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A contractor hired by the City of Morgan Hill began installing the posts, lights, wiring and other infrastructure for a new traffic signal at Monterey Road and Fourth Street this month. City staff do not yet have an estimated timeframe for when the signal will be operational, but they expect the signal to offer another “traffic calming” measure at a busy downtown intersection.“Presently, the signal poles are being installed and the wiring is being pulled through the conduits. However, we are still waiting for the signal controller cabinet to arrive. Unfortunately, until we have a firm delivery date on the signal controller cabinet I cannot provide you with a date as to when the signal will be functional,” Morgan Hill Deputy Director of Engineering Scott Creer told the Times Sept. 18.In March, the city council approved a $306,000 contract with Mike Brown Electric to install the traffic light.On July 4, 2016, a vehicle struck two children who were crossing the Fourth Street crosswalk. The new traffic light will include pedestrian crossing signals.The traffic signal is one of a number of efforts enacted by the city in recent months to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists in the downtown. Other recent enhancements include overhead lighting at downtown crosswalks, bright orange hand-held flags that pedestrians can carry across key intersections to make themselves more visible, resurfacing and narrowing of Monterey Road vehicle lanes and the installation of raised, painted arrows in the surface of the right travel lane on both sides of Monterey as a bicycle lane.

Morgan Hill police arrested three women on suspicion of prostitution during a citywide undercover operation at local massage parlors, according to authorities.According to a press release from MHPD, arrested Sept. 19 as a result of the sting were Chahua Liu, 39, at Angel Day Spa Massage on the 17600 block of Monterey Road; Yufend Tan, 50, at Spring Spa on the zero block of East Main Avenue; and Phuong Pham, 39, at Aha Spa, on the 17000 block of Condit Road.The three suspects were cited at the scenes of their respective arrests, on suspicion of misdemeanor prostitution, according to MHPD Sgt. Carson Thomas.“While initial arrests are just the beginning of the lengthy process to permanently combat this ongoing neighborhood nuisance, the Morgan Hill Police Department continues to respond to the community in targeting issues that can be addressed by law enforcement efforts,” reads the press release.Thomas added, “Prostitution is not a victimless crime and (MHPD) will continue to investigate any leads in an attempt to uncover any connection between business, its owners or associates with organized crime or human trafficking.”Anyone with information regarding this case or any other information relating to prostitution in town can contact MHPD Det. Greg Dini (669) 253-4965.

Petty theftSomeone stole about $200 to $300 worth of tools from a work truck near Christeph Drive and Llagas Road. The crime was reported 3:48 p.m. Sept. 1.A thief or thieves stole the rear license plate a vehicle parked on Serpentine Court. The theft was reported 2:08 p.m. Sept. 8.Municipal code violationAn employee of a carpet cleaning company was seen dumping waste into a storm drain in the area of La Rocca Court and Alamo Drive. The violation was reported 4:46 p.m. Sept. 11.Stolen vehicleA thief or thieves stole a Nissan pickup from a parking spot on Del Monte Avenue. The crime was reported 5:19 p.m. Aug. 30.Someone stole a 2001 Honda Civic from a spot on Jade Lane. The crime was reported 3:45 p.m. Sept. 5.A white Dodge Ram was stolen from a driveway on Percheron Court. The theft was reported 6:48 a.m. Sept. 6.A thief or thieves stole a gray 1997 Honda Civic from a spot on Butterfield Boulevard. The crime was reported 2:25 p.m. Sept. 3.Someone stole a black 1998 Honda Civic from a spot on Monterey Road. The theft was reported 3:36 p.m. Sept. 3.A white 2014 Toyota Sienna van was stolen from the Centennial Recreation Center, 171 W. Edmundson Ave. The thief or thieves stole the vehicle owner’s keys from the exercise room inside the facility. The crime was reported 5:49 p.m. Sept. 11.Someone stole a blue 1997 Toyota Rav4 from California Inn, 16525 Condit Road. The owner later found the vehicle, stripped, down the street at another motel. The crime was reported 6:48 a.m. Sept. 13.A thief or thieves stole a work truck from an apartment complex on the 16700 block of Barnell Avenue. The crime was reported 8:59 a.m. Sept. 15.A black 2002 Cadillac Escalade was stolen from a location on Peebles Avenue. The theft was reported 7:48 a.m. Sept. 8.Someone stole a blue 2006 BMW from a spot on Almond Way. The crime was reported 1:24 p.m. Sept. 8.A silver 2017 Nissan Frontier was stolen from Enterprise Rent A Car, 16190 Monterey Road. The crime was reported 10:52 a.m. Sept. 11.Auto burglarySomeone broke into a rented gray Kia Sol parked on Madrone Parkway, and stole a black iPhone. The crime was reported 7:27 p.m. Aug. 30.A thief or thieves broke through a passenger door of a gray GMC Suburban on Espana Court. The front license plate was also stolen from the vehicle. The crime was reported 7:51 a.m. Sept. 5.Someone smashed the windows on two vehicles parked at Wal-mart, 170 Cochrane Plaza. The suspects—identified as two males associated with a black vehicle—stole a laptop computer. The crime was reported 1:55 a.m. Sept. 15.A thief or thieves broke the window of a white 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe parked at Denny’s, 875 Cochrane Road, and stole two laptop computers and a Sony camera, among other items. The crime was reported 12:53 a.m. Sept. 14.Someone broke into a Subaru Outback and a Nissan Pathfinder parked at In N Out, 895 Cochrane Road. Two men associated with a white Dodge Challenger were allegedly the suspects. The crime was reported 1:58 p.m. Sept. 14.A thief or thieves broke a window on a white Ford Escape parked at Chili’s, 1039 Cochrane Road. Stolen were tools and paperwork. The crime was reported 2:17 p.m. Sept. 14.VandalismFour juvenile males threw a rock at a vehicle and shattered the rear window as it drove past the intersection of Edes Court and Monterey Road. The vandalism was reported 7:37 p.m. Sept. 3.FightEight people jumped another group at the downtown parking garage, 50 E. Third Street, and stole a BMX bicycle from one of the victims. The fight was reported 5:40 p.m. Sept. 4.Hit and runThe driver of a Jeep collided with a black Honda Civic on West Main Avenue, and fled the scene. The crime was reported 5:38 p.m. Sept. 7.The driver of a white pickup hit a tan truck in the area of Main Avenue and Monterey Road, and then collided with two more vehicles after he fled the scene and tried to elude police. When police caught up to the white pickup, the driver fled on foot into the Murphy Ranch apartment complex. Officers caught up to him and arrested him shortly afterwards. The crime was reported 5:05 p.m. Sept. 8.The driver of a four-door sedan hit the neighbor’s parked Toyota Tacoma on Carriage Drive and left the scene. The crime was reported 1:53 a.m. Sept. 9.DisturbanceFour petition holders soliciting signatures outside Wal-Mart, 170 Cochrane Plaza, began arguing among themselves, causing a disturbance for other customers. The incident was reported 12:42 p.m. Sept. 9.Reckless vehicleA witness said residents from a home on Spring Hill Drive were racing their motorcycles up and down the street. The motorcyclists also ride the vehicles on the sidewalk, and the witness said it is an ongoing concern. The recklessness was reported 7:19 p.m. Sept. 9.Animal controlA resident of Holiday Drive saw a mountain lion walking across his front yard. A park ranger said the same mountain lion has been hanging out in the area for about six weeks. The sighting was reported 7:41 p.m. Sept. 9.All subjects are innocent until proven guilty. Information is compiled from public records.

In court yesterday to argue for a new trial for the man convicted of killing Sierra LaMar, defense attorneys unexpectedly filed a motion to disqualify the judge in the case due to a possible conflict of interest from decades ago.

San Jose Police arrested two suspects with outstanding warrants in Morgan Hill the afternoon of Sept. 13, according to authorities.

GILROY—Quarterback Jonathan Singleton threw for 306 yards and three touchdowns. Receiver Jaime Martinez caught 11 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns.

The next time Morgan Hill residents vote in a municipal election, they will only select a single choice for city council among candidates who reside within the newly established voting district where they live.As of Sept. 6, there are now four city council districts in Morgan Hill—equal in population—each to be represented by a single councilmember who lives inside that district. At the Sept. 6 meeting—after a series of public meetings and workshops and perusing more than a dozen draft maps created by a professional demographer and Morgan Hill citizens—the council approved a four-district map that will apply until the 2020 U.S. Census.This is a stark change from the way local voters have elected council members since the city was incorporated in 1906. Until now, councilmembers have always served the city on an at-large basis, and voters have typically voted for two councilmembers in each regular election (roughly every two years).Earlier this summer, the council begrudgingly approved the new by-district election system in response to a demand letter threatening a lawsuit under the California Voting Rights Act.Although councilmembers dislike the new system, they approved a district map that considers traditional specific neighborhood interests and protects the voting rights of all minority groups.“We tried to keep communities of interest and neighborhoods together. It’s not perfect, and it’s going to be really hard now to get good qualified candidates to run for city council,” Mayor Pro Tem Larry Carr said.The map approved by the council keeps current councilmembers (not including the mayor) in separate districts. Demographer Doug Johnson, who the city hired to help guide the council and the public through the districting process, said this is a common practice among agencies required to draw new districts because it respects the electorate’s desire to be able to choose the incumbents.The by-district system will start with the November 2018 election, when the seats occupied by Councilmembers Rich Constantine and Caitlin Jachimowicz will be on the ballot.Constantine’s district, labeled “District B” on the map, cuts a swath down the middle of Morgan Hill from the northern to the southern city limits. Jachimowicz’ district, known as “District D,” occupies the eastern side of Morgan Hill.The seats occupied by Councilmembers Larry Carr and Rene Spring will be elected within the new districts starting with the November 2020 election.“District A,” where Carr resides, goes from a corner of downtown Morgan Hill southwest past West Middle Avenue. “District C,” where Spring lives, occupies northwest Morgan Hill.The mayor’s seat will continue to be elected at large under the new system.Three of the districts contain at least a small geographic portion of downtown Morgan Hill, a neighborhood where councilmembers say many different interests for residents from all over the city coincide.In May, the council received a demand letter from Oakland law firm Goldstein, Borgen, Dardarian & Ho, alleging that the city’s traditional at-large system violates the CVRA because it limits the influence of minority groups.The firm was hired by local Latino residents Armando Benavides, Sally Casas and Brenda Cayme. Benavides has previously run for Morgan Hill City Council and the Morgan Hill Unified School District Board of Trustees. In 2012, he was also involved in the effort to force MHUSD to switch from an at-large to a by-district system.Cayme has previously run for MHUSD trustee as well.By approving the change, the council aimed to protect the city from a potentially costly civil rights lawsuit. But it also forced the city to fast track the process of notifying the public and creating four new districts equal in population, without gerrymandering.Residents were encouraged to use online mapmaking tools provided by Johnson’s company, National Demographics Corporation, to draw districts for the council’s consideration. Six residents submitted such maps. The map ultimately approved by the council was proposed by NDC.“I continue to be disappointed that a couple of disgruntled people who have not been able to win an election in Morgan Hill have forced this on us,” Carr added. “I don’t think district elections will improve representation for anyone in Morgan Hill, and it will bring some unintended consequences we will have to work through.”

The Morgan Hill City Council’s choice for the next city manager brings a wealth of financial expertise and knowledge of the city’s culture and operations to her prospective new post as City Hall’s top staff person, according to a majority of the elected officials.

The City of Morgan Hill will spend up to $200,000 for a protective combination of fencing, mesh or other kind of enclosure to prevent people from climbing too close to the ledge on the top floor of the downtown garage.Exact details of the design and material to be used for the project will be determined in the coming week, according to Morgan Hill Community Services Director Chris Ghione. The exact cost of the safety measures will also be determined in the same timeframe.The council unanimously approved the expenditure at the Sept. 6 meeting. City staff recommended the protective measures due to what they have identified as the growing occurrence of unsafe, unauthorized activities atop the three-story structure, which sits between East Third and Fourth streets.While such activities also include children skateboarding through the garage, the expenditure approved by the council will only address the issue of people—also mostly youth—climbing on the roof and ledges of the top of the structure, according to city staff.Specifically, Ghione said the southern edge of the garage’s top floor and some of the “gaps” between the top two floors are points of concern where some of the unsafe uses have been observed.“Our parking structure is safe—we built this to every code and every standard that is required for a parking structure,” Ghione clarified. “(But) the fact it’s not at capacity drives some of the improper uses of the top floor.”The top floor of the 270-space garage is rarely fully occupied by vehicles, but city planners anticipate its intended use by motorists will increase, eventually discouraging loitering, skating or other unsafe behaviors.Until the new fencing or enclosures are installed, 46 parking spaces occupying the top of the structure will be closed off to all public access. A temporary construction fence currently blocks off vehicle and pedestrian access to that area.Ghione added that the project will aim to “maintain the aesthetics” of the structure.The council’s Sept. 6 vote also directed city staff to draft a city ordinance allowing Morgan Hill Police to enforce municipal codes within the structure. This will include signs throughout the building notifying users that illegal activities will be prosecuted.City Councilman Rene Spring said Sept. 6 that he is eager to see additional efforts to prevent skateboarding in the downtown garage. Ghione indicated this could eventually include physical additions to the driving surface throughout the garage designed to “slow people down.”“I hate to be a party pooper, but it’s just the wrong location for skateboarding, and I want something in place to prevent something from happening,” Spring said.MHPD Capt. Shane Palsgrove said last week that police have responded to “a couple near misses” involving vehicles and skaters. He added that officers have increased their patrols throughout the garage to crack down on some of the unauthorized uses.The top-floor closure that started Sept. 1 is part of a “three-pronged approach” to addressing the city’s concerns. In addition to the physical enhancements, that approach also includes enforcement and education, according to city staff.“City staff are proposing an approach that other communities have utilized and that incorporates engineering, education, and enforcement with the goal of enhanced community safety,” reads the city staff report for the Sept. 6 meeting. “It is believed this combination will be the most appropriate to reduce the risk of accidents due to inappropriate use of the structure.”The downtown garage opened in March 2016. It cost about $9 million, and was funded mostly by leftover Redevelopment Agency proceeds.