City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: MAY 5, 2026 FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: ILLEGAL DISPOSAL SITES ABATEMENT GRANT PROGRAM AWARD FROM THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF RESOURCES RECYCLING AND RECOVERY (CALRECYCLE) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025/26 IN THE AMOUNT OF $225,621 – SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUE:
Authorize acceptance of the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Illegal Disposal Sites Abatement Grant Program award from the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) in the amount of $225,621.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Authorize acceptance of the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Illegal Disposal Sites Abatement Grant Program award from the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) in the amount of $225,621; With at least five affirmative votes, authorize the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record an increase in revenues in the amount of $225,621, or the amount of the grant award, and appropriate expenditures in the same amount, in the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, Illegal Disposal Site Abatement FY2025/26 revenue and expenditure accounts; and With at least five affirmative votes, authorize the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to add 1.0 FTE Maintenance Worker I position, to be funded by the grant for the duration of the grant period through June 30, 2028, or until grant funding is exhausted.
BACKGROUND:
On March 3, 2026, the City Council adopted Resolution Νο. 24359 authorizing the City Manager to execute on behalf of the City all necessary applications, contracts, payment requests, agreements, and amendments in the process of applying for and securing funds under all grants programs under the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle). The authority granted is valid for five years from the date of adoption.
DISCUSSION:
Illegal dumping continues to be a significant challenge throughout the City, impacting public health, neighborhood quality, and the environment. In FY 2023/24, the City responded to more than 6,500 illegal dumping and debris‑related service requests, including incidents in public rights‑of‑way, shopping centers, and areas affected by encampments. These activities generate substantial cleanup demands, create fire and vector hazards, obstruct stormwater systems, and contribute to blight in residential and commercial corridors.
To address these ongoing impacts, the City submitted an application to CalRecycle’s Illegal Disposal Sites Abatement Grant Program for FY 2025/26. The program provides funding to assist jurisdictions with the cleanup of illegal disposal sites, implementation of prevention measures, and restoration of impacted public areas. CalRecycle has formally awarded the City a grant to support cleanup and prevention activities at several high‑impact locations identified by our mitigation crews, including Railroad Avenue, Jefferson Street, Placentia Lane, Commerce Street, and Palmyrita Avenue. Grant resources will allow the City to support these sites thereby expanding the ability for existing City resources to focus on illegal dumping citywide.
The awarded grant allows the City to expand its illegal dumping abatement capacity by funding debris removal, disposal, surveillance camera installation, public outreach, and beautification efforts. The project also proposes the hiring of a temporary General Services Worker to support cleanup operations and community engagement. These resources will strengthen the City’s ability to respond to illegal dumping, reduce environmental and public safety risks, and improve the appearance and usability of public spaces.
Acceptance of this grant will directly support the City’s ongoing efforts to reduce illegal dumping, improve response times, and enhance long‑term prevention strategies. Staff recommend that the City Council formally accept the CalRecycle grant award and authorize the necessary budget appropriations to implement the Illegal Disposal Sites Abatement Project.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact of this action is an increase in revenues and expenditure of $225,621. Upon Council approval, an increase of 1.0FTE will be recorded in the Grants & Restricted Programs Fund, and an increase in revenue and an appropriation of expenditures in the amount of the grant award will be recorded in the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, Illegal Disposal Site Abatement Grant Program as indicated in Table 1 below. There is no City match required for the award. The FTE will continue until the end of the grant period ending June 30, 2028, or until grant funds are exhausted.
Table 1. Grant Appropriation
Fund
Program
Account
Amount
Grants & Restricted Programs
Illegal Disposal Site Abatement
Revenue
9356100-334100
$225,621.00
Expenditures
9356100-421001
$56,405.25
9356100-41xxxx
$169,215.75
Total
$225,621.00
Prepared by: Victor Keroles, Administrative Analyst
Approved by: Nathan Mustafa, Interim Public Works Director Certified as to
availability of funds: Julie Nemes, Interim Finance Director Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager Approved as to form: Rebecca McKee-Reimbold, Interim City Attorney Attachments:
Signed Grant Agreement
Terms and Conditions
Procedures and Requirements
Resolution 24359
CalRecycle Illegal Disposal Sites Grant ● Page 2