Town to purchase sidewalk cleaner for the downtown
Complaints, long-term savings lead to decision
By Nathan R. Huff
Tired of constant complaints about the cleanliness of downtown sidewalks and the difficulty in coordinating sporadic professional cleanings, the Town Council agreed Feb. 7 to make a long-term commitment to clean sidewalks by purchasing equipment and budgeting for a new parks and maintenance worker.
The town, using the Town Manager's Contingency Fund, will spend $24,560 for a new compressed natural gas pickup truck, $15,000 for a mounted steam cleaning system, and $26,970--for the remainder of the fiscal year--to hire and train a new town employee.
For years, the town has privately contracted to clean sidewalks several times a year at one-time rates of approximately $6,000. The town has also attempted to create partnerships with the past business community organizations on several occasions without success.
According to Town Manager David Knapp, the time had come for the town to look at long-term solutions. "The problem with sidewalk cleaning is that you can go through and clean everything, but the next day some guy drops an ice cream cone," Knapp said, adding that purchasing equipment will allow the town to do cleaning on a need basis.
"If the town is going to take on the responsibility," Knapp continued, "I want us to do a good job." Although the $66,530 total will come out of the manager's annual $100,000 contingency fund, future equipment and staff costs will be included in the town budget.
Town of Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce representatives were quite pleased with the council's decision. Executive director Sheri Lewis said the purchase was part of a "wonderful progression."
"I think the town recognizes that we have such a jewel of a downtown," Lewis said, "anything we can do to keep it attractive, to make it sparkle, is a source of pride for the whole town."
Lewis said the Chamber helps keep the downtown clean with various "Clean Sweeps" throughout the year, but the sweeps would be far more effective with mechanical help.
"It's a wonderful benefit for both business and the whole community," Lewis said.
Los Gatos, California Since 1881
