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Gilroy OKs master joint-use agreement approach with Valley Water for multiuse trails
Summary
Council approved a consent-item authorization to adopt a master joint-use agreement with Santa Clara Valley Water to consolidate multiple trail easements and standardize terms, making the city responsible for construction and maintenance of recreational improvements on specified Valley Water segments.
The Gilroy City Council approved a consent item authorizing a master joint-use agreement approach with Santa Clara Valley Water to consolidate the city’s multiple, disparate joint-use agreements for trails, staff said.
City staff explained the change was prompted by federal funding awarded to extend the trail network along Lions Creek: Valley Water asked for evidence that the city had access and authority to improve and maintain the parcels involved. Rather than renewing several older agreements with varying terms and expiration dates, Valley Water and city staff negotiated a single master agreement with common terms, a single termination date and a common renewal process.
Staff told council the core obligations under the agreement are the city’s responsibility for construction, operation, maintenance and liability for recreational improvements the city places on Valley Water property. Those duties include keeping improvements in a safe and usable condition and providing any necessary traffic or pedestrian detour plans and security or police services associated with work on the improvements. Staff emphasized these responsibilities apply only to the trail segments where the city has joint-use authority; Valley Water retains responsibility for Valley Water segments the city has not improved.
Councilmembers asked whether the agreement addresses encampment abatement and animals on trails. Staff said the agreement’s prohibited uses list allows domestic animals on leash; staff did not identify an encampment-abatement requirement in the agreement during the meeting.
The motion to approve the consent item was made by Councilmember Hilton and seconded by Councilmember Bracco. The roll call vote was unanimous: Bracco, Klein, Fugazi, Hilton, Marks and Mayor Bozzo voted yes. As staff described, final execution will require Valley Water board approval after the council’s action.
Staff recommended the master agreement approach as a long-term method Valley Water is using with multiple cities to consolidate trail joint-use terms and simplify future trail project delivery.
