12/04/2023 City Council Regular Meeting Adopted 12/11/2023
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City of Gilroy
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
Monday, December 4, 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 Marques led the Pledge of Allegiance.
1.3. Invocation
Pastor Greg Quirke from South Valley Community Church provided 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
Carol Marques, Council Member
Fred Tovar, Council Member
Marie Blankley, Mayor
Absent Zach Hilton, Council Member
1.6. Orders of the Day
There were none.
1.7. Employee Introductions
Community Development Director Goei introduced Mariah Maganda, Office
Assistant.
Recreation Manager Henig introduced Jessica Gaeta, Office Assistant.
2. CEREMONIAL ITEMS - Proclamations and Awards
2.1. Proclamation Proclaiming December 6, 2023 as Arbor Day
Mayor Blankley read aloud the proclamation and presented it to Chair Ramirez
from the Parks and Recreation Commission.
3. PRESENTATIONS TO THE COUNCIL
3.1. Annual Presentation by the Personnel Commission
Personnel Commission Vice Chair Haro provided the annual presentation.
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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 for items that were not on the agenda.
Donald Perino spoke about the passing of Loretta Papetti, criticized the
city's fee charges for water services, and suggested using hybrid vehicles
over electric ones due to reliability concerns.
Ron Kirkish highlighted that a specific council member has missed 19 out
of 24 meetings in the last three years, equating to over 25% of the total
meetings.
Stefanie Elle expressed concerns about a lack of transparency and
collaboration in an email from Council Member Zach Hilton, discussed the
need for a better hand-off and transition plan for Planning Commission
duties, and advocated for more transparent communication and annual
meetings with the City Council.
There being no further speakers, Mayor Blankley closed Public Comment.
4. REPORTS OF COUNCIL MEMBERS
Council Member Bracco had no report.
Council Member Armendariz thanked the Gilroy Downtown Business Association for holding
the Gilroy Downtown Holiday Festival and Parade on Saturday, December 2, 2023.
Council Member Marques reported on the Gilroy Gardens Board of Directors, discussing
upcoming projects and improvements. She also praised the holiday parade.
Council Member Cline reported on the Silicon Valley Regional Interoperability Authority
Board.
Council Member Tovar thanked the Gilroy Downtown Business Association for putting on
the Gilroy Downtown Holiday Festival and Parade
Mayor Blankley reported that she attended the grand opening of South Valley Middle
School, the Gilroy Downtown Holiday Festival and Parade, and the CalTrain Policy Group.
5. COUNCIL CORRESPONDENCE
5.1. Letter from James Williams, Santa Clara County Executive Concerning
Ambulance Service in Gilroy and South Santa Clara County
Council acknowledged the item.
5.2. City Council Member Meeting Attendance
Council acknowledged the item.
6. FUTURE COUNCIL INITIATED AGENDA ITEMS
There were none.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment. There being no speakers, Mayor Blankley closed
Public Comment.
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Motion: Approve the Consent Calendar.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Fred Tovar, Council Member
SECONDER: Dion Bracco, Mayor Pro Tempore
AYES: Council Member Armendariz, Mayor Pro Tempore Bracco, Council
Member Cline, Council Member Marques, Council Member Tovar, Mayor
Blankley
NOES: None
ABSENT: Council Member Hilton
7.1. Approval of the Action Minutes of the November 20, 2023 City Council
Regular Meeting
A motion was made to approve the minutes.
7.2. Approval of a Notice of Acceptance of Completion for the Eigleberry and
Seventh Parking Lot Project No. 20-PW-444 and Approve a Final Contract
Amount with Norcal Contractor in the Amount of $2,026,595.38
A motion was made to approve the Notice of Acceptance of Completion.
7.3. Adoption of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Gilroy
Amending Chapter 30, Article LIV of the Gilroy City Code Relating to
Accessory Dwelling Units (Z 23-05)
A motion was made to adopt the ordinance.
Enactment No.: Ordinance No. 2023-11
8. BIDS AND PROPOSALS
8.1. Approve the Purchase of a Modular Replacement Restroom for Christmas
Hill Park and Authorize the City Administrator to Execute Related Purchase
Documents
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: Approve the purchase of a modular replacement three-stall
restroom for Christmas Hill Park in the amount of $210,836.00 utilizing
Sourcewell Bid #081721 with CXT, Inc. and authorize the City
Administrator to execute all related purchase documents.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Rebeca Armendariz, Council Member
SECONDER: Carol Marques, Council Member
AYES: Council Member Armendariz, Mayor Pro Tempore Bracco,
Council Member Cline, Council Member Marques, Council
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Member Tovar, Mayor Blankley
NOES None
ABSENT: Council Member Hilton
8.2. Award a Contract to Cal-West Lighting & Signal Maintenance, Inc. for the
FY23 San Ysidro Lighting/Picnic Area Improvements Project No. 23-PW-
281 and Approve a Project Expenditure of $178,200
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 Cal-West Lighting & Signal Maintenance, Inc.
in the amount of $162,000 and authorize an additional project contingency
of $16,200 (10%) for a total construction authorization of $178,200 for the
FY23 San Ysidro Lighting/Picnic Area Improvements, Project No. 23-PW-
281, and authorize the City Administrator to execute the contract and
associated documents.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Fred Tovar, Council Member
SECONDER: Rebeca Armendariz, Council Member
AYES: Council Member Armendariz, Mayor Pro Tempore Bracco,
Council Member Cline, Council Member Marques, Council
Member Tovar, Mayor Blankley
NOES: None
ABSENT: Council Member Hilton
8.3. Award of Contract to Ruggeri-Jensen-Azar & Associates for the
Preparation of Design Documents for the Gilroy Ice Center Street
Improvements and Traffic Signal Project (24 -RFP-PW-492), Approve a
Contract Expenditure of $316,000 and Authorize the City Administrator to
Execute the Final Agreement
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 Ruggeri-Jensen-Azar & Associates in the
amount of $301,000 and approve an additional project contingency of
$15,000 for a total amount of $316,000 for the preparation of design
documents for the Gilroy Ice Center Street Improvements and Traffic
Signal project (24-RFP-PW-492), and authorize the City Administrator to
execute the contract and associated documents.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Dion Bracco, Mayor Pro Tempore
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SECONDER: Fred Tovar, Council Member
AYES: Council Member Armendariz, Mayor Pro Tempore Bracco,
Council Member Cline, Council Member Marques, Council
Member Tovar, Mayor Blankley
NOES: None
ABSENT: Council Member Hilton
8.4. Award of Contract to Youth Alliance for the South County Restorative
Justice Youth Diversion Program Coordinator Position and Approve a
Contract Expenditure of $300,744
Youth Task Force Coordinator Cruz provided staff presentation and responded
to Council Member questions.
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment.
Ron Kirkish emphasized the need for increased funding for youth
programs, expressing a desire to see the budget exceed $1 million. He
acknowledged the community groups potentially receiving funds as
reputable but voiced concern about ensuring the money was not used by
groups that might teach disrespect towards police officers.
There being no further speakers, Mayor Blankley closed Public Comment.
Motion: Award a contract to Youth Alliance in the amount of $300,744 for
the South County Restorative Justice Youth Diversion Program
Coordinator Position and authorize the City Administrator to execute the
contract and associated documents.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Fred Tovar, Council Member
SECONDER: Tom Cline, Council Member
AYES: Council Member Armendariz, Mayor Pro Tempore Bracco,
Council Member Cline, Council Member Marques, Council
Member Tovar, Mayor Blankley
NOES: None
ABSENT: Council Member Hilton
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were none.
10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There were none.
11. INTRODUCTION OF NEW BUSINESS
11.1. Introduction to Draft Downtown Parking Management Plan
Interim Public Works Director Bjarke provided staff presentation and responded
to Council Member questions.
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Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment.
Matthew Gallion highlighted that parking is not a major issue but stressed
the need to improve safety and attractiveness, including better lighting
and support for businesses, to enhance the area's appeal and address
public concerns about safety and homelessness.
There being no further speakers, Mayor Blankley closed Public Comment.
Council directed Staff to review Phase 1 strategies, except for Strategy 2 – VTA
Parking Lot, and bring it back to Council for future approval.
11.2. Review of City of Gilroy Municipal Code, Chapter 16A, Article II - Mobile
Vending Permits and Enforcement
Assistant to City Administrator Atkins provided staff presentation and responded
to Council Member questions.
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment.
Miguel Flaquer advocated for fair and empathetic treatment of food
trucks, emphasizing the need to avoid overly stringent regulations and to
consider reevaluating permit licensing steps.
James Azar spoke about his positive experience operating a food truck in
Gilroy and emphasized the importance of food trucks in the community.
Sheila Monger highlighted the joy and excitement brought by food trucks
and other food vendors in enhancing the downtown experience .
Terri Hendrix-Hermann highlighted the negative impact of restrictive
regulations on food trucks and street vendors in downtown, observing a
decline in business and suggesting the lowering of fees and
reconsideration of laws, such as the ten-minute limit, to revive and
support the local food scene.
Joseph Elmhurst discussed the positive impact of food trucks on
community engagement and suggested looking to other cities for
innovative solutions.
Ryan Dickerson shared his insights on how food trucks contribute to the
diversity and attraction of downtown Gilroy.
Alex Carlino expressed strong support for food trucks, emphasizing their
importance for diverse dining options and suggesting simplification of the
application process.
Raj Sharma urged for a careful and thoughtful approach to regulations
affecting food trucks, emphasizing their positive impact on downtown
vitality.
Matthew Gallion advocated for a methodical approach to regulation and
permitting of food trucks, noting their importance in bringing life to
downtown areas
Alicia R. Hernandez spoke about the need to update city codes for food
trucks and suggested conducting workshops for public feedback on this
issue
There being no further speakers, Mayor Blankley closed Public Comment.
Council directed staff to undertake the following:
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• Review ordinances from other cities such as Hollister and Modesto. The
suggestion to include Morgan Hill was discouraged by the City
Administrator.
• Move the mobile vendor application process from the Police Department
to Community Development Department.
• Streamline and Simplify Permit Process.
• Place a limiting timeframe on application review.
• Find flexible locations for mobile vending, potentially designating
particular places for use on certain days, including potentiation city
properties.
• Explore the use of encroachment permits as a regulatory tool for
managing the operation of food trucks.
• Look into the feasibility of allowing food trucks to operate for longer hours
in the evening, thereby enhancing their accessibility and presence in the
community.
• Reduce Fees.
• Look at Modesto and how their food truck partnership is set up.
• Staff to meet with Downtown business owners and food truck operations.
11.3. Reorganization of Facilities & Fleet Divisions in the Administrative
Services Department
Assistant City Manager McPhillips provided staff presentation and responded to
Council Member questions.
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment. There being no speakers, Mayor
Blankley closed Public Comment.
Motion: Approve the reorganization of the Facilities and Fleet Divisions of
the Administrative Services Department and adopt a resolution approving
the updated Position Control List for FY 24.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Fred Tovar, Council Member
SECONDER: Rebeca Armendariz, Council Member
AYES: Council Member Armendariz, Mayor Pro Tempore Bracco,
Council Member Cline, Council Member Marques, Council
Member Tovar, Mayor Blankley
NOES: None
ABSENT: Council Member Hilton
Enactment No.: Resolution No. 2023-67
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12. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORTS
City Administrator Forbis provided his report.
13. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORTS
There were none.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Blankley adjourned the meeting at 9:14 PM.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing minutes were duly and regularly adopted at a meeting
of the City Council of the City of Gilroy on December 11, 2023.
Thai Nam Pham, MMC, CPMC
City Clerk