Nestled in the heart of Downtown Gilroy, the La Ofrenda Festival | Gilroy’s Inaugural Dia de Muertos Festival & Wellness Fair on October 28 1-7pm will be an extraordinary event and is more than just a day of festivities; it’s an immersive experience that embraces the essence of Dia de Muertos – a time when families come together to honor their departed loved ones and celebrate the eternal bond between the living and the deceased. With vibrant ofrendas (altars) adorned with marigold flowers, moving performances, a community bike ride, and a variety of talented artists, our festival promises an unforgettable experience that will leave a lasting impression on the South County community and beyond. La Ofrenda Festival is made possible with a Gilroy Elevate the Arts Grant, a program of SVCreates, with support from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, City of Gilroy, County of Santa Clara and fiscally sponsored by Local Color, 501c3. https://mrfuchila.com/laofrendafestival
Gilroy’s La Ofrenda Festival is bringing together a cross section of sponsorships and partnerships from government, education, health, private sector, arts, transportation, culture, non-profits, labor workforce and more. I would like to personally invite you to join us, and travel to the festival by bike, bus, walk, or drive. The Arts are alive in Gilroy. In 2021, I was contacted by SV Creates (Santa Clara County Arts Council) to build a relationship that wasn’t here prior in Gilroy. From those first initial meetings blossomed into an Arts Círculo held at 6th St Art Studios and around the corner at the Neon Exchange. Today we have a monthly Arts Roundtable, Third Friday Art Walk, Chalk Fest, La Ofrenda Festival, and doors continue to open.
We provide year-round bicycle, pedestrian, and transit education and encouragement opportunities through programs and policies that promote our community leaving their car at home and choosing to walk/bike/roll/ and take transit. This helps teach our residents safe walking and biking skills, reduces traffic and air pollution, and helps you get more physical activity. La Ofrenda Festival will have many experiences for you including a Community Bike Ride, Bike Valet, Bike Rodeo, Helmet Fittings, Bike Repair, Bike Education, Wellness Vendors, and a Health & Transit Plaza that features a VTA bus and Caltrain booth.
Gilroy’s multi-modal transportation infrastructure consists of buses, trains, bikes, scooters, and walking. There are many ways to continue to draw residents towards leaving their cars at home and we encourage you to use these active modes of transportation when traveling to the La Ofrenda Festival. Gilroy has a fully connected bike network and transit options. We are actively advancing ideas and projects that promote the concept of free-range people in the City of Gilroy. We advocate for building and planning that considers future generations as well as current residents who don’t own cars. Advancing mobility options reflects what we are teaching the youth in our community through Safe Routes to School and why we are nationally recognized as a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community from the League of American Bicyclists, as well as recognized by the World Health Organization as an Age-Friendly Community. The City of Gilroy is a Complete Streets and Recreation Destination community by resolution.
The City of Gilroy celebrates the role that the arts and creativity play in helping us navigate a pandemic, amplify the need for racial equity, and highlight the power of the arts to change our lives for the better. The Gilroy Arts & Culture Commission and SV Creates work in partnership to support the arts and creativity in Gilroy as an essential part of our thriving community. SV Creates partners locally with the Gilroy Arts & Culture Commission and Gilroy Arts Roundtable to include the City of Gilroy with a network of leaders who care about the resilience of our arts ecosystem and its impact to our community. They are conveners, promoters, incubators, and funders of the arts with a mission to elevate Silicon Valley’s creative culture. The City of Gilroy recognizes that the arts and creativity support student success and life-long learning, provide key job skills, and bring joy to our community while strengthening our connections; and values partnering with SV Creates and State-level organizations to promote unified support for the arts.
Every generation has grown up being told that they, the youth, are the future. In American society, this means that the youth (theoretically) have the power to sway elections once they are of voting age. Unfortunately, the youth vote has not always met its potential in elections due to low turnout rates among young people. The most recent elections, however, have fostered some hope for higher youth voter participation long term. The November 2022 election had the second highest national voter turnout among voters under 30 in at least the past three decades, with about 27% of voters between the ages of 18-29 casting a ballot. The City of Gilroy’s recent housing plan revealed that 38% of Gilroy’s population is 24 years and younger, making this a powerful demographic in our elections and in shaping the future of our community. Yet, it’s difficult to focus on increasing the youth turnout in Gilroy when our overall turnout rates have been alarming.
It was revealed after the June 2022 election that Gilroy had some of the lower voter turnout in Santa Clara County in a primary election. Turnout in Gilroy ranged from 15.6% to 37% of registered voters while most precincts saw rates below 30%. This low turnout is representative of a need for greater emphasis on voter registration and civic engagement in our local community. It is known that voter turnout is always higher in general elections compared to primary elections, but this disparity only strengthens the case for increased efforts to educate the community- youth and adults alike- on the necessity of voting in every election. The primaries are just as important as the general elections; important measures are decided on by voters in the primaries and “nearly 90% of congressional elections are decided in the nominating contests.” If overall turnout in Gilroy is so low, how can we expect our youth to understand and act on the weight of their vote? We as a community must be united under a collective effort to have our voices represented in every election.
Amidst national debates around increasing or decreasing the voting age requirements, it is critical that the youth understand their rights and responsibilities as members of our local, state, and national communities. In California, youth are able to pre-register to vote as early as 16 years old, automatically registering them to vote when they turn 18. Despite this, California youth voter turnout (ages 18-29) of those eligible to vote in the 2022 midterm elections was disappointingly low at only 22.1%. As we approach another election cycle, more in-school and at-home efforts must be made to support the youth in the registration and voting processes.
This year, I helped bring back on-site voter registration at Christopher High School and Gavilan College, an effort that had not occurred since the 2020 election season. Students were able to register to vote and receive information on how to vote during lunch time on October 3 to celebrate National High School Voter Education week, the last two weeks of September and April. Gilroy High School is also planning similar programming for later this year. This effort can and should be easily applied at all high schools. Teachers can allocate time in class to students checking their voter registration status and registering to vote. School districts should provide students with the information about how to be poll workers in their county and receive both monetary compensation and valuable civic experience. Students should receive guidance on how to receive a state seal of civic education at graduation; only slightly over 1% (5,369) of high school seniors received the seal in 2021, the first year that the seal was awarded.
These efforts have the potential to create a strong collective dedication to civic engagement among newer generations. The key is to not only get youth pre-registered and registered to vote, but to raise youth with the understanding that being civically engaged is a core responsibility as a member of society. If newer generations are able to better embody this dedication to civic engagement than our older generations are, who knows what the state of our democracy will look like in 20 years.
I am proud of the future housing plan that Gilroy City Council, Planning Commission, Staff, and the Public have approved. We commit to advancing the 40 opportunity sites for multi-family homes, downtown expansion district and first street mixed-use corridor flexibility program, 429 corner lots for the middle income housing program, housing for farmworkers program, inclusionary housing ordinance, and each program listed below. Through incentives, funding, local control, and programs we can offer with other partners, this will further a Gilroy that’s livable for all.
Gilroy places a high priority on providing quality housing opportunities for all residents. The creation of a focused Division within the Community Development Department, and establishing the Housing and Community Services Manager position, will enable the city to make more concentrated efforts on affordable housing production, preservation, and protection of residents. The Housing and Community Services Manager will provide a higher level of expertise and lead a division focusing on housing functions. With the division consisting of the Manager and Technician position, the division will implement projects and programs to address housing needs for a diverse community and provide assistance to families and individuals that are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.
Now is where the true work and evaluation will take place. Empowered through our local control, we will implement these programs and follow through with what we have promised to our residents. By doing this we will become eligible for funding towards implementing our programs and provide housing for all. We are now pulling in the same direction as our regional partners too. The region's long-range plan for housing, transportation, economy and the environment is known as Plan Bay Area 2050. It calls for creating compact walkable communities by promoting high-density housing and mixed-use development near transit stations and in existing urban areas. This aligns the state to local level planning and it's developed by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and Association of Bay Area Governments, which is made up of our local and regional elected's.
Through Valley Transportation Authority, which is made up of our local elected’s, Gilroy’s programs will work to advance all three business lines in VTA’s Strategic Plan through growth in ridership and farebox revenues that support increased transit service and generate funding to sustain enhanced service in Gilroy. Our General Plan 2040 Mobility Element and VTA’s Parking Policy aim to grow ridership through ensuring properly sized parking, facilitating access for all mobility needs, and maximizing multimodal access to transit stations through tools that encourage alternatives to the automobile. Transit-oriented communities enable people to access and use transit more often for more types of trips by centering housing, jobs, services and shopping around public transit. They are places where people of all ages, abilities, income levels, and racial and ethnic backgrounds can live, work and thrive.
The City must monitor and report on the results of these and other programs through the annual progress report. State Housing and Community Development will review any action or failure to act by a local government that it determines inconsistent with an adopted housing element or housing element law. This includes failure to implement program actions included in the housing element. HCD may revoke housing element compliance if the local government’s actions do not comply with state law. Gilroy must continue timely and effective implementation of all programs including but not limited to the following:
• Program A-1 (No Net Loss Inventory and Monitoring)
• Program A-2 (Surplus Lands/Affordable Housing on City-Owned Sites)
• Program A-3 (By-Right Approval on “Reused” RHNA Sites)
• Programs A-6 through A-9 and A-15 (Facilitate ADU Production)
• Program A-10 (Facilitate Missing Middle)
• Program A-11 (Inclusionary Housing Policy)
• Program B-3 (SB 35 Permit Processing)
• Program B-6 (Objective Standards)
• Programs C-1 and C-6 (Monitoring and Preservation of At-Risk Units)
• Program E-3 (Emergency Shelter Standards)
• Program E-4 (Low Barrier Navigation Centers)
• Program E-7 (Development and Conservation of Housing for Farmworkers)
• Program E-10 (Housing for Persons with Disabilities)
• Program E-11 (Extremely Low Income and Special Needs Households)
• Program E-13 (Permanent Supportive Housing)
• Program F-3 (Place-Based Improvements in Downtown Gilroy)
• Program F-4 (Housing Mobility and Choice in Higher Opportunity Areas)
On August 2nd, joined by my daughter, I spoke at the Santa Clara County LAFCO Public Hearing in support of LAFCO's staff recommendation to deny an application to expand the city limits in order to build more single-family homes. What has Gilroy been doing over the last 150 years and since 1963 when LAFCO was formed? We built out our city well beyond the currently available density around our downtown and transit corridors to allow only single-family homes, and now 75% of our land is zoned for single-family homes. We zoned our city where our own children can’t afford to buy a one-million-dollar single family home and have spaces to rent. We are decades behind in our housing production because of past constraints, lack of programs, policies, and funding.
In the last 150 years we have built 56 farmworker housing units and 39 supportive housing units. This may have worked in the past, but now that these homes are out of reach for most families, we need to course correct and continue to create a diversified housing stock to meet the needs of our residents. Data from our Housing Element shows 21% of households are considered extremely low-income, making less than 30% of AMI. 38% of our population is 24 years old or younger and they live, play, go to school, and work in Gilroy.
Our current Draft Housing Element (Gilroy’s 8 Year Housing Plan) that was approved by the Gilroy Planning Commission and Gilroy City Council, will create programs to build missing middle housing (this translates to rental opportunities, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexs). This is in addition to staff’s efforts in developing an inclusionary housing ordinance requiring a percentage of affordable homes in each development. I commend Gilroy staff for making corrections and strengthening programs, while implementing them into our future work plan since our 1st Draft Housing Element was released last year.
We have 40 opportunity sites identified in our housing element that were approved by our Planning Commission and City Council, where we will build multi-family units. We have the current capacity to build over the next eight years, with more sites that were not listed in the site's inventory, and the Wren Investors project is not listed in the housing element.
We are working on breaking down barriers and not adding to them, making it impossible for us to maintain our streets, and collect enough property taxes on single-family homes to fund basic public services and infrastructure. Having a Community Facilities District Fee added to the Wren Investors project property taxes because the city can’t afford to maintain them, will only further push out the natural affordability of these units.
Gilroy Fire Departments average response times are well above the standards that the city has adopted. LAFCO’s Countywide Fire Service shows we have an average response time of 00:10:54. It's high because of staffing shortages and our 3 primary stations leapfrog calls across the city to cover portions of the city that we don't have coverage for. That leaves gaps in coverage with extended response times because they are out of position. The temporary 2-person fire unit often gets browned out of service to save money because we have to mandatory all ranks to fill our vacancies. On July 15, 2023 the Gilroy Fire Department battled another multi-alarm fire took all the resources of the Gilroy Fire Dept (9 Firefighters covering 3 Stations, plus thankfully the Santa Teresa Unit was in service and added an additional 2 Firefighters) and South Santa Clara County Fire Dept. That left the city with a gap of coverage for any Fire/EMS calls for service until San Jose Fire Dept and Santa Clara County Fire units could provide city coverage. During the initial attack emergency traffic was called out for a "firefighter down" due to extreme heat exhaustion (the outside temperature in Gilroy was 97 degrees).
It took us decades to reach this imbalance of single-family to multi-family and it’s going to take us decades to balance that out, for the needs of our next generation, my daughter’s generation, the 38% of Gilroy’s population that is 24 years and younger. What we've promised our residents and State Housing & Community Development is that we will focus on maximizing our current land in Gilroy that’s not focused on expanding the city limits to build more single-family homes.
“I am proud to announce that I will be seeking re-election in 2024. My vision is simple. Have a Livable Gilroy for All. We can achieve that through safe communities, local economic development, housing for all, and a quality education,“ said Council Member Zach Hilton
“Over the past six years, as former Chair of the Gilroy Bicycle Pedestrian Commission and current Gilroy City Council Member I've gained the governing experience and built the necessary coalitions within the community and region to have a seat on the Gilroy City Council. Whether it is accomplishments we made in active transportation, safe routes to school, welcoming new businesses that allow us to grow as a community, housing for all, and safe spaces for youth, the role my office plays in the community makes me proud each day,” said Council Member Zach Hilton Year-to-date my office has worked with our State and Federal legislators to secure $4.85 million for project funding that directly benefits our residents, from a bike/ped trail extension on the westside, San Ysidro Park on the eastside, and an enhanced crosswalk for senior housing on the southside.
On behalf of my office, my student interns, and my family, I am excited for the challenges that Gilroy has to offer. There are still many things to be addressed, and I am taking them head on. Through the power of public participation, I am confident that we can get re-elected in 2024.
Bio- At-Large Gilroy Council Member Elected in 2020. Currently a 23-year Firefighter/Paramedic with the City of Oakland. My daughter Avery (12) is a 6th grader in Gilroy public schools, and my wife Katie is a Para-Educator for Gilroy Unified School District. Katie grew up here in Gilroy and I grew up in Berkeley, CA. After meeting in 2002, getting married and living around the Bay Area, we decided to move back to Gilroy in 2012. We bought our forever home the Summer of 2015 in the middle of the city. I promise my office will always treat this Council seat as an extension of your voice. As I’ve done in the past, I will continue to bring you the decisions and actions of our City Government through social media, coverage in local press, videos, town halls, tabling at events, press releases, email, and my newsletter.
Since my last housing post in June 2022, Gilroy has made strides to plan and promote housing opportunities for our workforce that are typically more affordable. This is needed more now than ever before. The State recently released new income guidelines, a household of one whose income is $96,000 is considered low income. The same is true for a household of four who earns $137,100. This is many of us. We’ve reached a boiling point where we need to be taking advantage of the many tools before us.
You can build an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on any residential property in the city, you can build duplexes on single family home lots, staff's work plan includes developing an inclusionary housing ordinance which is a policy that exists in many cities that requires a percentage of affordable homes in each development (this will be contracted out and approval should be very soon), and the 5th Draft Housing Element (Gilroy’s 8 Year Housing Plan) after being approved by the Gilroy Planning Commission and Gilroy City Council, has been sent to State HCD for approval. This plan will guide residential development and policy decisions during the next Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) Housing Element cycle for 2023-2031. This next RHNA cycle’s housing assignment is going to take some creativity on housing production, and that includes small projects to big ones. We can't grow or consider ourselves equitable and diversified in housing type when 75% of our land is zoned for single family homes. This may have worked in the past, but now that these homes are out of reach for most families, we need to course correct. We can continue to create a diversified housing stock to meet the needs of our residents. The 5th Draft Housing Element contains programs to build missing middle housing (this translates to rental opportunities, duplexes, triplexes, and four-plexes, a technical way for saying smaller homes that are more naturally affordable).
76% of homes sold in Silicon Valley last year were above $ 1 million; 30% were above $2 million. In contrast, only 8% of all homes sold within the region were below $600,000 (28% of which were all-cash sales, a likely sign that those units were being sold to buyers for renovation as opposed to being available for lower-income buyers to afford, live in, and gain home equity/wealth).
Gilroy's Planning Commission and City Council approved 40 Opportunity Sites that we are planning to build housing on. (Page 306 of the 5th Draft)
The Opportunity Site selection process examined zoned capacity, existing uses, and recent development trends to determine which parcels to include to meet the remaining RHNA after considering pipeline projects and ADUs. Both vacant and non-vacant sites are included in the Opportunity Sites Inventory. The opportunity site selection process took site characteristics, surrounding uses, and development constraints into consideration when evaluating each site’s development potential.
The Gilroy City Council established a Housing and Community Services Division during the FY24/FY25 budget process. (FY24/FY25 Budget Page 210) This new division will focus on housing efforts, public service grants, unhoused efforts, below market rate home ownership programs, and is a resource to connect Gilroy residents to homebuyer assistance programs, accessory dwelling unit (ADU) programs, emergency housing, unhoused services, rental assistance, tenant/landlord services, and mortgage relief assistance. The Division implements the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development of Housing and Community Development (HCD), and the City's Housing Trust Fund (HTF). These funds assist Gilroy's vulnerable communities and create safe and healthy neighborhoods for all.
The Housing and Community Services Division will collaborate with Santa Clara County Office of Supportive Housing (OSH) and other partners to develop affordable housing such as the one at 8th/Alexander St, including partnering on community outreach, communication, and development processes from beginning to completion. The Division works with OSH on Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) funding process, allocation, and implementation of grant funding for nonprofit service providers to assist Gilroy's vulnerable communities, unhoused individuals, and families who are experiencing, or at risk, homelessness. Through conducting monthly meetings with Gilroy's Unhoused Service Providers Network, the Division works to increase collaboration and partnership among service providers and the City of Gilroy to connect the unhoused with services. To expand community outreach and education on housing resources, the Division partners with Community Based Organizations (CBO) to host workshops to inform residents of assistance programs and funding opportunities, on a monthly basis on average.
The City places a high priority on providing quality housing opportunities for all residents. The creation of this focused Division within the Community Development Department, and establishing the Housing and Community Services Manager position, will enable the City to make more concentrated efforts on affordable housing production, preservation, and protection of residents. The Housing and Community Services Manager will provide a higher level of expertise and lead a Division focusing on housing functions. With the Division consisting of the Manager and Technician position, the Division will implement projects and programs to address housing needs for a diverse community and provide assistance to families and individuals that are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.
In the budget we funded several plans and policies including a Transportation Demand Management (TDM), Vehicle Mile Traveled (VMT), and Climate Action Plan. These will help enhance all of our developments to shift modes of transportation and connect them to transit in line with our General Plan 2040. Gilroy’s multi-modal transportation infrastructure consists of buses, trains, bikes, scooters, and walking. While there might be portions of our city that are isolated from transit, there are many ways to continue to draw residents towards transit. Gilroy has a fully connected bike network and transit options. Many residents are employed outside of Gilroy, but we have a large population that work, play, attend school, and are retired in Gilroy. They benefit from local transit and rideshare. Gilroy has the vision that the glass is half full, and we have the ability to innovate and adapt to programs that will further reduce our VMT. We are providing year-round education and encouragement through County Measure B funds. We have programs and policies that promote our community leaving their car at home and choosing to walk/bike/roll/ and take transit. This helps teach our residents safe walking and biking skills, reduces traffic and air pollution, and helps you get more physical activity.
In 2023, the Area Median Income (AMI) for a four-person household in Santa Clara County, as defined by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is $181,300. Based on this, the following are the income limits for the 5 affordable housing categories (family of four):
• Extremely Low Income (ELI) 0–30% AMI $0– $53,550
• Very Low Income (VLI) 31–50% AMI $53,551–$89,200
• Low Income (LI) 51–80% AMI $89,201– $137,100
• Moderate Income 81–120% AMI $137,101- $217,550
• Above Moderate- Above 120% AMI $217,551 +
Above is an updated chart that shows our progress as of April 1, 2022 to meet our RHNA numbers. You can see that we continue to be unbalanced in our categories. Data comes from our March 20, 2023 City Council Agenda.
The annual SB 35 list based on past housing performance was published June 2023 and contains cities and counties subject to SB 35 streamlining provisions when proposed developments include ≥ 50% affordability. Gilroy is one of the jurisdictions that has insufficient progress toward their lower income RHNA (Very Low and Low income) and are therefore subject to the streamlined ministerial approval process (SB 35 (Chapter 366, Statutes of 2017) streamlining) for proposed developments with at least 50% affordability.
The State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) reinforced the fact that they no longer consider the Housing Element Update to be a paper exercise, but instead a contract between jurisdictions and the state on housing commitments for eight-and-a-half years. To this end, HCD’s new Housing Accountability Unit will be monitoring implementation and will hold jurisdictions to the commitments laid out in the Housing Element’s plan. HCD detailed how they will not accept the rationale that the lack of subsidies for affordable housing development is an insurmountable impediment to fulfilling housing commitments. Instead, they advised jurisdictions to find ways to spur development through land use reforms and additional financing mechanisms. These might include adopting a strong local density bonus program, an inclusionary housing ordinance with a robust in-lieu fee structure, or other impact fees as a mechanism to support affordable housing development. HCD also recommended looking into ways of lowering costs by deferring or waiving fees and taxes.
HCD cautioned that jurisdictions with non-compliant Housing Elements will be ineligible for, or face delays in receiving, state funding. Jurisdictions would also be unable to use inconsistent zoning/general plan standards to deny affordable housing projects, and could be subject to additional legal ramifications and fines. HCD will review actions and inactions submitted in the Annual Progress Report by local jurisdictions and they will take action on jurisdictions that are inconsistent with their Housing Elements. HCD will also respond to public complaints if a jurisdiction's actions are in violation with state law.
The City of Gilroy and Gilroy City Council have made huge steps towards housing for all residents since I took office in December 2020. Data from our Housing Element shows 21% of households are considered extremely low-income, making less than 30% of AMI. As we prepare for the next Housing Element, we will need to examine the ways at which the 75% zoning can be the limiting factor as we work towards affordability, equity, and not continue to have communities that are segregated based on incomes and race. The consequences of failing to effectively and aggressively confront this crisis is hurting thousands of our residents, robbing future generations of the chance to call Gilroy home, stifling economic opportunities for workers and businesses, worsening poverty and homelessness, and undermining our environmental and climate objectives.
For the past four years I have participated at some level with California State legislative bills, first as an advocate and now as an elected official. I have spent hours listening, reading legislative files, all while writing letters of support and testifying myself. That experience has been invaluable back here in Gilroy as one of your legislators. As a local elected official, you are told by organizations like the League of California Cities that our “local control” is being taken away and we should fight for it. What they don’t tell you is why the State has been slowly taking back the local control that they have granted to cities.
In 1969 a state mandate called the Housing Element and Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) was created. As part of RHNA, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) determines the total number of new homes the Bay Area needs to build and how affordable those homes need to be in order to meet the housing needs of people at all income levels. One part of the Housing Element requires local governments to prepare an inventory of land suitable for residential development.
If you were developing this plan to build housing for all and required by State HCD to develop a sites list, wouldn’t you want to make contact with the property owner and verify that they would be willing to develop their land? (Gilroy has 40 sites listed and it took me a few days to contact six of them directly). Otherwise, you would be treating the process as a paper exercise, while promising housing to be built for all residents. Most cities, including Gilroy, don’t make a reasonable effort in contacting property owners, making these sites’ inventories unreliable. This is an example of our current local control, and since the law doesn’t require you to contact the property owners, we can choose to do it or not do it. It’s clear to me why this part of the local process has contributed to our housing crisis.
Gilroy has a housing shortage and our low and middle-income households face historic rent burden. Undersupply of “Missing Middle” housing, or medium density housing near jobs and transit, is one of the key factors contributing to the displacement and rent burden of our residents. In Gilroy we have 75% of our land zoned for single family homes, 10% were small multifamily (two to four units), and 12% were medium or large multifamily (five-plus units).
Data from our Housing Element shows 21% of households are considered extremely low-income, making less than 30% of AMI. As we prepare for the next Housing Element, we will need to examine the ways at which the 75% zoning can be the limiting factor as we work towards affordability, equity, and not continue to have communities that are segregated based on incomes and race. The consequences of failing to effectively and aggressively confront this crisis is hurting thousands of our residents, robbing future generations of the chance to call Gilroy home, stifling economic opportunities for workers and businesses, worsening poverty and homelessness, and undermining our environmental and climate objectives.
Senate Bill 405 from Senator Cortese has been introduced and if signed into law would take back this local control and require a planning agency, for their seventh cycle housing element (we are developing the sixth right now), to make a reasonable effort to identify and contact property owners to determine the intent of the owner to develop the site. Further, a site can’t be considered a site that can be developed to meet a jurisdiction’s share of RHNA if the property owner notifies the planning agency or HCD that they don’t intend to develop the site, as specified, during the current planning period. It also requires that the information gathered in this effort be an important factor for HCD in determining whether the planning agency’s housing element identifies sufficient sites to meet the jurisdiction’s share of RHNA. Site inventories are updated annually or as needed, to stay fluid and relevant.
Can you guess who is opposing it? The League of California Cities. On May 1, a public hearing will be held regarding Gilroy’s third Draft Housing Element 2023-2031. Come join us.
To my council colleagues, city staff, and the public I am very excited to be a part of the many changes coming to Gilroy this year. Legislating policy in house often doesn't require budget allocations, and many of the best practices are already open sourced. Continuing from 2022, our Zoning Ordinance will be amended to meet the standards of our general plan, and I look forward to being a part of that process. I will continue to bring the views of my constituents to these meetings, as well as my own. We have many policies and practices that will continue to be updated to 2023 standards that come along with the adoption of our General Plan 2040.
Our legislative work plan has been formed over several meetings and will be formalized in June when we adopt the two-year budget. Along with several new housing laws that make it quicker and easier to build all types of housing, I will be focusing on a Transit First Policy introduced by my office. At the March 13, 2023 City Council budget priority workshop, city staff presented an update to the General Fund forecast. For FY24, staff forecast a $3.7 million surplus due to excess distribution from the County’s Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund (ERAF), an interfund loan repayment, and increased utility user and property tax revenues than previously projected. This allows the city to fund many one time projects that don’t require ongoing expenses. Many of the project ideas will come before the City Council in early May under capital improvement projects. I am in full support of laying the groundwork for a Civic Center Master Plan and building a community center that is for all ages. The focus on a free safe place for our youth to have after school and on the weekends is a top priority for me. The City of Gilroy and Gilroy Unified School District have many facilities that can be used by the community for free. We have the opportunity to develop programming and provide spaces for youth with no barriers now.
I am proud to have worked with Representative Zoe Lofgren on identifying two projects for her Community Project Funding requests and am excited to see the projects come to completion this year. As part of the Omnibus Federal Spending Bill, the City of Gilroy received a total of $4.5 million for two projects that will benefit opposite ends of our community, and build off the recent success of community based programs that are a benefit to our residents.
We received $3 million for the The San Ysidro Park Healthy Living Enhancement Project. The project will provide improvements to and recreational opportunities in this public space for surrounding underserved communities. Communal outdoor spaces that are safe and equipped with family friendly amenities can provide a sense of community and allow for healthy development through a connection to the outdoors. Beautification, shade, and safety measures will ensure that San Ysidro Park can be maximized and provide a space for children, youth, seniors, and families.
We received $1.5 million for the Safe Routes to School Initiative at Christopher High School. The City of Gilroy has actively embraced and advanced ideas around Safe Routes to School initiatives to promote projects focused on building and planning for current residents and future generations. The Safe Routes to School Initiative will remove barriers to walking and bicycling to school through improvements to infrastructure and facilities as well as education, encouragement, engineering, and evaluation programs. Creating safe routes to and from schools can decrease pedestrian and cyclist related injuries and encourage more sustainable methods of transportation in the community.
In 2023, we have many public and private partnership opportunities coming before the council. The opportunities for furthering our economic development continues with a hillside adventure and water surf park proposal around Gilroy Gardens, Sharks ice arena at the Sports Park, and Gourmet Alley in Downtown. These proposals form the recreation triangle and further our recreation community designation by city resolution. Redevelopment and new construction will create additional hotels, housing, jobs, restaurants, industrial opportunities, and shopping experiences. The City of Gilroy was awarded a $3.9 million grant through the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Clean California Local Grant Program for improvements within Gilroy’s Historic Downtown. Gilroy’s project includes the renovation and beautification of Gourmet Alley and Railroad Alley between 4th-7th St, renovating these spaces into pedestrian and bicycle-friendly pathways through infrastructure and aesthetic improvements. Santa Clara County Public Health secured a $2.5 million Caltrans Active Transportation grant for East Gilroy with a goal of promoting safe routes to community hubs. I’m very confident that staff will continue to find grant funding opportunities that directly benefit all of our residents.
I’d like to find some common ground when it comes to homelessness, affordable housing, climate action, technology implementation, and most importantly our human capital or our employees. Many of these issues we can’t solve alone, and we need to leverage partnerships that currently exist as well as be flexible when it comes to new ones. Thank you to all of our current city staff who have persevered through some of the most challenging times in your careers coming out of the pandemic and staffing shortages. You are a key part to the success of our city.
The consequences of failing to effectively and aggressively confront our housing crisis is hurting thousands of our residents, robbing future generations of the chance to call Gilroy home, stifling economic opportunities for workers and businesses, worsening poverty and homelessness, and undermining our environmental and climate objectives. Thankfully millions of dollars in funding have poured into Gilroy to help our most vulnerable address their rent burden. Data from our housing element shows 21% of households are considered extremely low-income, making less than 30% of Santa Clara County’s area median income (AMI). The City is currently out of compliance with the 2023-2031 State Housing element plan, and staff is currently working on the third draft in response to the letter from the state. Of the land we have available for housing, 75% of it is zoned for single family homes. We will need to examine the ways in which that 75% zoning is the limiting factor as we work towards affordability, equity, and not continue to have communities that are segregated based on incomes and race. Our Housing Element 2023-2031 does not have a complete inventory of sites to build housing or proof that sites are willing to build affordable housing; it's not a fair statement to say that rezoning is not needed yet. Many community organizations stand with us getting this right and I have full confidence in our staff to get us complaint with state law.
This year, my prime focus is to continue Gilroy’s growth into the 21st century. Building upon the relationships I’ve made, legislative items in our work plan and introduction of new items are just some of the things I have planned. We will focus on our Zoning Ordinance (Bike Parking, Noise Impacting Residentially Zoned Properties), Safe Storage of Firearms, Inclusionary Housing Ordinance, Accessory Dwelling Units, Housing Element 2023-2031, In-Lieu Fees/Nexus Studies, Parking Management/Enforcement, Community Plan to End Homelessness, Climate Action Plan, Transportation Demand Management Policy, Vehicle Miles Traveled Policy, Safe Parking Program, Transitional Supportive Housing, Wage Theft, Minimum Wage, and State Legislative Bills. All of these legislative changes will make Gilroy more livable for all, and the path forward is clear to me. It will require everyone’s voices to be heard during public comment, focused work from my student interns, and I’ll be here to guide you through it.
We reached the end of the second year of my Student Internship Program, and I am incredibly proud of what they have accomplished. The work they do is essential to my platform, and I could not do it without them. From the OP-Ed’s they write to defend the defenseless, hold the powerful accountable, and attend meetings on behalf of my office. They are all maturing to make this community a better place. Young people are essential to our civic discourse, and I am proud to have my students lead the charge.
My work making the City Council accountable continues with a publicly available voting record, so that we can all see how your council member voted on issues that matter to you. You can find this on my website at www.zachhilton.com located under the legislative section. In addition, you can try and change the law as you see fit. For the first time in Gilroy history my office created a program called “Their Ought to Be a Law”, where residents have the opportunity to get involved with the legislative process. The recent actions to ban second hand smoking in multi-family residential and public events came from this program. The Gilroy City Council should not be cloaked in an aura of secrecy, it should be a matter of public participation. Residents don’t feel a sense of community and belonging if they perceive members of the City Council as an exclusive club. We commit to offering transparent paths to leadership positions, along with inviting and seeking different perspectives.
The progress and accomplishments of my office are available on my website under the biography section. My office added 8 legislative items to our City Council work plan over the past two years. Of those eight some did not get approved, some were approved, and a few are being continued into this next legislative cycle. I continue to engage with you in English/Spanish through town halls via Zoom, in-person opportunities, hosted meet and greets with other electeds/candidates in our region, table at local events, and spent Sundays answering questions through Facebook/Instagram stories. There were numerous press releases and Op-Eds issued and published to keep the public in the loop. There was endless support and testimonies on many important state legislative bills that decreased the cost and time of much needed affordable housing (AB2011, AB2097, AB2234, AB2221, SB897). Last but certainly not least, there was endless support for the investment of hybrid Gilroy City Council meetings that will stream LIVE via multiple online platforms and provide Spanish translation from my office.
I worked with our Speaker Designate Assembly Member Robert Rivas and the Gilroy Library so the community had a chance to meet Dolores Huerta and listen to a panel discussion yesterday. This all started as a vision from Gilroy Librarian Elizabeth Muñoz-Rosas and the Dolores Huerta Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service held at the Gilroy Library from November 5, 2022 to January 23, 2023.
We must continue to push forward policies and programs that address climate change. Combating climate change is a part of my values and platform. I'm glad to see us move forward with EV Charging and Bicycle Parking REACH codes that require one long-term bike parking space per housing unit in multi-family developments. I was disappointed that all-electric for new construction was not a part of the REACH codes adoption. Despite the State and Local level not being ready for all-electric, our region is. There are two large commercial and industrial developments that are making their way through the process and both are being required to build with no natural gas in order to comply with greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards established by our regional air district board. Gilroy entered its first solar power purchase and site lease agreement with Jua Capital, LLC to provide solar power systems on city-owned facilities. Electrifying and making our buildings more energy efficient with the use of technologies like heat pumps, smart-thermostats and EV chargers is another important step towards lowering our overall GHG footprint. In the future, we need to move towards installing a mix of solar plus battery storage to take advantage of the energy resilience and financial benefits this technology can provide for our city.
Gilroy City Council committee assignments have a regional participation, and my position as Director for Silicon Valley Clean Energy allowed me to be a part of developing programs that will benefit all in Gilroy. SV Clean Energy is a not-for-profit public agency that reinvests net revenues to the community through competitive rates, unique offers and services, rebates, community grants and scholarships. One program that will launch this year is replacing the old baseboard heater units in multi-family residential buildings. Replacing them with heat pumps will allow for air-conditioning to families that have never had that. We worked with the developer at Royal Townhomes to be the second housing development in Gilroy to incorporate Transportation Demand Management (TDM) measures and provide pre-loaded Clipper Transit cards to every residence. We attended many more regional and local meetings representing an elected office from Gilroy, and in my absence, my student interns would take my place in these meetings. I attended every opportunity I got in order to gain professional development and training through both webinars, and in-person training.
The Arts are alive in Gilroy. In 2021 I was contacted by SV Creates (Santa Clara County Arts Council) to build a relationship that wasn’t here prior in Gilroy. From those first initial meetings blossomed into an Arts Círculo held at 6th St Art Studios and around the corner at the Neon Exchange. Today we have a monthly Arts Roundtable, and so many doors continue to open. Blueshield partnered and offered a grant for the mural at 6th Street Studios & Art Center in our Downtown.
I continued my professional membership with CivicWell, which was able to provide technical assistance and resources for my legislation. They have an annual conference which I attended as a Gilroy representative. The 31st Annual Conference brings together over 100 mayors, city council members, county supervisors, city managers, and other high-level department heads. This innovative three-day gathering is designed to support local elected officials with tools and partnership opportunities to implement innovative solutions to our most pressing community challenges.
On behalf of my office, my student interns, and my family, I am excited for the challenges that 2023 has to offer. There are still many things to be addressed, and I am taking them head on. Through the power of public participation, I am confident that 2023 can be one of the best years that Gilroy has ever had.
A mis colegas del concejo, al personal de la ciudad y al público, estoy muy emocionado de ser parte de los muchos cambios que se avecinan a Gilroy este año. Aprobar leyes internamente a menudo no requiere un presupuesto ya que muchas de las mejores prácticas legislativas son de fuente abierta. Continuando con nuestro trabajo del 2022, el mandato de zonificación se modificará para cumplir con los estándares de nuestro plan general. Preveo que mi oficina va a ser parte de ese proceso, y seguiré aportando las opiniones de mis electores y a si como las mías en estas reuniones. Tenemos muchas normas y prácticas que continuarán actualizándose a los estándares de 2023 que vienen junto con la adopción de nuestro Plan General 2040.
Nuestro plan de trabajo legislativo se formó en varias reuniones y se formalizará en Junio cuando adoptemos el presupuesto de los próximos dos años. Junto con varias nuevas leyes de vivienda que agilizan y facilitan la construcción de todo tipo de viviendas, me concentraré en una norma presentada por mi oficina la cual se enfoca en el tránsito público primero. En el taller de prioridad presupuestaria del Concejo Municipal del 13 de marzo, el personal de la ciudad presentó una actualización al pronóstico del Fondo General. Para el próximo año fiscal, el personal pronosticó un excedente de $3.7 millones de dólares. Esto le permite a la ciudad financiar muchos proyectos únicos que no requieren gastos continuos. Muchas de las ideas de proyectos se presentarán ante el Concejo Municipal a principios de Mayo, estas propuestas serán basadas en el plan de proyectos de mejora de capital que existe en este momento. Estoy totalmente a favor de preparar las bases para el plan maestro del Centro Cívico y de construir un centro comunitario que sea para todas las edades. Para mi es una prioridad que nos enfocamos en crear un lugar seguro y gratuito en el cual nuestros jóvenes puedan pasar tiempo después de la escuela y durante los fines de semana. La Ciudad de Gilroy y el Distrito Escolar tienen muchas propiedades que la comunidad puede usar de forma gratuita. En este momento tenemos la oportunidad de proporcionar espacios y desarrollar programas de recreación sin barreras para nuestros jóvenes.
Estoy orgulloso de haber trabajado con la Representante Zoe Lofgren en la identificación de dos proyectos que serán financiados por la solicitud de Financiamiento de Proyectos Comunitarios de su oficina, y estoy emocionado por ver que los proyectos se completen este año. Como parte del Proyecto de Ley de Gastos Federales Ómnibus, la Ciudad de Gilroy recibió un total de $4.5 millones para dos proyectos que beneficiarán a los extremos opuestos de nuestra comunidad y aprovecharán el reciente éxito de los programas comunitarios que benefician a nuestros residentes en este momento.
Recibimos $3 millones para el Proyecto de Mejoramiento de Vida Saludable del Parque San Ysidro. El proyecto proporcionará mejoras estructurales y oportunidades recreativas en el espacio público de esta comunidad. Los espacios al aire libre comunes que son seguros y están equipados con comodidades para la familia pueden brindar un sentido de comunidad y permitir un desarrollo saludable a través de una conexión con el aire libre. Las medidas de embellecimiento, sombra y seguridad garantizarán que el Parque San Ysidro pueda brindar un espacio para que familias, niños, jóvenes, y personas mayores se reúnan.
También recibimos $1.5 millones para la Iniciativa de Rutas Seguras a la Escuela para la Secundaria Christopher. La ciudad de Gilroy ha adoptado y avanzado ideas como las Rutas Seguras a la Escuela para promover proyectos centrados en la construcción y planificación de infraestructura que beneficie residentes actuales así como las generaciones futuras. La Iniciativa de Rutas Seguras a la Escuela eliminará las barreras para caminar y andar en bicicleta a la escuela mediante mejoras en la infraestructura, y la promoción de programas de educación, fomento, ingeniería y evaluación. La creación de rutas seguras hacia y desde las escuelas puede disminuir las lesiones relacionadas con peatones y ciclistas y también puede fomentar métodos de transporte más sostenibles en nuestra comunidad.
En el 2023, el consejo va a tener muchas oportunidades de consorcio con organizaciones públicas y privadas. Las oportunidades para promover nuestro desarrollo económico continúan con una propuesta de parque de aventura y parque de surf acuático alrededor de Gilroy Gardens, un proyecto para la arena de hielo Sharks en el Parque de Deportes y un plan para desarrollar Gourmet Alley en el centro de nuestra ciudad. Estas propuestas forman un triángulo de recreación y fomentan nuestra designación de comunidad recreativa mediante la resolución de nuestra ciudad. La reurbanización y proyectos planificados crearán nuevos hoteles, viviendas, empleos, restaurantes, oportunidades industriales y experiencias de compra adicionales para nuestros residentes y visitantes. Gilroy recibió un subsidio de $3.9 millones para mejoras en el centro de la ciudad a través del Programa de Subsidios Locales para una California Limpia del Departamento de Transporte del estado. El proyecto de Gilroy incluye la renovación de Gourmet Alley y Railroad Alley entre la calle cuarta y séptima, el cual renueva caminos aptos para peatones y ciclistas a través de infraestructura nueva y mejoras estéticas. El Departamento de Salud Pública del Condado de Santa Clara también obtuvo un subsidio de Caltrans por $2.5 millones que beneficia el Este de la ciudad con el objetivo de promover rutas seguras a los centros comunitarios. Estoy muy seguro de que el personal de la ciudad seguirá encontrando oportunidades de financiación que beneficien directamente a todos nuestros residentes.
Me gustaría encontrar una base común en lo que respecta a la falta de vivienda, la vivienda asequible, la acción climática, la implementación de tecnología y, lo que es más importante, el capital humano para nuestros empleados. Muchos de estos problemas no los podemos resolver solos, y necesitamos aprovechar las asociaciones que existen actualmente y también ser flexibles cuando se trata de nuevas oportunidades. Le quiero dar las gracias a todo el personal actual de la ciudad que ha perseverado en algunos de los momentos más difíciles de sus carreras a raíz de la pandemia y la escasez de personal. Ustedes son una pieza clave para el éxito de nuestra ciudad.
Las consecuencias de no enfrentar nuestra crisis de vivienda de manera efectiva y agresiva están perjudicando a miles de nuestros residentes, robandole a las generaciones futuras la oportunidad de llamar Gilroy su hogar, sofocando las oportunidades económicas para los trabajadores y las empresas, empeorando la pobreza, y perjudicando nuestros objetivos ambientales y climáticos. Afortunadamente, Gilroy ha invertido millones de dólares en fondos para ayudar a los más vulnerables con su carga de alquiler. Los datos de nuestro elemento de vivienda muestran que el 21% de los hogares en Gilroy se consideran de ingresos extremadamente bajos, lo que representa que ellos ganen menos del 30% del ingreso medio del condado de Santa Clara. Actualmente, la ciudad no cumple con el plan de vivienda estatal 2023-2031, y el personal de la ciudad está actualmente trabajando en una respuesta para la carta del estado. Del terreno que tenemos disponible para vivienda, el 75% está zonificado para vivienda unifamiliar. Tendremos que examinar las formas en que esa zonificación es el factor limitante en nuestro trabajo hacia mayor asequibilidad, equidad y no seguir teniendo comunidades segregadas basada en ingresos y raza. Nuestro Plan de Vivienda 2023-2031 no tiene un inventario completo de sitios para construir viviendas o prueba de que los sitios están dispuestos a construir viviendas asequibles; así que no es una declaración justa decir que la rezonificación aún no es necesaria. Muchas organizaciones comunitarias nos están apoyando para que manejemos este proceso adecuadamente y tengo plena confianza en nuestro personal para que cumplamos con la ley estatal.
Este año, mi enfoque principal es continuar el crecimiento de Gilroy dentro del siglo 21. Seguir construyendo las relaciones que he hecho hasta este momento, seguir adelante con los elementos legislativos en nuestro plan de trabajo e introducir nuevos elementos son solo algunas de las cosas que tengo planeadas. Nos enfocaremos en el estacionamiento de bicicletas, el ruido que afecta las áreas residenciales, en el almacenamiento seguro de armas de fuego, la ordenanza de vivienda inclusiva, en el plan de vivienda 2023-2031, el manejo y ejercimiento de leyes de estacionamiento, el plan comunitario para terminar con la falta de vivienda, Plan de Acción Climática, Vivienda para Apoyo Transitorio, el Robo de Salario, Salario Mínimo y otros Proyectos de Ley Estatales. Todos estos cambios legislativos harán que Gilroy sea más habitable para todos, y el camino para seguir adelante con estos elementos legislativos es claro para mí. Esto requerirá que se escuchen las voces de todos durante los comentarios públicos, así como el esfuerzo enfocado de mis estudiantes y de mi oficina.
Llegamos al final del segundo año de mi programa de pasantías para estudiantes y estoy increíblemente orgulloso de lo que ellos han logrado. El trabajo que hacen es esencial para mi plataforma y no podría hacerlo sin ellos. Desde las editoriales que escriben para defender a los indefensos, responsabilizar a los poderosos y asistir a reuniones en nombre de mi oficina, todos están madurando para hacer que esta comunidad sea un lugar mejor. Los jóvenes son esenciales para nuestro discurso cívico, y me enorgullece que mis alumnos lideren el cambio.
Mi trabajo para mantener el Concejo Municipal responsable y transparente continúa con un registro de votación disponible públicamente, para que todos podamos ver cómo votó su concejal en los asuntos que le interesan. Puede encontrar esto en mi sitio web ubicado en la sección legislativa. Además, puede intentar cambiar la ley como mejor le parezca. Por primera vez en la historia de Gilroy, mi oficina creó un programa llamado "Debería haber una ley", donde los residentes tienen la oportunidad de participar en el proceso legislativo. Las acciones recientes para prohibir el uso abierto de tabaco en eventos públicos y espacios residenciales multifamiliares provienen de este programa. El Concejo Municipal de Gilroy no debe estar envuelto en un aura de secreto, debe ser una cuestión de participación pública. Los residentes no van a tener un sentido de comunidad y pertenencia si perciben a los miembros del Consejo como un club exclusivo. Nos comprometemos a ofrecer caminos transparentes hacia posiciones de liderazgo, además de invitar y buscar diferentes perspectivas.
El progreso y los logros de mi oficina están disponibles en mi sitio web en la sección de biografía. Mi oficina agregó 8 elementos legislativos a nuestro plan de trabajo del Concejo Municipal durante los últimos dos años. De esos ocho, algunos no fueron aprobados, algunos fueron aprobados y algunos continúan en este próximo ciclo legislativo. Sigo interactuando con ustedes en inglés y español a través de ayuntamientos en Zoom, oportunidades en persona, encuentros organizados con otros electos y candidatos en nuestra región, mesas en eventos locales y a través de los domingos que paso respondiendo preguntas a través de las historias de Facebook e Instagram. Hubo numerosos comunicados de prensa y artículos de opinión emitidos y publicados para mantener al público informado. Hubo un sinfín de apoyo y testimonios dados sobre muchos proyectos de ley estatales importantes que redujeron el costo y el tiempo de construir la vivienda asequible que tanto se necesita. Por último, pero no menos importante, mi oficina apoyó invertir en reuniones híbridas para que las reuniones del Concejo Municipal de Gilroy se transmitan EN VIVO a través de múltiples plataformas en línea y brindarán traducción al español.
Trabajé con nuestro asambleísta designado como portavoz, Robert Rivas, y la Biblioteca Gilroy para que la comunidad tuviera la oportunidad de conocer a Dolores Huerta y escuchar un panel de discusión. Todo esto comenzó como una visión de la bibliotecaria de Gilroy Elizabeth Muñoz-Rosas y la Exhibición Ambulante de la Institución Smithsonian que tuvo lugar en la Biblioteca de Gilroy el año pasado.
Debemos continuar impulsando políticas y programas dirigidos al cambio climático. Combatir el cambio climático es parte de mis valores y plataforma. Me alegra ver que avanzamos con los códigos de construcción REACH de carga de vehículos eléctricos y de estacionamiento de bicicletas que requieren un espacio a largo plazo por unidad de vivienda en desarrollos multifamiliares. Me decepcionó que diseñar edificios totalmente eléctricos no formará parte de la adopción de los códigos REACH. A pesar de que el nivel estatal y local no está listo para la electrificación total, nuestra región sí lo está. Hay dos grandes desarrollos comerciales e industriales en progreso y se va a requerir que ambos se construyan sin gas natural para cumplir con los estándares de emisión de gases de efecto invernadero establecidos por nuestra junta regional del distrito de aire. Gilroy también firmó su primer acuerdo de compra de energía renovable para proporcionar sistemas de energía solar en propiedades de la ciudad. Electrificar y hacer que nuestros edificios sean más eficientes energéticamente con el uso de tecnologías como bombas de calor ( llamadas heat-pumps), termostatos inteligentes y cargadores de vehículos eléctricos es otro paso importante para reducir nuestra huella global de gases de efecto invernadero. En el futuro, debemos avanzar con la instalación de una combinación de energía solar con almacenamiento de energía para aprovechar la resiliencia energética y beneficios financieros que esta tecnología puede brindar a nuestra ciudad.
Las artes están vivas en Gilroy. En el 2021, SV Creates, que es parte del Consejo de Artes del Condado de Santa Clara, se puso en contacto conmigo para construir una relación que no existía antes en Gilroy. A partir de las reuniones iniciales floreció un Círculo de Artes que se llevó a cabo en el estudio de artes de la calle sexta y en el Neon Exchange. Actualmente tenemos una Mesa Redonda de Artes mensual, y muchas puertas continúan abriéndose. Blueshield se asoció y ofreció un subsidio para un mural en el centro de arte de la calle sexta en nuestro downtown.
Continué mi membresía profesional con CivicWell, que brindó asistencia técnica y recursos para mi legislación. La organización tuvo una conferencia anual a la que asistí como representante de Gilroy. La Conferencia Anual de Líderes de Gobierno reúne a más de 100 alcaldes, miembros del consejo municipal, supervisores de condados, administradores municipales y otros jefes de departamento de alto nivel en la impresionante belleza. Esta innovadora reunión de tres días está diseñada para apoyar a los funcionarios electos locales con herramientas y oportunidades de asociación para implementar soluciones innovadoras a nuestros desafíos comunitarios más apremiantes.
En nombre de mi oficina, mis alumnos y mi familia, estoy emocionado por los desafíos que 2023 tiene para ofrecer. Todavía hay muchas cosas por afrontar, y las estoy asumiendo directamente . A través del poder de la participación pública, estoy seguro de que 2023 puede ser uno de los mejores años que jamás haya tenido Gilroy.
Muchas gracias a todos por su tiempo y atención, buenas noches.
