| Happy May!
April showers really are bringing May flowers this year. After a cold and wet few weeks, blue skies are on the way for Los Gatos. And with Mother's Day just around the corner, it's the perfect time to show the moms in your life some love! To all the moms in our community: thank you for everything you do. To everyone else: there’s still plenty of time to shop local to find mom the perfect gift for Mother’s Day!
Last weekend, during Los Gatos’ annual Spring into Green event, I delivered my State of the Town address. This was a wonderful community event! If you’d like to see my updates about Los Gatos in my State of the Town speech, you can watch or listen to it here.
Finally, I want to remind you that my “Youth Town Hall” is happening in just a few weeks on May 16! This fun, interactive event will connect students with great people and ways to contribute to the community. The event will feature presenters like a well-known tech founder, a Stanford professor, and elected officials who are all there to engage with students! Students can learn more and register here! |
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| Town Council Highlights
During April, the Town Council discussed the following: Homeless Services Feasibility Study: Earlier this month, the Town Council voted to join an effort to take a regional approach to homelessness. The Town of Los Gatos will be working with the Cities of Campbell, Cupertino, Monte Sereno, and Saratoga to collectively provide high-impact solutions to homelessness in the West Valley region. Some of the takeaways from the study include that, relative to the remainder of the County, the West Valley’s unhoused population is comprised of more youth, more families with children, and more people who sleep in their car. You can learn more here!
Development Appeals: Last week, the Los Gatos Town Council had a robust, technical discussion regarding appeals from the developers of the Ace Hardware development proposal and the “Luxe” development proposal, which is adjacent to the North 40 Phase 2. In short, the majority of the Town Council voted to preserve the Town of Los Gatos legal position with regard to these developments, while acknowledging the Santa Clara County Superior Court ruled against the Town’s position. Additionally, the Town Council provided direction for staff to negotiate with Arya Properties LLC regarding the Ace Hardware development proposal at the conclusion of the lawsuit. You can read more information here.
Fiscal Condition Assessment: The Los Gatos Town Council provided important feedback on an ongoing Fiscal Condition Assessment of the Town of Los Gatos’ finances, which is a tool being developed to help the Town rightsize its budget. This assessment will identify long-term financial trends and allow the Town Council to more accurately save for future expenses. You can see a summary of the assessment here.
Recognitions: I want to end by highlighting a few environmental-themed recognitions! Christie Boskovich was recognized as the Resident of the Month for her work to significantly increase the environmental sustainability of the St. Mary’s Country Fair, and Ethos Los Gatos was honored as Los Gatos’ Business of the Month for their work to make low-waste living easy in our community.
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| Looking Forward
The next regular Town Council meeting will occur next week, on May 5, at 7 p.m. You can view Council meetings on the Town of Los Gatos’ YouTube channel, attend in person or on Zoom, or watch the recording after the meeting. You can see agendas here. Annual Budget: At the end of May, the Town Council will discuss the Town of Los Gatos’ budget for the next fiscal year. This includes both the Town’s about $65 million operating budget and about $25 million capital (one-time infrastructure) budget. I am pleased to share that due to hard, careful work to reduce expenses without significantly cutting services, the Town of Los Gatos is anticipating a small surplus for this budget year. This is fantastic news, especially considering the Town’s budget deficit last year. You can see the the proposed operating budget here and the proposed capital budget here. This year’s budget hearing will occur on May 19 at 7 p.m. Some of the items being recommended for new funding in this year’s capital budget include a new public restroom in downtown, playground improvements, establishing emergency backup power at key facilities, and new street safety improvements on Blossom Hill Road in response to tragic fatalities. The Town’s operating budget is largely status quo. If you have thoughts on the Town budget, please share your perspective with the Town Council by emailing council@losgatosca.gov. If you would like to learn more about the Town budget, you can see more here.
Annual Street Repair: In a few weeks, the Town Council will evaluate our streets program. The Town of Los Gatos maintains about 113 miles of streets in our town. The Parks and Public Works Department administers an annual program to repair and maintain local streets. Last year, Los Gatos had a pavement condition index (PCI) of 82 out of 100, which is significantly higher than most surrounding towns and cities. Santa Clara County's roads currently have an average PCI score of 73 (which is still considered good), higher than the Bay Area average of 67 (considered fair).
AED Donation: This month, the Town Council will evaluate a recommendation to accept an automated external defibrillator (AED) donation from the Kyle J. Taylor Foundation. AEDs are devices designed to treat sudden cardiac arrest by delivering an electrical shock to restore a normal heartbeat. This AED would be placed in downtown Los Gatos at Town Plaza Park and would be publicly available in the event of a cardiac emergency.
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| Upcoming Events
Check out some of the many great events happening in town this May!
Big Truck Day: Big Truck Day is one of the most fun events of the year for families in Los Gatos! Organized by Los Gatos Parent Nursery School, this event allows children to explore a variety of vehicles up close. From emergency vehicles to construction trucks, this event lets kids push buttons, have fun, and learn! Big Truck Day includes food, face painting, a bounce house, activity tables, and booths. GOLD Thursday: Los Gatos’ summer first Thursday events are back this year with a twist! Head to downtown Los Gatos on the first Thursday of each month, May through October, for live music, special food and drink promotions, and local shopping. New for this year, the Chamber of Commerce will activate Los Gatos’ new “entertainment zone” during these evenings, meaning adults 21+ can purchase a drink from participating downtown businesses and enjoy it while strolling through designated areas of downtown. Enjoy performances and activities like face painting at Old Town shopping center and live music at Grays Lane, too!
Memorial Day Ceremony: Memorial Day is coming up, and the community is invited to honor veterans at a ceremony at the Los Gatos Flame of Liberty Memorial. The Veterans Memorial and Support Foundation will host a free program called “America: Their Sacrifice. Our Freedom.” Retired General Kent Hillhouse will serve as the keynote speaker, and I will provide remarks as well. Lunch will be available for purchase, with veterans receiving a complimentary meal with ID. This event will occur on Monday, May 25, at 110 East Main Street. Lunch begins at 12 p.m., and the ceremony begins at 1 p.m. Learn more here.
Muse Markets: Check out this pop-up marketplace of local artists, brands, designers, and curators next weekend! Muse will feature live bands and DJs and lots of food and beverages, too! Muse Markets will be in Los Gatos once a month through the end of fall 2026. ArtNow Awards Ceremony: This free event celebrates the incredibly talented high school artists participating in ArtNow! This youth art exhibition showcases emerging artists, and the theme for ArtNow 2026 is Before / Between / Beyond. The community is invited to honor the artists’ accomplishments, explore the exhibition, and enjoy art activities. I will also be delivering remarks celebrating the artists! The event will take place tomorrow, Saturday, May 2, from 3 to 6 p.m. at 110 East Main Street, outside the museum on the Civic Center Plaza. Learn more here!
Art Sale and Showcase: The Los Gatos History Club is hosting its annual art showcase and sale! This is a chance to meet local artists, see their work, and support the creative community that adds so much to our town. I have purchased several lovely pieces of art and ceramics here over the years. Monthly Monday Movie: This month’s movie screening is “The Devil Wears Prada 2!” These screenings bring people together, fundraise for the Los Gatos Thrives Foundation, and support the Cinelux Los Gatos theater. I attended the movie screening earlier this month, and it was a blast!
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| Announcements
I have a few announcements for this month: Shannon Road Closure: The long-awaited Shannon Road Repair has recently begun. Accordingly, Shannon Road is closed in both directions between Diduca Way and Santa Rosa Drive (about halfway between Short Road and Hicks Road). This is due to significant road damage and slope instability, necessitating a full reconstruction of the road. Detours are in place for both east-bound and west-bound travelers. Drivers should expect an additional 10 to 15 minutes of travel time during the construction period. Construction is expected to last through October 2026. It is unfortunate that this needs to be done, but the unsafe road conditions left the Town of Los Gatos with no other options. You can see the detour routes and learn more here.
Mayoral Recognition Community Nominations: Do you know someone in Los Gatos who deserves recognition? I am always looking for ways to "catch people doing good" and highlight those who make our community a better place. This could be a neighbor who goes out of their way to help others, a student showing leadership, a volunteer giving their time, or someone doing something creative or thoughtful that brings people together. These acts do not have to be big or formal. By submitting a nomination, you are helping us recognize and celebrate everyday moments and the people behind them!
Waymo Expansion: While I don’t have many details at this time, I want to provide an update that Waymo, the autonomous vehicles manufacturer, will likely be operating self-driving cars on Los Gatos streets in the coming months. In just about a week, Waymo will begin operations in Campbell, and Los Gatos is slated to follow. I was surprised to find out that local governments have no say in this decision, and that approval is given by the state DMV and Public Utilities Commission. I recently met with Waymo representatives and have more meetings scheduled soon to better understand what this will look like in Los Gatos. If you have specific questions or concerns about this, let me know.
New On Lok PACE Center: On Lok is a nonprofit that has spent 55 years helping older adults age with dignity and independence. Through its PACE program (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), it delivers coordinated care covering all Medicare and Medi-Cal services, including medical care, meals, transportation, and social activities. Recently, On Lok has opened its third location, serving seniors here in Santa Clara County. The new South San José PACE Center at 151 Martinvale Lane offers medical care, group activities, outdoor spaces, and therapeutic programming. This space is a great resource for older adults in our community, and you can learn more here!
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| Student Opportunities
I have a few great ways for students in town to get involved! Youth Town Hall Registration: Our Youth Town Hall is coming up fast! Co-organized with local students, this event will bring together young people ages 13 to 20 for conversations, career exploration, and connection. This event will connect students with an incredible lineup of leaders, including a tech founder, a Stanford professor, and elected officials, all there to engage with the next generation. If you know a student who wants to get involved, please share and help spread the word! This event is happening from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, at West Valley College. Lunch will be provided, and it’s going to be a blast! If you or your student is interested in participating, please fill out this form.
Youth Commission Recruitment: Recruitment for the Youth Commission closes in just a few days! The Youth Commission serves as an official advisory body to the Town Council on all matters related to youth in Los Gatos. The commission plans events, pursues important initiatives, and provides a space for teens to learn about government. Women and Girls Scholarship: The Women in California Leadership Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2026 Minerva Scholarship Program through May 31, 2026. This scholarship supports women and girls who are pursuing higher education and demonstrating academic commitment and leadership potential. Eligible applicants must be full-time students at an accredited college or graduating high school seniors. Applicants must identify as a woman or girl, have a minimum 2.5 GPA, and submit an application by the deadline. Selected students will receive a one-time award of either $3,000 or $10,000. Teen Yoga and Nature Immersion: A free weekend program for teens ages 13–17, Roots & Reset, invites participants to slow down, recharge, and reconnect in nature at Vasona County Park. Organized by the Youth Science Institute (YSI) based in Los Gatos and led by a certified yoga instructor, the program includes gentle yoga, breathwork techniques for managing stress, and a guided nature immersion experience. Designed to support teen mental health, this program offers a calm, welcoming space to unplug, reset, and build connection. Social Entrepreneurship Fundraiser: A group of Los Gatos High School Social Entrepreneurship students is raising money to help launch an art program for students in rural Ghana through the nonprofit Engage Globally. The program will provide materials and resources so students can explore creativity and artistic expression. These may include the purchase of supplies for, and local works from, Ghanaian artists. Pledge Leader: I am always looking for pledge leaders for Town Council meetings! If you know a student who would want to lead the Pledge of Allegiance at a Town Council meeting, please fill out this form and email it to Clerk@LosGatosCA.Gov. You can learn more about being a pledge leader here!
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| Mayor’s Community Coffee Join me for coffee at Great Bear Coffee in a few weeks! Sign up for a 15 or 30-minute slot to chat with me. My community coffee meetings this month will be held on Friday, May 15, from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Great Bear Coffee is located in downtown Los Gatos at 19 North Santa Cruz Avenue.
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| Farmer’s Market Tabling I will be tabling at the Los Gatos Farmer’s Market this Sunday, May 3! I am going to be tabling the first Sunday of most months at the Los Gatos Farmer’s Market! I do these tabling events to meet people in town, answer questions, and provide resources to those who come by. Say hi if you’re at the Farmer’s Market on Sunday!
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| Small Business Spotlight L'Atelier Los Gatos is our community’s newest artistic space! Located in the heart of downtown Los Gatos, L’Atelier Los Gatos offers curated art workshops led by local artists, providing a welcoming studio to create art. Workshops are put on by Aluminary Arts, which provides small, guided classes focusing on painting, mixed media, watercolor, and creative experimentation. L’Atelier also serves as a creative community hub for gatherings that bring people together through art and shared experiences. The space hosts artist pop-ups, exhibitions, small performances, and events, and is available for private event rentals, too! L’Atelier Los Gatos is located at 59 N. Santa Cruz Avenue, Suite B, behind Ethos and diagonal from Athleta. To see the robust offerings of workshops, visit Aluminary Arts’ website here! And to learn more about L’Atelier, see their website here!
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| What have I been up to?
Last weekend, at the Town of Los Gatos’ annual Spring into Green event, I delivered my State of the Town Address. The mayors of most other towns and cities give one of these speeches during their term, but this largely hasn’t been the case in Los Gatos. I decided to change that! I spent about 15 minutes sharing updates on the most important topics to people in Los Gatos: housing, the budget, public safety, emergency preparedness, traffic, street safety, and community vitality. I also talked about my work with students, and the Los Gatos Youth Commission gave me a generous introduction. For regular readers of this newsletter, not much will have come as a surprise, but it was a great opportunity to help more residents understand what's happening in their local government. If you’d like to view a recording of the speech, you can do so here. |
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I had the distinct honor of helping Los Gatos resident Ruth Fiore celebrate her 105th birthday! This was a really special experience, and I learned a lot from Ruth’s wisdom. When I asked for her advice on how to live a good life and maintain health into old age, she said “just keep moving!” You can read more about Ruth’s story here. Happy birthday, Ruth! |
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I participated in several lovely ribbon cuttings and grand openings over the past month! European Piano Academy held its grand opening to the tune of musicians’ beautiful playing of piano, cello, and violin. I cut the ribbon for Mélodie Luxe to open a spectacular, curated, designer clothing store alongside dozens and dozens of customers. I then helped kick off the Beauté Lab Med Spa, an expansion of the already successful Beauté Bar health and wellness salon. And of course, I helped Los Gatos' new Whole Foods open with an official “bread breaking” ceremony! |
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| | I enjoyed speaking with the 4th-graders of Dave’s Elementary a couple of weeks ago! Each year during the 4th-grade “culture” project-based learning unit, I spend a morning with the students answering their questions - and the kids always ask such great, insightful questions! Earlier in the month, I had the chance to attend the Los Gatos Youth Commission’s first-ever Multicultural Celebration. This was a beautiful event that showcased the diversity and talent of Los Gatos. |
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| A few weeks ago, I was honored to be elected by the mayors and councilmembers of the 15 cities in the county to serve on the Executive Board of the Cities Association of Santa Clara County, and to serve as Chair of the Legislative Action Committee. Among other responsibilities, in this role, I now lead state legislative advocacy efforts on behalf of the 15 cities. This role has already given me the opportunity to support state legislation on topics of collective interest, like e-bike regulations, the cost of utilities, and local control. |
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| Finally, I attended two important roundtable discussions. The first was a Safe Parking Summit organized by County Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga. Together, we discussed best practices on how to deal with vehicle homelessness in the West Valley region of the county. Safe parking has a lot of potential in our town, especially considering Saratoga and Cupertino already have a strong program in place, and I look forward to learning more about this in the months ahead. The second roundtable was with District Attorney Jeff Rosen, focused on public safety in Los Gatos and Almaden. We discussed major public safety issues in our community, like DUIs, e-bikes, mental health, property crime, and more. |
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| | Thank you, as always, for reading. I've now sent out more than 40 of these newsletters, and I couldn't be more grateful that you take the time to read them. I know they're long, and I always remind people that you're welcome to skim, but I want to make sure I'm including everything that might be of interest to you. See you around town!
In community,
Rob |
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| | Rob Moore, Mayor of Los Gatos
rob@robforlosgatos.com |
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