May 26, 2026
Library and Community Services
DATE: May 26, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
LaShonda White, Interim Director Community Services
Ranjana Maharaj, Deputy Director of Community
Services, Recreation Division,
Jene Levine-Snipes, Development Project Manager
Subject:
Accept the CalTrans Clean California Grant Funds for the Stronger Together Richmond Cleanup and Leadership
Program
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed $255,000 expenditure is funded by the California Department of Transportation Clean California Community Clean Up and Employment Program grant.
The fiscal year 2025-2026 budget for the Community
Services Department – Recreation Division will be
increased by $255,000, and the corresponding grant
revenue account will be increased by $255,000. There is no impact to the General Fund.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Adopt a resolution to accept and appropriate grant funds in the amount of $255,000 from the State of California
Department of Transportation (CalTrans) Clean
California Clean Up and Employment Program Grant
Program for Stronger Together Richmond Cleanup and
Leadership Program
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution to ACCEPT and APPROPRIATE
grant funds in the amount of $255,000 from the State of California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) Clean California Community Clean Up and Employment
Program Grant Fund; and AUTHORIZE the City Manager
or their designee to execute the agreement – Community
Services- Recreation (LaShonda White/Ranjana
Maharaj/Jene Levine- Snipes 510-307-8132).
AGENDA
REPORT
May 26, 2026
DISCUSSION:
Stronger Together: Richmond Clean Up and Leadership Program consists of a coordinated community beautification and workforce development initiative designed to improve neighborhood environments while building leadership and job readiness among Richmond youth. The program will provide clean-up and beautification activities in Richmond neighborhoods including Coronado, Parchester Village, Iron Triangle/Atchison Village, Pullman, and Belding Woods. Activities will include six Dumpster Day events and three volunteer Community Litter Clean-Ups. Through the City of Richmond’s I Heart Richmond program, residents will participate in clean-ups that promote waste reduction, recycling, and neighborhood stewardship.
The initiative also includes a workforce development and youth engagement component developed in partnership with Richmond Friends of Recreation (RFOR), Richmond Youth Outdoors, the Community Services Department Recreation Programs, and the Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS) Life Skills for Peace (LS4P) program, as outlined in the grant application. The program will serve 20 youth participants who will receive leadership training, mentorship, and incentives while assisting with community clean-up activities, including supporting the Abatement Division with bulky-item pickups for seniors and individuals with disabilities prior to Dumpster Days. Participants will also attend educational field trips introducing careers in urban beautification, recycling, environmental services, landfill management, and outdoor leadership.
The Stronger Together: Richmond Clean Up and Leadership Program directly supports the agenda item presented by Councilmember Brown on July 1, 2026, and approved by City Council regarding the “Clean Richmond” Community Maintenance Crews (Item W.3). The proposed grant-funded program aims to implement a community-based neighborhood beautification and workforce development initiative focused on clean-up activities, neighborhood stewardship, youth leadership development, and community engagement. The program supports visible neighborhood maintenance efforts, community clean-up events, illegal dumping deterrence, and leadership opportunities for Richmond youth while coordinating with City departments to improve neighborhood conditions and community pride.
In addition, the program inspires and engages youth by providing leadership incentives, educational opportunities, team-building experiences, inspiring outings, hands-on service opportunities, and job-training field trips focused on environmental services, beautification, recycling, and workforce development pathways.
Pursuant to the City of Richmond Grant Management Policy, partnership-based grant applications generally require a transparent solicitation process and City Council approval prior to submission. Due to the limited one-month grant application timeline, staff identified Richmond Friends of Recreation as the proposed partner in order to submit a timely and competitive application. This report provides the required disclosure and explanation to City Council consistent with the Grant Management Policy.
May 26, 2026
On October 29, 2025, the City of Richmond submitted an application for funding to support the Stronger Together: Richmond Clean Up and Leadership Program. On February 18, 2026, the City was notified of the grant award, which marked the official start of the grant period. Program implementation and operational activities will begin following City Council approval, with staff and youth training anticipated to occur in June and July 2026, and community clean-up activities anticipated to begin in August 2026.
All grant-funded activities must be completed no later than November 1, 2027.
This deadline ensures that the program’s initiatives—including community beautification, workforce development, and youth leadership training—are carried out within the specified timeframe, allowing for proper planning and timely execution of each component.
City staff is requesting City Council adopt the resolution to accept and appropriate the grant funds and adjust the City budget accordingly to support the implementation of the Stronger Together: Richmond Clean Up and Leadership Program.
The City of Richmond Community Services-Recreation, City Manager’s Office, the Abatement Division, Community Services-Office of Neighborhood Safety, and Richmond Friends of Recreation (RFOR) are collaborating to manage program delivery, workforce training, outreach, and neighborhood engagement. The table below represents a partner collaboration and budget in the approved application:
Contractor Program/Project Amount
Office of Neighborhood
Safety
Life Skills for Peace (LS4P) workforce program
supporting 20 youth through paid job training,
mentorship, clean-up projects, outreach,
transportation, and workforce development services
$ 85,000
Richmond Friends of
Recreation
Youth Leadership and job readiness Consultant
services to provide mentorship, workforce
training, and leadership development for LS4P
youth participants
$ 20,000
I Heart Richmond
Campaign (City of
Richmond)
Dumpster Day Events, community litter clean-up
events, illegal dumping deterrence, waste disposal,
educational outreach materials, mailers, volunteer
supplies, and public engagement efforts
$ 100,000
Community Services-
Recreation, Development
Project Manager
Grant administration, interdepartmental coordination,
program oversight, and implementation of grant
recipient responsibilities
$ 25,000
Community Services-
Recreation, Associate
Management Analyst
Grant administration, fiscal tracking, reporting,
coordination, and support for program implementation
and compliance
$ 25,000
Grant Total $255,000
In-kind contributions Volunteer support, workforce safety trainings, youth recognition activities, and administration for
ONS
$ 29,356
May 26, 2026
City staff is requesting City Council to adopt a resolution to accept and appropriate grant funds in the amount of $255,000 from the State of California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) Clean California Clean Up and Employment Program Grant Program for Stronger Together Richmond Cleanup and Leadership Program.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Resolution
Attachment 2 – Grant Agreement