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Council approves revised Canon Valley Trail joint powers agreement, allows e‑bikes and updates governance
Summary
The council voted 4–1 to adopt a revised joint powers agreement and updated bylaws for the Canon Valley Trail, adding e‑bike use, indemnification language, and a new process allowing the trail board to adopt bylaws with notice and comment to the three participating governments.
The Cannon Falls City Council on May 19 approved a revised Canon Valley Trail joint powers agreement and bylaws that the trail’s board and the three participating governments negotiated to reflect current needs and operations.
Scott Repy, the trail manager, told the council the revision formalizes several changes: the trail will allow e‑bikes as an exception to a general ban on motorized vehicles; the process for land acquisition will require Goodhue County involvement because the county holds property title; Red Wing will serve as fiscal agent and Cannon Falls will act as the human resources contact; and the three participating governments (Goodhue County, Red Wing and Cannon Falls) will be formally notified with a comment period when the joint powers board proposes bylaw changes. The funding formula remains population‑based and unchanged from prior agreements.
The revised governance also adjusts board composition: each unit of government will now appoint two elected officials and one citizen (previously one elected official, one citizen and one flexible seat). The agreement adds indemnification and insurance language to protect the three government units from certain liabilities related to trail board operations.
Councilmembers questioned whether the change gives the trail board too much autonomy for future purchases or equipment acquisitions; Repy said many purchases have historically been grant funded and that elected representatives from each jurisdiction remain on the joint board to provide oversight. Goodhue County’s board approved the agreement earlier the same day, Repy said.
The council approved the revision 4–1. The change takes effect immediately; the trail board will follow the notice and comment process when it amends bylaws going forward.
What comes next: The Canon Valley Trail Joint Powers Board will implement the revised bylaws and notify the three units of government per the new process.
