Council may ask downtown used car dealers to relocate
GILROY—The Gilroy City Council has begun discussions on revising what types of land uses are allowed downtown, and those talks could result in relocating used car dealerships to the Auto Mall at 10th and Chestnut streets.
Landowners challenge proposed water rate hike
GILROY—In the face of proposed water rate increases for residents, some are seeking to halt the city’s efforts by attempting to gather 6,756 letters from Gilroy property owners who are against it. Property owners can thwart attempts to increase water rates and other property-related expenses if a majority protests—in writing—to elected officials under Proposition 218.
Red Barn advocates seek access to make ‘modest’ repairs
GILROY—A community group that rallied to halt the demolition of an old barn inside Christmas Hill Park has asked the city’s permission to enter the boarded-up structure to shore it up and prevent any further weather or animal-related damage.
Gilroy leaders excited, hopeful, by new plan to save hospital
GILROY--The Daughters of Charity Health System Board of Directors has selected BlueMountain Capital Management, a private investment company, to recapitalize its operations, including Saint Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy, the hospital system announced July 17.
Gilroy councilman runs for state assembly
GILROY—Peter Leroe-Muñoz, a Gilroy councilman, wants to simultaneously improve the quality of the state’s public education and cut regional crime rates. In an interview with the Dispatch July 18, Leroe-Muñoz, a Democrat, announced he’s running for California State Assembly in the November 2016 election.
UNFI delays opening to Feb., dozens out of work
GILROY—United Natural Foods, Inc., the $6 billion-strong natural foods distribution firm set to open in Gilroy within weeks with promises of upwards of 500 jobs will instead delay the start of business until February and lay off dozens of workers, some of whom began work today, the Dispatch has learned.
UPDATED: Higher water rates for residents coming
GILROY—A “game changer” of a court ruling in southern California is leading Gilroy and other cities to revise their tiered water pricing schedules, spelling out higher costs for residential users and shrinking bills for large commercial and industrial users.
City pursues legal action to spur retrofit work downtown
GILROY—In a first-of-its-kind move, the city of Gilroy has filed criminal complaints against the owners of two downtown buildings—two of many in the city’s core—deemed structurally unfit to survive a high-magnitude earthquake, in an effort to clean up what officials declare is a public safety hazard.
Council approves salary increases for city administrator, clerk
GILROY—Two employees at City Hall tasked with helping run the Garlic City have received a 2 percent bump in pay, on the heels of similar raises being negotiated for some of the city’s other employees.