CITY OF COMMERCEAGENDA REPORTCITY OF COMMERCEAGENDA REPORT
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
Item No. Item No.
Item No.
Item No.
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: Acceptance of Clean California Community Cleanup and Employment Pathway (CCEP) Grant and Authorization to Implement the Commerce Cleanup with Back2Work (B2W) Project Meeting Date: April 28, 2026
RECOMMENDATION:
The City Council will consider:
Accepting the Clean California Community Cleanup and Employment Pathway (CCEP) Grant in the amount of $200,00 awarded by Caltrans; and Authorizing the City Manager and Director Public Works to execute all necessary agreements and documents to implement the Commerce Cleanup with Back2Work (B2W) Project; and Recognizing and appropriating $200,000 in CCEP Grant funds to support the implementation of the Commerce Cleanup with B2W project, with eligible costs to be reimbursed through the grant program.
BACKGROUND:
In November 2025, Public Works staff submitted an application for the competitive Clean California Community Cleanup and Employment Pathway (CCEP) Grant for the amount of $200,000 offered by Caltrans. On February 19, 2026, staff received notification that the City of Commerce was selected to receive the CCEP Grant award.
The proposed Commerce Cleanup with Back2Work (B2W) Project is designed to provide litter cleanup and environmental maintenance services throughout key public right-of-way areas within the City of Commerce. The City of Commerce is a compact, industrially dense community, with a significant portion of its land use dedicated to industrial and commercial activities and limited residential presence. These conditions contribute to persistent litter and illegal dumping issues, particularly in areas such as rail corridors, freeway underpasses, major arterial roadways, and other locations with limited visibility.
This project is intended to address ongoing environmental concerns while improving the appearance and overall quality of public spaces throughout the City.
ANALYSIS:
The Commerce Cleanup with B2W Project will focus on targeted cleanup and beautification efforts in areas with a history of litter accumulation and environmental neglect. Key project activities include:
Litter cleanup and debris removal along three major corridors and alleyways within two residential neighborhoods.
Maintenance of landscaped areas through removal of unwanted vegetation and trash.
Support for community beautification efforts in public spaces and disadvantaged communities.
Implementation of public education and anti-littering campaigns.
Conducting community engagement and outreach activities.
Cleanup efforts will specifically target parkways along Telegraph Road, Garfield Avenue, and Washington Boulevard, as well as alleyways within the Bandini and Rosewood residential neighborhoods, as shown in Attachment 2 the Project Location Map. These locations were selected based on documented litter trends.
Project implementation will be conducted in partnership with B2W, a workforce development program that provides paid transitional employment opportunities to underserved populations, including priority enrollment for veterans. Participants will gain valuable work experience, develop job readiness skills, and receive post-employment support to transition into long-term employment.
Overall, this project provides a targeted solution in a disadvantaged, industrial-heavy community that faces ongoing litter, graffiti, and illegal dumping. By focusing on high-need areas, utilizing the B2W workforce development program, and implementing a long-term sustainability and maintenance plan, the project directly supports Clean California’s goals of removing litter, creating jobs, and beautifying the state.
Staff recommends that the Council accepts the CCEP grant award, authorizes City Manager and Director Public Works to execute all necessary agreements and documents that may be needed to implement the Commerce Cleanup with B2W Project, and appropriate the upfront funds to initiate project activities that will later be reimbursed through the grant program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total estimated project cost is $220,452, consisting of a $200,000 grant award from the CCEP Program and $20,452 in City in-kind contributions (staff support, administration, and oversight activities). Staff is requesting that the City Council recognize $200,000 in revenue (account No. 40-5400-36200) and appropriate $200,000 in expenditures (account No. 40-5170-57011).
As the CCEP Program operates on a reimbursement basis, eligible project expenditures will initially be paid by the City and subsequently reimbursed by Caltrans upon submission and approval of reimbursement requests.
No long-term General Fund impact is anticipated, as eligible costs will be reimbursed through the grant program.
ALTERNATIVES:
Approve staff recommendation
Disapprove staff recommendation
Provide further direction to staff
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC GOALS:
This item is related to a specific 2016 Strategic Goal to “create and pursue opportunities for collaboration and regional partnerships to maximize resources and address regional issues.” Prepared by: Andrew Caraveo, Environmental Services
Reviewed by: Alvaro Catellon, Director of Finance
Reviewed by: Shahid Abbas, Director of Public Works
Approved as to form: Noel Tapia, City Attorney
Respectfully submitted: Ernie Hernandez, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Project Map
Grant Agreement