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CONSENT CALENDAR
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: June 3, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Lynn Merrill, Director of Public Works
Department: Public Works
Subject: Approval of a State-Reimbursed Encampment Delegated Maintenance Agreement with Caltrans for Homeless
Encampment Cleanup within State Right-of-Way (All
Wards)
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California adopt Resolution 2026-065:
1. Authorizing the City to enter into an Encampment Delegated Maintenance Agreement with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for a one-year pilot program in an amount not to exceed $400,000, to perform encampment abatement, debris removal, and related services within State right-of-way; and
2. Authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute the Agreement and any necessary documents with Caltrans to implement the program. Also authorizing the City Manager to amend the agreement as required by Caltrans and report back to City Council; and
3. Authorizing the Director of Finance and Management Services to appropriate $400,000 to the Operations and Maintenance budget, to be expended and subsequently reimbursed by the State subject to the terms of the Agreement.
City Manager's Comments
The City Manager recommends approval by the City Council of Encampment Delegated Maintenance Agreement and authorize City Manager to make any minor amendments as required by Caltrans and report back to City Council.
Executive Summary
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The City of San Bernardino has the opportunity to enter into a Delegated Maintenance Agreement with Caltrans that authorizes the City to remove homeless encampments, litter, and debris along State freeway corridors within City limits. This Agreement aligns with recent statewide efforts led by the Governor to address unsafe encampments and streamline coordination between local jurisdictions and the State.
Under this Agreement, the City will perform maintenance and encampment abatement services within designated State right-of-way areas, while also coordinating outreach efforts to connect individuals experiencing homelessness with shelter and supportive services. The State will reimburse the City for up to $400,000 in eligible costs, resulting in no net financial impact to the City’s General Fund.
Background
Homeless encampments along freeway corridors have become a growing concern across California, presenting significant public health, safety, and environmental challenges. Historically, jurisdictional limitations between local agencies and Caltrans have created inefficiencies in addressing encampments located on State property.
To address these challenges, the State has developed a framework through Maintenance Policy Directive (MPD) 1001 R1 to standardize encampment response efforts and allow for delegated maintenance agreements with local agencies. These agreements enable cities to take a more active role in addressing encampments within State right-of-way.
The agreement also establishes procedures for prioritizing encampments based on risk levels, coordinating outreach efforts, and ensuring compliance with State and Federal regulations.
Discussion
The proposed agreement between the City of San Bernardino and Caltrans (Agreement No. DMA-08-26-CN38) authorizes the City to perform encampment removal, litter abatement, and graffiti removal along several key freeway corridors, including Interstate 10, Interstate 215, State Route 210, and other designated routes within City limits.
The agreement authorizes the City to remove both Priority Level 1 encampments, which pose an immediate threat to life, health, safety, or infrastructure, and Priority Level 2 encampments, in accordance with State guidelines. In conjunction with these efforts, the City will coordinate outreach activities to connect individuals experiencing homelessness with available shelter and housing resources prior to encampment removal whenever feasible.
The scope of work includes the removal of encampments, as well as litter, debris, and graffiti within designated State right-of-way areas. To support field operations, the City intends to utilize the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), which will provide workforce assistance while also creating employment opportunities for individuals re- 3 2
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entering the workforce.
The State will reimburse the City for actual costs incurred under the agreement, up to a maximum amount of $400,000, with quarterly reimbursement limits of $50,000 in place, unless otherwise approved. Implementation of the program will require coordination with Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol to ensure proper scheduling, adherence to safety requirements, and appropriate traffic control during operations. Reimbursement is based on documented expenses submitted through quarterly invoicing and must comply with Caltrans requirements.
The primary categories of eligible reimbursable costs include:
Cost Category Description
Labor Costs Staff time associated with encampment abatement, cleanup operations, outreach coordination, and supervision
Contracted Services Services provided by third-party vendors, including the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO)
Equipment and
Supplies
Tools, personal protective equipment (PPE), materials, and operational supplies necessary to perform maintenance
services
Disposal Costs Fees associated with the legal disposal of trash, debris, and encampment materials at authorized facilities
Hazardous Material
Handling
Costs related to the identification, handling, and disposal of hazardous waste encountered during operations
Traffic Control and
Safety
Costs associated with traffic control measures, lane closures, signage, and coordination with law enforcement agencies Documentation and
Reporting
Administrative costs related to required reporting, including before-and-after documentation and compliance tracking
All reimbursement requests must include detailed supporting documentation, including dates of service, locations, labor hours, receipts, and photographic evidence, in accordance with Caltrans billing requirements. Additionally, the City must comply with all applicable State requirements, including the storage of personal property for a minimum of 60 days, proper handling and disposal of hazardous materials, adherence to worker safety and labor compliance standards, and thorough documentation and reporting of all activities, including the submission of before-and- after photographs.
2021-2025 Strategic Targets and Goals
The agreement also supports the City’s Quality of Life goals by improving cleanliness and environmental conditions throughout key transportation corridors. The removal of debris, litter, and graffiti within State right-of-way contributes to a cleaner, more maintained urban environment, which benefits residents, businesses, and visitors while enhancing overall community perception.
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Fiscal Impact
The impact to the General Fund is $400,000. Eligible expenditures will be reimbursed by the State of California on a quarterly basis, not to exceed $400,000, in accordance with the terms of the Agreement.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California adopt Resolution 2026-065:
1. Authorizing the City to enter into an Encampment Delegated Maintenance Agreement with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for a one-year pilot program in an amount not to exceed $400,000, to perform encampment abatement, debris removal, and related services within State right-of-way; and
2. Authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute the agreement and any necessary documents with Caltrans to implement the program; and
3. Authorizing the Director of Finance and Management Services to appropriate $400,000 to the Operations and Maintenance budget, to be expended and subsequently reimbursed by the State subject to the terms of the Agreement.
Attachments
Attachment 1 – Resolution 2026-065
Attachment 2 – Delegated Maintenance Agreement California Department of Transportation
Ward:
All Wards
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
N/A
CC
Eric Levitt, City Manager