YOUR GUIDE TO CITY-RELATED NEWS AND EVENTS | | |
August 17, 2026 City Council Meeting Recap:
- City Council proclaimed August as Emergency Management Awareness Month and September as National Preparedness Month, recognizing those who support emergency management and encourage residents to be prepared, make emergency plans and stay informed.
- The Arts and Culture Commission presented an annual overview of their community efforts, highlighting the evolution of the For the Love of Gilroy campaign and other initiatives that expand arts opportunities in the community.
- City Council approved a resolution adopting the plans and specifications for the Precast Concrete Fence Replacement Project, amending the FY26–27 Capital Improvement Program, and awarding a construction contract to Silicon Valley Paving, Inc.
- Council awarded an agreement to Citiguard, Inc. allowing for after-hours park patrol services at five City parks. In addition, council approved the second amendment to the agreement adding park restroom cleaning and gate-opening services.
- The Council awarded a services agreement with KTU&A for preparation of a new Parks and Recreational Trails Master Plan and authorized the City Administrator to execute and finalize the documents necessary to implement the project within the approved budget.
- Staff introduced an ordinance to amend Chapter 30, Article L of the Gilroy City Code relating to the Architectural and Site Review Permit Process and to enhance public outreach.
- City Council approved the Amazon Data Services Reimbursement Agreement for the design and construction of recycled water improvements and directed staff to work with South County Regional Wastewater Authority (SCRWA) to negotiate and execute a Memorandum of Understanding for reimbursement of those improvements.
| | Council Meeting Highlight: August 17, 2026 | |
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Economic Growth & Vitality Action Plan Development
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At Monday’s City Council meeting, staff presented updated data outlining Gilroy’s economic conditions and the shifts that have occurred since adoption of the 2019 Place-Based Economic Strategy. This refresh was necessary to assess changes in employment, industry mix, and development activity driven by external events and regional shifts, and provides a foundation from which an Economic Growth and Vitality Action Plan can be developed.
The Economic Growth and Vitality Action Plan will be focused on three key areas:
1. Place-Based Initiatives: enabling and incentivizing desired activity on opportunity sites and identified corridor infill sites
2. Business Retention, Expansion and Attraction - cultivating a business environment that inspires growth, confidence, and opportunity
3. Economic Vitality and Resiliency - reinforcing the private sector’s role in helping to drive growth and economic resiliency, with the City providing supportive frameworks, predictable processes, and targeted investment tools.
With initial feedback from the Council, more details will be presented at upcoming study sessions as the plan continues to take shape.
The next study session is anticipated to occur in November.
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Gilroy:
Many community members have expressed concerns about how the City handled the notification and approval process for the Amazon data center now under construction in northeast Gilroy.
On Monday, August 17, the Gilroy City Council took action to directly address those concerns.
The Council approved several significant changes that will strengthen public awareness and participation for large commercial and industrial development projects moving forward.
While the Amazon data center was approved through the development and environmental review requirements in place at the time, the issues raised by residents highlighted an opportunity to increase transparency and public engagement for such projects.
Under the Council-approved changes, future large industrial and commercial projects will have a formal and predictable opportunity for community review before approval decisions are made. There will be earlier opportunities for residents to learn what is being proposed, ask questions and participate in a public discussion.
The new requirements include:
- An applicant-hosted community meeting for new commercial and industrial projects of 15,000 square feet or larger.
- Mailed notice to residents and property owners within 1,000 feet of the project, along with newspaper notice before the community meeting.
- Planning Commission review and approval at a publicly noticed hearing for any project that requires an Environmental Impact Report. The Council chose an option with increased review by the Planning Commission even beyond the staff recommendation. Such projects will no longer be approved administratively.
- The City Council retains ultimate approval authority, and Planning Commission decisions may be appealed to the City Council.
- Notification in the City’s weekly e-newsletter, in addition to the current practice of posting development permit information on the City website.
The City appreciates the feedback from residents who voiced concerns and asked for a more visible public process. Your input helped shape these specific changes that will improve how Gilroy handles public engagement for large development proposals in the future.
The City will continue to provide updates about the Amazon data center and monitor compliance with its existing conditions of approval. Please visit www.cityofgilroy.org/datacenter for the latest information and FAQs.
Sincerely,
Greg Bozzo
City of Gilroy Mayor
| | Council Approves Recycled Water Agreements for Data Center | | |
The Gilroy City Council on Monday, August 17, approved a set of agreements that will advance recycled water infrastructure required for the Amazon data center now under construction in northeast Gilroy.
Once the recycled water infrastructure is complete, the data center will be required to use recycled water for all industrial and irrigation uses. This is the next step in one of the requirements City staff placed on the project before approval to ensure stewardship of the community’s resources.
Under the data center conditions of approval, the City is requiring Amazon to fund the entire cost of the improvements needed to provide recycled water to the site. This includes building a new 3-million-gallon recycled water storage reservoir and pump station at the South County Regional Wastewater Authority (SCRWA) treatment plant, along with infrastructure connecting the recycled water system to the data center.
The total cost of this project will exceed $10 million. Amazon will pay all direct and indirect costs associated with the reservoir and pump station, including design, construction, project management, and City and SCRWA staff costs. SCRWA will oversee design and construction of the reservoir at its treatment plant. The final project cost will be determined through design estimates and competitive construction bidding.
In addition to serving the data center, the new reservoir will also strengthen the broader regional recycled water system. The Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) has identified additional recycled water storage as a near-term need to improve reliability and provide capacity for existing and future customers.
Under the City’s conditions of approval:
- Amazon may temporarily use City water while the recycled water system is being completed. (The estimated amount represents about 1% of the City’s excess potable water surplus.)
- Once the recycled water system is operational, industrial and irrigation uses must transition to recycled water.
- Amazon must complete recycled water improvements prior to fully occupying the facility.
- The project’s total operational water demand is estimated at up to 7.5 million gallons per year, the majority of which will be recycled. After the transition to recycled water, potable City water use at the site is expected to decline to about 650,000 gallons, per year. This amount is equivalent to the average use of seven Gilroy households.
More information about the data center, including project documents and conditions of approval, is available at www.cityofgilroy.org/datacenter.
| School Is Back in Session
Stay Safe. It's a Shared Responsibility. | | |
Walking is a great way to get around Gilroy!
Just remember these simple steps to stay safe, especially when you have to cross the street.
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STOP and make sure it is safe to cross the street
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LOOK (AND LISTEN) Make eye contact and give a little wave
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WALK Cross only at marked crosswalks or corners
Stay safe. It’s a shared responsibility.
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The November General Election is Approaching Here’s What Gilroy Voters Should Know:
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Previously, Gilroy voters could vote for all City Council seats citywide. Now, with district-based elections, you will vote only for the candidate running in your district.
Here’s how the election schedule works:
November 2026: Districts 4, 5, and 6 will be on the ballot.
November 2028: Districts 1, 2, and 3, along with the Mayor’s seat, will be on the ballot. The Mayor will continue to be elected at-large by all Gilroy voters.
Important Dates:
Last day to register to vote: October 19, 2026
Vote-by-mail packets arrive: By the second week of October (ballots are mailed out around early October)
All active registered voters will automatically receive a vote-by-mail ballot.
To find out which candidates have qualified for the ballot, visit the City’s Elections & Voter Information page.
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Become a CERT Volunteer
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training this Fall
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The City of Gilroy’s Office of Emergency Management invites you to join our Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) hybrid and in-person training this Fall. This free, 20-hour course, will equip you with essential skills to help your family, neighbors, and community during a disaster. Attendance is required for all days.
Hybrid Training Dates
(via Zoom)
Tuesdays and Thursdays
Sept. 29, Oct. 1, Oct. 6, Oct. 8, Oct. 13,
Oct. 15, Oct. 20 and Oct. 22
6:30 PM- 8:30 PM
In-person Training Dates
Saturday, October 24
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: To be determined
🔗 Sign Up Today
What You'll Learn:
✅ Local disaster preparedness tips
✅ Fire safety
✅ Light search and rescue
✅ Team organization & communication
✅ Damage assessment
✅ Disaster medical operations
✅ Disaster psychology
By completing this course, you'll also have the opportunity to join Gilroy’s Emergency Management Volunteer program as a CERT team member. Participation is optional, but your new skills will make a difference wherever you choose to use them!
Questions? Contact Andrew Young at Andrew.Young@cityofgilroy.org
For additional details, please visit the City of Gilroy Emergency Preparedness webpage.
| | 24th Annual Second Chance Week
September 12-20 | | |
Give your items a second chance during the 24th Annual Second Chance Week, from September 12 through Sunday, September 20, 2026.
To participate in the Gilroy Citywide Garage Sale, please complete your online application by September 6 at 11:59 PM.
Thank you for joining us in our efforts to promote the importance of waste reduction, reusing items, and keeping materials out of landfills.
Second Chance Week 2026 Events
- Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 12 -13
Gilroy Citywide Garage Sale
- Monday, Sept. 14 Universal Waste Awareness Day
- Tuesday, Sept. 15 Trash Nothing Day
- Wednesday, Sept. 16 Donate Coats for Kids and Adults Day
- Thursday, Sept. 17 Second Sight Day- (donate used glasses)
- Friday, Sept. 18 Recycle your Cycle Day (donate used bicycles)
- Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 19 & Sept. 20 Morgan Hill Citywide Garage Sale
Visit the Second Chance Week webpage for more information.
| | Community Development Department Fee Study
Comments Due by September 1 at 5:00 PM | | |
The Community Development Department recently conducted a fee study to review its user and regulatory fees, including fees collected by Planning, Building, Fire Prevention and Hazardous Materials, Code Enforcement, Housing, and specialized Business License inspection fees. This study does not include assessment, impact fees, fines, franchise fees, taxes, or utility rates. The fees were simplified to help streamline the permitting process and ensure charges accurately reflect the services provided. Most proposed fees aim to achieve full cost recovery.
Community information sessions were held on Wednesday, August 19 at 10:00 AM and Thursday, August 20 at 3:00 PM.
The proposed Fee Schedule and Fee Study Report are available online for your review. You may submit a Comment Form about the proposed fee schedule by Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
The Fee Schedule will be presented this fall to City Council for consideration and potential adoption, effective January 1, 2027.
| | Stories from City Hall
Staff Celebrates City Hall Selfie Day | | |
What a fun way for the City of Gilroy to celebrate the first-ever City Hall Selfie Day! It’s a moment for our team to feel proud of the meaningful work they do as public servants.
Every day, City employees work hard to serve the Gilroy community, whether assisting residents at City Hall, working throughout the community, or delivering essential programs and services. From frontline operations to behind-the-scenes support, every department plays an important role in keeping the city running smoothly.
Thank you, team, for your dedication and for helping make Gilroy such an amazing place to live, work and play.
| | Santa Teresa Fire Station Staffing Report | | |
During the week of August 7, 2026, our firefighters staffed the Interim Santa Teresa Fire Station 3 days.
We will staff the station as often as available personnel and responsible overtime practices allow.
When we have enough staffing, we will place the station in service with either:
- A Type 1 engine with three firefighters, or
- A Type 6 engine with two firefighters, depending on daily personnel availability.
On days when we do not have qualified personnel, we will leave the station unstaffed. This approach aligns with our seasonal operations.
We will continue to staff the station whenever heightened public safety concerns arise, including:
- State of emergency declarations
- Red Flag Warnings
- Fourth of July and surrounding weekends
- Potential flood conditions or other disasters
- Public events or gatherings where increased risk is identified
This weekly report is part of our ongoing commitment to transparency regarding the staffing status of the Santa Teresa Fire Station.
| | Rodeo Days Bring Fun to Gilroy Seniors | |
The Gilroy senior community recently gathered to celebrate Rodeo Days at the Senior Center. Attendees enjoyed a fun- filled afternoon featuring a petting zoo, photo opportunities and a special visit from the Gilroy Police Department’s Mounted Unit.
Rodeo Days is a cherished tradition that brings joy, connection, and plenty of western‑themed fun, and this year was no exception!
Explore the Gilroy Senior Center Newsletter for all the latest August events and activities.
To explore upcoming fall programs and classes, visit the Recreation Division webpage.
Thank you for celebrating with us!
| | Students and Families Kick Off the First Day of School | |
It was wonderful to see our community come together on the first day of school, with students excitedly heading back to campus.
The energy and joy across Gilroy truly made the day special.
A heartfelt thank you to all our school administrators, teachers, and staff whose hard work and dedication made the return to school smooth and welcoming for everyone.
Have a great school year, Gilroy!
| | Development Activity in Gilroy | | Over the next few months, we're highlighting various development projects currently underway in Gilroy. For additional information about development activity in Gilroy, visit the Development Activity Projects webpage. | | |
ARCO Gas Station and Convenience Store
The applicant obtained an Architectural and Site Review Permit to develop an ARCO gas station and convenience store at 5955 Travel Park Circle. The project includes demolishing an existing restaurant and constructing a new fuel station with six self-service pumps, a 2,900 square-foot convenience store, and on-site improvements. Building permit plan review is underway.
For additional details, please visit the Travel Park Circle webpage.
If you are interested in any other development project, please visit the Development Activity Projects webpage.
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Have you noticed any potholes, water leaks, streetlight outages, tree issues, or have a neighborhood or city-related concern?
Our online service request portal and mobile app (available for download in app store), GilroyConnect, makes it easier than ever to report city-related concerns.
With just a few simple steps, you can submit your request, track your service request, and view other resident requests.
Once your request is submitted, you will have the option to create an account, which will give you access to additional features and to receive updates on your service request.
| | | Ask Gilroy: Your City, Your Questions! | | |
Thank you to everyone who submitted questions!
We've provided answers to some of the questions below, and look forward to more questions next week.
❓I am curious if there are any laws or local ordinance that prohibits people running businesses with multiple vehicles from a residential home? At night, there are over 12 cars parked down the street, blocking fire hydrants, and blocking my family from being able to park in front of our home.
The City of Gilroy permits residents to operate a home occupation from their residence, as outlined in City Code Chapter 30. The following regulations apply:
- Only the residents of the dwelling and one employee may participate in the home occupation, with no more than two individuals involved. If an employee is present, that employee must park in the driveway or on a paved, on-site parking space.
- Home occupations must not generate pedestrian or vehicular traffic beyond what is typical for the neighborhood.
If you believe a resident is operating a home occupation unlawfully, you may file a report on GilroyConnect so that we can investigate the potential violation.
Also, no car parked on the street should block access to fire hydrants. If you observe this situation, you may submit a request on GilroyConnect or contact the Police Department.
| Have a question about Gilroy’s services, projects, or community happenings? Submit it through the "Submit a Question" button above. Each week, we'll answer one or two in our newsletter so you can stay informed and connected. | |
City of Gilroy
Office Hours
Gilroy City Hall is open to the public Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, and on Friday by appointment only.
City of Gilroy
(408) 846-0219
7351 Rosanna Street, Gilroy, CA 95020
www.cityofgilroy.org
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