The Gilroy City Council on Jan. 6 approved routine business and took several policy and procedural votes, including introducing an ordinance to extend the Glen Loma Ranch development agreement for three years, rejoining the Cities Association of Santa Clara County and appointing council members to downtown and Gilroy Gardens ad‑hoc committees.

"The Glen Loma Ranch project is a 359‑acre development in Gilroy's Western Foothill area," city planning staff told council during the public hearing on the development agreement extension. Staff said the project has built out at a lower intensity than anticipated and that an EIR addendum (EIR Addendum 2) and a fourth operating memorandum address changes including obligations for a new fire station parcel. The proposed first amendment would extend the development agreement's expiration from Dec. 21, 2025, to Dec. 21, 2028.

Why it matters: extending the agreement affects the timetable for developer obligations tied to infrastructure, including a planned fire station parcel and developer funding described in the operating memorandum. Rejoining the county cities association restores Gilroy's regional seat at the table and an ability to influence shared city policy and advocacy. The council also designated members to local ad‑hoc committees that will oversee downtown engagement and lease negotiations for Gilroy Gardens theme park.

Key votes at a glance

- Consent calendar — Motion to approve by Councilmember Bracco; second by Councilmember Marks. Roll call: Bracco, Fugazi, Marks, Hilton, Ramirez, Klein, Mayor Bozzo — yes (7–0). Item highlighted in consent: second amendment to the agreement for maintenance of state highways in the City of Gilroy.

- Glen Loma Ranch development agreement (public hearing / ordinance introduction) — Staff presentation and public hearing; council took three separate motions required by law. Council determined no independent SEQ (sequential) review beyond EIR Addendum 2 was required (motion moved by Councilmember Klein; second by Councilmember Marks) — roll call: 7–0. Council waived further reading and read title by motion (moved by Councilmember Marks; second by Councilmember Hilton) — roll call: 7–0. Council introduced the ordinance to approve the first amendment to extend the term by three years (motion moved by Councilmember Klein; second by Councilmember Ramirez) — roll call: 7–0. The ordinance will return for adoption at the Jan. 27 meeting.

- Cities Association of Santa Clara County membership — Motion to rejoin (moved by Councilmember Hilton; second by Councilmember Klein) — roll call: 7–0. Staff said the association restructured as a joint powers authority and addressed prior governance and liability concerns; annual dues were noted (~$14,000 per year as cited by staff).

- Downtown Committee appointments — Council appointed Councilmembers Ramirez and Fugazi to the downtown committee (motion moved by Councilmember Klein; second by Councilmember Bracco) — roll call: 7–0. Staff advised the committee membership and sunset date per the resolution adopted in 2023; council indicated staff would return with a ministerial resolution amendment to reflect appointments.

- Gilroy Gardens Lease Ad‑Hoc Committee — Council appointed Mayor Greg Bozzo to replace a departing member on the Gilroy Gardens lease ad‑hoc committee (motion moved by Councilmember Klein; second by Councilmember Fugazi) — roll call: 7–0. Staff said the ad‑hoc assists in lease negotiations with the Gilroy Gardens family theme park.

Other actions: The council approved the consent calendar, which included routine administrative items and a highlighted traffic maintenance agreement amendment; no consent items were pulled for separate discussion.

Taken together, the votes were unanimous at the Jan. 6 meeting. Several items will return to council for final approvals or follow‑up at the Jan. 27 meeting, including the Glen Loma ordinance adoption and commissioner appointments for boards and commissions.

Ending: The council completed a full agenda of appointments and policy motions and scheduled final adoption of several items — including the Glen Loma ordinance and board/commission appointments — for the Jan. 27 meeting.