot to pee in. Shame on us if we can’t stand up/sit down in support of our friends, neighbors and folks in real need today and all the days to come.
Maureen Cappon-Javey, LG resident.
From: Kitty Muller
Sent: Monday, February 9, 2026 4:52 PM
To: Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Public Restrooms
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Dear Council members,
I want to reiterate the need for permanent public bathrooms. Years ago, there was a motion to construct public bathrooms. The port-a-johns were to be a temporary solution until permanent ones could be constructed/installed. As a volunteer with the Shower Ministry at LG Methodist Church, I see a need for a public restroom for not only our unhoused neighbors but also for the public in general...we could all use a bathroom at times!
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Kitty Muller
From: Alex Kamas
Sent: Monday, February 9, 2026 5:52 PM
To: Clerk <[email protected]>
Subject: Public Comment Item #1
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Hello,
My name is Alex Kamas, I am a resident of Los Gatos. The town should make strategic investments in increasing safety and building community.
The town should prioritize safety for pedestrians and cyclists as a way to encourage more people to use those modes of transportation instead of driving. The most effective way to reduce traffic is to give people safe, convenient, and viable options that are not driving.
In addition, the town of Los Gatos should also make investments in the proposed Pinehurst community garden behind Union MS. Community gardens provide irreplaceable sources of learning and connection for neighborhoods. They bring neighbors together and deepen our understanding of the local environment. The site is also near a senior living center and could serve as a valuable location of intergenerational connection.
Regards,
Alex Kamas
From: Sophie Pearl Chertok
Sent: Monday, February 9, 2026 6:29 PM
To: Clerk <[email protected]>
Subject: Public Comment: 2/10/2026 Town Council Budget Meeting, Capital Improvement Plan [EXTERNAL SENDER]
February 9, 2026
Honorable Los Gatos Town Council Members,
My name is Sophie Pearl Chertok, and I live at Wissahickon Avenue.
I strongly support an investment in the Capital Improvement Plan to complete the design phase of the proposed community garden on Pinehurst Avenue near Union Middle School in Los Gatos.
I've been a passionate environmentalist for the last decade. I've dedicated my career to helping communities improve their climate resilience. In 2024, I finished my Masters in Urban Planning with a focus on Environmental Planning. I wrote my Masters thesis which received an award from Rotary - the topic was about community gardens as an important pinnacle to improving urban sustainability (that is so often overlooked or forgotten about in urban planning/development), and the myriad of benefits which they provide to a community. I've attached a copy if you are interested in checking it out.
I am currently an apprentice to Alrie Middlebrook, who has also written a letter of support for Pinehurst CG. She is teaching me native garden design, and I am helping her launch the Eat Grow Learn Network in Santa Clara County. We are absolutely thrilled to hear that there is a possibility of a community garden in town, hopefully supported by the Town of Los Gatos.
If there is anything I have learned from doing this type of work - people are invested and the time to bring communities back together is now. There is too much stress going on the world, too much damage being done, and if people can get an opportunity to get their hands in the dirt, make connections with fellow community members in a third place, and make a positive change by bringing back biodiversity, restoring the soil, learning a new skill,
From: Annie Schwartzstein
Sent: Monday, February 9, 2026 8:45 PM
To: Clerk <[email protected]>
Subject: Public Comment: 2/10/2026 Town Council Budget Meeting, Capital Improvement Plan [EXTERNAL SENDER]
Dear Los Gatos Town Council Members,
My name is Annie and I am a resident of Los Gatos.
I am writing to express my support for the investment in the Capital Improvement Plan to complete the design phase of the community garden project. This project aligns with the council's strategic goal of investment in quality public infrastructure and community character. I think the garden is a great opportunity to foster community involvement and connection among older and younger residents - a community garden is a place where neighbors of all generations can get together and share resources and experiences. I would be so excited to have the opportunity to have a plot in the community garden - it would give me an opportunity to get to know my neighbors better, learn about gardening from others, and help to beautify the town of Los Gatos.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration and continued work for the town.
Best regards,
Annie
From:
Sent: Monday, February 9, 2026 9:04 PM
To: Clerk <[email protected]>
Subject: Public Comment: 2/10/2026 Town Council Budget Meeting, Capital Improvement Plan [EXTERNAL SENDER]
Town Council
Please support the Los Gatos Community Garden Project . Please keep Los Gatos' important connection to the Valley of the Hearts Delight's legacy alive ! Les Kishler
retired agroecology/horticulture teacher Los Gatos High School 55 year residents Town of Los Gatos
www.CommunityGardensAsAppleseeds.info
From: Kevin Jones
Sent: Monday, February 9, 2026 9:59 PM
To: Clerk <[email protected]>
Cc: Heidi Owens
Subject: Public Comment: 2/10/2026 Town Council Budget Meeting, Capital Improvement Plan [EXTERNAL SENDER]
Honorable Los Gatos Town Council Members,
My name is Kevin Jones, and I live at University Avenue, # , Los Gatos.
Please add my name to the list of Los Gatos citizens who support an investment in the Capital Improvement Plan to complete the design phase of the proposed community garden on Pinehurst Avenue near Union Middle School in Los Gatos.
If you would like to contact me about my support for the Pinehurst Community project, please email me at .
Kevin Jones
www.linkedin.com/in/zorvek
Cell:
From: Kaitlyn Meyer
Sent: Monday, February 9, 2026 10:00 PM
To: Clerk <[email protected]>
Subject: Public Comment: 2/10/2026 Town Council Budget Meeting, Capital Improvement Plan [EXTERNAL SENDER]
Dear Los Gatos Town Council Members,
My name is Kaitlyn Meyer, and I am a resident of Los Gatos and gardener. I am writing to support an investment in the Capital Improvement Plan to complete the design phase of the proposed community garden on Pinehurst Avenue near Union Middle School.
Among many reasons to support a community garden, here are some reasons I think this project is a great addition to Los Gatos:
• It creates a space to build community
• It connects more people to nature
• It honors the history of this valley as a formerly agricultural community • It utilizes a space that isn't being used for anything meaningful at this time • Gardening is a healthy activity to engage in, from physically working in the garden, to eating fresh fruits and vegetables
• It provides an opportunity to grow food for renters who may not have a yard • It supports the local ecosystem by providing habitat, nectar, and shelter for insects, birds, and small animals and reptiles
Overall, I believe this would be a great asset to Los Gatos. If you would like to contact me about my support for the Pinehurst Community Garden project, feel free to contact me at .
Thank you,
Kaitlyn
From: Household Zhang
Sent: Monday, February 9, 2026 11:30 PM
To: Clerk <[email protected]>
Subject: Public Comment: 2/10/2026 Town Council Budget Meeting, Capital Improvement Plan [EXTERNAL SENDER]
Honorable Los Gatos Town Council Members,
My name is Mark Zhang, and I live at Old Blossom Hill Rd, Los Gatos.
I support an investment in the Capital Improvement Plan to complete the design phase of the proposed community garden on Pinehurst Avenue near Union Middle School in Los Gatos.
I support the Pinehurst Community Garden project because:
I am passionate about gardening and believe in fostering a thriving green space for the community.
I support senior services, and community gardens often engage seniors.
I support equity for renters without garden space.
I support growing food close to where it’s consumed, reducing the carbon footprint required by transportation.
Studies show that community gardens can enhance property values, and as a homeowner in the area, I believe this would be beneficial.
I support the development of a learning space where the next generation can learn to grow food and cultivate sustainable native plant gardens.
I support the beautification of town properties; the current plot is overgrown with weeds and unsightly, and a community garden would transform it into a welcoming, beautiful space.
Yours sincerely,
Mark
From: Heidi Owens
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 1:07 AM
To: Clerk <[email protected]>
Subject: Public comment for 2/10/26 budget meeting
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Honorable Los Gatos Town Council Members,
My name is Heidi Owens and I live in Los Gatos.
I support an investment in the Capital Improvement Plan to complete the design phase of the proposed community garden on Pinehurst Avenue near Union Middle School in Los Gatos.
I support the Pinehurst Community Garden project because:
- I am passionate about gardening and believe in fostering a thriving green space for the community. - I support community building projects that bring people together. - I support senior services, and community gardens often engage seniors. - I support investment in the east side of town, as historically, projects have focused on the downtown area.
- I support equity for renters without garden space.
- I support growing food close to where it’s consumed, reducing the carbon footprint required by transportation.
- I support regional food sustainability—growing locally reduces dependence on imported food. - I support promoting a vegetarian lifestyle for personal or environmental reasons. - Studies show that community gardens can enhance property values, and as a homeowner in the area, I believe this would be beneficial.
- I support the development of a learning space where the next generation can learn to grow food and cultivate sustainable native plant gardens.
- As an environmentalist, I support cultivating pollinator gardens, which foster biodiversity and support essential species like bees and butterflies, benefiting our ecosystem. - As an animal lover, I value that community gardens create natural habitats that attract and support local wildlife, contributing to a balanced and vibrant ecosystem. - I support the beautification of town properties; the current plot is overgrown with weeds and unsightly, and a community garden would transform it into a welcoming, beautiful space. - I support the community garden for enhancing safety and security; transforming the currently unused plot into a maintained, active space reduces the likelihood of unsafe encampments and promotes a secure environment for neighbors.
- Committed to racial equity, I support the community garden and encourage design elements honoring Native American heritage and promoting multicultural inclusion. - As an art lover, I hope the community garden incorporates artistic elements—features of beauty and creativity that enrich the space.
- Concerned about water conservation, I support the garden as a responsible use of water to grow food, and I hope for collaboration with Valley Water to incorporate drip irrigation and other Yours sincerely,
Heidi Owens
February 3, 2026
Honorable Los Gatos Town Council Members,
My name is Alrie Middlebrook, and I live at 140 Wissahickon Avenue in Los Gatos. I am writing to express my strong support for investment through the Capital Improvement Plan to complete the design phase of the proposed Pinehurst Street Community Garden.
I have been a resident of Los Gatos since 1976 and have worked professionally as a garden designer in this community for nearly four decades. Over the course of my career, I have designed and built more than 1,000 native and regenerative gardens throughout the Northern California Bay Area. I was also a founding member of the California Native Garden Foundation, a community garden nonprofit that I led for over 20 years.
My work has consistently focused on education, ecological restoration, and community engagement. In 2013, I partnered with Yale Alumni Service Corps and Advanced Placement Environmental Science students at Los Gatos High School to fund and implement a “Garden for Ghana” program. Working alongside teachers, students, and community members in Yamoransa, Ghana, we established six regenerative teaching gardens at local schools and developed a badge-based educational program to ensure long-term stewardship and local ownership.
More recently, I served as a consultant on the Agrihood project, helping Core Companies successfully compete to create Santa Clara County’s first Agrihood. Building on this experience, we have launched the Eat • Grow • Learn Community Network, which currently has six potential projects in development across schools, universities, and private and public sites.
The proposed Pinehurst Street Community Garden has all the essential elements of an Eat • Grow • Learn Center. Its location—surrounded by residents within walking distance, adjacent to a middle school, and embedded in an established neighborhood—creates a rare opportunity for inclusive, place-based learning. This site can support restored native plant communities, small-scale food production, and hands-on educational programming for schoolchildren, seniors, college students, families, and community groups.
Importantly, this project can serve as a living model for watershed management and conservation. Thoughtful garden design can slow and absorb stormwater, improve soil health, reduce runoff, and demonstrate how urban landscapes can actively contribute to the health of our local watershed. These are lessons that cannot be taught as effectively in a classroom alone—they must be experienced.
Equally critical is the role of mentorship and workforce development. Gardens and green infrastructure require knowledgeable people to manage, maintain, and program them over time. Our training and certificate programs are designed to mentor young people and emerging leaders, preparing them to steward these spaces, run educational programs, and support the City in maintaining long-term ecological assets. The development of human capacity must run in parallel with the physical development of the garden itself.
Finally, the Pinehurst Street site offers nearby residents a meaningful opportunity to become more ecologically literate—to understand where their food comes from, how local ecosystems function, and how individual actions can contribute to climate resilience and community well-being.
For these reasons, I strongly support completing the design phase of the Pinehurst Street Community Garden and urge the Town Council to invest in this project as a long-term benefit to Los Gatos.
Respectfully,
Alrie Middlebrook