YOUR GUIDE TO CITY-RELATED NEWS AND EVENTS | | |
July 27, 2026 City Council Meeting Recap:
- The City Council recognized LeeAnn McPhillips for her service to Gilroy and wished her well in retirement.
- The Council awarded a three-year contract for water and wastewater SCADA controls system integration and support request services. SCADA is the City's primary control system for monitoring and managing water production, storage levels, distribution pressures, pumping operations, and wastewater collection. This contract will upgrade these systems with enhanced technology and reliability.
- The Council approved a multi-year AFSCME Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) and related salary schedules covering the period from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029.
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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 these two topics, 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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Last week, we released Q&A about the planned water usage for the data center. Today, we’re sharing information focused on the planned electricity use.
We continue to receive additional questions about noise, revenue, and accountability. Thank you for sending these in. We will keep publishing Q&A over the next few weeks to address the many inquiries we’ve received.
More Q&A about the data center’s planned electricity use is available on the project page:
www.cityofgilroy.org/1019/Gilroy-Data-Center-by-AWS
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Will the electricity the data center uses create supply issues or cause outages in Gilroy?
No.
City staff is requiring Amazon to fund a new, dedicated electrical substation that will connect the facility directly to the regional grid. Because this infrastructure is separate from the local distribution system serving Gilroy homes and businesses, the data center's power demand will not compete with the community's electricity supply.
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Will the data center operate diesel generators?
Yes.
Like hospitals and other critical facilities, the data center will have backup diesel generators for emergency use and routine testing.
Testing is typically conducted once a month for a short period and is regulated by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, with emissions limited to infrequent, permitted operations.
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Will the project increase the use of fossil-fuel electricity?
No.
The facility will receive electricity through California's electrical grid and is required to obtain power through Silicon Valley Clean Energy, which provides carbon-free electricity throughout the life of the project.
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Gilroy Residents Can Now Access City Council Meetings by Zoom or Phone
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Gilroy residents can now join City Council meetings by phone or Zoom, making it easier to stay informed and participate. If you need translation services during a Council Meeting, whether you're online or in-person, visit www.cityofgilroy.org/translate.
To Participate in A Council Meeting via Zoom Use this Link: https://bit.ly/GilroyCityCouncilMeetings.
Please make sure you’re using the latest version of Zoom.
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.
| | Help Shape the Future of Recreation in Gilroy | | |
The City of Gilroy is conducting a Recreation Division Assessment and wants to hear from you about what kinds of recreation programs you enjoy, what’s missing, and what you’d love to see offered in the future.
Join us at one of our upcoming community meetings and share your thoughts on the future of recreation in Gilroy:
Community Open House: Gallery and Information Walk
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
9:00 AM and 6:00 PM (two sessions)
Gilroy Senior Center Meeting Room, located at 7371 Hanna Street
Families are invited to attend and Spanish-speaking services will be available.
Can't make it?
Watch for additional opportunities to participate throughout the project or participate online at www.cityofgilroy.org/RecAssessment.
Official Flyer for the Recreation Division Assessment Summer Outreach
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US 101/SR 25/Santa Teresa Boulevard Extension Project
Help Shape the Future of the Santa Teresa Boulevard Extension
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The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) and Caltrans are preparing a joint Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment (EIR/EA) for the US 101/SR 25/Santa Teresa Boulevard Extension Project.
As part of this process, VTA has issued a Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the EIR and is looking for community input.
Project Objectives:
- Provide new vehicle and bicycle connectivity between Santa Teresa Boulevard and the US 101/SR 25 interchange.
- Reduce congestion on US 101 between the US 101/SR 25 and US 101/Monterey Road interchanges
- Enhance local and regional access to the US 101 trade corridor.
These improvements would provide a direct connection from Santa Teresa Boulevard/Castro Valley Road to the reconfigured US 101/SR 25 interchange, helping ease current and future congestion and improving access for drivers and bicyclists.
Why Your Input Matters:
VTA is hosting a public meeting to gather your feedback on what the environmental study should cover and consider. Your thoughts will help shape the scope and content of the joint EIR/EA.
Meeting Details
Date: August 11, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Gavilan College Student Center located at 5055 Santa Teresa Boulevard, Gilroy
Parking: Free in Lots E and F
Transit: Served by VTA Bus Route 86
For more information, visit: vta.org/santa-teresa-extension
Official Flyer and NOP for the Santa Teresa Boulevard Extension Project
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Exciting News!
Pickleball Courts Project is Underway
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We are excited to share that construction of the Las Animas Veteran Park pickleball courts is underway. This project will bring six new lighted pickleball courts, additional trees in the dog park area, and new pedestrian pathways that will provide access to the courts and the parking lot.
We anticipate completing this project in October 2026.
During construction, portions of the dog park and part of the parking lot closest to the courts will be temporarily closed. The Lakeside area is not open for reservations during construction. However, the Oaks picnic area on the west side of the park is open for reservations.
As construction progresses, residents may experience occasional noise and detours on pedestrian pathways.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to bring these new courts and recreation opportunities to our community.
We can’t wait to welcome you to the new pickleball courts this fall! Visit the Pickleball Court Project web page to learn more.
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Let's Keep Gilroy Clean
Even Small Efforts Go a Long Way
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Help keep Gilroy clean; even small efforts can go a long way! Whether it’s picking up trash in the yard, disposing of food wrappers, or cleaning up after an outdoor event, your extra effort makes a big difference in keeping Gilroy clean and beautiful.
Keep in mind that some items can be recycled; those go in your blue 64-gallon bin.
For a guide on recyclable materials, visit Recology.
Additionally, the City of Gilroy offers monthly volunteer cleanup opportunities.
Visit www.gilroy.city/fightdirty to learn more.
Thank you for helping to keep our community clean and trash-free!
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Dolly Parton Imagination Library
Free Monthly Books for Children Ages 0 to 5 years
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The Santa Clara County Library District invites all families with children ages 0 to 5 years to be part of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. This program gifts one free book a month to children, aiming to build early literacy skills in a fun, interactive way.
Books are available in many languages.
Once registered, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library mails out a book to all registered children at no cost.
To sign up for the program, visit the Dolly Parton Imagination Library webpage
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Happy Parks and Recreation Month
Thank You To Our Amazing Team!
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As Parks and Recreation Month comes to an end, we want to thank each of you for participating in our programs and classes and for being part of the Recreation experience. Your support and involvement make Gilroy a wonderful place to learn, play, and grow together.
This month also highlights the incredible work of the Recreation team, who serve thousands of residents across a wide range of programs. One standout success is the Summer Day Camp, where participation nearly doubled from 168 campers in 2024 to 324 this year.
This growth reflects our team’s dedication to creating meaningful experiences for our community. Thank you to the entire Recreation team for all they do. Let’s keep celebrating Parks and Recreation!
Additional Highlights to Shine a Light on Include:
- The Gilroy Senior Center serving approximately 100 seniors each day
- Around 670 participants registered for swim lessons
- Nearly 300 classes offered in Spring-Summer FY26, serving close to 1,700 participants
- About 325 Winter 2026 classes offered, with roughly 2,200 participants
Explore upcoming events and discover ways to get involved with the Recreation Division through the online Recreation Guide. And stay tuned for the upcoming Fall Guide mailing out to all residents in the next couple of months.
| | Santa Teresa Fire Station Staffing Report | | |
During the week of July 17, 2026, our firefighters staffed the Interim Santa Teresa Fire Station for six 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.
| | The Garlic Festival Returned with Flavor, Fun, and Lots of Garlic | | |
The Gilroy Garlic Festival returned this past weekend with three days of fun, flavor, and community pride. Visitors enjoyed live cooking demos, sizzling bites from Gourmet Alley, non-stop entertainment, and a variety of local vendors.
About 4,000 tickets were sold each day, bringing a larger crowd this year. This is more than just a celebration of food, the festival is a celebration of our community’s culture, pride, and connection.
Shout out to the volunteers, participating organizations, and of course the Gilroy Police Department for helping create a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.
See you next year at the Gilroy Garlic Festival!
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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.
❓I am concerned about the ICE Detention Facility. What is the latest on that?
We understand how important this issue is to many in our community, that’s why the Gilroy City Council took decisive action on June 1 to formally oppose the federal detention facility. This action by the Gilroy City Council was proactive, occurring even before an amicus brief was drafted and the language in the Resolution is personalized to Gilroy, reflecting the values important to our community.
For those who may not know, the proposed ICE facility is not located in the City of Gilroy; it’s in unincorporated Santa Clara County, outside of City of Gilroy limits and jurisdiction.
Additionally, in response to a lawsuit filed by Santa Clara County Counsel, the California Department of Justice, announced that construction on the facility is paused through September 9, 2026.
For ongoing updates about the detention facility, we encourage you to reach out to the County of Santa Clara Office of Communications at sccpublicaffairs@ceo.sccgov.org or visit the Santa Clara County News Portal: https://news.santaclaracounty.gov/home
| 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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