January 23, 2023 | 6:00 PM Page 1 of 7 City Council City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
City of Gilroy
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
Monday, January 23, 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 Tovar led the Pledge of Allegiance.
1.3. Invocation
Pastor Malcolm MacPhail from New Hope Community Church led 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
Attendee Name Title Status
Rebeca Armendariz Council Member Present
Dion Bracco Mayor Pro Tempore Present
Tom Cline Council Member Present
Zach Hilton Council Member Present
Carol Marques Council Member Present
Fred Tovar Council Member Present
Marie Blankley Mayor Present
1.6. Orders of the Day
There were none.
1.7. Employee Introductions
Finance Director Sangha introduced Carina Baksa, Finance Manager.
Community Development Director Goei introduced Arana Fabian, Planning Technician.
2. CEREMONIAL ITEMS - Proclamations and Awards
There were none.
3. PRESENTATIONS TO THE COUNCIL
3.1. Annual Presentation from City Historian
City Historian Toby Echelberry presented the Annual City Historian Presentation to Council.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
January 24, 2023
3.2. 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. The following members spoke on items that were not on the agenda.
The following members requested a Youth Center to be discussed as a future agenda item:
• Hazel Quintero
• Mateo Rodriguez
• Julian Martinez
• Xavier Garcia
• Michaela Caracter
• Makiah Caracter
• Leahna Rivera
• Marty Estrada
• Gabriela Mendoza
• Raymundo Armendariz
• Jaydah Castro
• Davina Luna
• Sally Armendariz
Victoria Valencia introduced herself as the President and CEO of the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce and provided an update on the Chamber’s upcoming workplan.
Peter Mandel, President of Congregation Emeth, invited the Council Members and the public to attend the Shanghai: Holocaust Port of Refuge event scheduled for February 5, 2023 at the Congregation Emeth in Morgan Hill.
Tim Cassady discussed mental health and its relationship to the weather.
There being no further speakers, Mayor Blankley closed Public Comment.
4. REPORTS OF COUNCIL MEMBERS
Council Member Bracco had nothing to report.
Council Member Armendariz wished everyone a Happy Lunar New Year and sent her condolences to the victims of the Monterey Park shooting.
Council Member Marques reported on Santa Clara County Habitat Agency Implementation Board.
Council Member Hilton reported on VTA Policy Advisory Committee.
Council Member Cline had nothing to report.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
January 24, 2023
Council Member Tovar reported on the following meetings:
• California Welcome Center
• General manager from Hampton Inn and the Poppy Jasper Film Festival Director • Dave Liao, new downtown business owner
He reminded the public about the RotaCare event scheduled for January 25th at 6:00 PM at 9300 Wren Avenue. He also acknowledged the folks involved in the Don Christopher Memorial at Don Christopher High School.
Mayor Blankley said she would attend the RotaCare Open House event, as mentioned previously by Council Member Tovar. She also reported on the South County Youth Task Force and VTA Board of Directors.
5. COUNCIL CORRESPONDENCE
6. FUTURE COUNCIL INITIATED AGENDA ITEMS
Council Member Armendariz requested Council to begin the discussion of having Oaxaca, Mexico become a Sister City with Gilroy. City Administrator Forbis stated that he would contact the Gilroy Sister Cities Association to begin discussions.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment. There being no speakers, Mayor Blankley closed Public Comment.
Motion: Adopt the Consent Calendar.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Fred Tovar, Council Member
SECONDER: Dion Bracco, Council Member
AYES: Council Member Armendariz, Bracco, Cline, Hilton, Marques, Tovar, and Mayor Blankley
7.1. Action Minutes of the January 9, 2023 City Council Regular Meeting.
A motion was made to approve the minutes.
7.2. Accept and File Quarterly Cash and Investment Report as of September 30, 2022
A motion was made to accept and file the Quarterly cash and Investment Report as of September 30, 2022.
7.3. Amendment to the Lease Agreement with Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park
A motion was made to approve the amendment to the lease agreement with Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park.
8. BIDS AND PROPOSALS
There were none.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
January 24, 2023
9. PUBLIC HEARING
There were none.
10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
10.1. Appointments to City Boards, Commission, and Committees with Seats Vacant as of January 9, 2023
City Clerk Pham provided a brief report on the item.
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment. There being no speakers, Mayor Blankley closed Public Comment.
Council appointed members to the following Boards and Commissions:
• Zhuoyuan Zhang was appointed to the Building Board of Appeals with a term expiring 12/31/2026.
• Sandra Ramirez was appointed to the Arts and Culture Commission with a term expiring 12/31/2025.
11. INTRODUCTION OF NEW BUSINESS
11.1. Interview and Appointment for the Position of City Historian Council Members interviewed applicant Toby Echelberry.
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment.
David Cassady spoke in favor of Toby Echelberry’s appointment to the City Historian position.
There being no further speakers, Mayor Blankley closed Public Comment.
RESULT: APPOINT TOBY ECHELBERRY AS CITY HISTORIAN FOR A FULL
TERM OF FOUR YEARS
AYES: Council Member Armendariz, Bracco, Cline, Hilton, Marques, Tovar, and Mayor Blankley
11.2. Receive Fiscal Year 2022-23 (FY23) Mid-Year Budget Update Report and Adopt a Resolution Updating the Position Control List
Finance Director Sangha gave staff presentation and responded to Council Member questions.
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment. There being no further speakers, Mayor Blankley closed Public Comment.
Motion:
Receive the FY23 Mid-Year Budget Update Report; and
Approve the addition of a Permit Technician position in the Community Development Department; and
Adopt a resolution updating the City’s FY23 Position Control List.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Rebeca Armendariz, Council Member
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
January 24, 2023
SECONDER: Fred Tovar, Council Member
AYES: Mayor Blankley, Council Member Armendariz, Council Member Hilton, Council Member Marques, Council Member Tovar, Council Member Cline NAYS: Council Member Bracco
Enactment No.: Resolution No. 2023-02
11.3. Resolution Declaring the Cherry Blossom Apartments as Surplus Pursuant Assistant to City Administrator Bryce Atkins provided staff presentation and responded to Council Member questions.
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment.
There being no further speakers, Mayor Blankley closed Public Comment.
Motion: Adopt a resolution of the City Council of the City of Gilroy declaring the Cherry Blossom Apartments Property to be surplus, and direct staff to proceed in conformance with the State Surplus Lands Act regarding the potential disposition of said property.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Fred Tovar, Council Member
SECONDER: Rebeca Armendariz, Council Member
AYES: Council Members Armendariz, Bracco, Cline, Hilton, Marques, Tovar, and Mayor Blankley
Enactment No.: Resolution No. 2023-03
11.4. Jumpstart Downtown – Approve both the Downtown Building and Planning Fee Reduction Policy and the Downtown Façade Improvement and Blight Removal Program, and Amend the Fiscal Year 2023 Operation Budget by $100,000 in the General Fund
Assistant to City Administrator Bryce Atkins provided staff presentation and responded to Council Member questions.
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment.
Ron Kirkish expressed support for the item.
Terence Fugazzi stated that standards are needed when allocating funds.
Marty Estrada stated he supports removing blight from downtown but feels that $100,000 is not much for the program. He also stated that Downtown has too many bars, which deters families from visiting.
Tim Cassady stated that Council should focus on daytime activities in downtown.
There being no further speakers, Mayor Blankley closed Public Comment.
Motion: Adopt a resolution approving the downtown building and Planning Free Reduction Policy and approve the Downtown Facade and Blight Removal Program subject to staff to incorporate language to include that no one may apply for subsequent or consecutive grants until nine (9) days have City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
January 24, 2023
passed. Applicants are only allowed to apply two (2) times and up to $15,000.00, including the three programs that were discussed.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Fred Tovar, Council Member
SECONDER: Carol Marques, Council Member
AYES: Council Members Armendariz, Bracco, Cline, Hilton, Marques, Tovar, and Mayor Blankley
Enactment No.: Resolution No. 2023-04
Motion: Adopt a resolution amending the FY 2023 operation budget by $100,000 in the General Fund.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Carol Marques, Council Member
SECONDER: Zach Hilton, Council Member
AYES: Council Members Armendariz, Bracco, Cline, Hilton, Marques, Tovar, and Mayor Blankley
Enactment No.: Resolution No. 2023-05
Motion: Direct Staff to bring back to Council the discussion about the formation of the Downtown Standing Committee at the February 6, 2023 City Council Regular Meeting.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Fred Tovar, Council Member
SECONDER: Rebeca Armendariz, Council Member
AYES: Council Members Armendariz, Cline, Marques, and Tovar NAYS: Council Members Bracco and Hilton and Mayor Blankley
11.5. Proposed Modifications to Chapter 19B, Smoking Pollution Control, Relating to Banning Smoking from Multi-Family Developments and Public Events
Assistant to City Administrator Bryce Atkins provided staff presentation and responded to Council Member questions.
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment. There being no speakers, Mayor Blankley closed Public Comment.
Council directed staff on the following:
1. Place 25 ft as the preferred distance around smoking-prohibited areas (unanimous support).
2. Designated smoking areas to be included in the ordinance for multi-family housing properties (majority support).
3. The ordinance includes a clause in multi-family housing leases identifying all other tenants as third-party beneficiaries for enforcement (majority support).
4. To not include designated smoking section in public event permits with similar requirements as designed smoking area provisions in multi-family housing development (majority support).
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
January 24, 2023
11.6. Report on Quality of Life Officer Activity
Police Chief Espinoza and Captain Luke Powell provided staff presentation and responded to Council Member questions.
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment.
Ron Kirkish notified Council about a business within the City having difficulty in dealing with individuals experiencing homelessness.
Marty Estrada suggested to Council to go after state and federal grants to increase the number of Quality of Life Officers.
Tim Cassady expressed his experience inside the Armory.
There being no further speakers, Mayor Blankley closed Public Comment.
12. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORTS
12.1. South County Youth Task Force Strategic Plan Presentation South County Youth Task Force Program Manager Bernice Aguilera and Gilroy Youth Task Force Sandra Cruz provided staff presentation and responded to Council Member questions.
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment.
Marty Estrada spoke on the need for a youth center within the City.
There being no further comment, Mayor Blankley closed Public Comment.
12.2. ICMA-Gilroy Tourism Video
A video was presented to Council.
13. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORTS
There were none.
14. CLOSED SESSION
There were none.
15. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Blankley adjourned the meeting at 9:48 PM.
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.
/s/Thai Nam Pham, CMC, CPMC
City Clerk