Minutes 2017/11/07City of Gilroy
City Council Special Meeting Minutes
November 7, 2017
I. OPENING
A. Call to Order
Mayor Velasco called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.
Roll Call
Present: Council Member Daniel Harney; Council Member Paul Kloecker;
Council Member Fred Tovar; Mayor Roland Velasco
Absent/Excused: Mayor Pro Tempore Dion Bracco; Council Member Peter
Leroe- Munoz; Council Member Cat Tucker
II. STUDY SESSION
A. Economic Development Presentation
The staff report was presented by City Administrator Gonzalez.
Council Member Cat Tucker joined the meeting at 6:10 p.m.
Council Member Peter Leroe -Munoz joined the meeting at 6:13 p.m.
Public comment was opened.
Tammy Brownlow was called to speak sharing the focus of the Gilroy Economic
Development Corporation (EDC) and described the action plan of the EDC Board.
She spoke on the resources available through the EDC and the awareness of not
duplicating efforts describing the collaboration with the City and highlighted the
emerging agricultural technology sector and incentive programs for business. She
concluded by asking that mitigation efforts such as roadway improvements that
were hindering site development be looked at to support potential economic
development.
Connie Rogers was called to speak sharing the ability for the downtown to be
certified as a Nationally recognized historic district, suggesting that the downtown
historic buildings be revitalized. She spoke on the Mills Act policy and use of the
Act to assist downtown historic property owners in completing structural
improvements and receiving a significantly reduced assessment of their buildings.
Punit Kamrah was called to speak sharing suggestions for enticing industry such
as biotech and robo -tech and other industries to prepare the next generation for
the emerging technologies.
Jane Howard was called to speak sharing the trending data available through the
Welcome Center and describing the winery tourism opportunities and need to
complete the city's way- finding signing to assist with tourism development.
Mark Turner was called to speak explaining that the Chamber supported the best
practices and he then described the business walks that took place with
prospective businesses. He spoke on the Chamber buy - local, play - local, work -
local program and goals in establishing a partnership with the city, and need to
reduce "leakage" to other communities.
Linda West was called to speak explaining that the downtown needed to be
cleaned up and revitalized to entice business to Gilroy.
City Council Meeting Minutes
11/7/17
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Steve Seebart was called to speak explaining that the Historic Heritage
Committee would be working to update the historic building inventory to support
heritage tourism activities.
Council Member Fred Tovar left the meeting at 8:04 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
City Clerk
City Council Meeting Minutes
11/7/17