10/10/2023 Downtown Committee Regular Meeting Adopted 11/14/2023
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City of Gilroy
Downtown Committee Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, October 10, 2023 | 8:00 AM
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chair Marques at 8:00 AM.
2. ROLL CALL
Attendance Attendee Name
Present Rebeca Armendariz (Council Member), Committee Member
Fran Beaudet, Committee Member
Marie Blankley (Mayor), Committee Member
Toni Bowles, Committee Member
Dion Bracco (Mayor Pro Tempore), Committee Member
Frank Johnson, Committee Member
Dave Leal, Committee Member
Savanah Logenbach, Committee Member
Carol Marques (Council Member), Chair
Emily McEwan-Upright, Committee Member
Jeanie Rizzuto, Committee Member
Fred M. Tovar (Council Member), Vice-Chair
Victoria Valencia, Committee Member
Absent Matt Gallion, Committee Member
Chair Marques introduced new Committee Members Savanah Logenbach and Frank Johnson
to the rest of the committee.
3. Public Comment
Chair Marques opened Public Comment.
Rob Weaver voiced concerns about the demolition of a notable downtown building,
inquiring about the permit involved and proposing an ordinance to ensure adequate
funds for reconstruction pre-demolition to avoid persistent ruins.
There being no further speakers, Chair Marques closed Public Comment.
4. Approval of the Minutes:
Motion: Approve the August 15, 2023 and September 12, 2023 Meeting Minutes
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Emily McEwan-Upright
SECONDER: Fred M. Tovar
AYES: Rebeca Armendariz, Fran Beaudet, Marie Blankley, Toni Bowles,
Dion Bracco, Frank Johnson, Dave Leal, Savanah Logenbach, Emily
McEwan-Upright, Jeanie Rizzuto, Victoria Valencia,
Fred M. Tovar, Carol Marques
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Matt Gallion
October 10, 2023 | 8:00 AM Page 2 of 2 Downtown Committee
Regular Meeting Minutes
5. Replacement of Two Committee Members
Two openings on the Committee were acknowledged due to members' departures.
Preference for replacements will be given to downtown building or business owners. Members
are tasked to nominate candidates, with the process remaining as per existing bylaws.
6. Report Out from Sub-Committees
a) Beautification of Downtown (Beaudet and Tovar)
• Discussed upcoming Gourmet Alley construction, pop-up park enhancements, and
interactive art installations.
• Addressed vandalism affecting downtown lighting and discussed maintenance.
• Explored landscape, infrastructure, signage improvements, and advertising
strategies.
• Talked about the possibility of cleaning fees for events and outdoor dining
establishments.
• Reviewed challenges with the existing facade improvement grant and permit
funding, suggesting a review for possible fund increase.
b) Subcommittee Report on Noise (Blankley and Bowles)
• Presented a comparative analysis of noise codes in neighboring cities.
• Recommended revising Gilroy's noise ordinance for clarity and simplicity.
• Proposed a downtown-specific noise ordinance, with specific noise levels and
hours to balance business interests with resident comfort.
• Suggested urban design interventions for traffic noise reduction.
• Discussed complaint-based enforcement and acknowledged the need for more
specific enforcement mechanisms.
• Agreed to refine the proposed noise ordinance based on feedback, aiming for a
final review by November 14th and a potential council review on November 20th.
• The committee directed the sub-committee to amend the report by changing
"music" to "noise" in point 5(a) and "4th" to "3rd" in point 8(a). Further discussion is
needed on point 8(c) regarding the timeframe. The committee also acknowledged
the need for a more detailed study and discussion on reducing Monterey St. to one
lane between 4th and 7th to mitigate traffic noise. This will involve exploring the
potential impacts on traffic flow, safety, and local businesses, as well as considering
alternative noise reduction measures. The committee agreed to delve deeper into
this issue, aiming to develop a well-informed proposal for future consideration.
6. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Marques adjourned the meeting at 9:02 AM.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing minutes were duly and regularly adopted at a regular
meeting of the Gilroy Downtown Committee of the City of Gilroy on November 14, 2023.
Thai Nam Pham, MMC, CPMC
City Clerk