Politics

City Council overturned a controversial part of Gilroy's sign ordinance Aug. 18 and decided that A-frame signs are permitted downtown. Though the required size of the A-frame signs has yet to be determined, they must be constructed of a wrought iron frame. Handheld signs, including those twirled by advertisers promoting new housing developments, are prohibited within city limits.

After more than an hour of public comment Aug. 4, City Council approved putting a measure before voters that would increase the city’s sales tax by a half percent with a 5-1 vote. If approved by voters in November, Gilroy’s sales tax would jump from 8.75 to 9.25 percent and the city would have the highest sales tax in all of Santa Clara County.

Editor's note: for an updated version of this story, visit http://www.gilroydispatch.com/news/city_local_government/tax-hike-goes-to-voters/article_aee7795e-1e5b-11e4-b37f-0017a43b2370.html.

City Council will discuss Monday whether a measure to increase Gilroy’s sales tax rate from 8.75 to 9.25 percent should be added to the November ballot. If the council adopts the measure—and voters approve it during the election—Gilroy would have the highest sales tax rate of all cities in Santa Clara County.

The four-week period to file for three seats on City Council opened July 14, and former councilmen and planning commissioners joined the roster of potential contenders for the Nov. 4 election.

Following a recent court ruling that found the City of Los Angeles’ ban on living in a vehicle unconstitutional, local advocates for the homeless will ask Gilroy officials to stop punishing those who have no other place to sleep.

City Council delayed action on Development Center Manager Lee Butler’s proposed plan for downtown, with some council members criticizing Butler for not discussing the plan with local organizations before it reached the dais.

Following a recent about-face on a sign ordinance that banned a variety of signage, City Council agreed July 1 it should not be enforced in earnest until an alternative—presented by local business owners and residents—is formally considered.

For more than a decade, patrol officers with the Gilroy Police Department have been primarily working four 10-hour shifts a week. According to a recent study of the department's inner workings, that practice is outdated and doesn't meet the needs of the burgeoning community—and the Gilroy Police Officers Association and the City have agreed to make a historic change.

City Council is considering stepping up local enforcement of state law that prohibits the sale of tobacco to minors, but charging businesses an annual fee to fund sting operations to ensure compliance isn't the way to do it, Mayor Don Gage asserted.