At the June 16 Town Council meeting, Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Lin requested $108,000 in funding for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
The Chamber manages the Town’s visitor services and destination marketing, and its events bring in non-residents who support local businesses. Council was considering approving the annual agreement for the Chamber to manage these services for $88,000, the amount staff programmed into the recently-approved Town budget.
Instead, the item sparked a broader hour-long conversation about the direction the Town should take to strengthen the local economy.
“What is the real vision for economic development? It just feels like it’s too piecemeal in our community,” Town Manager Chris Constantin said. “We need to do a better job thinking strategically and then maximizing the dollar.”
Lin noted $88,000 only covers about 57% of the actual cost of delivering the contracted services. Raising the Chamber’s funding would mean the Town still would only cover about 70%.
Constantin said Council could opt to do that, but staff hasn’t yet identified a source of funding for that potential increase.
“I’ve had internal conversations with our economic vitality manager about the entire structure of our economic development program—everything that we do that includes the Chamber contract—and I will be proposing some fundamental changes in the next year’s budget,” he said.
The Town Manager questioned whether the current model—having the Chamber provide visitor center and destination marketing services—was the best use of Town money. He floated the idea of a more flexible block grant or a broader partnership tied to Town goals like increasing visitors, overnight stays, short-term lodging (TOT) revenue and sales tax levels.
Councilmember Matthew Hudes suggested Los Gatos could become more of a wedding and celebration destination, with possible future funding tied to increased TOT revenue.
Council unanimously approved the Chamber’s contract at $88,000 and directed staff to return with a proposal, developed with the Chamber, for a possible increase of up to $108,000.
Memorial bench costs
During the meeting, Council also unanimously adopted a resolution that nearly doubled the fees for the Adopt-a-Bench program.
The program allows a person, family or group to “adopt” a public bench, usually as a dedication, with a plaque and a 10-year adoption period. Those who choose to participate are responsible for upkeep costs.
Adding a new dedicated bench in Los Gatos is now $7,517 for the first 10 years. Renewing the bench each subsequent decade will be $2,958. If someone only wants to add a plaque to a bench that already exists, the price is $3,638 for the plaque (including 10 years of maintenance).
Los Gatos previously charged about $3,800 for a bench adoption, including the bench, installation and 10 years of maintenance, said Parks and Public Works Director Nicolle Burnham.
However, Burnham said the old pricing did not fully account for staff labor, materials, administration or long-term maintenance.
Now, the new fee falls in line with the price that Saratoga charges in their Adopt-a-Bench program, which is around $7,500. Other cities in Santa Clara County fall around the $5,000 mark for bench and maintenance costs, according to data provided by Parks and Public Works.
Burnham said her department geolocated and mapped every bench in town as part of their effort to “revamp” the program, which will be rolled out in July. This helps people identify where an available bench is open for adoption or has been adopted already.
She added the town does not plan to track down prior participants or revisit existing bench agreements unless a bench needs to be replaced. At that point, the town would try to contact the person or family associated with the bench to determine next steps.
“It is a jump for our residents. It is twice the current cost and that is significant,” Hudes said. “But I also think that we have to be responsible in terms of what really goes into maintaining these. (These benches are) part of the community character of Los Gatos—to have these benches…and to commemorate people who are then…recognized for a long time in the community.”
Mayor Rob Moore added, “When I first saw the number, I’m sure some folks in the community will still be frustrated by how high it is. I recognize that it’s very high, but I do think this is an appropriate step for us to take.”
In another fiscal move, Council unanimously passed a resolution to sell the historical 4 Tait Avenue property for $3.8 million in cash—$300,000 above the listing price.
Ristow recused herself from deliberations because her home is located near the location.
The property was used as a fire station and then, later, a museum until 2016, explained Assistant Town Manager Katy Nomura. After the Town was unsuccessful in leasing the property for commercial purposes from 2020-2024, Council declared the property to be exempt surplus land—a designation that allowed the Town to move the property toward sale.
Monte Sereno resident Branislav Vajdic offered the $3.8 million for the property.
“My ideal home is not anymore an acre property. It is a smaller house. It’s a single-level. It’s walking distance to Los Gatos Roasting Company, the farmers market and restaurants downtown,” Vajdic said. “So, 4 Tait is an ideal match.”
Nomura said selling the property aligns with Los Gatos’ fiscal management goals and allows the Town to benefit from a property it no longer uses, and cannot afford to maintain.
The Town will generate an estimated $3.6 million after closing costs, said Nomura.
Obajdik agreed to a covenant that would require compliance with all applicable historic preservation laws—and that any elements of significant historical or architectural value will be preserved. It also states that changes to the façades along Main Street and Tait Avenue would require approval.
“It’s been a long road,” said Councilmember Rob Rennie, who was on Council when 4 Tait Avenue was a museum. “I’m very happy that this particular buyer was one of the offers. As he spoke, we could even tell that this was the right kind of person that was going to really respect the historical value of this property, preserve it and bring it back.”
Council also unanimously approved 18 consent calendar items, including several infrastructure, public safety and maintenance-related contracts.
This included the acceptance of a $640,000 Safe Streets and Roads for All grant for a roadway-safety effort centered on Blossom Hill Road, from Union Avenue to Camden Avenue.
And it included the approval of a $18,898.43 amendment to the Town’s contract with Assure MSP, bringing the total agreement to $233,898.43—to add Police Operations Building intercom improvements and a solar Verkada camera at the La Rinconada Park sport court. Town staff said the park camera will monitor for vandalism, after a prior solar camera helped reduce vandalism but did not perform well in other ways.
Council also authorized a $182,440 contract with California Roofing Co. Inc. to replace the Adult Recreation Center roof.
Four-year resident Ian Baranowski spoke during public comment about the lack of security he has felt because of increasing surveillance in Los Gatos.
“I can’t escape the feeling of being watched until I’m inside my own home,” he said.
Baranowski said he could point out seven Flock cameras and 31 cameras he cannot identify on his drive home.
The Town has 17 Flock Safety ALPR cameras across the community, as well as access to other privately-funded cameras, according to a Jan. 28 Los Gatan article.
Baranowski asked for greater transparency in how the data is handled, the cameras’ purpose and asked that the Flock subscription not be renewed. The agreement is up for renewal in 2029.
