Resolution 2009-41
1
RESOLUTION NO. 2009-41
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GILROY
REQUESTING MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ACT ON THE ISSUE OF
TERRITORIAL RIGHTS IN THE COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA
WHEREAS, the County of Santa Clara would reap significant economic development by
the relocation of major League Baseball's franchise, the Oakland Athletics, to San Jose; and,
WHEREAS, the San Francisco Giants currently have territorial rights to the County of
Santa Clara, which were granted in 1992, during a period in which the franchise was considering
a move to the County of Santa Clara; and,
WHEREAS, the Oakland Athletics have identified the City of San Jose as their principal
choice for their new franchise location; and,
WHEREAS, the proposed site is immediately accessible by multiple transportation
options, including bus, lightrail, CalTrain, and eventually, High Speed Rail and BART some of
which serve or will serve the City of Gilroy; and,
WHEREAS, the County of Santa Clara's rights of self-determination, autonomy and
independence in entering into a relationship with a Major League sports team are being
compromised through a prior decision by Major League Baseball over which it has no effective
control; and,
WHEREAS, the Oakland Athletics were gracious and cooperative in 1992 when asked to
agree with the assignment of the territory for a new San Francisco Giants stadium that was
ultimately never built; and,
WHEREAS, the County of Santa Clara is one of two primary economic markets in
Northern California and includes San Jose, which is the largest city in the region and third largest
city in California and is in close proximity to the City of Gilroy and its residents and baseball
fans; and,
WHEREAS, Major League Baseball has convened a blue ribbon panel of stadium experts
to determine the best possible location for the Oakland Athletics including sites in the County of
Santa Clara;
WHEREAS, the City of Gilroy, its residents including fans of baseball, would reap
attendant benefits by the establishment of the an Oakland "A's" franchise in the City of San Jose
due to its close proximity to San Jose by way of multi modal facility and Highway 101 corridor;
and
RESOLUTION NO. 2009-41
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WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Gilroy therefore supports the County of
Santa Clara's efforts to have Major League Baseball authorize a franchise for the Oakland A's in
Santa Clara County;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council does hereby respectfully
request that Major League Baseball, with whatever means possible and appropriate, eliminate the
San Francisco Giants franchise exclusivity as to the County of Santa Clara.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Gilroy, on this 2nd day of
November, 2009, by the following vote:
AYES
COUNCILMEMBERS: ARELLANO, BRACCO, DILLON, GARTMAN,
TUCKER, WOODWARD and PINHEIRO
NOES
COUNCILMEMBERS:
NONE
ABSENT:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
NONE
APPROVED:
RESOLUTION NO. 2009-41
I, SHA WNA FREELS, City Clerk of the City of Gilroy, do hereby certify that the
attached Resolution No. 2009-41 is an original resolution, or true and correct copy of a city
resolution, duly adopted by the Council of the City of Gilroy at a regular meeting of said Council
held on the 2nd day of November, 2009, at which meeting a quorum was present.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Official Seal of
the City of Gilroy this 3rd day of November, 2009.
a Freels, CMC
lerk of the City of Gilroy
(Seal)