May 23, 2025

[Ver el correo electrónico exprés en español]

YOUR GUIDE TO CITY-RELATED NEWS AND EVENTS

City Engagement

May 19, 2025, City Council Meeting Recap:

May was proclaimed National Bike Month.
May 18 - 24 was proclaimed National Public Works Week.
The Sister Cities Association provided their annual presentation.
A report was provided on City of Gilroy vacancies, and recruitment and retention efforts.
The Sixth Public Hearing regarding the City's transition from an at-large to a district-based elections system was held. A district map was adopted (Map F) and elections were sequenced (districts 4, 5, & 6 in 2026 and districts 1, 2, & 3 in 2028).
The Fourth Strategic Planning Session was held with discussions centered around the Council Legislative Agenda, public safety, and the unhoused.
A resolution was adopted setting the 2025 Fireworks Service Fee at $20,519.70 in accordance with Assembly Bill (AB) 1403.
City Council consented to the City Administrator's appointment of Ken Binder as Interim Police Chief effective upon successful completion to all Peace Officer Standards & Training Hiring Requirements.

City Council

City Council Meeting I June 2
City Council Meeting I June 16

Council Meeting Highlight: May 19, 2025

Sixth Public Hearing Regarding the City's Transition from an At-Large to a District-Based Elections System

for the Purpose of Receiving the Demographer’s Presentation on the Transition Process and Selecting a Final District Elections Map from the Remaining Two Draft Map – Maps D and F; as well as Determining the Order of Elections – that is - Which Three Districts Will Be on the Ballot in the November 2026 Election and Which Three Districts Will Be on the 2028 Ballot; Determining Whether Candidates for City Council Must be Residents and Electors of the District in Which They Seek Election for Any Period of Time Prior to Filing Their Nomination Papers and Declaring Their Intent to Run; and Introduce Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Gilroy declaring henceforth that City Council elections will be districted, adopting a districting map, declaring the order of elections, and potentially imposing a residency requirement on Council candidates

Video of Presentation

Staff Report

During the regular meeting of February 24, 2025, the City Council adopted a Resolution

declaring its Intent to Transition to District-Based Elections pursuant to California

Elections Code Section 10010, with the transition taking effect for the November 2026 and 2028 Elections.

Since that time, the City Council has held Five Public Hearings and the City has hosted two Public Workshops to review draft maps and receive feedback from the community.

At the Fifth Public Hearing, held on May 5, 2025, the City Council provided direction on the two final draft maps for consideration, Draft Maps D and F.

On Monday, May 19, the City Council held the Sixth and final Public Hearing. At this hearing, the Council adopted Map F as Gilroy's official district map. In addition to finalizing the map, the Council also adopted the election sequencing for reach district: Districts 4, 5, & 6 (as shown in Map F) will be up for election in 2026, and Districts 1, 2, & 3 (as shown in Map F) will be up for election in 2028.

Map F | (URL) | Map F with Added Street Names

Thank you to everyone who participated in this process; submitting communities of interest and draft maps, and providing feedback and public comment.

For more information about district-based elections in Gilroy, visit www.cityofgilroy.org/districting.

City Commissions

City Hall will be closed on Monday, May 26, 2025, in observance of Memorial Day. Normal business hours will resume on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 8:30 AM.

Save the Date: Coffee with the Mayor on June 7

The community is invited to join Mayor Greg Bozzo for conversation and coffee on Saturday, June 7, 2025, 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: June 7, 2025

✅ Time: 9:30 AM

✅ Location: Council Chambers at Gilroy City Hall located at 7351 Rosanna Avenue

Gilroy's Transition to District-Based Elections

Map Adoption

On Monday, May 19, the Gilroy City Council held the sixth and final Public Hearing in the City’s transition to district-based elections. At this hearing, the Council adopted Map F as Gilroy’s official district map.

Map F | (URL) | Map F with Added Street

Names

In addition to finalizing the map, the Council also adopted the election sequencing for each district:

Districts 4, 5, and 6 (as shown in Map F) will be up for election in 2026
Districts 1, 2, and 3 (as shown in Map F) will be up for election in 2028

We sincerely thank everyone who engaged in this important process—whether by submitting communities of interest, drafting maps, or offering feedback and public comments.

To learn more about district-based elections in Gilroy and view Map F, visit: www.cityofgilroy.org/districting.

City Budget Update

Gearing Up for Budget Adoption

This week, the Gilroy City Council held the fourth and final Strategic Planning Session, with discussions centered around the Council Legislative Agenda, public safety, and the unhoused. The budget for Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027 (FY 26 & 27) is scheduled for adoption on June 2.

To view the Recommended FY26 & 27 Budget, visit the Budget page of the city website. It is through the recommended budget that the City Council will adopt goals, priorities, and organizational workplans for the next two years. For key highlights, including the proposed investment in City infrastructure, staffing changes, economic development investments, and initiatives, and an overview of the City's fiscal health and projects, please read the Budget Message in the Introduction of the Budget Book.

The public is encouraged to review the budget and provide feedback at the June 2 City Council Meeting.

Upcoming Important Dates:

June 2: Budget Adoption (6 PM in Council Chambers)

The Budget is scheduled for adoption during a Public Hearing at the City Council meeting on June 2. All members of the public are encouraged to attend.

Spanish language interpretation services for the above meetings will be available through Wordly.

For more information about the city’s budget or budgeting process, please get in touch with Finance Director Harjot Sangha at Harjot.sangha@cityofgilroy.org.

Missed the Workshop?

Provide Your Feedback Online

The City held the third and final workshop this week to collect feedback from the community on a new Civic Center Master Plan. At the workshop, consultants provided a look at the Preferred Concept Plan and received feedback from attendees on the layout, facilities, parking, and more.

If you missed the workshop, we still want to hear from you!

Please use the links below to view the materials presented at the workshop and take the short survey.

Civic Center Master Plan Workshop #3 Online Survey [English]

Civic Center Master Plan Workshop #3 Online Survey [Spanish]

The surveys will close for feedback at 5 PM on Monday, June 2.

Following the survey, the project will begin the CEQA process. We look forward to sharing the final proposal and next steps with you then!

For more information about the Civic Center Master Plan, visit www.cityofgilroy.org/CCMP.

For questions or additional information, contact project manager Ryan Osenton at ryan.osenton@cityofgilroy.org.

Join Us for Gilroy's Affordable Housing Workshop Series - Happening This May

The City of Gilroy invites community members to participate in our Affordable Housing Workshop Series, taking place throughout May. These in-person and virtual events are designed to connect residents with valuable housing resources and support.

From first-time homebuyer assistance to tenant protections, each workshop offers practical tools and information to help you navigate housing opportunities in Gilroy.

2025 Affordable Housing Workshops Schedule:

May 27 – In person - “Come Learn About Your Housing Rights!” Tenant/Landlord Relationships and Tenant Protections Overview (English)

May 28 – In person - Santa Clara County Manufactured Home Purchase Program Workshop (English with Spanish interpretation)

May 29 – In person - “Come Learn About Your Housing Rights!” Tenant/Landlord Relationships and Tenant Protections Overview (Spanish)

These events are free and open to all Gilroy residents.

For more information on Affordable Housing, please visit Housing and Community Services.

Calendar of Events

Fire Weather Watch

Be Ready and Stay Alert

What is a Fire Weather Watch?

A Fire Weather Watch is issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) when weather conditions may lead to dangerous fire behavior. This is a notice to stay alert that fire risk is increasing, review your emergency plans and be prepared.

During these times, the City of Gilroy will keep the community informed through Nixle, the City’s social media channels including Facebook and Instagram, and the City's website.

What to do during a Fire Weather Watch:

Prepare an emergency supply kit that includes medication, first aid supplies and important documents

Create a family communication and evacuation plan

Make arrangements for evacuating with pets or livestock if needed

Learn more about Fire Weather Watch on the City's website.

Be Ready and Stay Alert.

Now Recruiting: Senior Civil Engineer or Engineer II

The City of Gilroy is looking for a Senior Civil Engineer or Engineer II to join the Public Works Engineering Division. This is a unique opportunity to help shape Gilroy’s infrastructure and lead projects focused on the city’s growth and development.

The Senior Civil Engineer will oversee a team of engineers and technicians, managing all phases of the City’s Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), from planning, design, construction, and inspection.

The Engineer II will lead the design, management and delivery of CIP projects that improve Gilroy’s essential infrastructure.

Application closes June 23, 2025.

To view the job opportunity and apply, please visit www.CityofGilroy.org/jobs

Santa Teresa Fire Station Staffing Report

During the week of May 9, 2025, the Interim Santa Teresa Fire Station was staffed on 5/11 and 5/12.

During winter, when fire risk is generally lower, the Santa Teresa Station will mostly remain unstaffed.

We will continue to staff the Santa Teresa Fire Station with overtime when necessary in the event of heightened public safety concerns, such as:

State of emergency declarations
Red flag warnings
4th of July and the surrounding weekend
Potential flood or other disaster
Public events or gatherings in which there is a significant concern for public safety

This weekly report is provided as part of our commitment to transparency regarding the staffing status at the Santa Teresa Fire Station.

Good in Gilroy

Gilroy Celebrates Bike to Wherever Days

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the annual Bike to Wherever Days energizer stations last week.

Each year, the Gilroy Parks and Recreation Commission hosts an energizer station by Christmas Hill Park levee, and this year was no exception. Approximately 30 cyclists stopped by to pick up some swag, a morning snack, or simply say hi.

Bike to Wherever Days is a great opportunity to bring the community together and highlight the benefits of biking, whether it’s to work, school, or just for fun.

Shout Out to our City Staff and Council Members for stopping by and showing their support.

Until next year!

Thank You, Volunteers

Approximately 241 Pounds of Trash Collected at Uvas Creek

Last week, as part of the annual National River cleanup initiative, the Gilroy Recreation team and approximately 53 volunteers collected 241 pounds of trash at Uvas Creek.

This cleanup was a great way to contribute to Gilroy’s beautification and help protect our environment. Thank you to everyone who joined us and took part in this cleanup.

Save the date for the next cleanup event- Saturday, July 26, at Las Animas Park. More details coming soon.

Fun Fact: Gilroy has been part of the National River Cleanup Day since 2007

Sharing Feedback on the Preferred Concept for the Civic Center Master Plan

The community gathered at the third and final Civic Center Masterplan Workshop this week to evaluate and provide feedback on the Preferred Concept for the Civic Center Master Plan. The plan contains a proposal for a new aquatic center, multi-generational community center, city hall, and park area.

Workshop attendees shared feedback regarding the layout, parking, facility spaces, park usage, lighting, and more. An online survey is available for those who weren’t able to make it to the workshop.

To view the Preferred Concept for the Civic Center Master Plan and take the workshop #3 survey, visit www.cityofgilroy.org/CCMP.

Voices of Our Community

Celebrating Positive Feedback

Welcome to “Voices of Our Community,” where we spotlight the positive feedback and words of gratitude we've received from you—our community. Each message featured here is carefully selected to highlight the good news and positive experiences that embody the spirit and unity making Gilroy a great place to call home.

In response to the services provided by Permit Technician Andrea Yanez, we received this feedback:

We’re thrilled to hear this kind feedback from one of our community members. Thank you, Andrea, for your dedication to excellent service and for making every interaction a positive one. Your commitment truly shines!

Ask Gilroy: Your City, Your Questions!

Thank you to everyone who submitted questions this week!

We've provided answers to some of the questions below, and look forward to more questions this week!

Responses provided by City Administrator Jimmy Forbis:

❓After the consultant presents the Civic Center Master Plan will the Council formally adopt it? What will be the next step in the process after the May 20th sessions?

The goal of the Civic Center Master Plan is to create a long-term vision and guide for the development of the area located between 6th and 7th Streets, and Church and Dowdy Streets. After the final community meeting on May 20th, the recommended master plan document, along with renderings, will be presented to the City Council for review and approval. The next step will be to implement the plan, which will involve considering project phasing and developing a financial strategy. Implementation, similar to the Gilroy Sports Park project, may take several years or even decades.

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! 🚀

"Ask Gilroy" Survey Form