Legislation Archives Before 2023
Introduced Legislation 2023-2024 Session
Gilroy City Code Chapter 30 Zoning Ordinance Amendment to add Bicycle Parking
(Supported by- GilroyBPAC, Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition) I introduced this legislation in January 2020 (https://youtu.be/_8njb0P_RKQ?t=750), and will be asking the Council at our January 25, 2021 meeting to place it on the agenda now, rather than have it rolled into the overall Zoning Ordinance Amendment which is taking place over the course of a year. The City of Gilroy does not require bicycle parking in multi-family residential developments and the California Green Building Code states that it is voluntary unless that jurisdiction requires it by ordinance. Some developers have been willing to place it on site, but there are no standards on placement and objective designs established. That has left us with pockets of multi-family residential developments with no bike parking, and sub-standard parking. Since our Gilroy BPAC discovered this, we have had at least three multi-family residential developments that are not required to place bike parking, and several commercial developments that are required to meet the minimum standards required by the California Green Building Code. Read my blog post here. https://zachhiltonca.blogspot.com/2020/03/gilroys-bike-parking-ordinance.html Request denied at January 25, 2021 meeting by Council. It will be introduced during upcoming Zoning Code Amendment early in 2023. https://youtu.be/p6vrc3ecf9k?t=5015
City Code Chapter 30 Zoning Ordinance-Section 41 Performance Standards-Noise
We will continue to develop more residential units that are mixed use and near existing commercial and industrial developments. There are objective standards that we can put in place to make it clear what noises are allowed and what noises are limited in “Commercial and Industrial Noise Impacting Residentially Zoned Properties”. I am proposing two separate changes to the code. I will be introducing a “City Code Chapter 30 Zoning Ordinance Performance Standards-Noise Amendment” under future council-initiated agenda items at our August 2, 2021 meeting. Language will be included in the Chapter 30 Zoning Ordinance code changes in late 2023.
Gilroy City Code Chapter 19B Smoking Pollution Control (Smoking Prohibited)
(Supported by- Santa Clara County Public Health, Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, Breath California, Tobacco Free Coalition of Santa Clara County) November 15, 2021-Frequent and recurring exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) can cause health problems such as asthma, heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, as well as worsen a chronic illness. Children, the elderly, and the disabled are especially vulnerable to exposure of SHS, yet they are the least able to avoid it. The only way to fully protect nonsmokers is to eliminate smoking in all homes, worksites, and public places. Smoke travels through doorways, cracks in walls, electrical outlets, ventilation systems, and plumbing. Opening windows and using fans does not remove SHS. Heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems cannot eliminate exposure to SHS.
Santa Clara County Public Health Tobacco prevention unit is able to provide support such as development of an outreach/stakeholder plan, reports, ordinance language, and other technical assistance. They have free signage for the older multifamily residential properties. This ordinance, like with our recent smoke free parks ordinance, will follow the path of education and encouragement. I will be introducing a “Gilroy City Code Chapter 19B Smoking Pollution Control, adding in 19B.2 Smoking Prohibited-outdoor dining and multi-family residential” Request denied at November 15, 2021 meeting. We can introduce again. https://youtu.be/Tx2cD7ggPjc?t=2259 Presentation from Santa Clara County Public Health (Tobacco Prevention) May 16, 2022- https://youtu.be/z_oURH6tuJ0?t=627 and Public comment letters- http://bit.ly/3NuS1IN then I reintroduced for a future agenda item and it was approved here- https://youtu.be/FZc0D5XUxeE Item brought forward October 3, 2022 and Council moved forward requesting staff prepare by ordinance no-smoking in Public Events, Multi-Family Housing, and Multi-Family Housing Common Areas. Item brought forward January 23, 2023 for further recommendations https://youtu.be/-Y4Whgt6eig. Coming back February 6, 2023. https://youtu.be/2Uc6w6JBSdU Tobacco prevention legislation banning smoking in Multi-Family Residential (2+ Units) and Public Events was approved February 6, 2023.
City Purchasing Policy to Include Wage Theft
Under Section 7 Special Policies and Programs we already refer to the California Department of Industrial Relations under the prevailing wage section of contracts and they are the agency who oversees wage theft claims. My office did a public records request with that agency and found that between January 2011 and December 2021 there were 957 claims filed where the primary business is out of Gilroy. Section 7 is where we hold the purchasing process to a higher standard and insert our own policies like the 5% local preference for Gilroy based businesses, Minority, Disabled and Woman Owned Business Policy Statement and Environmentally Preferable Products are already in place.
Having a policy statement under Section 7 regarding wage theft would further enhance our commitment to responsible contractors and protection of workers. By requiring an additional completed and signed form required of the project owner, contractor, and subcontractors that certifies compliance with wage theft protection laws and that there are no unpaid wage theft judgments. Introduced on March 6 and approved on April 3.
Transit first priority policies are used by cities to improve the travel speed, reliability and overall appeal of public transit and make public transit operations more cost-effective, deriving more public value per dollar spent on transit service. VTA shared San Jose’s policy with Member Agencies and inquired if other cities are interested in their own policy or potentially a countywide policy. San Jose’s recently adopted Transit First Policy is an example of how cities can structure transit priority policies. https://www.vta.org/cdt/role-local-government-transit-first-policies-home-page/transit-first-policy
Travel speeds for public transit that operate at street level are generally in decline across the United States. Average VTA bus travel speeds have declined by about 20 percent (14.1 to 11.6 miles per hour) over the past three decades. That has resulted in service that is less useful for riders, has worsening on-time reliability and is less cost-effective for VTA to operate. When travel speeds decline, VTA must add additional buses to routes, which raises the operating cost. Three decades of adding buses to slowing routes amounts to a $70 million inefficiency that VTA bears annually. Growth and the resulting travel demand combined with heavy reliance upon automobiles for travel is causing congestion that slows down public transit, decreases ridership and generates less community value per public dollar spent. Reversing these trends can be initiated by cities through street design and traffic signal policy. Introduced March 13, 2023 https://youtu.be/_xpnySpGO7g. Updates on funding January 22, 2024 https://youtu.be/4RRdP1u5STI
City Council Legislative Work Plan Approved June 2023-
I am proud to have authored or supported the following items on our Legislative Work Plan for FY24 & FY25. These items won't require a request for future agenda item at a meeting. Moving Gilroy Forward 2021, 2022, & 2023 annual city vision statement. Full statements for both can be found in the home section.
- Climate Action Benchmarks
- Review the Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance
- In-Lieu Fees vs Allocations & Nexus Studies associated with them in order to have them applicable. Examples are in-lieu fees for off-street parking in Downtown Gilroy and Inclusionary Housing Ordinance.
- Downtown Parking Management
- Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Policy
- Safe Parking Policy
- Transit First Policy
- Plan for a Community Center/Youth Center
There Ought to be a Law Program-
You’re invited to participate in "There Ought to be a Law." This program offers you the opportunity to propose new City legislation for the upcoming year.
As a City Council Member, I know that some of the best ideas we work on at City Hall come directly from constituents. When we work together as a community, we can produce better results.
Proposals can vary from local community improvements, make entirely new policies/ordinances, and revisions to existing ordinances/policies. To apply, fill out the form here and submit it now. Proposals are due January 19, 2024.
Gilroy City Council Voting Record (Data Collected From City of Gilroy)-
Voting Record Archives Before 2024
