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CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Appropriation of $357,000 Community Cleanup and Employment Pathway (CCEP) Grant Funds from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for the Community Beautification and Youth Employment Initiative.
1. Motion accepting Community Cleanup and Employment Pathway (CCEP) Grant funds in the amount of $357,000 from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for the Community Beautification and Youth Employment Initiative; and authorizing the City Manager or a designee to enter into and execute all agreements, amendments, certifications, and documents necessary to accept and implement the funds.
2. Resolution of Appropriation to appropriate $357,000 in CCEP grant funds from the California Department of Transportation for the Community Beautification and Youth Employment Initiative.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Consent Calendar
Approved for April 14, 2026 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Community Services & Parks Department (CSP) has been awarded a $357,000 grant through the Community Cleanup and Employment Pathway Program, a signature initiative of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) under the Clean California Program. This competitive award will support key components of the Youth Employment Program’s Community Beautification and Youth Employment Initiative, including staffing, youth wages, and essential project supplies.
Through this funding, supervised teams of hourly youth employees will carry out community beautification and safety projects across the City from April 2026 through April 2027. These efforts will enhance neighborhood pride, improve the quality and safety of public spaces, and provide valuable workforce development and hands-on learning opportunities for local youth.
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RECOMMENDATION
That City Council accept and appropriate CCEP program funds in the amount of $357,000 from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to implement the Community Beautification and Youth Employment Initiative; and authorize the City Manager or a designee to execute all agreements, amendments, certifications, and documents necessary to accept and implement the funds.
ANALYSIS
The Community Cleanup and Employment Pathway (CCEP) Grant Program is a signature initiative under the Clean California Program, administered by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). This grant program is designed to support litter abatement and public space beautification efforts on locally owned public right-of-way while creating workforce development opportunities for individuals facing barriers to employment.
This was CSP’s first time applying for these competitive funds, and the department is honored to have been selected and looks forward to making a meaningful investment in the community and its young residents.
Through this funding, the CSP’s Youth Employment Program’s Community Beautification and Youth Employment Initiative will operate from April 2026 through April 2027 and employ 30 local youth who will work on weekdays and weekends to complete community enhancement and fire-safety projects throughout Glendale and surrounding areas.
Participants will receive comprehensive support, including pre-employment training, occupational mentorship, case management, supportive services, and paid work experience, equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to enter the workforce.
The target population for this project is disadvantaged youth from low- to moderate- income households who face significant challenges in securing employment without supportive services. Approximately one in seven young people between the ages of 18 and 24 are considered “disconnected,” meaning they are neither enrolled in school nor participating in the workforce. Many participants also come from immigrant families and may encounter additional cultural, linguistic, or systemic barriers to employment.
The program will prioritize youth ages 16 to 24 with the greatest need, including those in foster care, youth with disabilities, individuals experiencing homelessness, youth involved in the probation system, high school dropouts, and young parents. These groups often face various obstacles to entering and sustaining employment. By providing targeted services, job readiness training, and meaningful work experience, the program seeks to create equitable pathways toward long-term workforce participation and economic stability.
In partnership with the Glendale Fire Department and other departments, more than 25 beautification and fire safety projects have been identified for implementation. These include fire road beautification, defensible space improvements behind residential areas, 5b3
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brush clearance, and trail maintenance at locations such as Brand Park, Deukmejian Park, and along the East Glenoaks corridor, among others.
Additionally, the program will support regular cleanup efforts in densely populated areas of Glendale where illegal dumping and bulky item overflow are ongoing concerns. Youth crews will collect and properly dispose of bulky waste in designated landfill facilities, helping to improve neighborhood cleanliness, reduce hazards, and enhance overall community well-being.
This grant will expand opportunities for youth in our community by providing access to meaningful employment, skill-building, and career development resources. At the same time, it will bring critical funding to the City, enabling the implementation of projects and initiatives that would not otherwise be feasible due to limited resources.
In total, the grant will fund three major components of the Initiative: $163,108 for staff salaries and benefits, $180,892 for hourly youth wages and benefits, and $13,000 for maintenance and operations, which includes tools, equipment, uniforms, and other related supplies.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
The stakeholders for this program include local youth, City departments, Glendale residents, and broader community members. CSP will collaborate with multiple City departments to identify and implement community beautification projects led by local youth. Outreach and recruitment efforts will take place across all local schools and through our network of nonprofit partners to ensure diverse and inclusive participation.
In addition, the program will be widely promoted through the department’s website, social media platforms, City and departmental newsletters, and GTV6 to maximize visibility and community engagement.
FISCAL IMPACT
The CCEP grant operates on a cost-reimbursement basis; therefore, expenses will be incurred upfront and invoiced on a quarterly basis. This program will have no financial impact on the General Fund. The total estimated cost for implementing the Community Beautification and Youth Employment Initiative during the 2025–26 and 2026–27 fiscal years is $357,000, and this grant award was not included in the FY 2025–26 approved budget. Therefore, staff is requesting an appropriation of $357,000 from grant revenue.
The appropriation request is outlined as follows:
Requesting Appropriation
Amount From (Account
String)
To (Account String) Funding Source
$163,108 GL: 32610-2160-
CSP-0020-P0000
PL: CSP01565AG
GL: 41100-2160-
CSP-0020-P0000
PL: CSP01565AG
Grant Fund
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$180,892 GL: 32610-2160-
CSP-0020-P0000
PL: CSP01565AG
GL:41300-2160-
CSP-0020-P0000
PL: CSP01565AG
Grant Fund
$13,000 GL: 32610-2160-
CSP-0020-P0000
PL: CSP01565AG
GL: 45350-2160-
CSP-0020-P0000
PL: CSP01565AG
Grant Fund
Department Cost Center Program
Community
Services &
Parks
Projects
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
The item under consideration does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(4), as it constitutes the creation of government funding mechanisms or other government fiscal activities which do not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment; thus, it is not subject to CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15060(c)(3).
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
This item is exempt from campaign disclosure requirements.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
1. City Council may consider not accepting or appropriating CCEP grant funds in the amount of $357,000 from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for the Community Beautification and Youth Employment Initiative, which would mean less revenue and resources for the City of Glendale.
2. The City Council may consider any other alternative not proposed by staff.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Onnig Bulanikian, Director of Community Services & Parks Prepared by:
Judith Velasco, Workforce Development Administrator
Karine Grigoryan, Youth Services Manager
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
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EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
None.