During their Dec. 17 regularly scheduled meeting, Council approved a $22,017.16 raise for Town Attorney Gabrielle Whelan.
That works out to a 5% cost of living adjustment retroactive to July 7, and a 2% merit increase retroactive to Nov. 24, bringing her annual salary to $279,807.
Whelan has helped the Town navigate the Housing Element certification process, various lawsuits and the transition to a new Town Manager.
The vote was unanimous.
Fall Event Plan
Earlier at night, Council heard from Economic Vitality Manager Monica Renn about the dwindling attendance at the Town’s fall outdoor movie night.
“Screen on the Green” was started in the early 2000s and features a movie selected by the mayor.
“Screen on the Green has seen a decline in attendance over the last several years, likely due to the availability of outdoor movies and similar events taking place,” Renn wrote in a report to Council.
The “Spring into Green” held at the opposite end of the calendar has been more popular.
Renn told Council staff can’t accommodate additional events, but said a fall harvest festival could replace the movie night.
She discussed the pros and cons of holding a fall festival at Oak Meadow Park, Civic Center Lawn and Plaza Park.
Plaza Park might make the most sense, Councilmember Maria Ristow commented.
“I just love the idea of a fall festival,” she said.
Vice Mayor Moore said he liked the Plaza Park idea, too.
Councilmember Rob Rennie said outdoor movies don’t have the novelty factor they once did.
Mayor Matthew Hudes said he’d like the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Commission to provide input.
New Administration
The Dec. 10 mayoral handoff was a well-attended affair, with several former mayors, including Sandy Decker, Marico Sayoc and Mike Wasserman making the trek to Council Chambers.
A representative for state Senator Josh Becker, who now represents Los Gatos, and the vice mayor of Monte Sereno also joined the festivities.
Town Manager Chris Constantin thanked outgoing mayor Mary Badame for her work.
“I’m truly humbled for the recognition and the support I’ve received throughout the year,” Badame said. “The Town faced daunting challenges this year, but we met them by working together.”
Badame received a standing ovation.
“I did my best to put the town in a better place moving forward,” she said.
She nominated her vice mayor, Hudes, for mayor.
Hudes said, despite deep divisions in national politics, he’s pleased Los Gatos hasn’t really experienced that to the same degree.
“We have not succumbed to the forces of hyper-partisanship,” he said.
Hudes said he wants to manage development in a “reasonable way” while maintaining the “special character” of the community, so it will be known as “the best, most welcoming and neighborly small town.”
Hudes said he hopes to achieve that by planning for a community center, enhancing public safety services and taking measures to preserve the town’s historic identity.
“In order to achieve any of these wonderful goals, the Town has to have a solid foundation,” he said, adding that he will be “working towards financial stability and transparency.”
He nominated Rob Moore as his vice mayor.
“He’s always represented his position with passion and reasoning,” Hudes said. “He inspires me to remember my ideals.”
