YOUR GUIDE TO CITY-RELATED NEWS AND EVENTS | | |
August 3, 2026 City Council Meeting Recap:
- City Council proclaimed July 12 - 18 as Screen-Free Awareness Week and encouraged all residents to participate by limiting their screen time and increasing offline activities to improve health, well-being, and community.
- Council approved a services agreement for the development of a Comprehensive Roadway Safety Action Plan. Primarily funded through grant funds, the goal of the Action Plan is to reduce traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries through identifying priority areas and projects for roadway improvements.
- Council removed the Public Hearing regarding the Downtown Gilroy Street Banner program from the agenda. This item will be heard at a future Council Meeting.
- Staff provided a report on the abatement of weeds and refuse within the City of Gilroy, and the Council adopted a resolution confirming the imposition of assessment liens against the land. All property owners have been notified of deadlines and fees, as required by the City Code.
- Council adopted an urgency ordinance establishing a temporary moratorium on the issuance of new Tobacco Retailer Permits citywide through December 31, 2026. This moratorium will allow staff to complete additional review of potential amendments to the City's tobacco retailer permitting regulations.
- Staff provided a report on possibly adding new restrictions for tobacco retailers near youth-oriented facilities, and Council directed staff not to pursue youth-oriented facilities as an additional buffer zone of prohibition.
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Staff provided a report on the City's GilroyConnect service request platform. Since releasing the request platform to the public in March 2025, the City has received over 4,100 requests and has continued to improve response and closure times. The City has also implemented standardized operational practices, further strengthening consistency, communication, and service delivery. GilroyConnect operates through a website and a mobile app, which can be accessed via the City's website or downloaded from the App Store on your smartphone.
- Staff presented information on a possible zoning code amendment, Section 30.41.31, with respect to noise in response to a Future Agenda Item Request (FAIR) Memo. Council directed staff to draft standards for drive-throughs, clean up the language of the zoning code section, and draft increased restrictions on the use of power tools and yard and landscaping equipment. These items will come back to Council for further consideration at a future date.
| | Council Meeting Highlight: August 3, 2026 | |
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Award a Professional Services Agreement to Kimley-Horn for
a Not-to-Exceed Amount of $237,117 for the Development of the City of Gilroy Comprehensive Roadway Safety Action Plan, Add the Project to the Capital Improvement Program,
and Adopt a Budget Amendment Resolution to Appropriate
Grant and Gas Tax Funds to the Project
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At Monday’s meeting, the Gilroy City Council approved a professional services agreement with Kimley-Horn to develop a Comprehensive Roadway Safety Action Plan. The plan will use local collision data and community feedback to identify locations with the greatest safety needs and recommend prioritized improvements to help reduce traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries.
The year-long planning process will include an online survey, public workshops and outreach at community events, with an emphasis on hearing from at-risk and underrepresented community members. The resulting plan will include potential projects, conceptual designs and strategies for funding, implementing and evaluating roadway safety improvements.
The $237,117 project will be funded primarily through a federal Safe Streets and Roads for All grant, with approximately $47,423 provided through the City’s Gas Tax Fund. In addition to supporting safer streets for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists, completing the plan will make Gilroy eligible to pursue significant state and federal grants that could help fund future transportation improvements while reducing reliance on local funds.
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Coffee with the Mayor
Saturday, August 8
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Join Mayor Greg Bozzo for coffee and conversation as he discusses his vision for increased driver, pedestrian, bicyclist safety.
Every day in Gilroy, thousands of people use our streets Some are driving to work, and some are driving as part of their work. Others are walking children to school, riding bicycles through our neighborhoods, or using e-bikes to get to class, work, or visit friends. However we choose to get around, we all share one destination: getting home safely. But keeping our community safe on the move requires all of us working together to make a difference.
Coffee with the Mayor will take place on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 9:30 AM in Council Chambers, located at 7351 Rosanna Street.
To ensure everyone can participate, we are offering automated Spanish-language interpretation services.
✅ Coffee with the Mayor
✅ Date: August 8, 2026
✅ Time: 9:30 AM
✅ Location: Council Chambers at Gilroy City Hall located at 7351 Rosanna Street
To learn more about this topic, check out the Mayor’s Spotlight ”Working Together for a Safer Gilroy"
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Gilroy Data Center (by Amazon Web Services)
Addressing Your Questions
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Over the last few weeks, we released Q&A about the planned water and electricity usage for the data center. Today, we’re sharing information focused on the projected revenue that the data center will generate for the city.
We continue to receive additional questions. Thank you for sending these in. We will keep publishing Q&A to address the many inquiries we’ve received.
More Q&A about the data center is available on the project page:
www.cityofgilroy.org/1019/Gilroy-Data-Center-by-AWS
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How much revenue will the City of Gilroy receive from the Data Center Project?
The project is expected to generate approximately $40 million in new revenue to the City over its first ten years through property and utility user taxes. This revenue will go into the City’s General Fund which pays for police, fire, road maintenance, parks, recreation programs, and more.
Phase 1
(first building, expected online in 2028)
Will generate $1.6 million in its first year, growing to about $3 million once operations stabilize
Phase 2
(second building, assumed to follow about 4 years after Phase 1)
Will generate a similar amount, bringing the combined revenue to about $6 million per year at full build out
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Where does the revenue from the data center come from? What is the breakdown?
The revenue from the data center will come from two ways:
Property tax – approximately 30%
The buildings and site will be assessed upon completion, and the valuation will continue to grow at the Prop 13 rate thereafter. In addition, the technological and electrical equipment inside, worth hundreds of millions, will also be assessed and taxed annually.
Utility user tax (UUT) - approximately 70%
The City of Gilroy levies a 5% tax on electricity use. This tax will apply to all electricity used by the data center.
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What will the revenue from the data center be used for?
The revenue goes into the City’s General Fund, which pays for the core services residents rely on every day: police, fire, street improvements, parks, and recreation programs.
Because a data center generates substantial tax revenue, while placing very little demand on the above services, nearly all of the new revenue is available to improve services for existing residents.
And ultimately, Council will decide where the new revenue is spent, balancing the needs and priorities of the community.
| | | What to Expect When Joining a City Council Meeting Via Zoom | | |
The City of Gilroy recently upgraded our technology, allowing residents to join City Council meetings by Zoom and phone, making it easier to stay informed and participate.
Whether you join a City Council Meeting through Zoom or by phone, our goal is to make the experience smooth and accessible and to provide equal opportunity to participate during public comment.
How to Participate in Public Comment Virtually:
- When it’s time for public comment, click “Raise Hand” on Zoom.
- Press #9 if you’re joining by phone.
- Phone participants must dial #6 to unmute when it’s their turn to speak.
- You must unmute yourself for public comment. Click on the “Unmute” button.
- Members of the public can participate in public comment during periods of individual agenda items and during the general public comment period for non-agenda items.
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Speakers will generally be allotted up to three minutes, although there may be exceptions
To Participate in A Council Meeting via Zoom, Use this Link: https://bit.ly/GilroyCityCouncilMeetings.
To Participate by Phone
Dial (669) 900-6833
Webinar ID: 930 2066 6240#
Press #9 to raise your hand, and #6 to unmute.
For detailed, step-by-step instructions, visit the City of Gilroy website.
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Community Development Fee Study Information Session
August 19 and 20
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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.
You’re invited to review the proposed fee schedule on Wednesday, August 19 at 10:00 AM or Thursday, August 20 at 3:00 PM in the Council Chambers, 7351 Rosanna St. Both sessions will include the same presentation. A similar presentation was held in May at the Developer Roundtable event. During the information session, a regional municipality fee comparison will also be shared.
The proposed Fee Schedule and Fee Study 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.
For questions, email Senior Management Analyst Monica Sendejas or call (408)846-0266.
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School Starts Soon
New Speed Limits in School Zones Will Be in Effect
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As families get ready for the first day of school, we want to remind everyone that the new speed limits will be 15 to 20 MPH in public and private school zones.
DRIVERS PLEASE SLOW DOWN and help keep our students safe.
A Few Things to Remember:
🛑STOP and yield to pedestrians crossing crosswalks.
🛑 Stay vigilant, and watch for children walking and bicycling to and from school.
🛑 Follow ALL SCHOOL ZONE SPEED LIMITS at all times when children are present.
At the end of the day, it takes all of us, working together, to ensure everyone gets home safely.
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Christopher HS Aquatics Center Closes for Swimming Pool Maintenance
August 22 and 23
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The Christopher High School Aquatics Center will be closed for all activities from Saturday, August 22 to Sunday, August 23 due to time-sensitive GUSD swimming pool maintenance work.
Regular weekend operations will resume on Saturday, August 29.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
For more information about pool hours, swim lessons, and private party rentals, visit www.gilroyswim.com
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Mattress Recycling
Recology Can Help
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Do you have an old mattress taking up space in your home or that you no longer need? Disposing of a mattress is not fun and can be a hassle, but fortunately, there are options.
Recology South Valley offers Gilroy customers a convenient curbside pickup service. You can schedule a FREE pick-up by calling 408-842-3358.
For additional information, visit Recology.
Let's all do our part to keep our community clean and free of trash.
| | 2nd Annual Hot August Morning Classics Car Show | | |
You’re invited to the 2nd Annual Hot August Morning Classic Car Show on Friday, August 28, 2026, at the Gilroy Senior Center Parking Lot, 7371 Hanna St. Stop by to enjoy the classic cars on display and connect with our senior community.
If you own a classic car and would like to participate, we would love your help bringing back nostalgic memories for our seniors.
Register at the Gilroy Recreation Division Office or online. Space is limited so please register soon.
Hot August Morning Classic Car Show
Date: Friday, August 28
Time: 9:00 AM- 11:00 AM
Location: Gilroy Senior Center Parking Lot, 7371 Hanna St.
See the official event flyer for full entry details.
For questions, email rec@cityofgilroy.org
Check out the Fall Recreation Guide to explore other events.
| | Santa Teresa Fire Station Staffing Report | | |
During the week of July 24, 2026, our firefighters staffed the Interim Santa Teresa Fire Station for four 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.
| | Neighbors, Families, and Friends Gather at National Night Out | | |
What a great night at National Night Out! Neighbors, families, and friends came together for an evening full of community connection, laughter, music, entertainment, and much more.
Hosted by the Gilroy Police Department and the South County Youth Task Force, this event is all about promoting safety, strengthening our community, and raising awareness around crime prevention, and this year was no exception.
Everyone had the chance to meet local police officers, first responders, and community organizations. There was something for everyone to enjoy!
Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating and building a safer and stronger Gilroy.
We can't wait to see you again next year for another unforgettable National Night Out!
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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 this week.
❓When is work to replace and restore the fence along 3rd street and the dog park scheduled to begin?
We appreciate your interest in the upcoming work to replace and restore the fence along 3rd Street and the dog park. The City Council is scheduled to consider approval of a contract at their August 17 meeting. If it’s approved, we expect the improvements to be completed by the end of the calendar year. Thank you for your patience and for helping us keep our community spaces safe and welcoming.
| 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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