Here are seven key questions the Town Council must answer BEFOE deciding to take up the draft sanctuary Town resolution being proposed by Councilmember Moore. The residents need clarity as to how this Town Council is approaching this.
1. What specific local issues is this resolution addressing that are not already covered by California Senate Bill 54 or other state and federal laws?
• California’s SB 54 (the “California Values Act”) already makes California a sanctuary state, prohibiting local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. What additional protections does this resolution aim to provide for Los Gatos by declaring itself a “sanctuary town”?
2. What actionable steps or policies does the resolution propose to implement these principles?
• Is this resolution purely symbolic, or does it include specific, measurable actions to support its stated goals? If SB 54 already ensures non-cooperation with deportations, what practical impact does declaring Los Gatos a sanctuary town add?
3. How does this resolution address the actual pressing challenges facing Los Gatos?
• With the town facing urgent issues like massive builder’s remedy development applications, weekend traffic congestion, unfunded pension liabilities, and aging infrastructure, how does this resolution align with the council’s responsibility to tackle these priorities?
4. What are the potential costs or unintended consequences of this resolution?
• Could this resolution divert staff time, legal resources, or attention away from more critical local issues? Does declaring Los Gatos a sanctuary town create legal or financial risks for the town, or does it duplicate protections already established under SB 54?
5. Will this resolution be divisive in the community?
• Does declaring Los Gatos a sanctuary town risk alienating residents with differing political views or creating unnecessary conflict within the community? How will the council handle pushback from residents who see this as a politically charged gesture rather than a necessary policy?
6. Does this resolution meaningfully enhance protections for vulnerable populations?
• If the goal is to “protect our most vulnerable,” how does declaring Los Gatos a sanctuary town improve upon existing protections under California law? What tangible benefits will this resolution provide for vulnerable residents?
7. Is this resolution being proposed to solve a real problem or to signal political values?
• Is this resolution a response to specific threats faced by Los Gatos residents, or is it primarily a symbolic statement to signal progressive values? How does it address the unique needs of Los Gatos, beyond restating what is already protected by state laws?
The council must evaluate whether declaring Los Gatos a sanctuary town is a necessary and effective measure or a politically motivated gesture that distracts from the town’s real challenges.
Rachael Faye Martines
Hello! I’m Rachael. Im independent professional hair stylist at Parlour 308 of 17 years. I have observed the changes of the town for 2 decades. The high school traffic, lack of multiple outlet for students is a safety hazard, & a suffocating problem for the surrounding businesses and residence. The students have taken over the local business public parking, including an individual who claims to need a handicap placard and does not seem to have any handicap in parks in our one and only handicap parking spot because
“it takes too long to get out of the high school parking lot”
is what her father sold us when He came into our salon.
If she’s handicapped then why doesn’t she park in the high school handicap spot? The influx of Beach traffic, the fitness club, And the high school is taking up all the parking it is suffocating for the many businesses on the intersection of Alpine and East Main. I have been to many chamber of meetings and spoke publicly in front of city council. The high school needs to build a parking structure! The influx of the housing developments, The lack of Parking infrastructure Planning
Will inevitably kill businesses and lose residence.
We have many businesses in our area on Alpine and East Main… three hair salons, a dentist office, the children’s tutoring center, a church across the street, dry cleaning, business, and the fitness club across the street. The club of Los Gatos has maybe 20 parking spots….. They have over 2000 members . The high school has over 2100 students. I’m sure 50% of them are driving age.. The parking lot in front of my Salon has only 16 parking spots… The fitness club. In many emails has told their clients to park in front of Parlour 308!,,
Meanwhile, we also have the high school student consuming our Shared parking lot With only 16 spots…
10 other businesses in that area….
Something needs to be done about expanding the high school parking and giving multiple exits out of that high school…
The population of Los Gatos has tripled since 1963….
I have been told that there’s less enrollment in schools as of late,
But with almost 2000 new home units coming into Los Gatos,
It would be extremely irresponsible for the town of Los Gatos to not prepare for parking infrastructure that will be needed all over town.
Starting with the high school…. And again, The high school needs multiple outlets To relieve the strenuous pressure in our area,
As I understand, they might be putting in a row as an emergency exit only that’s not good enough….
It needs to be an outlet during the lunch hour, and after school..
SHOCKING how the fire department in Los Gatos has allowed this
EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD OF ONLY one way in and one way out for
the STUDENTS /TEACHERS / STAFF out of The extremely limited,
and tight parking lot of LGHS HIGH SCHOOL.
This is a serious issue, suffocating the local residences and businesses in the nearby neighborhoods/olive zone
However, I understand that upgrading and expanding the school is necessary. Proper planning for how it affects the community and local businesses is imperative.
Los Gatos Lodge should have been purchased by the town to expand the high school many! It is absolutely imperative that the town find a resolution To expand high school parking with a multiple level parking structure, Solar covered parking.
& multiple entrance and outlets to the school ,
To relieve the pressure in our little pocket of town.
The massive housing developments coming into Los Gatos, are going to severely impact, they already clustered traffic and parking in our town if Los Gatos doesn’t plan ahead.. Parking infrastructure is crucial to start planning for immediately!
Thank you very much
Will be in touch