In order to address community concerns regarding flooding and environmental preservation on San Francisquito Creek, the City of Palo Alto has worked with neighboring jurisdictions to create the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority (JPA).

The San Francisquito JPA is an agency empowered to protect and maintain the 14-mile San Francisquito Creek and its 45 square-mile watershed. The JPA was created through the adoption of a joint powers agreement by the member agencies on May 18, 1999.

Current information about the JPA is described in the Watershed Background and Overview and the JPA Agency Timeline.

The agreement cites the following purposes of the JPA:

• To facilitate and perform bank stabilization, channel clearing, and other Creek maintenance.
• To plan flood control measures for the San Francisquito Creek watershed.
• To take actions necessary to preserve and enhance environmental values and instream uses of San Francisquito Creek.
• To coordinate emergency mitigation and response activities relating to San Francisquito Creek.
• To make recommendations to Member Entities for funding and alternatives for long-term flood control for Member Entity consideration.

The JPA operational budget is funded through contributions from its member agencies. The JPA receives grants for projects and is conducting strategic planning to establish long-term funding sources for operating costs and capital projects.

The JPA Board welcomes public comment and participation at Board meetings. During JPA Board meetings (see schedule), members of the public may directly address the Board on items of interest to the public that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the JPA. One half hour (as needed) at the beginning of each Board meeting is devoted to public comment on issues not on the agenda. Public comment is limited to three minutes per speaker during agenda items and during the public comment section of the meeting agenda.