The economic vitality roundtable, an advisory group to the town council, will consist of 10 to 15 people who will work to promote local businesses. The goal is that through promotion, businesses will increase sales and help generate more tax revenues for town services. Another goal is for the roundtable to represent the interests of all segments of the town's business community.

When town staff presented two options for reaching out to potential candidates for the roundtable, the council agreed that the town should conduct a broad outreach effort. Given a list of the different types of businesspeople in Los Gatos, the town would notify each of the opportunity to be part of the roundtable. No council member seemed to like the suggestion that town staff only target the 15 largest business sectors in town.

Town staff also suggested that the roundtable function as an ad hoc committee, with meetings facilitated by someone hired by the town with experience in economic development. Functioning as an ad hoc committee means the group would not have to adhere to the Brown Act. However, the town council would consider all recommendations of the roundtable in a public meeting.

Council members agreed the group should meet more than once a quarter. Vice Mayor Steve Glickman suggested a council member serve as liaison, but this person would not have to attend every meeting.

Councilwoman Diane McNutt said, however, that having a council member on board would change the dynamic of group discussions and leave some with less willingness to speak candidly. She also suggested that at its first meeting the group create a work plan that goes beyond suggestions from the council.

Mayor Sandy Decker then gave direction to staff that the advisory group submit a progress report to the council on a quarterly basis.

The second notable item on last week's agenda was a discussion about town hall meetings in various Los Gatos neighborhoods. Such meetings would be considered special council meetings, with an emphasis on issues facing that particular neighborhood. Some suggested neighborhoods include the Blossom Hill, La Rinconada, Placer Oaks and downtown areas.

"We envision this to be more of a meet-and-greet" with the neighborhoods, said Town Manager Debra Figone. While the meetings would adhere to some formality, it would not be to the degree of a regular council meeting, she said.

The town manager also proposed mailing postcards to notify residents of when a town hall would be held in their neighborhood.

McNutt suggested a great mark of success would be for everyone to walk away from a town hall meeting having learned something new, be it a town service that residents weren't aware existed or a new perspective. She also encouraged meeting in some location that is not commonly known in order to introduce people to various parts of town.

Two tentative town hall meetings have been suggested for June 30 and Sept. 29 at the Bel Gatos and La Rinconada neighborhoods.