January 5, 2026 | 6:00 PM Page 1 of 8 City Council
Minutes
City of Gilroy
City Council
Minutes
Monday, January 5, 2026 | 6:00 PM
1. OPENING
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 Fugazzi led the Pledge of Allegiance.
5. Invocation
6. Orders of the Day
Mayor Bozzo moved items 9.1 and 9.2 to the beginning of the agenda after item 3.1.
7. Employee Introductions
Interim Administrative Services & Human Resources Director/Risk Manager LeeAnn McPhillips introduced Facilities Maintenance Specialist Omar Paniagua.
2. COUNCIL CORRESPONDENCE (Informational Only)
3. 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 6:06 P.M.
Cindy Smith - commented on the effects that a large data center being built in Gilroy will have and expressed her concerns.
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Minutes
Britt Smith - commented on the effects that a large data center being built in Gilroy will have and expressed her concerns.
Steven Hayes - commented on behalf of Local 2805 and the Gilroy Fire Department, thanking the community for the over 4,000 toys donated this year.
Ruby Bastida - commented on her concern about the Gilroy data center.
Robert Butler - commented on programs happening at the Gilroy Center for the Arts.
Dena Foskett - commented on her concern about the data center and Amazon warehouse.
Trinity Foskett - commented on her concerns about the data center.
Ron Kirkish - commented on the return of Chief Smithee and thanked him.
With no further speakers, Mayor Bozzo closed public comment.
9. INTRODUCTION OF NEW BUSINESS
1. Appointment of Matt Morley as City Administrator Effective February 9, 2026, and Approval of Employment Agreement
Interim Administrative Services & Human Resources Director/Risk Manager LeeAnn McPhillips provided a report.
Mayor Bozzo opened public comment at 6:27 P.M.
Ron Kirkish - congratulated Matt Morley on his appointment as City Administrator.
With no further speakers, Mayor Bozzo closed public comment.
Motion
Appoint Matt Morley as City Administrator effective February 9, 2026, and approve City Administrator's Employment Agreement for Matt Morley and authorize the mayor to execute the agreement.
RESULT: Passed
MOVER: Council Member Dion Bracco
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. City Council Appointment of Harjot Sangha as Interim City Administrator for the Period of January 5, 2026 through February 8, 2026
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Minutes
Interim Administrative Services & Human Resources Director/Risk Manager LeeAnn McPhillips provided a report.
Mayor Bozzo opened public comment at 6:37 P.M.
With no speakers, Mayor Bozzo closed public comment.
Motion
Appoint Harjot Sangha as Interim City Administrator for the period of January 5, 2026 - February 8, 2026.
RESULT: Passed
MOVER: Council Member Dion Bracco
SECONDER: Council Member Kelly Ramirez
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
4. 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 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 January 5, 2026 | 6:00 PM Page 4 of 8 City Council
Minutes
(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 - Wished everyone a Happy New Year and thanked City staff for the hard work.
Council Member Fugazzi - No report.
Council Member Marques - Wished everyone a Happy New Year and thanked everyone for what they do.
Council Member Hilton - Reported from Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) that energy bills will decrease for customers in 2026. He mentioned that SVCE is committed to competitive rates. He also mentioned that he has established a shared Council Member office space in City Hall, located next to the Mayor's office.
Council Member Ramirez - No report.
Council Member Cline - No report.
Mayor Bozzo - Reported that he has been invited to the Capitol by Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas and will be traveling there this week. He will have an opportunity to share some of the Council's priorities. He thanked the City Council for all of their work and time that went into the process of hiring our next City Administrator, Matt Morley. He thanked Interim Administrative Services & Human Resources Director/Risk Manager LeeAnn McPhillips for all the time and work she put in over the holidays to assist in the process. He also thanked City Clerk Kim Mancera for being on standby and for the extra work over the holidays.
5. BOARD AND COMMISSION INTERVIEWS
1. Interviews for Open Seats on Boards, Commissions, and Committees with Future Appointment on January 26, 2026
City Clerk Kim Mancera provided a report.
The following applicants participated in commission interviews.
Arts and Culture Commission
Camille McCormack
Library Commission
Jan Guffey
Christina Tovar
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Minutes
Open Government Commission
Blanca McMurray
Personnel Commission
Danny Edde-Mitchell
Planning Commission
Martha Martinez
Interviews will continue on January 26, 2026, followed by appointments.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Bozzo opened public comment at 6:54 P.M.
With no speakers, Mayor Bozzo closed public comment.
Motion
Approve the consent calendar.
RESULT: Passed
MOVER: Council Member Carol Marques
SECONDER: Council Member Dion Bracco
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 minutes of the December 8, 2025 City Council Special Meeting, December 8, 2025 Regular Meeting, and the December 15, 2025 City Council Special Meeting.
2. Adopt the City Seal and Logo Use Policy
3. Acceptance of a State of California Department of Justice, Tobacco Grant Program Award in the Amount of $291,546 and Adoption of a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gilroy Approving Fiscal Year 2025-26 and 2026-2027 Budget Amendments
4. Council Concurrence with the Issuance of the Recreation Assessment Request for Proposals
7. BIDS AND PROPOSALS
1. For the Love of Gilroy Public Art Campaign - Selection of 14 Designs and Award of Intellectual Property Rights Agreements for $500 Each Deputy Director of Community Development Bryce Atkins provided a report.
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Mayor Bozzo opened public comment at 7:02 P.M.
Britt Smith - commented and advocated on having a local small business produce the banners.
With no further speakers, Mayor Bozzo closed public comment.
Motion
Approve the Arts and Culture Commission's recommended award order of designs for purchase.
RESULT: Passed
MOVER: Council Member Dion Bracco
SECONDER: Council Member Carol Marques
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
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Consider Adopting an Urgency Interim Ordinance Prohibiting the Issuance of Tobacco Retailer Permits for a Period Not to Exceed Forty-Five (45) Days Citywide
Mayor Bozzo opened public comment at 7:04 P.M.
With no speakers, Mayor Bozzo closed public comment.
Motion
Determine this action is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines.
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
Motion
Direct the Clerk to read the ordinance by title only and waive further readings.
RESULT: Passed
MOVER: Council Member Tom Cline
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SECONDER: Council Member Carol Marques
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
Motion
Adopt an Urgency Interim Ordinance establishing a temporary prohibition on the issuance or approval of any new Tobacco Retailer Permits citywide within the City of Gilroy pursuant to California Government Code 65858 and make findings, as incorporated in the ordinance, that adoption of the ordinance is necessary for the immediate preservation of public health, safety, and welfare, particularly regarding the protection of minors throughout the City.
RESULT: Passed
MOVER: Council Member Carol Marques
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
10. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORTS
Interim City Administrator Harjot Sangha wished everyone a happy New Year and is looking forward to working with the new City Administrator.
11. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORTS
No report.
12. CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Andy Faber announced the closed session item.
City Attorney Andy Faber opened public comment at 7:10 P.M. With no speakers, City Attorney Andy Faber closed public comment.
1. Public Employee Appointment/Employment Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 and Gilroy City Code Section 17A.11(2)
Name/Title: Economic Development Director
13. ADJOURN TO OPEN SESSION
Mayor Bozzo announced that the only reportable action was a vote to remain in closed session.
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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 Zach Hilton, Council Member Carol Marques, Council Member Kelly Ramirez, Mayor Greg Bozzo NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
14. ADJOURNMENT
With no additional business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:39 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 January 26, 2026.
Kim Mancera
City Clerk