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Council discusses veterans memorial, bench program and walkability as civic engagement goals
Summary
Staff presented a package of ideas to increase civic engagement, including a veterans memorial, neighborhood bench and birdhouse programs and efforts to improve walkability; council asked staff to return with cost estimates and encouraged youth participation.
Council discussed staff recommendations to increase civic engagement as part of its FY 2025‑26 goals, emphasizing small community projects and youth involvement.
Staff said the adopted goals included pursuing a partnership with Leadership Los Gatos and outlined several community proposals: a veterans memorial, a neighborhood bench program (volunteer‑installed benches in front yards), a birdhouse program tied to the city's quail mascot, and initiatives to improve walkability in neighborhoods that lack sidewalks or direct connections. Staff noted two Monte Sereno residents are already participating in the Leadership Los Gatos program.
Council members asked how programs would be funded and prioritized; staff responded that if council directs further study they will return with cost estimates. Several councilors recommended involving the Youth Commission in hands‑on work (for example, building birdhouses) and suggested some projects could be funded or supported by community volunteers. Members noted that major walkability changes—such as creating foot cut‑throughs—would require easements and a longer, multi‑year process.
