YOUR GUIDE TO CITY-RELATED NEWS AND EVENTS | | |
November 3, 2025, City Council Meeting Recap:
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A study session was held to discuss the current contract with Community Media Access Partnership (CMAP), the contractual obligations, current contract compliance issues, and alternative options for obtaining services. The current contract ends on December 31, 2025, and direction was provided that moving forward, staff should negotiate a new contract with CMAP with a restructured scope of services and time frame focused on the current needs of the Gilroy community.
- City Council proclaimed November 3, 2025, as Arbor Day.
- A contract was awarded in the amount of $176,190.14 for the Community Development Block Grant Sidewalk and Curb Ramp Project. The project will add sidewalk and curb ramps along a section of the east side of Monterey Road, providing a connection from the existing Monterey Gateway Apartments sidewalk and the new sidewalk being constructed fronting the ROEM Builders apartment project.
- An ordinance was introduced with a first reading to amend Chapter 30, Article LIV of the Gilroy City Code relating to accessory dwelling units. These code amendments will bring the city’s code into compliance with the State ADU regulations.
- Council adopted an urgency ordinance to prohibit the issuance of tobacco retailers permits in the downtown area for a period of 45 days. This ordinance will remain in effect until December 17, 2025, before which time staff will provide an update depending on the further study of the issue.
- Staff presented an update on the proposed Downtown Plywood Storefront and the Downtown Vacancy Ordinances. Council provided direction to staff to continue pursuing these items to help with the revitalization of the downtown.
| | Council Meeting Highlight: November 3, 2025 | |
Consider Adopting an Urgency Interim Ordinance Prohibiting the Issuance of Tobacco Retailer Permits for a Period Not to Exceed Forty-Five (45) Days within the Downtown Specific Plan Area
(M 25-13)
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Over the past year and a half, Gilroy has seen a noticeable increase in new smoke shops, with three opening since 2024. While the City currently has 50 active tobacco retailer permits, about 0.9 retailers per 1,000 residents, most are located within grocery, liquor, or convenience stores. The rise in stand-alone smoke shops has raised concerns about community health, youth exposure, and the overall appearance of commercial areas.
This increase in tobacco retailers has raised concerns about public health and the effects on the surrounding neighborhoods, including the following:
- A higher concentration of tobacco retailers increases product availability and the risk of youth access and use.
- Smoking-related illnesses add strain to community health resources and increase healthcare costs.
- Cigarette litter contributes to environmental and visual blight in commercial areas.
- A higher concentration of tobacco retailers can make enforcing age restrictions more difficult.
- Flavored products, flashy packaging, and marketing near schools or youth areas can encourage underage tobacco use.
Recognizing the significant concerns raised by the Gilroy community and the density of small families and minors near the downtown area, Mayor Bozzo requested the City Council consider a temporary prohibition within the Downtown Specific Plan area.
On Monday night, the City Council approved the emergency ordinance, temporarily prohibiting the issuance of new tobacco retailer permits for 45 days.
During this time, staff will review existing regulations and develop recommendations. Before December 17, staff will return to Council with either a proposed permanent ordinance or a request for additional time to complete the analysis.
| | | | City Hall will be closed on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 in observance of Veterans Day. Regular business hours will resume on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. | | All Major Paving Work Now Complete for 2025 Street Improvements | | |
Major paving work for the 2025 Citywide Pavement Rehabilitation Project is now complete! Thank you for your patience as we’ve worked to improve roads throughout Gilroy.
Over the past few months, this year's $6.5 million project focused on streets where higher traffic volumes and large-vehicle use have led to more significant pavement deterioration. In all, 13 street segments and two alleys across the city were rehabilitated. Over the next few weeks, crews will continue wrapping up minor work, such as striping and cleanup, as they close out the project.
Each year, the City identifies and prioritizes streets for repair through a Pavement Management Program known as StreetSaver, a data-driven tool used by cities across the Bay Area to evaluate pavement conditions and schedule maintenance.
We look forward to starting the next round of improvements in 2026!
For more information, including details on how streets are selected for rehabilitation, visit www.cityofgilroy.org/streets
| | Building Development Stakeholders Roundtable | | |
Architects, developers, property owners, and stakeholders are invited to the City of Gilroy Building Development Stakeholders Roundtable. Two meetings are scheduled as follows:
- November 10 at 2:00 PM: Virtual Meeting
- November 12 at 2:00 PM: In Person at Gilroy City Hall Council Chambers
The City of Gilroy is dedicated to simplifying and improving your building permit experience. This roundtable meeting is a chance for us to better understand your needs, clarify our process, and work together towards a smarter, smoother development.
At the meeting, you’ll have the opportunity to
- ask questions,
- discuss challenges and processes,
- share feedback and experiences, and
- lend ideas for improvement.
For more details or to join the virtual meeting, please visit www.cityofgilroy.org/roundtable
For questions regarding the roundtable, please contact the City’s Building Official Hipolito Olmos at Hipolito.olmos@cityofgilroy.org
Official Flyer
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Affordable Housing Opportunities-
Now Available!
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Attention Gilroy Residents!
Affordable Housing opportunities are now available in Gilroy, which includes options for both the general public and seniors.
The Cannery Apartments, Glen Loma Ranch Apartments, Town Square At Village Green Apartments, and Wheeler Manor Apartments have the following availability:
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The Cannery Apartments - 9 available units. Offering one free month of rent through December 2025 for select units.
Email: thecanneryapartments@wshmgmt.com
Phone: 669-500-7315
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Glen Loma Ranch Senior Apartments - 7 available units
Email: caguirre@apertopm.com
Phone: 408-770-5245
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Town Square at Village Green - 4 available units
Email: townsquare@villageinvestments.net
Phone: 408-848-8500
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Wheeler Manor - 2 available units
Email: jamie.sanchez@edenhousing.org
Phone: 408-847-5490
To view a full list of affordable housing options, visit the City of Gilroy Housing and Community Services.
| | Traffic Safety and E-Bike Awareness Night
Friday, Nov 7 | |
The Gilroy Police Department, in partnership with the County of Santa Clara Neighborhood Safety Services Unit, invites all Gilroy families to an informative presentation on traffic safety and e-bike awareness on Friday November 7, 2025, at Eliot Elementary School, located at 475 Old Gilroy St.
Learn about e-bike safety, rules of the road for young riders, helmet requirements, and other important bike safety topics.
When: Friday, November 7
Where: Eliot Elementary School, 475 Old Gilroy Street
Time: 5:30 PM- 7:30 PM
All families are welcome!
Light refreshments and interpretation services will be provided.
Official Flyer
| | Calling all local artists of Gilroy! 🖌 | | |
Join us in celebrating the vibrant culture of our city through the "For the Love of Gilroy" public art campaign. This is your chance to showcase your talent and creativity by designing new light post banners that will adorn Monterey Road in Downtown Gilroy.
👉 What’s in it for you? 12 selected designs will each earn $500 and be featured prominently in our community!
📅 Deadline: Submit your designs by 4:00 PM on December 1, 2025.
📬 How to submit: Designs may be submitted electronically to www.gilroy.city/artform or drop them off at Gilroy City Hall’s Information Desk, located at 7351 Rosanna Street.
Let’s make the streets of Gilroy a canvas of our creativity!
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For more information and templates visit www.bit.ly/fortheloveofgilroy.
For questions and sponsorship information please email rubendario.villa@cityofgilroy.org.
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You are Invited!
Hollywood Theme Intergenerational Dance and Dinner for Adults Ages 60 and Over
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Join the Gilroy Recreation Division and the Youth Commission for a memorable Intergenerational Dance and Dinner on Friday, November 21, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM at the Gilroy Senior Center, located at 7371 Hanna Street.
Adults ages 60 and over are invited to enjoy an evening of dining, dancing, and Hollywood-themed fun!
What: Intergenerational Dance and Dinner
When: Friday, November 21 from 6:00 PM-8:30 PM
Dinner will be served at 6:30 PM
Where: Gilroy Senior Center, 7371 Hanna Street
Ticket Cost: $5 - increases to $10 after Nov. 12.
Tickets can be purchased at the Senior Center or online.
Purchase your tickets HERE .
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Now Hiring: Recreation Leader II/III
Youth and Community Services
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The City of Gilroy is currently seeking a Part-Time Recreation Leader II/III to join the Recreation Division team.
In this role, you will plan, lead, and assist youth programs, community events, camps, and other recreational activities serving children, teens, adults, and seniors.
Be part of a fun, energetic, and passionate team!
Apply today! www.cityofgilroy.org/jobs
Priority Screening: December 9, 2025.
| | Join Our Team: Part-Time Maintenance Worker Assistant | |
The City of Gilroy is hiring two Part-Time Maintenance Worker Assistants to help keep our community beautiful and thriving.
In this role, you will support the maintenance of public spaces through weed abatement, trash and debris removal, pressure washing, and general area cleanup, among other duties.
Join a dedicated, hardworking team that takes pride in keeping Gilroy’s public areas clean, safe, and accessible for everyone. If you are looking to grow your skills and make a difference in Gilroy, we want to hear from you!
Apply today! www.cityofgilroy.org/jobs
Application closes November 20, 2025 at 5:00 PM.
| | Now Hiring: Management Analyst or Management Analyst Trainee | |
The City of Gilroy is looking for a Management Analyst or Management Analyst Trainee for the Utilities Department. In this role, you will provide analytical, administrative and project-support services to ensure efficient and effective operations of our water and wastewater utility systems.
If you’re an analytical thinker who enjoys problem solving, streamlining processes, managing contracts, and working with budgets, this is your chance to make a real impact in your community.
Apply today! www.cityofgilroy.org/jobs
Application closes November 17,2025.
Other Current Openings: Some positions are being managed by a search firm, and links to those job postings are provided below. For all other openings, please visit www.cityofgilroy.org/jobs
| | Santa Teresa Fire Station Staffing Report | | |
During the week of October 24, 2025, the Interim Santa Teresa Fire Station was staffed for seven days.
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.
| | Community Gathers for Annual La Ofrenda Festival | | |
On Saturday, November 1, the community gathered to celebrate La Ofrenda Festival, a vibrant event honoring Día de Los Muertos.
The festival featured colorful ofrendas (altars) adorned with marigold flowers, also known as cempasúchil, live music, folkloric performances, delicious food, classic car exhibits, local vendors, crafts, and more.
La Ofrenda Festival serves as a meaningful way to remember loved ones who have passed and highlights the beauty, tradition, and cultural richness of this cherished annual celebration.
See you next year!
| | Voices of Our Community
Celebrating Positive Feedback | | |
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.
In response to the Citywide Pavement Rehabilitation Project, we received the following positive feedback:
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Thank you! Our goal is to make our streets safe and accessible for all users through maintenance, rehabilitation, and reconstruction.
Thank you for sharing your experience. We are happy to hear positive feedback about the current road improvements in Gilroy.
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Have you noticed any potholes, water leaks, streetlight outages, tree issues, or have a neighborhood or city-related concern?
Our online service request portal and mobile app (available for download in app store), GilroyConnect, makes it easier than ever to report city-related concerns.
With just a few simple steps, you can submit your request, track your service request, and view other resident requests.
Once your request is submitted, you will have the option to create an account, which will give you access to additional features and to receive updates on your service request.
| | | 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.
❓I frequently walk the Third street/152 walking trail loop and encounter many e-bikes going extremely fast posing a potentially dangerous situation to pedestrians. Are they allowed to use the trail or should they be using bike lanes?
Under the California Vehicle Code, Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes, as well as motorized scooters, are permitted to operate on bike paths and trails. However, mopeds, motorized bicycles, motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, and pocket bikes are not permitted on these paths.
We understand the concern about speed and pedestrian safety, and our Traffic Unit has begun increased enforcement and education efforts in areas where these conflicts are most common.
As part of this outreach, we’re offering a free e-bike safety and education class on Friday, November 7, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Eliot Elementary School (475 Old Gilroy Street). The class covers safe riding practices, the rules of the road, and how e-bike riders can share paths safely with pedestrians.
https://www.instagram.com/gilroypolicedepartment/p/DQpwQUagf-I/
❓When will the new stoplight on Cohansey and Monterey be operational?
We anticipate the traffic signal will be operational by December.
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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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