YOUR GUIDE TO CITY-RELATED NEWS AND EVENTS | | |
March 2, 2026, City Council Meeting Recap:
- Council proclaimed March 2026 as Youth Arts Month.
- Council approved the amended and restated Municipal Pooling Authority Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement. This agreement provides property, public liability, and other insurance coverages for the City.
- Staff provided an update to Council regarding Senate Bill 707, which amends the Ralph M. Brown Act and establishes new public access requirements for City Council Meetings beginning July 1, 2026. Among other provisions, the legislation requires the City to provide two-way remote participation. Council also adopted a policy to address disruptions to telephonic or internet service during public meetings, as required by SB 707.
| | Council Meeting Highlight: March 2, 2026 | |
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Open Meeting and Teleconference Requirements and
Approval of Policy on Distributions to Public Participation
During Remote or Hybrid Meetings
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At Monday night’s Council meeting, the Gilroy City Council received an update on new state requirements related to public participation in local government meetings. The presentation focused on Senate Bill 707, which updates the Ralph M. Brown Act to expand access for community members beginning July 1, 2026.
Under the new law, the City will be required to offer two-way remote participation options, continue live webcasts, and translate meeting agendas into any language spoken by at least 20 percent of Gilroy’s population. To meet these requirements, the City will use Zoom Webinar to allow remote viewing, listening, and participation in public comment. In-person speakers will be called first, followed by audio-only remote participants.
Senate Bill 707 also requires cities to adopt policies addressing disruptions to telephonic or internet service during public meetings. At this week’s meeting, the Council adopted Gilroy’s service-disruption policy, which outlines how the City will pause and resume meetings if a failure limits the public’s ability to participate.
With the policy now in place, staff will begin preparing for implementation ahead of the July 1, 2026 deadline. Procedures will be incorporated into the City’s administrative framework and updated as needed to ensure continued compliance with state law and best practices.
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Coffee with the Mayor
Saturday, March 7
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Join Mayor Greg Bozzo for coffee and conversation as he discusses the vital role of code enforcement in keeping Gilroy safe, clean, and thriving. Learn how enforcement protects neighborhoods, supports economic growth, and ensures a better quality of life for everyone.
Coffee with the Mayor will take place on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 9:30 AM in Council Chambers, located at 7351 Rosanna Street.
To ensure everyone can participate, we are offering Spanish-language interpretation services for this meeting through Wordly.
✅ Coffee with the Mayor
✅ Date: March 7, 2026
✅ Time: 9:30 AM
✅ Location: Council Chambers at Gilroy City Hall located at 7351 Rosanna Avenue
To learn more about code enforcement, check out the February 2026 Spotlight.
| | Understanding Gilroy’s Transition to District-Based City Council Elections | | |
Gilroy has moved from at-large elections to district-based elections, a change adopted in 2025 following community input and state law requirements under the California Voting Rights Act.
Under the previous system, all voters could vote for every City Council seat. With the new district-based elections, the city is divided into geographic districts, and voters select a candidate who lives in and represents their district.
This approach is intended to help provide more localized representation and give neighborhoods a stronger voice in city decisions.
The November 2026 Election will provide the first opportunity for Gilroy residents to vote by district. Districts 4, 5, and 6 will be on the ballot in 2026.
The Mayor and all six Council Members remain committed to serving the entire community. Together, they set policies, goals, and direction for the City of Gilroy as a whole.
Learn more and find your voting district at www.cityofgilroy.org/CouncilDistricts
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Planning for the Future
Gilroy Blue Skies Initiative
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February marked another milestone for the Gilroy Blue Skies Initiative as the City hosted two stakeholder meetings focused on transportation and land use. Community-based organizations shared feedback on improving transportation connectivity, while City departments discussed opportunities to support a more sustainable network.
What's Next:
Community Survey: We’ll soon be asking for your thoughts on environmental hazards facing Gilroy and ways to help our city become more resilient and efficient. Your input matters, stay tuned for details!
Community Engagement: Staff will engage with the community at upcoming events. In the meantime, we invite you to use our interactive mapping tool to share the opportunities and priorities you want to see in the Blue Skies Initiative at www.cityofgilroy.org/BlueSkiesMap
Stay Connected:
Visit www.cityofgilroy.org/blueskies for updates.
Questions? Email: gilroyblueskies@cityofgilroy.org
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Tell Us How You Stay Connected With Us
Your Feedback Matters
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The City of Gilroy is dedicated to serving all Gilroy residents with equitable access to City news and information. As part of our communication outreach efforts, we want to learn how you receive your City news.
Your input will help us understand how our community receives important updates and news from the City of Gilroy and how we can improve communication moving forward.
Complete the Online Survey
This seven-question survey is available in English and Spanish, and no personal identification is required.
For questions or concerns regarding the survey, please contact the City of Gilroy Communication and Engagement Manager, Rachelle Bedell, at rachelle.bedell@cityofgilroy.org
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Las Animas Park Cleanup
Saturday, March 7
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Join us for the first cleanup day of 2026 at Las Animas Park on Saturday, March 7, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
Las Animas Park is a beautiful park that features paved trails, picnic areas, open fields, and a seasonal creek, providing residents of all ages a place to relax, connect with nature, and enjoy outdoor activities.
Let’s work together to keep it clean and beautiful!
🌳 What: Las Animas Park Cleanup Day
📅 When: Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 9:00 AM
📍 Where: Las Animas Park (Meet in the parking lot at the corner of Mantelli Drive and Floral Street)
To ensure everyone’s safety, all volunteers must sign a waiver. For your convenience, you can download and print the volunteer waiver in advance and bring it on cleanup day.
Waivers will also be available on-site; however, parents must be present to sign for minors.
Volunteer trash cleanup days are offered throughout the year as part of the Love Gilroy program.
Visit Love Gilroy: Help Keep Our Community Clean for more dates.
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OpportuniTEEN, March 21
Calling All Teens!
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The Gilroy Youth Commission invites you to the annual OpportuniTEEN event on Saturday, March 21, 2026. This free event is open to all teens interested in exploring local job, volunteer, and internship opportunities. Resume support will also be available.
Come connect with peers and learn about teen-focused opportunities offered by local organizations, including Gilroy Gardens, the Gilroy Police Department Explorers, Gilroy Rodeo, Old Navy, and Second Harvest of Silicon Valley.
An event you don’t want to miss!
What: OpportuniTEEN
When: Saturday, March 21
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Wheeler Center, 270 W. Sixth Street
Official Flyer
| Help Wildlife Thrive in Gilroy's Creeks | |
Celebrate World Wildlife Day by helping keep our creeks and waterways clean!
The Gilroy region provides an important habitat for the California Red-legged Frog, a species classified as threatened at the federal and state levels.
You can help protect this species by ensuring that only rain goes down the storm drain.
For resources and additional information, visit the Environmental Programs webpage.
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Daylight Saving Time
Sunday, March 8
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A friendly reminder that daylight saving time begins Sunday, March 8 at 2:00 AM.
Don’t forget to set your clocks forward one hour.
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Now Hiring: Part-Time Environmental Programs Analyst | |
The City of Gilroy is currently seeking a part-time Environmental Programs Analyst to join the Public Works Department.
Under the general direction of the Environmental Programs Manager, the Analyst will support the City’s environmental compliance and sustainability initiatives. Key responsibilities include conducting field inspections, monitoring compliance activities, maintaining program data and regulatory reporting, and assisting with community outreach and education efforts.
The ideal candidate will have knowledge of environmental programs, regulatory compliance, or sustainability initiatives, and a passion for promoting programs and policies that enhance the quality of life for Gilroy residents.
Apply today! www.cityofgilroy.org/jobs
Application closes March 16, 2026.
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Now Hiring: Maintenance Worker I
Utilities Department
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The City of Gilroy is now hiring a Maintenance Worker I in the Utilities Department.
Join our team and help support the City’s water infrastructure. In this role, you’ll deliver essential services that promote public health, safety, and sustainability. From maintaining water lines to assisting with emergency repairs, your work will have a direct impact on our community.
The ideal candidate will have knowledge and experience in municipal wastewater maintenance, including sanitary sewer collection systems, lift stations, manholes, and/or experience in water distribution system maintenance.
Learn more and apply today! www.cityofgilroy.org/jobs
Application closes March 12, 2026.
| | Santa Teresa Fire Station Staffing Report | | |
During the week of February 20, 2026, the Interim Santa Teresa Fire Station was staffed for seven days.
The station will be staffed as often as possible based on available personnel and the responsible use of overtime.
When staffing is available, the station may be placed in service with:
- A Type 1 engine with three firefighters, or
- A Type 6 engine with two firefighters, depending on daily personnel availability.
There may be days when no qualified staff are available, in which case the station will be unstaffed. This is consistent with our operational approach during the winter season.
We will continue to staff the station when needed in response to heightened public safety concerns, 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.
| | Thank You for Joining Us at the Civic Center Master Plan Meeting | | |
Thank you to everyone who joined us last week for the Civic Center Master Plan Community Meeting! We loved seeing residents come together to learn, ask questions, and share feedback.
City staff presented updates on the draft Master Plan, including a new City Hall, multigenerational recreation and community centers, an outdoor swimming pool, a new paseo and civic park, added parking, and more. We also shared key findings from the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR).
The DEIR is now available for public review and comments during the 45‑day review period, ending March 27.
Learn more and view the meeting video and all project documents on the Civic Center Master Plan project page at www.cityofgilroy.org/CCMP.
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Making It Happen
Stories from City Hall
| | Strengthening Our Commitment to Community Safety with Staff Narcan Training | | |
The City of Gilroy staff continues to showcase their commitment to be ready and prepared to act in case of an emergency. Staff took part in a 45-minute Narcan training, led by experts from Santa Clara County.
Narcan (naloxone) is a safe and easy‑to‑use medication that can quickly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and restore normal breathing. During the training, staff learned about opioid use, how to recognize the signs of an overdose, how Narcan works, and the steps to safely help someone in need.
Trainings like these truly make a difference, as they equip our team with lifesaving skills when every second matters. A big thank-you to our staff for participating, staying informed, and remaining dedicated to supporting our community whenever it matters most.
For additional resources, check out this video produced a few years ago in collaboration with the School District: Expect Fentanyl
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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.
❓Has the power impacts of the upcoming data center been determined and mitigated with PGE? Over the last few years power outages have become the norm here in Gilroy and with the data center being approved for construction I'm hoping that our infrastructure is being upgraded ahead of it going online. Any type of proactive update would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your question and for sharing your concerns about power reliability in Gilroy. We understand how important it is for residents to feel confident that new developments, like the approved data center, will not add strain to the existing electrical system.
As part of the project’s first phase, a new, dedicated electrical substation will be constructed to supply the data center with the power it needs at full buildout (98 megawatts). This means the electricity delivered to the data center will come through infrastructure designed specifically for the project, rather than from the existing distribution system that serves Gilroy homes and businesses. This approach is intended to help ensure that the data center’s power needs do not reduce the electricity available to current PG&E customers.
More information about the project and its power infrastructure is available on the City’s project webpage, including a detailed fact sheet that outlines these points and other key considerations.
To learn more, please visit the project page and view the fact sheet here: www.cityofgilroy.org/1019/Gilroy-Data-Center-by-AWS
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Have you ever wondered about Gilroy's infrastructure, upcoming developments, municipal services, or important community events? Your curiosity fuels our mission to provide you with answers.
📢 How It Works:
Ask Away: Drop your questions in the “Ask Gilroy” survey form
We Answer: Each week, we'll pick a question and provide a detailed answer in our weekly email
Stay Informed: Sign up for our emails to access our answers and stay in the loop.
It's time to unlock the mysteries of Gilroy together! Let's dive into the heart of our community and discover what makes our city tick.
👉 Ready to ask? Drop your questions in the survey form linked below and let’s go! 🚀
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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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