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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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