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September 1, 2026
ITEM TITLE
Agreement: Approve an Encampment Delegated Maintenance Agreement with California Department of Transportation (“Caltrans”) for Encampment Removal Activities Along Interstate 5 from Main Street to E Street
Report Number: 26-0208
Location: Interstate 5 from Main Street to E Street (Post Miles: 5.4 to 8.6)
Department: Housing and Homeless Services, Police, and Public Works G.C. § 84308 Regulations Apply: No
Environmental Notice : The project qualifies for a Categorical Exemption pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) Guidelines Section 15301 Class 1 (Existing Facilities) , which categorically exempts maintenance activities such as the removal of litter and debris.
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an Encampment Delegated Maintenance Agreement for a reimbursable amount in fiscal year 2026 -27 of up to $200,000 and appropriate fund s therefor. (4/5 Vote Required)
SUMMARY
Beginning in 2025, Caltrans began entering into reimbursement agreements with municipalities that desire to take a more active role in removal of encampments within State right-of-way, to address health and safety issues along the State Interstate system. The recommended action, if approved, would authorize the City of Chula Vista (“City”) to enter into an Encampment Delegated Maintenance Agreement (“EDMA”) for up to $200,000 in reimbursable costs during fiscal year 2026-27 to clear encampments along Interstate 5 from Main Street to E Street.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed activity has been reviewed for compliance with CEQA, and it has been determined that the project qualifies for a Categorical Exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities), which consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of P a g e | 2
existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use; and where the exceptions listed in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 would not apply in that no cumulative impacts were identified, no significant effects on the environment were identified, the project is not adjacent to a scenic highway, no historical resources would be affected by the action, and the project was not identified on a list of hazardous waste sites pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the Government Code. Thus, no further environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
DISCUSSION
Caltrans began entering into EDMAs with local jurisdictions in 2025, responding to Governor Gavin Newsom’s directives and introduction of a model encampment ordinance to
expedite the removal of encampments throughout California.
An EDMA is a collaborative contract that allows local
municipalities to perform maintenance , such as clearing debris, removing hazards, and addressing unsheltered
encampments, with the costs reimbursed by the State to
clear unsafe and unsanitary homeless encampments along
freeways in the State-owned highway rights-of-way. EDMAs provide a faster and far more efficient proc ess to clear encampments and connect those living in them with
resources that will ultimately end their homelessness.
The City has been working with Caltrans since summer of 2025 on drafting an EDMA , and in late April 202 6, Caltrans District 11 was authorized to present the City with a draft for review. Since that time, final details related to enforcement in state right -of-way were being discussed between state agencies, resulting in a final EDMA in late August , and the recommended resolution will authorize the City to execute the EDMA (Attachment 1).
Under the EDMA for this pilot program, Caltrans will
reimburse the City for up to $ 200,000 of costs incurred through June 30, 2027, to clean up encampments along
Interstate 5 from Main Street to E Street (approximately 3.2 miles), as shown in Figure 1.
The EDMA specifically prohibits the use of funds for law enforcement or outreach activities and only reimburses for direct costs associated with the encampment clean -up
activities.
Figure 1: EDMA Service Area
(Interstate 5)
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Staff recommends that City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into the EDMA. The City will make all attempts to maximize existing resources through the Homeless Outreach Team to coordinate with Caltrans and provide outreach resources to the unhoused population in this area. Police Department overtime may be impacted to coordinate and assist with enforcement , but to the maximum extent possible will be absorbed within the Department ’s existing budget. A Request for Proposal process is underway to select contractors who will serve as the primary resource for encampment clean-up along the targeted areas of State property. The City will make every effort to keep expenses within the reimbursable amount for fiscal year 2026–27.
Other Related Grant Opportunities
The City has simultaneously partnered on an application to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for the Encampment Resolution Fund (“ERF”). The County of San Diego’s Housing and Community Development Services served as the lead applicant in partnership with the City , the City of National City, and Caltrans. Successful applicants will be notified in September 2026 with funding awarded in January 2027. If successful, the ERF would cover fundi ng for outreach services and housing resources to unsheltered in encampments along Interstate 5 from Main Street located in Chula Vista to Division Street located in National City, consisting of approximately 5.5 miles of state right-of way.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Council members and have found no property holdings within 1,000 feet of the boundaries of the property , which is the subject of this action. Consequently, this item does not present a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under California Code of Regulations Title 2, section 18702.2(a)(7) or (8), for purposes of the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov’t Code §87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently awa re and has not been informed by any City Council member of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision-maker conflict of interest in this matter.
CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
The action would appropriate up to $200,000 in fiscal year 2026-27 for encampment clean-up efforts in the approved state right-of-way, which will be reimbursed by Caltrans through the EDMA. Staff costs associated with outreach, Police Department support, and other ancillary services related to the unhoused in this area are expected to be supported through the fiscal year 2026-27 budget.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There is no ongoing fiscal impact as the agreement will expire on June 30, 2027.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Encampment Delegated Maintenance Agreement with Caltrans Staff Contact: Stacey Kurz, Director of Housing and Homeless Services