Gilroy Weighs Managed Encampment, Orders Sixth Street Camp Closed

Gilroy's City Council spent nearly an hour Nov. 2 on a proposal for a city-managed homeless encampment. It took no vote and asked for costs, funding and a timeline first. Later that night, a 4-3 vote ordered the city's one tolerated camp closed by Dec. 15, before any replacement site exists.

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• Homeless ad hoc pitches a "Gilroy-first" managed site, and council demands a business plan first
• Sixth Street encampment ordered closed by Dec. 15 on a 4-3 vote
• State-mandated turf irrigation ban introduced 7-0, with direction to staff not to enforce it
• Detention facility moratorium extended through Oct. 4, 2027 as residents press for an ICE no-staging policy
• Permanent mobile vending rules introduced 7-0 after the pilot cut citations 60%

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A Managed Camp, but Not Yet a Plan

The basics: The council's Homeless Ad Hoc Committee met six times, supported by Destination Home through a Homebase grant. It concluded the city should explore a designated encampment site. The site would have rules, a Gilroy-first mandate, less tolerance for camping elsewhere and access to services.

Why it matters: A managed site would move Gilroy away from abatement, the cycle of clearing camps only to see them return elsewhere. Council members still don't have a cost or funding source in front of them.

Where things stand: Mayor Greg Bozzo, who chairs the ad hoc, said a city employee should lead management. He cited Auburn and Tulare as models. "We will end the era of abatement and whack-a-mole that makes it difficult for law enforcement and service provider to better meet the needs of those who are unhoused," said Bozzo.

Councilmember Kelly Ramirez described the ad hoc's visit to Tulare. Staff put that model at about $350,000 for land, roughly $1.5M in startup costs and $2.3M over three years. "But the reality is we have to do something," said Ramirez.

The other side: Colleagues backed the direction but not the details. "I will say that I was expecting more in a staff report," said Councilmember Terence Fugazzi. He questioned the site's scale, its cost and Tulare's results.

"I just don't feel that we have that substance yet," said Mayor Pro Tem Zach Hilton. Councilmember Carol Marques pressed for a deadline. "I feel like if we don't have something concrete before the council in 6 months, we're going to lose the momentum that we had," said Marques.

Hilton, Marques and Councilmember Tom Cline asked for written timelines, enforcement language and a return-to-home policy. Cline said faith-based partners must play a major role.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: No vote was taken. Several ad hoc members spoke during public comment:

• Ann Marie McCauley asked for enforcement of City Code Chapter 5 and a hired staff lead.
• Vanessa Ashford urged a dedicated budget and formal roles for people with lived experience.
• Chris Vonnie, a landowner and developer, said the site must have business buy-in and avoid becoming a "magnet."

Public commenter Ron Kirkish worried about affordability at about $1M a year. John Kent, representing Towne Place Shopping Center, supported the effort.

What's next: Bozzo said the ad hoc will return with a business plan. Councilmember Dion Bracco suggested a study session.

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Sixth Street Camp Gets a Closing Date

Why it matters: The council had let the roughly 20-person camp at Sixth Street and Camino Arroyo Drive, known as Camp Hope, stand since February. Its residents now lose that site before the managed-site plan exists.

Where things stand: "The numbers of individuals at the site remain consistent at about 20," said City Administrator Matt Morley. He reported one arrest, two fire calls over 18 months and two cleanups. He estimated those cleanups cost about $20,000 and said the site needs one about every two months.

Fugazzi cited a legal risk memo and a letter from a nearby property owner. He noted the city spends $64,000 on contract cleanup citywide. He called the camp "wrong place, wrong time for the city right now." Hilton pointed to fairness: "For me, it's just the uneven application of the law."

The other side: Camp resident Aubrey Tasby said residents manage themselves under a signed list of rules. Tasby said the arrest and fire call involved non-residents or an accident. Julie, a mental health rehab specialist, urged trauma-informed training and outreach in partnership with the county.

Bracco challenged his colleagues: "Well, if you can't support it, then what's your solution?" Explaining his no vote, Bozzo said, "But what's not right is the policy that we've had."

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Fugazzi moved and Hilton seconded a motion to close the camp by Dec. 15. The motion requires written notice and offers of shelter and services in coordination with providers. It also calls for restoring and securing the channel bank with Valley Water. Morley said he was comfortable with the timeline, and a planned February return item was struck.

The vote was For: 4 (Cline, Fugazzi, Hilton, Marques), Against: 3 (Bracco, Ramirez, Bozzo), Absent: 0. The split put the three members most invested in the managed-site idea against closing the camp without a replacement.

What's next: Staff will issue notice ahead of the Dec. 15 deadline.

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Turf Ban Passes, With a Wink

The basics: State law AB 1572 bans using drinking water to irrigate "nonfunctional turf," meaning decorative grass that no one uses. The ban phases in:

• Jan. 1, 2027: government properties
• 2028: commercial, industrial and institutional sites
• 2029: HOA common areas

Single-family homes are exempt. Valley Water offers rebates of up to $100,000 per site.

Why it matters: The state requires a local ordinance by Jan. 1, 2027. "I'd say the bigger consequences is it could potentially inhibit us for getting state revolving fund and/or grants for projects," said Utilities Director Derek Cray. He stressed the city is going no further than the mandate: "We are not any stricter by any means."

The other side: Public commenter Mary Yates called the ban counterproductive because grass and trees capture carbon. She also asked about recycled water. Fugazzi and Marques criticized state mandates. "At this point, it'll probably pass tonight. It's a no vote for me," said Marques.

Where things stand: The first vote to read the ordinance by title only passed 5-2. The City Attorney then reminded the council of a requirement under charter Section 601: "if that motion is not passed unanimously, the clerk has to read the whole ordinance." The council retook the vote and approved it 7-0.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Hilton moved introduction with three "should" to "shall" edits that Cray requested. Fugazzi seconded and added a friendly amendment: "I would like to make a friendly amendment to direct city staff to not enforce this ordinance." The motion passed 7-0, including Marques.

Bozzo said he expects little grass to be removed and backed the ordinance to keep the city eligible for grants. The outcome keeps Gilroy compliant on paper while signaling to property owners that enforcement isn't a priority.

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Immigration Pressure Fills the Room

Why it matters: Residents used open public comment to demand recorded votes on immigration measures. The same night, the council extended its ban on new detention facilities.

Where things stand: A resident identified as Debbie said no vote occurred Oct. 5 on an ICE no-staging policy because no one seconded it. She said several council members did not answer her emails.

Sana reported 712 signatures backing four requests:

• An expanded moratorium
• A no-staging ordinance
• An emergency response plan
• Compliance with SB 54, California's sanctuary law

Sana also criticized the council for ignoring Spanish translation. Edwin called a no-staging policy the bare minimum. Eladio said residents called police during an Oct. 22 ICE sighting at the outlets and police did not show up. One commenter defended ICE agents and called the earlier claims of abuse false.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The council voted 7-0 four times to extend Urgency Interim Ordinance 2026-10 by 10 months and 15 days, through Oct. 4, 2027. The votes covered:

• A CEQA exemption
• Reading by title
• Adopting the extension
• The 10-day report required under Government Code 65858

The ordinance holds applications for detention and custodial facilities citywide. "We are not asking the council to adopt permanent regulations tonight," said Planning Manager Michael Fossati. He said staff needs time to fill zoning gaps and align with new state legislation.

Fugazzi asked that the findings stick to land use, citing a federal preemption case. Staff counsel said the clause comes close to that issue but does not violate it. Ashley, a rapid responder with Bay Resistance, urged passage.

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Street Vendors Move From Pilot to Permanent

Where things stand: Staff reported that over the past year, the pilot cut vendor contacts by about 70% and citations by 60%. The new ordinance combines three code sections into a new Section 16A.13. It adds:

• A five-step enforcement ladder
• Clearer rules on generator noise
• Signage limits, including a ban on animated LED displays

Fugazzi asked how the 16 pilot permit holders would transition. The pilot resolution "essentially allows for the extension of the pilot program until such time as the ordinance takes effect," said Morley.

Ramirez asked about code enforcement capacity and truck limits at the 5th Street lot. Staff said confiscating vendor equipment is a county matter.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Hilton moved introduction and Cline seconded; the motion passed 7-0. No public speakers addressed the substance.

What's next: Adoption is expected Nov. 16. The rules would take effect Dec. 16.

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• Interim city attorney: Burke, Williams & Sorensen approved 7-0 after Fugazzi amended Section 5.4 so only the council can terminate the attorney. Morley estimated keeping both firms adds several hundred thousand dollars.
• Water meters: Council approved a sole-source purchase from Aqua-Metric Sales Co., not to exceed $400,000, on the 7-0 consent vote.
• Water shortage lifted: Council moved from Level 2 to Level 0 on consent, ending mandatory watering-day limits.
• Planning Commission: Chair Manny Bhandal recapped work on ADU, tobacco retailer and site review policies, and the commission is seeking training funds.
• Festivals: La Ofrenda drew about 9,300 people and Tamal more than 13,000, with roughly half from outside Gilroy.

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Looking ahead: New pickleball courts open with a Nov. 10 ribbon cutting, and VTA's Cross-Barrier Connections Plan community walk is Nov. 14. The council takes up mobile vending adoption Nov. 16, and the Sixth Street closure deadline is Dec. 15.