TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Nader Heydari, Public Works Director
DATE:July 8, 2025
SUBJECT: Clean California Community Designation Program RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve the City’s participation in the Clean California Community Designation Program and sign the pledge.
2. Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act.
LEVINE ACT ITEM: No
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. Minimal staff time to prepare the staff report and apply for the designation is included in the Adopted FY 2025-26 Solid Waste Fund Budget. There is no fee for the Clean California Community Designation application process.
BACKGROUND:
In August 2024, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) established the Clean California Community Designation, a new statewide program, to recognize and reward communities for maintaining a clean and beautiful environment. The Clean California Community Designation is part of the State’s “Clean California Program,” which was created in 2021. The Clean California Program is a partnership with Caltrans, Keep America Beautiful, and Keep California Beautiful.
The Clean California Community Designation is a voluntary program that requires a pledge that includes a list of up to 15 criteria (Attachment #1) integral for maintaining clean communities. Cities must meet a minimum of 10 of the 15 criteria for designation eligibility. Cities must also pledge to provide documentation of their
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compliance with the 10 or more criteria within a year of signing the pledge. If cities have already met these requirements, they can include supporting documentation of those current programs.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
The Clean California Community Designation will support the City’s overall Public Works and Sustainability efforts. Below is a list of 11 of the criteria with examples of actions the City has already met and/or is able to meet in order to satisfy the pledge:
1. Pledge: Mayor Signs the Pledge on behalf of the City;
2. Litter Assessment: The City currently tracks litter at trash capture locations and during community cleanup events;
3. Cleanups: An annual cleanup is done at the Borchard Park area, and the City’s Youth Commission conducts an annual Youth Trash Cleanup along Moorpark Road. Multiple volunteer cleanups are coordinated by the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) in our open space areas;
4. Community Education: Multiple environmental education programs or workshops are conducted annually at Arbor Earth Day, bringing together non-profit organizations and residents;
5. Youth Education (K-12 educational programs): Thousand Oaks hosts or facilitates many educational programs throughout the year. For example, the City’s waste hauler, Athens, conducts a Zero Waste School Program at the local schools on behalf of the City, and the Santa Monica Mountains Fund conducts a “Blossoming Futures: Cultivating Pollinator Gardens and Minds in Thousand Oaks Schools” Program at local schools using City grant funds. The City also has an annual trails education day for all fourth graders sponsored by COSCA;
6. Infrastructure in key locations: The City conducts regular street sweeping, and the City’s public waste containers are emptied twice a week at all bus stops;
7. Enforcement: Staff from multiple City departments provide compliance and enforcement of the City’s Municipal Code related to anti-littering and stormwater quality and pollution requirements;
8. Long-Term Planning: The City adopted a Climate and Environmental Action Plan (CEAP) in 2024;
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9. Greening and Beautification: The City plants street trees, beautifies medians, and has adopted a Forestry Master Plan. In addition, COSCA oversees 12,700 acres of open space surrounding the City;
10. Collection Drives for hard-to-recycle items: The City offers Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) home collection to single-family dwellings and multi- family dwellings with individual carts. The City’s HHW facility is open Fridays and Saturdays to City and unincorporated County residents; and
11. Partnerships: The City engages with multiple partners, including Athens Services, Safe Passages/Conejo Youth Conservation Corps, COSCA, Las Flores Community Garden, and U.C. Master Gardeners.
The City has long been a leader in environmental stewardship. Designation as a Clean California Community would build on that legacy and affirm the City's ongoing commitment to protecting and enhancing our environment.
The recommended action meets City Council Priorities #8, “Environmental Sustainability – Complete the shift of renewable energy projects at the HCTP to City control; continue CEAP implementation items including encouraging a community reduction in the use of gas-powered lawn equipment; prepare for large- scale investment in electrical vehicle infrastructure; connect Active Transportation Plan to targeted investment in enhancing bicycle and pedestrian projects” COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
C. Operate City government in a fiscally and managerially responsible and prudent manner to ensure that the City of Thousand Oaks remains one of California's most desirable places to live, work, visit, recreate, and raise a family.
F. Provide and enhance essential infrastructure to ensure that the goals and policies of the Thousand Oaks General Plan are carried out and the City retains its role and reputation as a leader in protecting the environment and preserving limited natural resources.
PREPARED BY: Sarah McGurk, Sustainability Analyst
Attachments:
Attachment #1 – Clean California Community Designation Program DPW: 810-60\ev\Council\2025\070825\Clean California Community Designation staff report.docx