Gilroy approves on‑call encampment cleanup contracts, allocates startup funding

The Gilroy City Council on May 4 authorized the city administrator to execute three on‑call agreements for encampment cleanup services, each carrying a $750,000 contract cap, and approved an initial $50,000 appropriation for this fiscal year and $100,000 for fiscal 2027 to begin the program.

City staff told the council the contracts will let the city call vetted contractors for comprehensive site cleanup, waste disposal and documentation, replacing the prior practice of soliciting quotes for each individual job. Brian Rodriguez of Public Works said the contracts are designed to improve operational flexibility and reduce administrative delays that have previously slowed responses to encampment sites.

Council members questioned the scale and cost. Council Member Broco voted no, saying he prefers expanding city staffing and warned that contract costs and recurring expenditures could grow over time. Supporters, including Council Member Fugati, said the contracts are an efficiency tool that preserves in‑house staff for routine maintenance while allowing rapid contractor support for large or specialized cleanups.

Public commenters and advocates pressed the council to pair cleanup work with stronger shelter, storage and rehousing services. Several speakers reminded council that city ordinance requires storage of personal property following abatements; they urged the city to ensure contractors meet the storage and notice requirements. Staff said disposal and dump fees are included in contract pricing and that contractors committed during interviews to hire locally where feasible. A staff memo recorded roughly 430 hours of city labor devoted to encampment cleanups in a recent 4½‑month period and estimated contracted work could recover 600–800 staff hours annually.

The motion passed 6–1. The council directed staff to report back on implementation, contract performance and spending so the council can track use of the new on‑call agreements.

Ending note: Staff said the agreements do not obligate the city to spend the contract caps; they only provide procurement authority. Any future additional appropriations would require council approval.