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Politics & Government

Council Wrap Up: City Opts Out of Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan

After heated debate, the City Council votes 4-3 to cease all involvement in the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan.

Councilman Bob Dillon made his feelings about the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Conservation Plan very clear during Gilroy's City Council meeting on Monday. "Hell, no," he said. "I'm not voting to fund this mess."

With council members divided on whether to stay the course with the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Conservation Planwhich sets aside land for threatened or endangered speciesthe final vote was to opt out immediately.

Councilman Peter Arellano voted to stay committed to the SCVHP, because of the money the city has already invested in the plan. He also worried that a "no" vote to SCVHP would mean inadequate protection for species such as the tiger salamander.

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Councilman Dion Bracco also voiced concern about the tiger salamander but said the plan didn't offer enough protection. "If [the SCVHP] is enacted, they can develop the whole site, pay the money, and the tiger salamander can hit the road," he said.

Councilwoman Cat Tucker, who has represented the city at the SCVHP meetings, said the fee structure was the biggest issue. She also said the SCVHP "violates our idea to have open space in every project."

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Dillon, Bracco, Mayor Al Pinheiro and Councilman Perry Woodward voted to stop Gilroy's involvement in the plan.

Arellano, Tucker and Councilman Peter Leroe-Muñoz voted to stay on track with the project and try to amend its problems.

COUNCIL  HIGHLIGHTS

Trust account to be set up for Gilroy's sister city, Takko-Machi

The council voted unanimously to set up a trust account for Any donations to the account will be sent directly to Takko-Machi or to the nonprofit of Takko-Machi's choice, Mayor Al Pinheiro said.

Pinheiro also noted that a portion of the money raised in the annual fundraiser, set for April 16, will be dedicated to Takko-Machi.

Information on how to donate to the account will be available on the city's website, Pinheiro said.

Council questioned the feasibility of switching to a third-party firefighting agency

City administrator Tom Haglund presented information requested by the council on the feasibility of hiring a third-party firefighting force.

Woodward noted that there is no issue with the quality of the Gilroy fire department.

"I think the community is happy with the level of service," Woodward said. "It's a cost issue."

It's not clear a third-party agency would save the city money, said Haglund.

Dillon said that "it's not fun to sit on this dais and extract benefits and pay from people you admire."

Dillon also noted that he felt civic pride in seeing Gilroy Fire Department on the city's fire engines, instead of the name of a third-party agency.

Leroe-Muñoz said it's important to recognize that local firefighters have been cooperative and responsive to the city and its economic needs.

"I don't know that we would have the same level of cooperation from a third party," Leroe-Muñoz said.

Bracco said, "You get what you pay for. I'm not willing to gamble my life or anyone else's in the city for cheaper fire services. I'm not willing to try this experiment."

The council voted to keep the status quo and negotiate with local firefighters to keep a local force in place.

Gilroy's new library to use old bond monies to pay for new furniture

Construction on Gilroy's new library is ahead of schedule and under budget, according to Councilman Bob Dillon.

Staff members asked the council for permission to use $161,172 for furniture from the library reserve fund of $185,000.

The council granted permission after asking if the library could use the furniture installed at the old library. The Library Bond Oversight Committee determined that that furniture isn't durable enough for the use anticipated in the new library.

The Library Reserve Fund was established by a bond issue from 1969. This money is for the sole use of the library, according to the committee.

Former Mayor Sig Sanchez honored

Sig Sanchez, who served the city of Gilroy as mayor and council member, was presented with a proclamation honoring his years of civil service.

Sanchez retired from his post as board member of the Santa Clara Valley Water District in 2009 after serving on the board for 30 years. He was a Santa Clara County supervisor for 16 years.

Meeting adjourned in honor of city worker David Vogel

Pinheiro adjourned the meeting in memory. Vogel was struck and killed on March 14. "David was a valued member of the city of Gilroy and his family," the mayor said. "He will be greatly missed."

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