Downtown construction cuts into restaurant’s bottom line
The city has embarked on a multi-million-dollar capital improvement project in downtown Gilroy, but some business owners say it’s costing them money, too.The proprietors of the Milias Restaurant and Hotel estimate they lost thousands of dollars in potential revenue between Dec. 1 and 5 after a weeklong construction project drove away customers during what’s traditionally the busiest month in the restaurant business.
City gets ‘movement and cooperation’ with URM problem
While dealing with downtown Gilroy’s unreinforced masonry buildings has been like “pulling teeth,” the city and individual property owners say they’re making progress in bringing the structures up to the city’s earthquake safety code.
Advocates for the homeless propose legal encampment
Local leaders and community members, some homeless or formerly homeless, appealed to city and county officials this week, pleading for a safe and legal place for Gilroy’s homeless to stay temporarily while they work on finding more permanent shelter.
City moves forward with auto mall improvement plan
Gilroy Mayor Don Gage is bullish about the new car business. He’s optimistic that if the city chips in for traffic improvements, new signs and beautification at and around the local auto mall, the city will get a bigger cut in sales tax revenue as the dealerships prosper from a boost in customers.
Sign regulations lead to ‘unintended consequences’
Two business owners and a representative from the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce appealed to the City Council, asking them to take another look at the city’s controversial sign ordinance—one that limits how long banners can be up and how much advertising can cover a business’ windows. In response to their concerns, the Council agreed to further explore some of the provisions.
City seeks volunteers to fill boards, commissions
The city of Gilroy is looking for volunteers to fill 25 open seats on 12 various boards, commissions and committees. The openings range from seats on the Planning Commission to the Arts and Culture Commission, and registered voters within city limits must fill seats.
Residents must pay up to drink in public parks
Gilroy residents will need to fork over at least $50 to drink alcohol in local parks for the next three years, since City Council breathed new life into an ordinance that was set to expire Nov. 17.
Concerns swell around all sides of DCHS deal
Well before Daughters of Charity Health System executives announced the sale of all six of its hospitals, including Gilroy’s Saint Louise Regional Hospital, to for-profit Prime Healthcare Oct. 10, DCHS officials threatened that without the right buyer, the hospitals would shut down. As opposition to the sale mounts, mainly from labor groups and politicians, during a state-mandated review by the Attorney General’s Office, their tune hasn’t changed.
Age restrictions, renting limitations at the Village Green Cottages?
Proposed amendments circulating the halls of the Village Green senior living community have residents of the cottages talking, and some say they’re concerned the new rules—if approved Nov. 20—could restrict their ability to rent or sell in the future.
Search for new city attorney coming to a close
By early 2015, Gilroy officials hope the search for an in-house city attorney—a sea change from its position since the early 1990s of using the city’s contracted legal firm, San Jose-based Berliner Cohen—will have finished and an experienced attorney will fill the new role at City Hall.
