Minutes 2012/04/30City of Gilroy
City Council Special Meeting Minutes
April 30, 2012
I. OPENING
A. Call to Order and Roll Call
Roll Call
Present: Council Member Dion Bracco; Council Member Peter Leroe- Munoz;
Mayor Pro Tempore Cat Tucker; Council Member Perry Woodward; Mayor Al
Pinheiro
Absent/Excused: Council Member Peter Arellano M.D.; Council Member Bob
Dillon
II. STUDY SESSION
A. Review of Zoning Code Section 37 "Signs"
The staff report was introduced by Community Development Department Director
Abrams, and further presented by Code Enforcement Officer Olmos.
Council Member Peter Arellano M.D. joined the meeting at 6:04 p.m.
Public comment was opened.
Nancy Robinson spoke on directional signing for real estate open house events, asking
that clarification on the number of permitted signs per property be addressed.
Jacqui Holladay spoke on proper signing asking for restrictions within reason and
sharing poor sign conditions in areas throughout the city. She explained that businesses
were struggling and A -frame signs drew -in business. She then spoke on enforcement
with additional restrictions and the need of additional enforcement staff.
Gary Walton asked for clarification on the number of A -frame signs for mall type offices,
and spoke on the need for quality signing to generate business and examples of proper
signing in the ordinance. He explained that there was no one - size - fits -all approach with
signing, stating that small businesses were affected more dramatically when sign
restrictions were too strict.
Jaime Rosso spoke on the need to promote sales events at his business, stating that
the difference when advertising outside with flags and banners verses not advertising
made a dramatic impact on, sales. He spoke on economic difficulties and the need for
banners and flags to drive customers in. He then spoke on the city's position with
regards to economic development explaining that allowing businesses to fully utilize
signing drew in additional sales tax revenue for the City.
Shanna Boigon with the Santa Clara County Board of Realtors spoke on the varying
realty sign ordinance provisions throughout the county, explaining that over the years a
common sense approach had always been used. She explained that open house signs
fell in the temporary directional signing category in Gilroy, spoke on the "shop at home"
concept, and concluded by explaining that the Board would continue to work with the
City.
Rose Santini spoke on the location of her auto business stating that her banners and
flags were needed to attract people to her business as it was behind another building.
George Briones of Nine Lives spoke on lighted signs in the downtown and other
downtown sign prohibitions. He explained that his particular business had little signage
and he believed concessions should be made for businesses such as his that had little
store frontage to utilize signing.
City Council Special Meeting Minutes
4 -30 -2012
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Devyn Vo spoke on the need for flags and banner signage for his small furniture
business.
Michelle Conrotto explained that she owned a Pilates business in the downtown and
had seen the increase in business when she used an A -frame sign. She then spoke on
the need for additional concessions for small business as they had little opportunity to
advertise.
John Rubio spoke on his business on First street explaining that the flags were very
tastefully done and drew in quite a bit of business explaining that the city had asked that
he take his flag down, and he had seen the decline in sales.
Randy Scianna of See Grins RV spoke on the progressive approach to business in
Gilroy. He spoke on the need for external signing as the public didn't read print
advertising, and explained that business owners needed to have the opportunity to do
things in a tasteful way, and restrictions should be removed.
Public comment was closed.
Council agreed to form a subcommittee with stake holders from various business
categories including downtown businesses, large and small businesses in a variety of
city geographic locations, as well as members from the Planning Commission, Bicycle
Pedestrian Commission, and Physically Challenged Board of Appeals to address each
one of the staff generated questions.
Council Members Bracco and Arellano offered to serve on the subcommittee.
The Council then agreed to bring back an item on the next regular agenda setting a
suspension on enforcement for the particular areas highlighted in the staff report.
III. NEW BUSINESS
A. South Valley Middle School Pool Update
The staff report was presented by City Administrator Haglund.
Public comment was opened.
School Board Trustee Jaime Rosso apologized for the School District's position on the
issue, explaining that the School District did not have the funding available to repair or
continue to maintain the swimming pool.
Public comment was closed.
B. Christopher High School Aquatics Center Draft Joint Use Agreement with
Gilroy Unified School District (GUSD)
The staff report was presented by City Administrator Haglund.
There were no public comments.
Motion on Item III.B. ^^n
Motion: approve the Christopher High School Aquatics Center Draft Joint Use
Agreement with Gilroy Unified School District and authorize the city administrator
to execute it.
Moved by Council Member Perry Woodward, seconded by Council Member Dion
Bracco.
Vote: Motion carried 6 -0 -1.
Yes: Council Member Peter Arellano M.D.; Council Member Dion Bracco; Council
Member Peter Leroe- Munoz; Mayor Pro Tempore Cat Tucker; Council Member
Perry Woodward; Mayor Al Pinheiro
City Council Special Meeting Minutes
4 -30 -2012
Absent: Council Member Bob Dillon
IV. ADJOURNMENT
The Council adjourned the meeting at 7:37 p.m.
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City Council Special Meeting Minutes
4 -30 -2012