Gilroy orders RFP for 73 connector pipe screens to meet state trash-capture mandate; staff to study separators and Track 2 compliance

City public works staff told the council on Dec. 16 that state-mandated trash-capture rules require the city to achieve 30% capture of priority land-use areas by Dec. 2, 2026, followed by progressively higher capture requirements in 2028 and 2030. Staff recommended and the council approved preparing and advertising a request for proposals (RFP) for fabrication and installation of 73 connector pipe screens (CPS) as the most feasible pathway to meet the Phase 1 (30%) deadline.

Public Works Director John Dowdy and the environmental team explained two compliance tracks: Track 1 (install certified full-capture devices) and Track 2 (develop a capture-equivalency program that documents equivalent reduction through programmatic measures). Staff said Track 1 devices are certified by regional water boards and carry predictable performance but require regular maintenance; Track 2 can work where Track 1 is infeasible but requires a robust program, annual monitoring and documentation that equivalency has been achieved.

Staff estimated that Phase 1 CPS procurement and installation could be funded from the stormwater management fund (04/22), which holds approximately $800,000 today; longer-term solutions such as hydrodynamic separators could cost millions and will require a functional and financial feasibility study. Staff noted enforcement risk from the Water Board, which can pursue compliance schedules and, in extreme scenarios, fines (the Water Board’s enforcement framework was discussed in general terms during the presentation). Councilmembers asked detailed questions about maintenance frequency, leaf-loading in tree-lined neighborhoods, permit requirements for outfall-netting and options to finance larger separators (including franchise rate adjustments used by neighboring cities).

Councilmember Bracco moved, Councilmember Hilton seconded, and the council unanimously approved the RFP direction and a path to return with a bid award and budget amendment to include the CPS project in the FY26 capital budget funded from the stormwater management fund. Council also directed staff to pursue parallel feasibility work on hydrodynamic separators and to develop Track 2 program elements in case separators prove infeasible.