YOUR GUIDE TO CITY-RELATED NEWS AND EVENTS | | |
The City of Gilroy and the community mourn the loss of a cherished employee and friend, Environmental Engineer Saeid Vaziry, who passed away on March 7th. Saeid dedicated over 19 years of service to the City and served as the Environmental Programs Manager at the South County Regional Wastewater Authority plant. The award-winning treatment plant was his pride and passion, and he successfully led it through numerous capital projects, including the ongoing $80 million plant expansion, which is set to be completed this August.
Saeid was committed to excellence and public service, and his passing leaves a significant void for all who knew him.
Rest in Peace, Saeid.
| | Gilroy's Transition to District-Based Elections | | |
The City of Gilroy is in the process of transitioning from an at-large elections system to a district-based elections system. Your participation in this process is welcome and encouraged.
The City will be holding two community workshops to provide information on districting, hear about your neighborhood and community, and teach you how to create a districting map that could be considered by Council for adoption. In addition, a series of public hearings will be held at Regular Council Meetings, culminating in the adoption of a districting map.
Important dates are as follows:
Monday, March 17
City Council Meeting/Second Public Hearing at 7 PM
Tuesday, March 25*
Public Workshop at 7 PM (In Person)
Presentation on districting and hands-on mapping activities.
Location: South Valley Middle School Multi-Purpose Room
Saturday, March 29*
Public Workshop at 9:30 AM (In Person)
Presentation on districting and hands-on mapping activities.
Location: Christopher High School Library
Monday, April 7 (Districting Map Discussion/Review of Draft Maps)
City Council Meeting/ Third Public Hearing at 7 PM
Monday, April 21 (Districting Map Discussion/Review of Draft Maps)
City Council Meeting/Fourth Public Hearing at 7 PM
Monday, May 5 (Adoption of Map & Sequencing of Districts)
City Council Meeting/Fifth Public Hearing at 7 PM
Spanish-language interpretation services will be provided at each meeting.
*Public maps must be submitted by Monday, March 31st at 10 AM for consideration at the April 7th public meeting. Maps submitted after this time will be reviewed at the following hearing on April 21st.
For more information, please visit www.cityofgilroy.org/districting.
Background:
The City of Gilroy is in the process of transitioning from an at-large elections system in which voters of the entire City elect six City Council Members and one Mayor to a district-based elections system in which the City is divided into separate districts, each with one City Council Member who resides in the district and is chosen by the voters in that particular district.
For Gilroy, there are two district-based options to consider: the creation of six districts and the retention of the at-large mayor position; or, the creation of seven districts where one of the City Council Members serves as mayor on a rotating basis.
| | CAL FIRE – Office of the State Fire Marshal Has Released 2025 Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps | | |
The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) has released updated 2025 Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) maps for Local Responsibility Area’s (LRA) across the state. These map updates are intended to enhance California’s approach to wildfire preparedness.
The revised maps incorporate 1.4 million additional acres into high and very high fire hazard severity zones statewide, updating code and construction requirements for communities most at risk.
Adoption and Implementation
Per OSFM, the City of Gilroy has 120 days to adopt these map updates. The updated regulations will apply to those areas located within the City of Gilroy limits.
The maps are available for public view and comment on the City’s Fire Prevention web page.
To provide feedback on the maps or to inquire regarding your property’s designation, please contact the City of Gilroy Fire Marshal by emailing fireprevention@cityofgilroy.org. Please have the property address available.
Background Information
While all of California is subject to some degree of fire hazard, there are specific features that make some areas more hazardous. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is required by law to map areas of significant fire hazards based on fuels, terrain, weather, and other relevant factors.
The Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps were developed using a science-based and field tested computer model that assigns a hazard score based on the factors that influence fire likelihood and fire behavior. Many factors are considered such as fire history, existing and potential fuel (natural vegetation), flame length, blowing embers, terrain, and typical weather for the area. The State identified three hazard zones in State and Local Responsibility Areas: "Moderate", "High" and "Very High".
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Help Shape the Future of Gilroy’s Civic Center
Missed the workshop? Provide your feedback online!
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The City held the first in a series of three workshops this week to collect feedback from the community on a new Civic Center Master Plan. If you missed the workshop, we still want to hear from you! Please use the links below to view the materials presented at the workshop and take the survey.
Civic Center Master Plan Workshop #1 Online Survey [English]
Civic Center Master Plan Workshop #1 Online Survey [Spanish]
The surveys will close for feedback at 5 PM on Monday, March 17.
Background Information
The City of Gilroy is developing a new Civic Center Master Plan to better serve the growing community, address increasing demands, improve underutilized spaces, and update aging facilities. Community input is essential in shaping this vision. Community members are invited to participate in a series of community workshops to share their ideas. Each workshop will be conducted twice to accommodate different schedules.
Community Workshop Schedule:
Workshop #2: Alternative Concepts & Visioning Sessions
📅 Tuesday, April 8, 2025 | 🕘 9:00 AM or 6:00 PM (two sessions)
📍 Wheeler Center, 270 W 6th Street
Workshop #3: Preferred Concept & Visioning Sessions
📅 Tuesday, May 20, 2025 | 🕘 9:00 AM or 6:00 PM (two sessions)
📍 Wheeler Center, 270 W 6th Street
All meetings and materials will be provided in English and Spanish. Snacks and childcare will be provided.
Those unable to attend the workshops in person will have access to an online summary and survey to continue the conversation and provide additional input.
For project updates and workshop details, visit www.cityofgilroy.org/CCMP.
For questions or additional information, contact project manager Ryan Osenton at ryan.osenton@cityofgilroy.org.
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New Bicycle & Pedestrian GIS Map
Share Your Feedback
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The City of Gilroy is excited to launch a new GIS map page dedicated to bicycle and pedestrian pathways. Funded through Measure B Bicycle and Pedestrian Education and Encouragement Funding, this interactive tool helps residents and visitors:
✅ Identify bike and pedestrian network paths
✅ Locate key points of interest to support active transportation
✅ Plan routes using features like bike racks, fixing stations, water fountains, benches, and more
Once complete, the GIS mapping will be integrated into mainstream mapping apps for regular use.
For the next 30 days, the community is invited to provide feedback to help refine and improve the map.
🔹 How to provide feedback:
📩 Email your comments to rec@cityofgilroy.org
📝 Use the subject line “BikeGIS”
Please note: Since this project is funded for bicycle and pedestrian education and encouragement, feedback should focus on improving the usability of the map for these purposes. Suggestions outside this scope may be considered for future planning but will not be added at this time.
Explore the map and help us make Gilroy’s active transportation network even better!
GilroyPathways - Gilroy’s Bicycle and Pedestrian GIS Map: www.cityofgilroy.org/BikeGIS
| | Workshop: Taxes and Laws for Street Vendors | | |
The City of Gilroy, in partnership with the Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, Yacanex Business Group, Inc., and Office of Labor Standards Enforcement, invites street vendors to a free workshop on City, County, and State requirements.
Attendees will gain valuable information on street vending and county regulations, sales tax requirements, and more. Staff from each organization will be available for questions and answers following the presentations.
Sign up HERE to attend this workshop!
This workshop will be primarily in Spanish with some English presentations. Staff will be available to answer questions in Spanish, as needed.
What: Taxes and Laws for Street Vendors
When: Saturday, March 22, 2025
Where: Gilroy City Hall Council Chambers, 7351 Rosanna Street
Time: 9 AM- 2 PM
Light refreshments will be provided.
Official Flyer
| | Christmas Hill Park Cleanup | | |
Hey, Gilroy!
We need your help to keep Christmas Hill Park beautiful!
Join us for the Christmas Hill Park Cleanup Day on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 9:00 AM.
Christmas Hill Park’s trails, fields and playgrounds are amongst its most treasured features. As one of Gilroy’s most iconic community spaces, this park provides an opportunity to connect with nature, enjoy scenic walks, and go biking.
🌳 What: Christmas Hill Park Cleanup Day
📅 When: Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 9:00 AM
📍 Where: Christmas Hill Park ( Meet in the parking lot at 7050 Miller Avenue, near the playground structure and hiking trail)
All volunteers are required to sign a waiver to ensure everyone’s safety.
To sign up, visit:https://veoci.com/v/p/form/szdg6cbky62g
Thank you for helping us keep our parks beautiful!
| | AB 413 - A New Law Prohibiting Parking Near Crosswalks | | |
Our Community Safety Officers (CSOs) have been hard at work helping to educate the Gilroy community about “daylighting” and the recent passage of AB 413.
On January 1, 2025, a new state law went into effect that stated it was illegal to park within 20 feet of a crosswalk whether or not it is marked. The law also stipulates a car cannot park within 15 feet of a crosswalk with a curb extension. Our CSOs have been out and about providing flyers and graphics to our community to give them an easy-to-digest review of the law and what it means for those who drive, bike or walk in Gilroy.
Learn more about AB 413 HERE.
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Ready to Make a Difference in an Emergency?
The City of Gilroy is offering CERT training this Spring.
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The City of Gilroy’s Office of Emergency Management invites you to join our Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training starting in April. This free, 20-hour course, offered in English will equip you with essential skills to help your family, neighbors, and community during a disaster. The next course begins in April, and attendance is required for all days.
In-person Training Schedule:
Friday, April 4 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Saturday, April 5 | 8:00 AM- 4:00 PM
Saturday, April 12 I 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
What You'll Learn:
✅ Local disaster preparedness tips
✅ Fire safety
✅ Light search and rescue
✅ Team organization & communication
✅ Damage assessment
✅ Disaster medical operations
✅ Disaster psychology
By completing this course, you'll also have the opportunity to join Gilroy’s Emergency Management Volunteer program as a CERT team member. Participation is optional, but your new skills will make an impact no matter what!
🔗 Sign Up Today: Register Here
📧 Questions? Contact Andrew Young at Andrew.Young@cityofgilroy.org
For additional details and registration, please visit the City of Gilroy Emergency Preparedness webpage.
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Calling All Youth!
The Annual OpportuniTEEN Fair is Happening Saturday, March 22
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The Gilroy Youth Commission invites all youth to participate in the annual OpportuniTEEN event on Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 10:30am to 1:00pm at the Wheeler Center Gym, 270 West 6th Street (adjacent to the library).
This free job and volunteer fair is an excellent way for teens to explore jobs, volunteer roles and internships - or simply get help with resume building. Over 20 businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies will be on-site to share teen-focused opportunities.
Don’t miss out!
Official Flyer
| | Gilroy Library Closes Children’s Room to Prepare a New Play Space | | |
The Gilroy Library Children’s Room will be partially closed to the public starting March 17, 2025 to allow for the installation of a new Storybook Children’s Play Space. This project is tentatively scheduled for completion early to mid-May. During this time, children’s materials will be available in the lobby and entrance area to the Children’s Room.
The Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD) is introducing Storybook Children’s Play Spaces across all seven community libraries. These themed, interactive play areas are designed for children under the age of 10 to help build a strong literacy foundation in toddlers and enhance literacy in older children through imaginative play, reading, and other interactive activities.
For more information about the project schedule, visit the Storybook SCCLD.
| | Santa Teresa Fire Station Staffing Report | | |
During the week of February 28, 2025, the Interim Santa Teresa Fire Station was unstaffed.
During winter, when fire risk is generally lower, the Santa Teresa Station will mostly remain unstaffed.
We will continue to staff the Santa Teresa Fire Station with overtime when necessary in the event of heightened public safety concerns, such as:
- State of emergency declarations
- Red flag warnings
- 4th of July and the surrounding weekend
- Potential flood or other disaster
- Public events or gatherings in which there is a significant concern for public safety
This weekly report is provided as part of our commitment to transparency regarding the staffing status at the Santa Teresa Fire Station.
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On Saturday, March 8, 2025, the Gilroy Police Department joined the community for another Coffee with a Cop.
This event offered an opportunity for community members to connect with police officers and chat about important issues affecting our community, ask questions, or simply celebrate the work they do!
Thank you to everyone who joined us—your participation is invaluable. As a city, our commitment extends beyond safety to fostering a thriving community, and events like this strengthen the connection between residents and local government.
If you missed this event, don’t worry! The next Coffee with a Cop is in the works, and we’ll share details with you soon. Stay tuned!
We look forward to seeing you at our next gathering!
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Voices of Our Community
Celebrating Positive Feedback
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Welcome to “Voices of Our Community,” where we spotlight the positive feedback and words of gratitude we've received from you—our community. Each message featured here is carefully selected to highlight the good news and positive experiences that embody the spirit and unity making Gilroy a great place to call home.
Responding to services provided by our Code Enforcement and Communication and Engagement teams:
| | Thank you for your kind words! We truly appreciate your feedback and are grateful for the opportunity to serve our community. Our team works hard to provide timely and helpful responses, and it’s wonderful to hear that our efforts are making a positive impact. | | Ask Gilroy: Your City, Your Questions! | | |
Thank you to everyone who submitted questions this week!
We've provided answers to some of the questions below, and look forward to more questions this week!
Responses provided by City Administrator Jimmy Forbis:
❓What is the latest on the Ice Skating rink?
The design process for the rink is almost complete, with finalization pending the completion of the soils report. Once received, this report will help determine the construction cost estimate. A formal update will be provided to the City Council in May.
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Have you ever wondered about Gilroy's infrastructure, upcoming developments, municipal services, or important community events? Your curiosity fuels our mission to provide you with answers.
📢 How It Works:
Ask Away: Drop your questions in the “Ask Gilroy” survey form
We Answer: Each week, we'll pick a question and provide a detailed answer in our weekly email
Stay Informed: Sign up for our emails to access our answers and stay in the loop.
It's time to unlock the mysteries of Gilroy together! Let's dive into the heart of our community and discover what makes our city tick.
👉 Ready to ask? Drop your questions in the survey form linked below and let’s go! 🚀
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City of Gilroy
Office Hours
Gilroy City Hall is open to the public Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, and on Friday by appointment only.
City of Gilroy
(408) 846-0219
7351 Rosanna Street, Gilroy, CA 95020
www.cityofgilroy.org
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