Memo
To: Oliver Chi, City Manager
From: Lana Negrete, Mayor
Date: September 23, 2025
Re: A Request that the City Council Consider Directing the City Manager to Create a Community Trash Clean-Up Program, Including in the CalTrans Right-of-Way Santa Monica residents have long expressed concern about trash, litter, and debris throughout various parts of the City, including in I-10 Freeway-adjacent areas in the CalTrans right-of-way. In response to these concerns, I have often thought that designing a community-facing clean-up program which compliments the City’s professional maintenance efforts could not only help improve the cleanliness of Santa Monica, but would simultaneously reinforce notions related to civic engagement, environmental responsibility, and community pride.
To advance this concept, I am requesting that the City Council support an effort to create a community trash clean-up program, which would include beautification efforts in the Cal-Trans right-of-way. I understand in talking with staff that we have recently entered into an agreement with Cal-Trans that facilitates the City taking a lead role in maintaining our on- and off-ramps, along with areas adjacent to the I-10 Freeway. In my mind, the overarching program could involve a number of possible strategies, including developing volunteer-based clean-up days, where the City partners with neighborhood groups, schools, nonprofits, and businesses to organize clean-up events. In addition, we should consider organizing the program during times where we already coordinate relevant existing City programing, such as Sustainable September or Earth Day.
Accordingly, I would like the City Council to consider my request that the City Manager develop and return with a program framework for a community trash clean-up initiative, including in the CalTrans right-of-way areas located within Santa Monica.
Please place this item on the September 30 agenda for full City Council consideration.