City Clerk
Shawna Freels, MMC
City Clerk
The City Clerk of the City of Gilroy serves as the liaison between the public
and the City Council and is the local official for elections, local
legislation, the Public Records Act, the Political Reform Act, and the Brown
Act (open meeting laws). Before and after the City Council takes action, the
City Clerk ensures that actions are in compliance with all federal, state and
local statutes and regulations and that all actions are properly executed,
recorded, and archived. The office of the City Clerk is a service department
within the municipal government upon which the City Council, all City
departments, and the general public rely for information regarding the
operations and legislative history of the City.
As an Elections Official, the City Clerk administers Federal, State and Local
procedures through which local government representatives are selected. The
Clerk assists candidates in meeting their legal responsibilities before, during
and after an election. From Election pre-planning to certification of election
results and filing of final campaign disclosure documents, the City Clerk manages
the process which forms the foundation of our democratic system of government.
Notice of Election Date Change
As a Legislative Administrator, the City Clerk plays a critical role in the
decision-making process of the local legislature. As the key staff for Council
meetings, the Clerk prepares the legislative Agenda, verifies legal notices have
been posted or published, and completes the necessary arrangements to ensure an
effective meeting. The Clerk is entrusted with the responsibility of recording
the decisions which constitute the building blocks of our representative government.
As a Records Manager, the City Clerk oversees yet another legislative process; the
preservation and protection of the public record. By statute, the clerk is required
to maintain and index the Minutes, Ordinances and Resolutions adopted by the
legislative body. The City Clerk also ensures that other municipal records are
readily accessible to the public. The public record under the conservatorship of
the City Clerk provides fundamental integrity to the structure of our democracy. To
make a request for Public Records – please complete the form and submit in person,
by mail, fax or email to the City Clerk’s Office (
Download Form).
Contact Information
Tel: 408 846-0204
Fax: 408-846-0500
E-mail: shawna.freels@ci.gilroy.ca.us
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Application Form for City Boards/Commissions/Committees
To obtain an application for a City of Gilroy Board, Commission, or Committee, please click on the following link.
Application Form