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Residents, including passionate high school students, are demanding limits on invasive surveillance technologies that could compromise their privacy and safety in Los Gatos.

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Residents urge Los Gatos to restrict Flock ALPR surveillance as partnership talks advance
Dozens of speakers — many high school students — urged the council to prohibit Flock automated license-plate readers or to adopt strict controls, citing data breaches, alleged federal access, and error rates. Staff said activation would be a separate local decision and that ALPR use is audited.
citizenportal.ai
September 28, 2026 at 9:44 AM
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The Los Gatos Town Council just approved a groundbreaking plan for a regional police partnership with Saratoga, aiming to enhance community safety and efficiency!

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Los Gatos council unanimously backs framework to pursue regional police partnership with Saratoga
After a detailed presentation and public comment, the Los Gatos Town Council voted unanimously to accept a transition study and continue negotiations on a regional police-services partnership with Saratoga, endorsing staff's framework and financial basis for further talks.
citizenportal.ai
September 26, 2026 at 7:44 PM
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The Los Gatos Town Council has unanimously approved a $3.8 million cash sale of the historic Fort Tate property, ensuring its preservation while returning it to private ownership.

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Los Gatos council approves $3.8 million sale of Fort Tate property with historic covenant
The Town Council accepted a $3.8 million cash offer to sell the former Fort Tate fire station/museum and recorded a historic‑preservation covenant requiring approval for facade changes and preservation of historically significant elements.
citizenportal.ai
June 18, 2026 at 2:31 AM
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VTA is on the brink of releasing its draft environmental report, opening the door for public input on crucial community issues like beach traffic and post-construction monitoring.

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VTA nearing draft environmental filing; public comment period to follow
VTA told the council the draft environmental document (CEQA/NEPA) is nearly complete and that a notice of availability and formal public comment period will follow Caltrans concurrence; comments will be addressed in the environmental process.
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September 19, 2026 at 12:25 PM
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Council members are prioritizing safety in the SR-17 redesign, aiming to transform hazardous crossing points into secure pathways for cyclists and pedestrians alike.

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Council frames SR‑17 redesign as safety and active‑transportation project; VTA cites lower bicycle stress scores
Council members emphasized safety and benefits to cyclists and pedestrians; VTA said the proposed spread diamond, removal of free‑right loop ramps and new protected crossings lower bicycle 'level of stress' from 4 to 1 and that a highway safety assessment shows improvements on local streets.
citizenportal.ai
September 19, 2026 at 12:16 PM
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VTA is transforming the SR-17 interchange by replacing the full cloverleaf with a cutting-edge spread diamond design, promising smoother traffic flow and improved safety for all road users.

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VTA explains spread‑diamond design, ramp metering and auxiliary lanes for SR‑17 interchange
VTA showed design choices: replacing the cloverleaf with a spread diamond, adding auxiliary lanes between SR‑9/Lark and ramp metering, and proposed class‑4 separated bikeways and 8‑ft sidewalks. VTA said the aux lanes and metering together are the most effective elements to reduce cut‑through traffic.
citizenportal.ai
September 19, 2026 at 12:15 PM
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Residents are demanding accountability and data before Los Gatos invests millions in the SR-17 project, questioning if the town can really afford it.

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Residents and council press VTA for data and caution on town share of SR‑17 project
Public commenters and council members pressed VTA for baseline metrics and accountability and questioned whether Los Gatos can afford a 10% match; VTA said the 10% non‑Measure B match does not have to be Los Gatos funds and described using local funds to leverage state and federal grants.
citizenportal.ai
September 19, 2026 at 12:24 PM
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Los Gatos is gearing up for a major $178 million overhaul of the SR-17/9 interchange, promising to ease traffic woes and improve safety with a new spread diamond design!

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VTA presents $178 million SR‑17/9 redesign to Los Gatos council to curb cut‑through traffic
VTA and town staff presented a preferred design for the State Route 17/9 interchange that would replace the cloverleaf with a spread diamond, add auxiliary lanes and ramp metering, and add separated bikeways; VTA estimates escalated costs at about $178 million and a schedule through 2031.
citizenportal.ai
September 19, 2026 at 12:03 PM
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The town council's decision to allocate $3,800,000 from the Forte Avenue property sale into a community benefit fund has sparked a passionate plea for public art funding, including restoring beloved murals for the youth footbridge.

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Council approves placing Forte sale proceeds into long‑term community benefit fund; public urges arts allocations
Council approved a revenue budget adjustment to reimburse the general fund $3,000,000 from the sale of the Forte property and to place net proceeds into a long‑term community benefit fund; public commenters urged allocating funds to public art projects including restoration of the Forbes Mill youth footbridge.
citizenportal.ai
September 10, 2026 at 10:20 AM
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Los Gatos Town Council has made significant strides in shaping future developments with updated Objective Design Standards, focusing on lighting and building setbacks for a more harmonious community.

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Los Gatos council adopts updated objective design standards with new lighting and setback directions
The Town Council unanimously adopted revisions to the Objective Design Standards (ODS) to guide multifamily and mixed-use projects, directing staff to refine bird-friendly lighting language and to seek a 50-foot upper-story setback near single-family homes; council asked the town architect to review the document before final exhibit updates.
citizenportal.ai
September 10, 2026 at 10:18 AM
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A resident has raised alarm bells after discovering unredacted license-plate reader search logs on GitHub, revealing potential misuse of data by federal agencies—will the council take action?

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Resident urges probe after alleged public GitHub posting of license‑plate search logs
A resident told the council that a contractor for the regional intelligence center posted an unredacted repository to GitHub containing license‑plate reader search records that may show town searches commingled with federal accounts; the resident asked the council to investigate and report back to the public.
citizenportal.ai
September 10, 2026 at 10:17 AM
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The Los Gatos Town Council just approved an $88,000 contract with the Chamber of Commerce, but discussions are heating up about potentially boosting that to $108,000—what could this mean for local economic growth?

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Council authorizes $88,000 Chamber contract, directs staff to explore expanding to $108,000
The council authorized a one‑year services agreement with the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce at $88,000 and directed staff to return with an amendment for up to $108,000 after further work with the Chamber on strategic priorities and funding sources.
citizenportal.ai
June 18, 2026 at 2:36 AM
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Los Gatos is set to expand housing options with a new ordinance allowing homeowners to build multiple accessory dwelling units while still protecting neighborhood privacy!

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Planning commission forwards ADU code updates to Town Council to align with new state rules
The commission unanimously recommended that the Town Council adopt amendments to Chapter 29 to reflect recent state ADU law, including allowing one town‑standard ADU plus up to three by‑right ADUs on single‑family lots and defining setbacks and separations for detached units.
citizenportal.ai
June 15, 2026 at 4:32 AM
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The Los Gatos Town Planning Commission has sparked controversy by recommending a 12-lot subdivision, raising concerns about environmental impacts and the fate of mature trees.

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Planning commission forwards 12‑lot Twin Oaks subdivision to council amid neighbor concerns about drainage, trees and trails
The Los Gatos Town Planning Commission on June 11 forwarded a recommendation to Town Council to approve a 12‑lot subdivision at 178 Twin Oaks Drive and a recirculated mitigated negative declaration, 4–1, after extended testimony over an ephemeral drainage feature, tree impacts and responsibility for private road and stormwater maintenance.
citizenportal.ai
June 15, 2026 at 4:31 AM
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Residents of Los Gatos rallied for funding to support the Santa Clara County Rapid Response Network, leading to a unanimous decision by the Town Council to boost the community grants pool by $50,000.

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Residents press Los Gatos to fund rapid response network; council enlarges grants pool
After multiple residents urged a $20,000 one-time contribution to the Santa Clara County Rapid Response Network, the Los Gatos Town Council voted unanimously to increase its community grants pool by $50,000 and asked staff to solicit sustaining-grant proposals to allocate $20,000 of that amount by August.
citizenportal.ai
June 6, 2026 at 3:50 AM
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Los Gatos is exploring a $4 million strategy that could save taxpayers $3.6 million in long-term interest costs—will they act before it’s too late?

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Los Gatos committee reviews using $4M 115 trust to reduce CalPERS unfunded liability
Town actuary presented that the pension plans carry about $67 million in unfunded liability and that a modeled transfer of the town's ~$4 million 115 trust to CalPERS could cut long-term interest costs by roughly $3.6 million; councilors and public commenters probed timing, assumptions and budget impacts.
citizenportal.ai
June 5, 2026 at 2:56 PM
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Los Gatos Town Council has just approved a robust FY 2026–27 budget, complete with a new $3 million capital reserve aimed at enhancing community benefits!

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Los Gatos council adopts FY 2026–27 budget, creates $3 million capital reserve
The Los Gatos Town Council unanimously approved the fiscal year 2026–27 operating budget, a five-year capital plan and a new $3 million long-term community benefit reserve after staff presented updated revenue estimates and methodological changes. Council also approved modest midyear adjustments to FY 25/26.
citizenportal.ai
June 5, 2026 at 11:27 AM
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The Los Gatos Town Planning Commission has unanimously backed a 138-unit housing development on Ochre Road, but concerns about traffic, parking, and emergency access have sparked a heated debate.

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Planning commission recommends approval of 138‑unit Ochre Road housing project under state builder’s‑remedy rules
After staff outlined a mitigated negative declaration and legal limits under SB 330 and the Housing Accountability Act, the Los Gatos Town Planning Commission unanimously recommended the 138‑unit Ochre Road project be forwarded to the Town Council despite concerns raised about traffic, emergency access, guest parking and some design choices.
citizenportal.ai
June 2, 2026 at 2:17 AM
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Los Gatos Town Council has found a way to close a $549,000 budget gap while making plans for future capital projects and tackling long-term financial challenges.

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Los Gatos council hears fiscal 2026–27 budget, adopts staff alternative to close small gap
Council received a detailed public hearing on the town’s proposed FY 2026–27 operating and capital budget, accepted a staff alternative (ISF charge adjustments and transfers) to close a projected $0.5M gap, and directed further follow-up on finance commission recommendations and pension/OPEB studies.
citizenportal.ai
May 25, 2026 at 10:00 AM
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The Los Gatos Town Council has taken a bold step to enhance player safety and environmental protection by approving a five-year contract for improved maintenance of the aging artificial turf at Creekside Sports Park.

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Los Gatos council approves five-year FieldTurf maintenance contract for Creekside Sports Park
The Town Council unanimously authorized a five-year, up-to-$27,690-per-year contract with FieldTurf USA to maintain the 14-year-old artificial turf at Creekside Sports Park; council and members of the public pressed staff about microplastic runoff, GMAX safety testing and fee recovery.
citizenportal.ai
May 6, 2026 at 8:42 PM
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Los Gatos faces a growing structural deficit projected to reach millions by 2036, but with strategic policy changes, it can be managed effectively.

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Consultants warn Los Gatos of a manageable but growing structural deficit; pension, impact fees and capital priorities highlighted
Consultants presented a 10‑year financial model showing expenditures growing faster than revenue under the base case, producing a structural deficit that rises from about $200,000 in FY26 to several million by 2036; consultants urged the town to model scenarios using pension/OPEB trusts, development impact fees and capital prioritization.
citizenportal.ai
April 25, 2026 at 2:14 AM
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Los Gatos Town Council's recent vote opens the door for controversial Luxe and ARIA developments, raising concerns about neighborhood safety and design amidst legal complexities.

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Los Gatos Council grants appeals for Luxe and ARIA projects, follows court on SB 330 resubmissions
The council adopted two resolutions granting appeals from the Luxe and ARIA developers and said it will follow a superior court ruling that allows successive 90‑day completeness periods under SB 330 while reserving the right to act if later controlling authority differs.
citizenportal.ai
April 25, 2026 at 2:11 AM
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The Los Gatos Planning Commission is navigating a heated debate over expanded hours for a local mosque, with residents voicing concerns about noise and safety while supporters advocate for religious freedoms.

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Los Gatos planning commission continues decision on mosque hours, orders mediation
After hours of public testimony over traffic, noise and CEQA, the Town of Los Gatos Planning Commission unanimously continued a request by the West Valley Muslim Association to expand operating hours at its Farley Road facility and directed voluntary mediation; the item was set to return April 22, 2006.
citizenportal.ai
April 2, 2026 at 8:39 PM