11/06/2023 City Council Regular Meeting Adopted 11/20/2023
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City of Gilroy
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
Monday, November 6, 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 Cline led the Pledge of Allegiance.
1.3. Invocation
Pastor Malcolm MacPhail from New Hope 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
Zach Hilton, Council Member
Carol Marques, Council Member
Fred Tovar, Council Member
Marie Blankley, Mayor
Absent None 1.6. Orders of the Day
Mayor Blankley asked the Council to move item 3.2 after 4. Reports of Council
Members. The request was acknowledged and received unanimous approval.
1.7. Employee Introductions
There were none.
2. CEREMONIAL ITEMS - Proclamations and Awards
2.1. Proclamation Proclaiming November 12 – 18, 2023 as United Against Hate
Week
Mayor Blankley read aloud the proclamation and presented it to Susan Meyers
and Marian Yoder from the INterfaith CommUNITY.
2.2. Proclamation Proclaiming November 6, 2023 as Digital NEST Day
The proclamation was acknowledged.
3. PRESENTATIONS TO THE COUNCIL
3.1. Annual Presentation by the Open Government Commission
Open Government Commission Chair Bentz presented the Open Government
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Regular Meeting Minutes
Commission annual presentation and responded to Council Member questions.
3.2. Open Government Commission Presentation on Hybrid Meetings
Open Government Commissioner Somavia provided the commission’s
presentation on hybrid meetings and responded to Council Member questions.
3.3. 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.
Robert Zepeda emphasized the importance of the First Amendment,
advocating for the right to free speech and expression, including the right
to criticize and oppose, while acknowledging the negative connotations
associated with hate, during the discussion on United Against Hate Week.
There being no further speakers, Mayor Blankley closed Public Comment.
4. REPORTS OF COUNCIL MEMBERS
Council Member Bracco reported on Santa Clara County Library Joint Powers Authority.
Council Member Armendariz had no report.
Council Member Marques had no report.
Council Member Hilton reported on Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority JPA Board and
VTA Policy Advisory Committee.
Council Member Cline had no report.
Council Member Tovar had no report.
Mayor Blankley reported on CalTrain Policy Group, Gilroy Sister Cities Association, VTA
Board of Directors, and VTA Mobility Partnership Committee
5. COUNCIL CORRESPONDENCE
There were none.
6. FUTURE COUNCIL INITIATED AGENDA ITEMS
Council Member Armendariz proposed for future consideration the adoption of rules of
decorum for public speakers, which was unanimously supported, and the discussion on
permitting virtual public participation in meetings, which received majority support.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment. There being no speakers, Mayor Blankley closed
Public Comment.
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Regular Meeting Minutes
Motion: Approve the Consent Calendar.
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 Hilton, Council Member Marques,
Council Member Tovar, Mayor Blankley
NOES: None
7.1. Approval of the Action Minutes of the October 16, 2023 City Council
Regular Meeting
A motion was made to approve the minutes.
7.2. Adoption of Revised City of Gilroy Records Management Policy and
Compliance with the California Public Records Act (CPRA) Recodification
Act (AB 473)
A motion was made to adopt the revised City of Gilroy Records Management
Policy.
7.3. Removal of Commissioner Kortney Hodge from Parks and Recreation
Commission Pursuant to Gilroy City Charter Section 900
A motion was made to remove Commissioner Hodge from the Parks and
Recreation Commission.
7.4. Acceptance of an Assistance to Firefighters Grant in the Amount of
$66,583 for the Fire Department
A motion was made to accept the grant.
7.5. Approve the Second Amendment to the Agreement with InfoSend, Inc. for
Utility Bill Printing, Mailing, and Online Payment Services
A motion was made to approve the second amendment to the Agreement with
InfoSend, Inc.
8. BIDS AND PROPOSALS
There were none.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were none.
10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There were none.
11. INTRODUCTION OF NEW BUSINESS
11.1. Introduction of an Ordinance Amending Chapters 17A and 24 of the Gilroy
City Code in Compliance with the California Public Records Act (CPRA)
Recodification Act (AB 473)
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City Clerk Pham provided staff presentation and responded to Council Member
questions.
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment. There being no speakers, Mayor
Blankley closed Public Comment.
Motion: Read the ordinance by title only and waive further ready of the
ordinance.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Tom Cline, Council Member
SECONDER: Carol Marques, Council Member
AYES: Council Member Armendariz, Mayor Pro Tempore Bracco,
Council Member Cline, Council Member Hilton, Council
Member Marques, Council Member Tovar, Mayor Blankley
NOES: None
City Clerk Pham read aloud the title of the proposed ordinance.
Motion: Introduce an Ordinance amending Chapters 17A and 24 of the
Gilroy City Code.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Tom Cline, Council Member
SECONDER: Rebeca Armendariz, Council Member
AYES: Council Member Armendariz, Mayor Pro Tempore Bracco,
Council Member Cline, Council Member Hilton, Council
Member Marques, Council Member Tovar, Mayor Blankley
NOES: None
11.2. Approval of Two (2) Mills Act Agreement Applications for Historic
Properties Located at 286 Fifth Street and 7471 Hanna Street
Customer Service Manager McCormick provided staff presentation and
responded to Council Member questions.
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment.
Carlos Ceballos addressed the council about his ownership of the historic
"Gilroy White House," detailing the property's restoration, solar roof
addition, and its significance in American history, having housed two
mayors and hosted two U.S. presidents.
There being no further speakers, Mayor Blankley closed Public Comment.
Motion: Based on its independent analysis, find that approval of the Mills
Act contracts are exempt from review under the California Environmental
Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15331,
pertaining to projects involving the maintenance, rehabilitation,
restoration, preservation, or reconstruction of historical resources, and
where it can be seen with certainty that the Mills Act contracts would not
result in a significant environmental effect.
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RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Dion Bracco, Mayor Pro Tempore
SECONDER: Tom Cline, Council Member
AYES: Council Member Armendariz, Mayor Pro Tempore Bracco,
Council Member Cline, Council Member Hilton, Council
Member Marques, Council Member Tovar, Mayor Blankley
NOES: None
Motion: Approve the Mills Act program request and authorize the City
Administrator to execute a Mills Act Agreement for the property located at
286 Fifth Street.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Dion Bracco, Mayor Pro Tempore
SECONDER: Tom Cline, Council Member
AYES: Council Member Armendariz, Mayor Pro Tempore Bracco,
Council Member Cline, Council Member Hilton, Council
Member Marques, Council Member Tovar, Mayor Blankley
NOES: None
Motion: Approve the Mills Act program request and authorize the City
Administrator to execute a Mills Act Agreement for the property located at
7471 Hanna Street.
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 Hilton, Council
Member Marques, Council Member Tovar, Mayor Blankley
NOES: None
11.3. Inclusionary Housing Introduction
Community Development Director Goei introduced ECONorthwest's Project
Director Chris Blakney and Project Manager James Kim, who presented to the
Council and addressed questions from the Council.
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment. There being no speakers, Mayor
Blankley closed Public Comment.
The Council received the report.
12. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORTS
City Administrator Forbis provided the City Administrator’s report.
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13. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORTS
There were none.
14. CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment. There being no speakers, Mayor Blankley closed
Public Comment.
The vote to go into Closed Session was unanimous.
Mayor Blankley recessed the Regular Meeting at 8:00 PM.
The City Council reconvened into Closed Session at 8:05 PM.
The vote to stay in Closed Session was unanimous.
14.1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – PENDING LITIGATION:
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) and Gilroy City Code Section
17A.11(3)(b)
Name of cases: Law Foundation of Silicon Valley v. Superior Court, 6th
District Court of Appeal Case No. H049554; and City of Gilroy v. Superior
Court, 6th District Court of Appeal
Case No. H049552
No reportable action.
14.2. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS Pursuant to GC
Sec. 54956.8 and GCC Sec.17A.8 (a) (2)
Properties:10th Street Bridge: APNs 808-19-007, 799-30-006, 799-30-007,
808-19-020, 808-50-999, Thomas Luchessa Bridge: APNs 808-21-025, 808-
21-023, 808-21-021, 808-21-018, New Fire Station: APNs 808-18-003, 808-19-
029
Negotiators: Jimmy Forbis, City Administrator;
Other Party to Negotiations: Glen Loma Corporation, John M. Filice, Jr.;
Negotiating Price and terms of payment regarding purchase, sale
No reportable action.
15. ADJOURN TO OPEN SESSION
Mayor Blankley reported out of Closed Session as shown above.
16. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Blankley adjourned the meeting at 8:25 PM.
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Regular Meeting Minutes
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing minutes were duly and regularly adopted at a regular
meeting of the City Council of the City of Gilroy on November 20, 2023.
Thai Nam Pham, MMC, CPMC
City Clerk