PREPARED BY: AMANDA BOOTH DATE OF MEETING: 03/16/2026
SUBJECT:
TITLE
CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO (1) ACCEPTING AND APPROPRIATING $200,000 FROM THE CALTRANS COMMUNITY CLEANUP AND EMPLOYMENT PATHWAYS GRANT PROGRAM FOR LITTER ABATEMENT PROGRAMS AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT; AND (2) AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE GRANT AGREEMENT AND TO TAKE OTHER NECESSARY ACTIONS TO RECEIVE SUCH GRANT FUNDING
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution
Body
Compliance statements
FY 2023-2025 Council Priority Workplan Compliance Statements:
Item 202: Identify and Implement Long-Term Environmental Stewardship Goals is an adopted policy item under the FY 2025-27 Council Priority Workplan, effective April 7, 2025.
BACKGROUND
On October 20, 2025, through Resolution 2025-131, the City of San Pablo Public Works Department received Council approval to apply for the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Community Cleanup and Employment Pathway (CCEP) Grant Program, a key initiative under the Clean California Program. The CCEP Program provides competitive grants to support litter abatement, community outreach, and workforce development efforts - particularly for vulnerable populations such as justice-impacted individuals, those experiencing homelessness, and at-risk youth.
The City of San Pablo Public Works Department developed a grant proposal that builds upon two of the City’s ongoing initiatives: the Neighborhood Champions Program and an expanded partnership with Safe Organized Spaces (SOS) Richmond, a local nonprofit with a proven track record in both workforce development and environmental cleanup.
1. Neighborhood Champions- The San Pablo Neighborhood Champions Program is a paid, community-driven initiative designed to empower local residents to take an active role in maintaining and enhancing the cleanliness and beauty of the City. Neighborhood Champions serve as liaisons for the San Pablo Shines beautification campaign and work to: reduce illegal dumping through education and proactive outreach, raise awareness of the City’s free waste disposal programs, foster civic pride, and inspire community participation in litter reduction.
2. SOS Richmond- SOS Richmond is a local nonprofit organization that provides transitional employment and social services for individuals experiencing homelessness. The organization is uniquely qualified to support the City’s environmental and social goals, especially as they relate to creek and riparian area cleanups - key concerns under the City’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The City’s NPDES permit requires ongoing efforts to reduce trash entering waterways, track sources of litter, and report annual metrics on cleanup programs, including those that address encampments in creekside areas.
The CCEP grant would allow the City to expand the Neighborhood Champions Program by funding additional outreach materials, implementing the new Library Litter Lending Toolkit, and supporting staff time for events such as Mini-Dumpster Days. In addition, the City would be able to enhance its partnership with SOS Richmond and increase its funding under the current contract to provide additional services, including increased creek cleanups, workforce development for unhoused individuals, and various social services.
Originally, the City’s application was for $120,000; however, Caltrans contacted the City to invite the City to increase the grant request to $200,000. The new budget for the CCEP is as follows:
• $53,700 for City staff time to cover current staff salaries to manage the two programs
• $25,000 to assist with the Neighborhood Champions Program
• $11,300 for outreach and engagement materials
• $120,000 for the expanded SOS Richmond contract
This project directly aligns with the CCEP Program’s goals by integrating community beautification, workforce development, and support for underserved populations, contributing to a cleaner, safer, and more equitable San Pablo. This project will help to meet the City’s NPDES requirements and meet the community's need for litter removal and beautification.
On February 18, 2026, the Public Works Department was notified that the City of San Pablo was awarded the full $200,000 for the proposed San Pablo Shines grant project.
Staff recommends accepting and appropriating $200,000 from the Caltrans Community Cleanup and Employment Pathway (CCEP) Grant Program for the San Pablo Shines project and authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into other agreements, in a form approved by the City Attorney, as may be reasonably necessary to effectuate the intent of the grant.
FISCAL IMPACT
The grant agreement has a match amount of $32,000. This match has already been approved as part of the Environmental Program Division’s Fiscal Year 2025/26 Fund 256 budget, utilizing previously authorized funds from the Neighborhood Champions Program.
Table 1- Caltrans CCEP Funds to Accept and Appropriate for the San Pablo Shines Project
|
Action |
Description |
Accept TO: Fund/Account |
Appropriate TO: Fund/Account |
Amount |
|
Accept & Appropriate |
CCEP Grant Funds |
256-3510-33404-CCE-226 |
256-3510-44001-CCE-226 |
$200,000 |
|
TOTAL |
$200,000 |
ATTACHMENTS:
Att A - Resolution