Dancing, used police firearms on city council agenda

On Monday, the Gilroy City Council will consider a new, more specific version of the city’s entertainment ordinance that could relax regulations  on dancing downtown. 

During a study session in October 2009, the council expressed concerns with the ambiguity of the current ordinance, saying it was too restrictive of all types of dancing, instead of differentiating the types of dance that should be illegal and the types that should be permitted. Council also decided that the ordinance conflicts with the city’s vision of downtown becoming a thriving, vibrant assortment of retail, entertainment and nightlife. 

In the proposed ordinance, dancing venues are split up into three categories: small, medium and large, each with different, and very specific restrictions. 

A small venue is defined as occasional, spontaneous dancing at locations where there is no dance floor, and dancing was not advertised, such as customers at a coffee shop who move a few tables to dance along to live music. This type of dancing is subject to the least regulation.

A medium venue is any place that is a full restaurant but less than 25 percent  of the entire public area is a dance floor. This type of venue faces slightly stricter laws, such as lighting requirements and the requirement to serve hot food. 

The large venues – any dance floor greater than 400 square feet, or 25 percent of the public access area – face the most strict regulations, such as proof of adequate bouncer staff, cameras and identification readers. 

The purpose of splitting up venues and giving each different regulation is to embrace the overall downtown vision while providing clear enforcement definitions for police. 

The motion is open for public comment Monday. 

Selling old police firearms

Council will vote to approve a motion to sell decommissioned police firearms to Phoenix Distributors, a licensed firearm company in Pennsylvania, in exchange for new ones. The trade includes a stipulation that Phoenix would only sell the traded Gilroy firearms to law enforcement agencies and qualified law enforcement officers. 

$220K for San Ysidro 

Council is also expected to vote on a $220,000 budget amendment for the San Ysidro Park improvement project. The project includes building American Disabilities Act approved restrooms, building two concrete basketball courts, concrete seating, and an ADA approved picnic area. 

Also SLATED:

• Council will vote to approve a $120,000 project to build a sidewalk on 10th Street near U.S. 101. 
•  Council will vote adopt a motion to levy a special annual tax for landscape maintenance for new homes within the Rancho Meadows development.
•  Council is expected to discuss the renewal of funding for Community Development Block Grant funds and Housing Trust Fund to 15 different local nonprofits, totaling in $305,479.