YOUR GUIDE TO CITY-RELATED NEWS AND EVENTS | |
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October 16, 2023, City Council Meeting Recap:
- The Arts and Culture Commission provided their annual presentation.
- A Public Hearing was held regarding the proposed water and wastewater rate increases, and a resolution was adopted approving the water and wastewater rate adjustments at 6% annually over five years.
- Staff provided recommendations for updates and improvements to the Gilroy Garlic Festival Memorial at Christmas Hill Park. Council directed staff to proceed per the recommendations.
- Approval was given for a three-year service agreement with the County of Santa Clara for Animal Sheltering Services.
- Staff provided a review of the City's investment policy and an updated investment policy was adopted.
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Council Meeting Highlight: October 16, 2023 | |
Public Hearing Regarding the Proposed Water and Wastewater Rate Increases
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The City engaged a consultant, NBS Government Finance Group, to conduct a Comprehensive Water and Wastewater Rate Study. The Rate Study yielded that both utilities must establish multi-year rate adjustments to continue investing in the critical infrastructure and keep pace with rising operating costs.
A rate adjustment of 6% annually over five years for water and wastewater rates was approved.
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Fire Service in Gilroy and South County | |
The City currently has three fully staffed fire stations at Sunrise, Chestnut, and Las Animas. Since 2020, the City has staffed the Santa Teresa Fire Station when staffing and funding have been available.
The City's fire service goal over the last three years has been consistent – to staff the Santa Teresa Fire Station 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with three firefighting/emergency medical personnel.
Over the last few weeks, much has been written and discussed concerning the current staffing situation at the Santa Teresa Fire Station. Still, this situation has evolved since the first housing unit was constructed in the Glen Loma Development approximately 15 years ago.
In the upcoming weeks, the City will keep the community apprised of service levels, staffing, emergency response performance, and the status of construction of the new interim station at Christmas Hill Park so that all know what is happening with their public safety services.
In the weekly e-newsletter, the City will report the staffing status at Santa Teresa. The City's ability to staff the station greatly depends on available personnel, but at a minimum, the station is staffed at its busiest times - from 8 AM to 8 PM daily, seven days a week, with two firefighting/emergency medical personnel. However, there are times when we do not have enough staff to cover those shifts; thus, we resort to using overtime, but even that is not always an option as the City may not have enough qualified personnel to cover those overtime shifts. The use of overtime to staff a fire station is not a reliable, long-term solution to fully operate a permanent fire station.
Last week, the City staffed the fire station as shown below:
- Saturday, October 7 – 3.0 personnel for 12 hours - two positions were paid overtime; one was filled using regular staffing. The City increased personnel at the location due to the high fire risk associated with last week's extreme heat.
- Sunday, October 8 – 2.0 personnel for 12 hours (8 AM to 8 PM) – used regular staffing, no overtime.
- Monday, October 9 – 2.0 personnel for 12 hours (8 AM to 8 PM)- no regular staffing, utilized overtime.
- Tuesday, October 10 – 2.0 personnel for 12 hours (8 AM to 8 PM) – 1.0 on regular time, 1.0 on overtime.
- Wednesday, October 11 – 2.0 personnel for 24 hours – used regular staffing, no overtime.
- Thursday, October 12 – 2.0 personnel for 24 hours – used regular staffing, no overtime.
- Friday, October 13 – 2.0 personnel for 12 hours – 1.0 on regular time, 1.0 on overtime.
For the week, the station was staffed 64% of the time (with two personnel) and continuously during the hours of 8 AM to 8 PM when the call volume was at its highest.
In the coming weeks, we'll continue to provide information about the service levels from the Santa Teresa Fire Station, including response times and mutual aid that the City receives from neighboring jurisdictions, including the CalFIRE station on Hecker Pass Highway just inside the entrance of Gilroy Gardens.
This information will help residents become more familiar with the level of public safety services in their neighborhood and overall community. I encourage you to be informed and ask questions as we navigate this complex issue.
City Administrator Jimmy Forbis
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October Spotlight with the Mayor: Code Enforcement | |
This month's October Spotlight with the Mayor provides information about the city’s efforts to enforce local ordinances through the Code Enforcement program.
In addition to the information provided in the Spotlight, the upcoming Conversation and Coffee with the Mayor on November 4 will provide an opportunity to learn more.
October Spotlight with the Mayor
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Join Our Boards and Commissions | |
The City of Gilroy is excited to announce open vacancies on various Boards, Committees, and Commissions.
Ready to take action? Apply today! We can’t wait to meet you.
Here are some of the seats available:
🎨 Arts & Culture Commission - 1 seat (Term: Expires 12/31/2024)
🏗️ Building Board of Appeals - 1 seat (Term: Expires 12/31/2027)
📚 Library Commission - 2 seats (Terms: Expire 12/31/2026 and 12/31/2027)
🌳 Parks and Recreation Commission - 3 seats (Term: Expires 12/31/2027)
👥 Personnel Commission - 2 seats (Term: Expires 12/31/2026)
♿ Physically Challenged Board of Appeals - 3 seats (Terms: Expire 12/31/2025 and 12/31/2026)
🏛️ Planning Commission - 2 seats (Term: Expires 12/31/2027)
🌟 Youth Commission - 1 seat (Term: Expires 9/30/2025)
For additional information and to submit your application, visit the City's website.
Deadline for Applications: December 1, 2023
Next Interview Date: December 11, 2023
Next Appointment Date: January 8, 2024
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Fight Dirty: Electronic Waste Recycling | |
Let's take action to make a positive impact on our community and environment by decreasing the amount of e-waste in our landfills. E-waste materials such as computer monitors, cell phones, microwaves, TVs, and light bulbs contain hazardous elements like lead, cadmium, and mercury, which can harm both humans and the environment.
We need your help to protect our community and environment from the harmful effects of e-waste. To find approved e-waste drop-off locations, visit the CalRecycle website.
The Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Program is also available by appointment only.
Recology South Valley Gilroy is another option for e-waste collection. For more information, call 408-842-3358 or visit the Recology website.
Let's work together to make a positive impact on our environment by properly disposing of e-waste materials.
Help us Keep Gilroy Beautiful.
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Join Us In Keeping Gilroy Clean and Beautiful: Volunteer at the Gilroy Sports Park Cleanup Day! | |
Join Us in Keeping Gilroy Clean and Beautiful: Volunteer at the Gilroy Sports Park Cleanup Day!
Our parks are some of our favorite places and spaces in our community.
Please join us as we work to clean up the Gilroy Sports Park on Saturday, October 21.
🌳 What: Gilroy Sports Park Cleanup Day
📅 When: October 21, 2023, at 9 AM
📍 Where: Meet at the Gilroy Sports Park, located at 5923 Monterey Frontage Road
Let's work together to make a positive impact on our community and create a cleaner environment for everyone to enjoy.
By joining us, you'll have the opportunity to:
✅ Contribute to the cleanliness and beauty of Gilroy
✅ Earn volunteer hours (students, don't forget to bring your paperwork!)
✅ Connect with like-minded individuals and make new friends
✅ Make a difference in Gilroy's fight against litter
To make your participation easy and hassle-free, the City will provide trash bags and grabbers. All volunteers will be required to sign a waiver, ensuring everyone's safety.
Ready to lend a helping hand? Sign up online.
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Gilroy's Commitment to a Greener Tomorrow | |
Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) recently released its Community Impact Report for Gilroy customers, detailing the sustainable strides taken in Gilroy. Here’s why it matters:
🍃 A whopping 82% reduction in electricity-related emissions. That's 18,299,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions we've collectively avoided!
💡 Gilroy residents and businesses saved $385,000 directly on their bills!
☀️ Solar energy enthusiasts? You’ve earned $79,310 in cash payments for contributing surplus solar power.
🏡 Moreover, 18,820 households and businesses now harness the power of clean, carbon-free electricity.
SVCE is the public, not-for-profit agency providing clean electricity for residents and businesses in Santa Clara County that’s not only competitively priced but also sourced from clean and renewable sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, and hydropower. While SVCE focuses on clean generation, PG&E delivers this electricity through its existing infrastructure.
To learn more about SVCE, visit svcleanenergy.org.
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We're Hiring: Hazardous Materials Inspector | |
We Are Hiring!
There is a great career opportunity at the City of Gilroy for a Full-Time Hazardous Materials Inspector I/II.
The ideal candidate will possess skills and experience in Federal, State, and Local regulations and ordinances related to industrial and commercial wastewater, hazardous material, and underground storage tanks among other similar assignments.
If you are looking for a dynamic and collaborative team that works to achieve better public health, resource protection, and safety, look no further. This opportunity might be what you have been waiting for.
Apply Today! www.cityofgilroy.org/jobs
Application closes November 12, 2023.
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We're Hiring: Community Services Officer | |
The City of Gilroy is seeking a Full-Time Community Services Officer to join our team.
The ideal candidate will provide general assistance to the operations and support services divisions and will possess prior public safety and/or public service experience.
Assignments may include but are not limited to patrol operations, animal control, crime prevention, volunteer program, graffiti abatement, and neighborhood outreach and revitalization services.
Don’t hesitate and Apply Today! www.cityofgilroy.org/jobs
Application closes October 22, 2023.
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La Ofrenda Festival: Funded by a Gilroy Elevate the Arts Grant | |
Ask Gilroy: Your City, Your Questions! | |
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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:
❓Is there any plan for a protected pedestrian walkway on Luchessa Bridge?
The Luchessa Bridge Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Improvements project was included in the Fiscal Year 2024-2028 Capital Improvement Program; however, the pedestrian improvements are approximately $900,000, and to date, the City has not identified a funding source.
❓What is being built on the corner of 10th Street and Chestnut?
This commercial development, named Plaza Allium, will include a 120-room hotel (Hyatt Place), a car wash, four commercial buildings (including a Starbucks and Chick-Fil-A), and a gas station.
Questions and answers from previous newsletters are available on the City website.
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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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