08/21/2023 City Council Regular Meeting Adopted 09/11/2023
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City of Gilroy
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
Monday, August 21, 2023 | 6:00 PM
1. OPENING
1.1 Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Blankley at 6:00 PM.
1.2. Pledge of Allegiance
Council Member Hilton led the Pledge of Allegiance.
1.3. Invocation
Pastor Trevor Van Laar from Gilroy Presbyterian Church led the Invocation.
1.4. City Clerk's Report on Posting the Agenda
City Clerk Pham reported on the Posting of the Agenda.
1.5. Roll Call
Attendance Attendee Name
Present Rebeca Armendariz, Council Member
Dion Bracco, Mayor Pro Tempore
Tom Cline, Council Member
Zach Hilton, Council Member
Carol Marques, Council Member
Fred Tovar, Council Member
Marie Blankley, Mayor
Absent None
1.6. Orders of the Day
Mayor Blankley requested that Agenda Item 12.1 be done after 1.6. The request
received unanimous support.
12. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORTS
12.1. Gilroy 2023-2031 Housing Element Update
City Administrator Forbis and Community Development Director Goei reported
that the state approved the City’s Housing Element Update.
1.7. Employee Introductions
Police Chief introduced the following new employees to Council:
• Sandra Quintanar, Police Records Technician
• Neil Garrett, Detention Services Officer
• Officer Antonio Gomez
• Officer Brett Batey
Finance Director Sangha introduced newly promoted Accountant Erika Pacheco
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Regular Meeting Minutes
and newly hired Kellie Ullom to Council.
Interim Public Works Director Bjarke introduced the following new employees to
Council:
• Salvatore Russo, Maintenance Worker – Parks and Landscapes
• Everardo Gallegos, Maintenance Worker – Parks and Landscapes
• John Sousa, Supervisor – Parks and Landscapes
2. CEREMONIAL ITEMS - Proclamations and Awards
There were none.
3. PRESENTATIONS TO THE COUNCIL
3.1. Presentation from the League of California Cities
Seth Miller, Regional Public Affairs Manager from League of California Cities,
provided his presentation.
3.2. PUBLIC COMMENT BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ON ITEMS NOT ON THE
AGENDA BUT WITHIN THE SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment on items that were not on the agenda.
Robert Zepeda expressed concerns about the recent events in Hawaii,
highlighting the suspicious circumstances surrounding fires and the
significant investments in Hawaiian Electric, and emphasized skepticism
towards potential new COVID-19 mandates and restrictions.
Ron Kirkish addressed concerns about an individual spreading false
information and targeting elected officials on local mass media platforms,
emphasizing his ongoing efforts to address the situation.
There being no further speakers, Mayor Blankley closed Public Comment.
4. REPORTS OF COUNCIL MEMBERS
Council Member Bracco had no report.
Council Member Armendariz had no report.
Council Member Marques reported on Gilroy Gardens Board of Directors.
Council Member Hilton reported on VTA Policy Advisory Committee and Silicon Clean
Energy Authority JPA Board.
Council Member Cline had no report.
Council Member Tovar reported on South County Youth Task Force Policy Team and
attended the “Fill the Boot Maui” fundraiser at the Gilroy Premium Outlets on August 19,
2023.
Mayor Blankley reported on South County Youth Task Force Policy Team, the cancellation
of a VTA Administration and Finance Committee meeting, a potential position on Senator
Wiener's Bill SB 532, the introduction of a fourth weekday Caltrain from Gilroy, and state
funding for a battery-equipped electric train pilot program on non-electrified tracks.
5. COUNCIL CORRESPONDENCE
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There were none.
6. FUTURE COUNCIL INITIATED AGENDA ITEMS
There were none.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Marques requested to pull Agenda Item 7.5 from the Consent Calendar.
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment for items not pulled out of the agenda. There being
no speakers, Mayor Blankley closed Public Comment.
Motion: Adopt Consent Calendar Items 7.1 through 7.4.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Dion Bracco, Mayor Pro Tempore
SECONDER: Carol Marques, Council Member
AYES: Council Member Armendariz, Mayor Pro Tempore Bracco, Council
Member Cline, Council Member Hilton, Council Member Marques, Council
Member Tovar, Mayor Blankley
7.1. Approval of the Action Minutes of the August 7, 2023 City Council Regular
Meeting
A motion was made to approve the action minutes.
7.2. Accept and File Quarterly Cash and Investment Report as of June 30, 2023
A motion was made to accept and file the Quarterly Cash and Investment
Report.
7.3. Approval of the Annual Evaluation Report for the Santa Clara County Multi-
Jurisdictional Program for Public Information Associated with the
Community Rating System of the National Flood Insurance Program
A motion was made to approve the Annual Evaluation Report for the Santa
Clara County Multi-Jurisdictional Program for Public Information Associated with
the Community Rating System of the National Flood Insurance Program.
7.4. Authorization to Approve Application to Receive Grant Funds from the
California Youth Community Access Grant Program
A motion was made to adopt a resolution to approve the application to receive
grant funds from the California Youth Community Access Grant Program.
Enactment No.: Resolution No. 2023-48
7.5. Adoption of an Ordinance Adding Chapter 16B, Sidewalk Vending, to the
Gilroy City Code
Council discussion ensued about the proposed item. Special Assistant to City
Administration Biggs responded to Council Member questions.
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment.
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Rocio Rojas expressed concerns about the city's response to complaints
regarding street vendors, emphasizing the need for proper investigation
before action and questioning the protocol once vendor licenses are
approved.
There being no further speakers, Mayor Blankley closed Public Comment.
Motion: Adopt the Ordinance Adding Chapter 16B, Sidewalk Vending, to
the Gilroy City Code.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Tom Cline, Council Member
SECONDER: Marie Blankley, Mayor
AYES: Council Member Armendariz, Mayor Pro Tempore Bracco,
Council Member Cline, Council Member Hilton, Council
Member Marques, Council Member Tovar, Mayor Blankley
Enactment No.: Ordinance No. 2023-08
8. BIDS AND PROPOSALS
8.1. Award of Contract to Perkins & Will for the Preparation of 'Basis of Design'
Documents for the Gilroy Ice Center and Approve a Contract Expenditure
of $275,000
Interim Public Works Director Bjarke provided staff presentation and responded
to Council Member questions.
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment. There being no speakers, Mayor
Blankley closed Public Comment.
Motion: Award a contract to Perkins & Will in the amount of $250,000 and
approve an additional project contingency of $25,000 (10%) for a total
amount of $275,000 for the preparation of ‘Basis of Design’ documents
related to the Gilroy Ice Center project and authorize the City
Administrator to execute the contract and associated documents.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Rebeca Armendariz, Council Member
SECONDER: Dion Bracco, Mayor Pro Tempore
AYES: Council Member Armendariz, Mayor Pro Tempore Bracco,
Council Member Cline, Council Member Hilton, Council
Member Marques, Council Member Tovar, Mayor Blankley
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were none.
10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
10.1. Selection and Appointment of Youth Commission Members
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment. There being no speakers, Mayor
Blankley closed Public Comment.
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Council appointed the following individuals to the Youth Commission:
• Lavander Hwang to a seat starting on October 1, 2023, and expiring
September 30, 2025;
• Aiden Francis to a seat starting on October 1, 2023, and expiring
September 30, 2025;
• Crystal Garcia Pablo to a seat starting on August 21, 2023 and expiring
September 30, 2025;
• Maya Beyret to a seat starting on August 21, 2023, and expiring
September 30, 2025;
• Saed Mustafa to a seat starting on August 21, 2023, and expiring
September 30, 2025; and
• Thamay Sarath to a seat starting on August 21, 2023, and expiring
September 30, 2024
10.2. Introduction of an Ordinance of the City of Gilroy Amending Section 2.13 of
the Gilroy City Code to Modify the Regular Meeting Schedule of the City
Council
City Administrator Forbis provided staff presentation and responded to Council
Member questions.
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment. There being no speakers, Mayor
Blankley closed Public Comment.
Motion: Read the ordinance by title only and waive further reading of the
ordinance.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Dion Bracco, Mayor Pro Tempore
SECONDER: Fred Tovar, Council Member
AYES: Council Member Armendariz, Mayor Pro Tempore Bracco,
Council Member Cline, Council Member Hilton, Council
Member Marques, Council Member Tovar, Mayor Blankley
City Clerk Pham read aloud the title of the ordinance.
Motion: Introduce an ordinance of the City Council of the City of Gilroy
amending Chapter 2 relating to the Regular Meeting Schedule of the City
Council.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Tom Cline, Council Member
SECONDER: Rebeca Armendariz, Council Member
AYES: Council Member Armendariz, Mayor Pro Tempore Bracco,
Council Member Cline, Council Member Hilton, Council
Member Marques, Council Member Tovar, Mayor Blankley
11. INTRODUCTION OF NEW BUSINESS
11.1. Presentation of the Comprehensive Water and Wastewater Utilities Rate
Study; Adoption of a Resolution Commencing the Proposition 218 Noticing
Process, and Setting October 16, 2023, as the Date for the Public Hearing
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to Adopt Water and Wastewater Rates
Finance Director Sangha provided staff presentation and responded to Council
Member questions.
Public Comment was opened by Mayor Blankley and closed due to no speakers.
Motion: Receive the report and adopt the resolution declaring intent to
adjust water and wastewater rates, commencing the Proposition 218
noticing process, and setting October 16, 2023, as the date for the Public
Hearing to adopt the new proposed water and wastewater rates.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Dion Bracco, Mayor Pro Tempore
SECONDER: Marie Blankley, Mayor
AYES: Council Member Armendariz, Mayor Pro Tempore Bracco,
Council Member Cline, Council Member Hilton, Council
Member Marques, Council Member Tovar, Mayor Blankley
Enactment No.: Resolution No. 2023-49
11.2. Extension of Temporary Outdoor Dining Program
Community Development Director Goei provided staff presentation and
responded to Council Member questions.
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment.
Sammy Trujillo spoke in support of the resolution.
Jose Montes spoke in support of the resolution.
There being no further speakers, Mayor Blankley closed Public Comment.
Motion: Adopt the Resolution.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Fred Tovar, Council Member
SECONDER: Zach Hilton, Council Member
AYES: Council Member Armendariz, Mayor Pro Tempore Bracco,
Council Member Hilton, Council Member Marques, Council
Member Tovar, Mayor Blankley
NAYS: Council Member Cline
Enactment No.: Resolution No.: 2023-50
11.3. Adopt a Resolution of Intention to Reimburse Expenditures for Costs
Incurred in Connection with the Gilroy Ice Center Project
Finance Director Sangha provided staff presentation and responded to Council
Member questions.
Public Comment was opened by Mayor Blankley and closed due to no speakers.
Motion: Adopt a Resolution of Intention to Reimburse Expenditures for
Costs Incurred in Connection with the Gilroy Ice Center Project (the
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“Project”).
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Tom Cline, Council Member
SECONDER: Carol Marques, Council Member
AYES: Council Member Armendariz, Mayor Pro Tempore Bracco,
Council Member Cline, Council Member Hilton, Council
Member Marques, Council Member Tovar, Mayor Blankley
Enactment No.: Resolution No. 2023-51
12. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORTS
12.1. Gilroy 2023-2031 Housing Element Update
The item was reported earlier.
12.2. Santa Teresa Interim Fire Station Update
Fire Chief Wyatt provided a report on this item and responded to Council
Member questions.
13. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORTS
City Attorney Faber provided a brief report and responded to Council Member questions.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Blankley adjourned the meeting at 8:29 PM.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing minutes were duly and regularly adopted at a regular
meeting of the City Council of the City of Gilroy on September 11, 2023.
Thai Nam Pham, MMC, CPMC
City Clerk