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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/01/2026 City Council Regular Meeting June 1, 2026 | 5:00 PM Page 1 of 11 City Council Minutes City of Gilroy City Council Monday, June 1, 2026 | 5:00 PM 1. SPECIAL MEETING - 5:00 PM 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Mayor Bozzo at 5:04 PM. 2. Roll Call Attendance Attendee Name Present Council Member Dion Bracco Council Member Tom Cline Council Member Terence Fugazzi Council Member Zach Hilton Council Member Carol Marques Council Member Kelly Ramirez Mayor Greg Bozzo 3. Appeal Hearing of the Final Decision in the Matter of the Administrative Hearing regarding Business License and Tobacco Retailer's Permit Issued to Account No. 16606725 - The Rock Zone, located at 1323 First Street, Gilroy, California Attorney Steve Defilippis provided the opening argument for the Appellant. Captain Luke Powell provided the opening argument for the City of Gilroy. Attorney Steve Defilippis provided the rebuttal argument for the Appellant. Captain Luke Powell provided the rebuttal argument for the City of Gilroy. Motion Deny Rock Zone's Appeal and suspend their Tobacco Retailer's Permit for one year. RESULT: Passed MOVER: Council Member Zach Hilton SECONDER: Council Member Terence Fugazzi AYES: Council Member Dion Bracco, Council Member Tom Cline, Council Member Terence Fugazzi, Council Member Zach Hilton, Council Member Carol Marques, Council Member Kelly Ramirez, Mayor Greg Bozzo NAYS: None ABSENT: None 2. OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT 3. REGULAR MEETING- 6:00 PM June 1, 2026 | 5:00 PM Page 2 of 11 City Council Minutes 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Mayor Bozzo at 6:00 PM. 2. Roll Call Attendance Attendee Name Present Council Member Dion Bracco Council Member Tom Cline Council Member Terence Fugazzi Council Member Zach Hilton Council Member Carol Marques Council Member Kelly Ramirez Mayor Greg Bozzo 3. City Clerk's Report on Posting the Agenda City Clerk Kim Mancera reported on the Posting of the Agenda. 4. Pledge of Allegiance Council Member Hilton led the Pledge of Allegiance. 5. Invocation Pastor Malcolm McPhail with New Hope Community Church led the Invocation. 6. Orders of the Day Mayor Bozzo announced that item 8.1 - Public Hearing on Downtown Gilroy Street Banner Policy and Program Guidelines and Fee Schedule Amendment has been continued to the August 3, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting, and moving item 10.1 to be heard after the Consent Calendar. 7. Employee Introductions City Administrator Matt Morley introduced Police Chief Brandon Sanchez. Public Works Director John Doughty introduced Engineer I Sebastian Guitron. 4. PRESENTATIONS TO THE COUNCIL 1. PUBLIC COMMENT BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA BUT WITHIN THE SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL Mayor Bozzo opened public comment at 6:17 P.M. Kelly Larsen - Shared concerns and posed questions surrounding Gilroy's plans for Amazon Data Center. Jennifer Paedon - Invited Gilroy residents to an Open House put on by Amazon Web Services. The Open House will give the community a chance to ask questions June 1, 2026 | 5:00 PM Page 3 of 11 City Council Minutes and get a first hand look at what the Amazon Data Center can and will do for the community. Rebecca Armendariz - Spoke opposing the planned ICE Detention Center being built near Gilroy. Armando Benavides - Asked for more transparency regarding the Amazon Web Services Data Center being built in Gilroy and future projects that are similar. Connie Rogers - Asked for more transparency regarding the Amazon Web Services Data Center being built in Gilroy and future projects that are similar. Joanne Fierro - Asked for more transparency regarding the Amazon Web Services Data Center being built in Gilroy and future projects that are similar. Erin O'Brien - Spoke opposing the planned ICE Detention Center being built near Gilroy. Ashley Castillo - Asked Council to adopt stronger regulations and restrictions for tobacco retailers within the City. Phillip Garcia - Expressed concerns about handicap parking signs being removed from his property. With no further speakers, Mayor Bozzo closed public comment. 5. REPORTS OF COUNCIL MEMBERS 1. Council Member Bracco – Downtown Committee, Santa Clara County Library Joint Powers Authority, Santa Clara Water Commission, Santa Clara Valley Water Joint Water Resources Committee, SCRWA Council Member Fugazzi – Santa Clara Water Commission (alternate), Silicon Valley Regional Interoperability Authority Board (alternate), SCRWA, Visit Gilroy California Welcome Center, VTA Mobility Partnership Committee Council Member Marques – ABAG, Downtown Committee, Santa Clara County Library Joint Powers Authority (alternate), Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency Governing Board, Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency Implementation Board, SCRWA (alternate) Council Member Hilton – CalTrain Policy Group, Santa Clara County Expressway Plan 2040 Advisory Board (alternate), Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority JPA Board, South County Youth Task Force Policy Team, VTA Policy Advisory Committee Council Member Ramirez – ABAG (alternate), Gilroy Gardens Board of Directors (alternate), Gilroy Sister Cities, Gilroy Youth Task Force (alternate), SCRWA, Santa Clara Housing and Community Development Advisory June 1, 2026 | 5:00 PM Page 4 of 11 City Council Minutes Committee Council Member Cline – CalTrain Policy Group (alternate), Gilroy Sister Cities (alternate), Gilroy Youth Task Force, Santa Clara County Expressway Plan 2040 Advisory Board, Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority JPA Board (alternate), Silicon Valley Regional Interoperability Authority Board, Visit Gilroy California Welcome Center (alternate), VTA Mobility Partnership Committee, VTA Policy Advisory Committee (alternate) Mayor Bozzo – Gilroy Gardens Board of Directors, Santa Clara Valley Water Joint Water Resources Committee, South County Youth Task Force Policy Team, VTA Board of Directors (alternate), Santa Clara Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee (alternate) Council Member Bracco - No report. Council Member Fugazzi - Provided updates from Visit Gilroy. Council Member Marques - Reported on her tour of Anderson Dam with Valley Water. Council Member Hilton - No report. Council Member Ramirez - Acknowledged city staff for holding a Developer Roundtable and for also holding their second Town Hall in Downtown and shared that many members of the community were very appreciative of the staff's efforts. She acknowledged the local heroes who were honored at the Exchange Club's Blue and Gold Luncheon. She also gave praise to the Public Works Department for their successful Open House event. She reported from the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency meeting and provided updates. Lastly, she reported how pleased she was with Gilroy's new Farmers Market held in the parking lot off of 7th and Eigleberry and also encouraged the city electeds and city staff to attend the City Association Annual Picnic. Council Member Cline - Reported that he Chaired the BTA Mobility Partnership Committee meeting and attended the Visit Gilroy's California Welcome Center board meeting as an alternate. Lastly, he reported that he Chaired the Silicon Valley Regional Interoperability Authority board meeting and provided an update. Mayor Bozzo - Provided updates from the Valley Transportation Authority and also gave praise to the Public Works Department for being proactive in maintaining trees that were previously affected by Elm Leaf Beetles. 6. BOARD AND COMMISSION INTERVIEWS 1. Interviews for Open Seats on the Youth Commission with Future Appointment on June 15, 2026 City Clerk Kim Mancera proceeded with the interviews and appointments. June 1, 2026 | 5:00 PM Page 5 of 11 City Council Minutes The following applicants were interviewed for the Youth Commission. Mia Gibson Abigail Nguyen Asztryd Bolanos Cormac Stumpf Jaxson Liu Jeremy Vu Kacie Walker Lizeth Gomez Rodriguez Robert Gareev Sarah Issac William Purdy Council will appoint a total of five commissioners during the June 15th City Council Meeting. 7. CONSENT CALENDAR Mayor Bozzo opened public comment at 6:55 P.M. Michelle Nelson - Spoke in support of adopting the resolution from item 7.9. Arcelia O'Connor - Spoke in support of adopting the resolution from item 7.9. Jan Guffey - Shared facts surrounding ICE Detention Facilities throughout the country. Armando Benavides - Spoke in support of adopting the resolution from item 7.9. Edwin Salazar - Expressed concerns about how he believes an ICE Detention Facility would affect the community within Gilroy. Cinthia Garcia Benitez - Spoke opposing an ICE Detention Facility being built near Gilroy. Yuli Abundis - Expressed concerns about how she believes an ICE Detention Facility would affect the community within Gilroy. Nazli Marquez - Spoke opposing an ICE Detention Facility being built near Gilroy. Yvette Gasca - Spoke in support of adopting the resolution from item 7.9. Gabriel Uribe - Expressed concerns about how he believes an ICE Detention Facility would affect the community within Gilroy. Ron Kirkish - Spoke in opposition of adopting the resolution from item 7.9. Batman of San Jose - Spoke opposing an ICE Detention Facility being built near Gilroy. Bill O'Connor - Spoke in support of adopting the resolution from item 7.9. June 1, 2026 | 5:00 PM Page 6 of 11 City Council Minutes Lillian Silva - Spoke in support of Item 7.6. Lisa Marques - Supports the funding of drug education. With no further speakers, Mayor Bozzo closed public comment. Motion Approve the consent calendar. RESULT: Passed MOVER: Council Member Kelly Ramirez SECONDER: Council Member Tom Cline AYES: Council Member Dion Bracco, Council Member Tom Cline, Council Member Terence Fugazzi, Council Member Zach Hilton, Council Member Carol Marques, Council Member Kelly Ramirez, Mayor Greg Bozzo NAYS: None ABSENT: None 1. Approve the May 18, 2026 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes 2. Contract Amendment with Jensen Landscape Services, Inc. under the Existing Multi-Year Agreement (Year 2 of 3) for a One-Time Landscaping Scope, Enhancements, and Weed Abatement Services, establishing a Revised Year Two Not-to-Exceed Amount of $1,189,295 3. Claim of Saileel Vijaykar (The City Administrator recommends a "yes" vote under the Consent Calendar shall constitute denial of the claim) 4. Claim of Lisa & Joel Neilsen (The City Administrator recommends a "yes" vote under the Consent Calendar shall constitute denial of the claim) 5. Claim of Rebecca Beyer (The City Administrator recommends a "yes" vote under the Consent Calendar shall constitute denial of the claim) 6. Consent to the Assignment of the Carry the Vision Opioid Remediation Services Agreement to PitStop Outreach 7. Consent the Appointment of Arts and Culture Commissioner to Fill the Remainder of a Term Ending 12/31/2027 8. Consent the City Administrator's Recommendation to Appoint Michael O'Connell to the Department Head Position of Interim Utilities Director 9. Adopt a Resolution Opposing the Development of a Federal Detention Facility in South Santa Clara County 10. INTRODUCTION OF NEW BUSINESS 1. Consider Re-opening Wayland and Hanna Parking Lots at Las Animas Veterans Park June 1, 2026 | 5:00 PM Page 7 of 11 City Council Minutes The meeting recessed at 7:12 P.M. and reconvened at 7:22 P.M. Public Works Director John Doughty provided a presentation and report. Mayor Bozzo opened public comment at 7:44 P.M. Carla Ruigh - Urged Council to reopen the parking lots and to view the park as a community asset. Dennis Bolger - Supports keeping the parking lots closed. Joe Pagoaga - Supports keeping the parking lots closed. Shannon Glasper - Supports keeping the parking lots closed. Skip Bloom - Supports keeping the parking lots closed. Jaxson Pope Liu - Supports keeping the parking lots closed. Ron Kirkish - Asked Council to seek a middle ground where the gates can be opened and the concerns for safety within the neighborhoods can be addressed. Araceli Vaquera - Shared her expectations for Council should they vote to reopen the parking lots. Alicia - Supports keeping the parking lots closed. With no further speakers, Mayor Bozzo closed public comment. Motion Approve the reopening of the Wayland and Hanna parking lots on a trial basis on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 7:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. with re-evaluation from staff back to Council in three months. RESULT: Passed MOVER: Council Member Carol Marques SECONDER: Council Member Terence Fugazzi AYES: Council Member Terence Fugazzi, Council Member Carol Marques, Council Member Kelly Ramirez, Mayor Greg Bozzo NAYS: Council Member Dion Bracco, Council Member Tom Cline, Council Member Zach Hilton ABSENT: None 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Public Hearing on Downtown Gilroy Street Banner Policy and Program Guidelines and Fee Schedule Amendment June 1, 2026 | 5:00 PM Page 8 of 11 City Council Minutes Mayor Bozzo announced that Item 8.1 had been continued to the August 3rd, 2026 City Council meeting. 2. Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 30, Article II and XIX of the Gilroy City Code, Relating to Tobacco Retailers and Smoke Shops Planning Manager Michael Fossati provided a presentation and report. Mayor Bozzo opened the public hearing at 8:29 P.M. Bryan Lam - Expressed concerns pertaining to the language within the amended ordinance. Maya Rivera Reyes - Spoke in support of stronger restrictions on flavored tobacco products. Ezra Mersha - Spoke in support of stronger restrictions on flavored tobacco products. Leo - Spoke in support of stronger restrictions on flavored tobacco products. With no further speakers, Mayor Bozzo closed the public hearing. Motion Table item 8.2. RESULT: Passed MOVER: Council Member Terence Fugazzi SECONDER: Council Member Zach Hilton AYES: Council Member Dion Bracco, Council Member Tom Cline, Council Member Terence Fugazzi, Council Member Zach Hilton, Council Member Carol Marques, Council Member Kelly Ramirez, Mayor Greg Bozzo NAYS: None ABSENT: None 9. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Council Direction on a Draft Ordinance Amending Chapter 13 of the Gilroy City Code Relating to Tobacco Retailer Permits Deputy Director of Community Development Bryce Atkins gave a presentation and report. Mayor Bozzo opened public comment at 8:57 P.M. Alina & Emily - Spoke in support of stronger restrictions on flavored tobacco products. June 1, 2026 | 5:00 PM Page 9 of 11 City Council Minutes Joanna Corona - Spoke in support of stronger restrictions on flavored tobacco products. Bryan Lam - Shared an example illustrating how vague and non-specific language within tobacco retailer permits can put business owners at a disadvantage when it comes to the value of their business. Alicia - Expressed concerns pertaining to the Public Hearing that was held earlier in the day. Ron Kirkish - Shared how cigarettes often play a role in starting accidental fires. With no further speakers, Mayor Bozzo closed public comment. Report received. Direction was provided to staff to extend the emergency ordinance prohibiting new permits and to bring back the draft ordinance with additional language defining youth centers, near which these shops will be prohibited, and a map showing the impact of buffer zones with the youth centers. 2. Receive an Update and Provide Direction on Campaign Finance Laws, including Contribution Limits and Voluntary Expenditure Limits Assistant City Administrator Harjot Sangha provided a presentation and report. Mayor Bozzo opened public comment at 9:26 P.M. With no speakers, Mayor Bozzo closed public comment. Report received. Direction was provided to staff to maintain the contribution limits at $750, maintain the current voluntary expenditure limits at $1 per resident for the at-large mayor seat, and set the district candidate's voluntary expenditure limits at $25,000 per district. 3. Council Discussion and Adoption of a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gilroy Placing a Ballot Measure Proposal to Add a 0.25% Dedicated Public Safety Special Transactions and Use Tax at the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Elections Assistant City Administrator Harjot Sangha provided a presentation and report. Mayor Bozzo opened public comment at 10:06 P.M. Greg Felios - Asked to connect with the community to see what they would like to see regarding public safety. Jeff MacPhail - Shared the struggles that the Gilroy Fire Department is facing with June 1, 2026 | 5:00 PM Page 10 of 11 City Council Minutes being understaffed and shared his support of the ballot measure. Ann Marie McCauley - Expressed that she is for the tax measure but believes Council will have a hard time getting the community's support. With no further speakers, Mayor Bozzo closed public comment. Motion Adopt a resolution of the City Council of the City of Gilroy submitting to the qualified electors of the City of Gilroy, at the November 3, 2026, general municipal election previously called by Resolution No. 2026-29, a ballot measure to add Article V, sections 22.33 through and including 22.48 to Chapter 22 of the Gilroy City Code imposing a 0.25% (one-quarter of one percent) public safety special transactions and use tax with citizen oversight. RESULT: Failed MOVER: Council Member Kelly Ramirez SECONDER: Council Member Tom Cline AYES: Council Member Tom Cline, Council Member Carol Marques, Council Member Kelly Ramirez, Mayor Greg Bozzo NAYS: Council Member Dion Bracco, Council Member Terence Fugazzi, Council Member Zach Hilton ABSENT: None 11. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORTS No report. 12. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORTS No report. 13. CLOSED SESSION City Attorney Andy Faber announced the closed session items. City Attorney Andy Faber opened public comment at 10:34 P.M. With no speakers, City Attorney Andy Faber closed public comment. Motion Remain in closed session RESULT: Passed MOVER: None SECONDER: None AYES: Council Member Dion Bracco, Council Member Tom Cline, Council Member Terence Fugazzi, Council Member Carol Marques, Council Member Kelly Ramirez, Mayor Greg Bozzo NAYS: None ABSENT: Council Member Zach Hilton June 1, 2026 | 5:00 PM Page 11 of 11 City Council Minutes 1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS - COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UNITS Pursuant to GC Section 54957.6 and GCC Section 17 A.11 (4) Collective Bargaining Units: AFSCME Local 101 (General & Supervisory Units) Representing Employees Affiliated with AFSCME, Local 101; Local 2805, IAFF Fire Unit Representing Gilroy Firefighters City Negotiators: Matt Morley, City Administrator; LeeAnn McPhillips, Human Resources Director/Risk Manager Anticipated lssues(s) Under Negotiation: Wages, Hours, Benefits, Working Conditions; Memorandums of Understanding: City of Gilroy and Gilroy Fire Fighters Local 2805, City of Gilroy and AFSCME, Local 101 General & Supervisory Units 2. Public Employee Appointment/Employment Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 and Gilroy City Code Section 17A.11(2) Name/Title: Human Resources Director/Risk Manager 3. Public Employee Appointment/Employment Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 and Gilroy City Code Section 17A.11(2) Name/Title: Utilities Director 14. ADJOURN TO OPEN SESSION There was no reportable action from the closed session. 15. ADJOURNMENT With no additional business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 11:13 P.M 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 June 15, 2026. Kim Mancera City Clerk