PREPARED BY: AMANDA BOOTH DATE OF MEETING: 05/18/2026
SUBJECT:
TITLE
CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH SOS RICHMOND FOR CREEK CLEAN UP, HOUSING ASSISTANCE, JOB COUNSELING, AND OTHER SERVICES, AS PART OF A GRANT AGREEMENT WITH CALTRANS FOR A TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $120,000
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, and updated January 26, 2026.
BACKGROUND
On October 20, 2025, pursuant to 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, a key concern under the City’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, and provide wellness and job readiness services to unhoused individuals. 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.
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. On March 16, 2026, Council accepted and appropriated the funds pursuant to Resolution 2026-034.
To implement this grant and to improve litter and illegal dumping reduction efforts in the City, staff is seeking City Council authorization for the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into this agreement, in a form approved by the City Attorney, as may be reasonably necessary to effectuate the intent of the agreement. The agreement with SOS Richmond will be to implement the creek clean-up services, perform illegal dumping removal services, and open a San Pablo Wellness Center for job readiness services. This authorization request is in accordance with the City’s Fiscal Policies dated April 29, 2021, which states that contracts with non-profits must go to City Council for approval regardless of amounts, unless under $25,000 and normal process is waived by City Manager and City Attorney. SOS Richmond is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact on the City’s General Fund. The City was awarded the Caltrans Community Cleanup and Employment Pathway (CCEP) grant, which will fully fund this agreement. However, the Public Works staff previously approved $32,000 in matching funds from the Neighborhood Champions Program as part of the grant. The Neighborhood Champions Program is funded from the Environmental Services Operating Budget (Fund 256).
ATTACHMENTS:
Att A - Resolution
Att B - Agreement with SOS Richmond