Introduction of Shared Trash Enclosures in Gourmet Alley

To enhance the walking and recreation experience in downtown Gilroy and help reduce the amount of waste and debris in Gourmet Alley, we are pleased to inform you about the shared trash enclosures that were constructed as part of the Gourmet Alley Project.

Shared trash enclosures have been constructed on each block of Gourmet Alley, providing a centralized and convenient way to manage waste.

These new enclosures mean that the garbage cans and dumpsters currently located in the alley will soon be removed.

What does this mean for your business?

It is anticipated that most businesses along Gourmet Alley will use the shared trash enclosures.

Each business or parcel has been designated* as either required, optional, or excluded from using the new enclosures. This designation was determined based on the parcel location in relation to the alley (whether within the bollard areas or not) and available access for Recology (whether or not Recology trucks can safely maneuver within the area).

• Required: Businesses designated as “required” must use the shared trash enclosures. Service is scheduled to begin on November 8, and Recology will provide keys to access the enclosures before that date.

• Optional: Businesses designated as “optional” can choose to either use the shared trash enclosures or continue their existing service. If you would like to opt into using the shared trash enclosures, please contact Recology before November 8 to confirm your preference.

• Excluded: Businesses designated as “excluded” will not use the shared trash enclosures and should continue using their current bins and dumpsters.

*Please refer to the included Gourmet Alley Trash Enclosure Utilization Map for business or parcel designation.

GOURMET ALLEY TRASH ENCLOSURE UTILIZATION MAP

Next Steps

By November 8, Recology will distribute keys to businesses that will use the shared trash enclosures. All remaining dumpsters and garbage cans will be removed from the alley before November 8. Businesses are expected to begin using the enclosures from that point forward.

If you are not currently signed up for Recology services or have questions about your designation,

please contact Recology customer service at 408-842-3358 or via email at customerservice055@recology.com.

Recology will also perform a needs assessment for new customers, and it is important to note that no rate increases are expected with the use of the shared trash enclosures.

What you need to do:

• Expect to receive your key from Recology before November 8.

• If you do not currently have a Recology service plan, please sign up before November 8.

• For any questions, or to confirm your designation, please contact Recology.

Please refer to the included Gourmet Alley Trash Enclosure Utilization Map for further clarification on which businesses are required, optional, or excluded from using the shared trash enclosures.

GOURMET ALLEY TRASH ENCLOSURE UTILIZATION MAP

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping downtown Gilroy clean and welcoming. We appreciate your partnership in making Gourmet Alley a better space for all.

Don’t Miss an Update

For more information about the Gourmet Alley Project, please visit the Gourmet Alley Project web page on the City’s website.

Sign up to receive weekly email updates from the City about the Gourmet Alley Project.

Who to Contact

Victoria Valencia: (408) 500-5471 or gourmetalley@cityofgilroy.org

Rachelle Bedell: (408) 846-0443 or gourmetalley@cityofgilroy.org

Armando Gonzalez (on-site during project construction hours): (408) 763-7763

Advertise Your Business with the Chamber

To support the businesses impacted by the Gourmet Alley construction, please send your advertisements/promotions in flyer or text form to Cristina Cortes, Community Relations Coordinator at the Chamber to be featured on the Shop Local webpage.

November 2024 Ballot

The California Chamber Board of Directors has adopted positions on the following ballot measures.

• Proposition 2: Authorizes Bonds for Public School and Community College Facilities. – Support – Top Story
• Proposition 3: Constitutional Right to Marriage. – Support
• Proposition 4: Authorizes Bonds for Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, and Protecting Communities and Natural Lands from Climate Risks. – Neutral
• Proposition 5: Authorizes Local Bonds for Affordable Housing and Public Infrastructure with 55% Voter Approval. – Oppose – Top Story
• Proposition 6:  Eliminates Constitutional Provision Allowing Involuntary Servitude for Incarcerated Persons. – No Position (Board did not consider this measure)
• Proposition 32: Raises Minimum Wage. – Oppose – Top Story 10/17 – Podcast 9/24 – Top Story 7/24 – Top Story 10/22
• Proposition 33: Expands Local Governments’ Authority to Enact Rent Control on Residential Property. – Oppose – Top Story
• Proposition 34: Restricts Spending of Prescription Drug Revenues by Certain Health Care Providers. – Support – Top Story
• Proposition 35: Provides Permanent Funding for Medi-Cal Health Care Services. – Neutral
• Proposition 36: Allows Felony Charges and Increases Sentences for Certain Drug and Theft Crimes. – Support – Top Story

See brief summaries of the measures on CalChamber Alert.

Initiative Coalitions

When the legislative process fails, pro-business and anti-business forces turn to the initiative process to take proposals directly to California voters. The California Chamber of Commerce has led the charge on behalf of the employer community for close to four decades.

As a practical matter, the CalChamber’s chief executive is recruited to chair major initiative campaigns, to lead the fundraising and to serve as spokesperson for these important efforts.

The CalChamber has been extremely successful with the support of the broader employer community. CalChamber has backed initiatives to enact tax relief and tort reform, and make politicians more accountable to voters. We have successfully challenged split roll property tax proposals and defeated security litigation.

We will continue to lead efforts to fight anti-business proposals, including those that threaten to increase taxes, health care expenses and frivolous lawsuits.

Read More from the California Chamber of Commerce

• More than four years after the pandemic scrambled work culture, friction between bosses and their employees over the terms of their return to the office shows no signs of abating.
• Many organizations have put in place return-to-office policies, but only a fraction of them actively enforce the rules, a recent survey found.
• In efforts to raise attendance, companies are experimenting with carrots and sticks, trying to make the office a more appealing place to visit while testing methods to enforce in-office policies.

Read More in the Los Angeles Times.

Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park stands as more than just a local attraction; it’s a major contributor to Gilroy’s economic health and community growth. This unique venue impacts
the area in three significant ways:

1. Drawing Visitors from Afar

Gilroy Gardens has become a magnet for out-of-area visitors, injecting fresh revenue into the local economy. In 2023, an impressive amount of park attendees came from outside Gilroy, with 96% having non-Gilroy zip codes. This influx of tourists benefits not just  the park but also local hotels, restaurants, and shops.

Recent attendance figures underscore the park’s draw: Last year, Gilroy Gardens attracted over 450,000 people.

A recent feature in SFGate highlights the unique horticultural themes, and the fact that Gilroy Gardens not only celebrates local agriculture but also pays homage to the region with features like the Quicksilver Express Mine Coaster and the South County Backroads car ride.

2. Nurturing Local Talent
The park plays a crucial role in youth employment and workforce development, employing many students who attend local high schools and community colleges. There are even opportunities for those as young as 14.

Young staff members gain invaluable experience in customer service, teamwork, and responsibility. Notably, a significant portion of leadership positions are held by young adults, providing them with early management experience. In Gilroy and the surrounding communities, it isn’t uncommon to hear “My first job was at Gilroy Gardens!” or, among the older crowd, “Bonfante Gardens”.

3. Unique Agricultural Education
Setting itself apart, Gilroy Gardens offers educational experiences that go beyond the thrills of a normal theme park with the Natural Science Days:
• Field-trip program for K-5th grades with focused learning stations on plants, minerals, food, and animals. Regional schools within a 50-mile radius are invited to take advantage of this fun and educational offering every Spring.
• Agricultural Focus: Showcases the importance of agriculture to the Santa Clara Valley region.
• Educational Impact: Over 3,500 students and educational staff took part in the 2024 Natural Science Days, increasing every year to reach full pre-pandemic participation of around 4,000 students annually.

By combining entertainment with education, Gilroy Gardens inspires interest in agricultural careers among local youth, potentially benefiting regional industries long-term.

Conclusion
Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park is a unique asset to Gilroy, boosting the economy through tourism, providing entry-level jobs, developing a skilled local workforce, and providing valuable educational initiatives. Looking forward, as Gilroy Gardens enters its 25th season next year, the park’s positive impact on Gilroy’s economic and social landscape is set to grow, cementing its role as a key player in the community’s future.

The season isn’t over yet! The Great Big BOO! runs through October 27th, and the park remains open on Saturdays and Sundays. North Pole Nights, a festive holiday experience, returns at the end of November, running through December 30th. 

Contributed by Mary Gurries, Tourism and Engagement Coordinator at Visit Gilroy