Open Government Commission

About the Commission

The Open Government Commission is formed of 5 members of the public serving to advise the City Council and provide information to City Departments on ways in which to implement the Gilroy Open Government Ordinance. The Commission meets quarterly.

Responsibilities and Powers:

Pursuant to Chapter 17A of the City Code of the City of Gilroy, the Open Government Commission shall have the following Powers and Duties: 

  1. Advise the City Council and provide information to other city departments on appropriate ways in which to implement and enforce chapter 17A of the Gilroy City Code “Gilroy Open Government Ordinance”. 
  2. Develop appropriate goals to ensure practical and timely implementation of the chapter, propose to the City Council amendments and report on any practical or policy problems encountered in its administration. 
  3. Receive and review regular quarterly reports on requests for public information.
  4. Hear appeals of any denied request for public records petitioned to the Commission. 
  5. In addition to the powers specified above, the Commission shall possess such powers as the City Council may confer upon it by ordinance or as the people of Gilroy shall confer upon it by initiative.

Regular Meetings

Time:6:00 p.m.
Date:2nd Thursday of each quarter (Calendar Year) | February, May, August, November 
Location:City Council Chambers
Gilroy City Hall
7351 Rosanna Street
Gilroy, CA 95020 


Agendas & Minutes

Agendas for all meetings are available no less than 72 hours prior to the meeting.  Minutes are available within ten business days following the meeting.

View the most recent agendas and minutes.

View Agendas and Minutes Prior to 2023.

Members

  1. Diana Sanchez Bentz

    Chair
    Email Diana Sanchez Bentz

    Term expires: December 31, 2026

    More Information

  1. Karen Enzensperger

    Vice Chair
    Email Karen Enzensperger

    Term expires: December 31, 2024

    More Information

  1. Vacant Term Ending 12/31/24

    Commissioner

    Term expires: December 31, 2024

    More Information

  1. Jessica Irwin

    Commissioner
    Email Jessica Irwin

    Term expires: December 31, 2025

    More Information

  1. Shayne Somavia

    Commissioner
    Email Shayne Somavia

    Term expires: December 31, 2026

    More Information

Gilroy Open Government Ordinance

The goal of the City of Gilroy’s Open Government Ordinance (OGO) is to give the citizens of Gilroy greater access to information and to allow for more public participation in City governmental decisions. Because the City Council believes that governmental transparency is paramount for the people of Gilroy to remain in control of their government, this ordinance gives Gilroy’s citizens more access to governmental processes and public information in a timelier manner. Overall, this legislation allows the citizens of Gilroy to be more informed and involved in the processes of local government.

Open Government Ordinance Training
Officers, Commission members and management employees of the city are required to take training on the Gilroy Open Government Ordinance within 60 days of their appointment or election. This training can be accessed below.

Gilroy Open Government Ordinance Declaration
 

Public Records Index
View the city records index (PDF) online. This is a fully comprehensive listing of all categories of records maintained by the city, the format of the record and the custodian division or department of the record.

Department Head Designees

Each city department Head has designated staff in their area who are knowledgeable about the department who can be contacted to provide detailed information and records. View the most recent List of Department Head Designees is available here.

Agendas

Agendas for all regular meetings of the City Council are available in draft form 7 days prior to regular meetings and more detailed agenda descriptions are provided to give clarity to the actions that will be taken. Draft minutes of City Council and all other Board, Committee and Commission meetings are available within 10 business days after each meeting.

The city website is utilized to house information for more accessibility to the citizens of Gilroy. City Council, Board, Committee and Commission meeting materials are available online at least 72 hours before each meeting and all minutes are also posted on the website within 10 working days. City departments and divisions utilize the website as well to assist the public in conducting city business.

Public Records Request Improvements

The response time to fulfill requests for public records has also been greatly improved. City staff will make every effort to respond to within ten (10) calendar days. The city has created an index of all public records to help citizens determine which records will best meet their needs, and copy fees have been substantially reduced.

The Gilroy Open Government Ordinance is available for no charge at City Hall and can be found chaptered into the Gilroy City Code as Chapter 17A of the Gilroy City Code. For more information on the open government ordinance please call the Gilroy City Clerk’s Office at (408) 846-0204.