Item Number: 14
City Council / Board of Directors
Written Communications
Meeting of: May 19, 2026
Submitted By:
Alex Jauregui, City Planner
Subject:
Community Cleanup and Employment Pathway Grant - Agreement with the California Department of Transportation for the City of Victorville’s Old Town Beautification and Workforce Empowerment Initiative
Recommendation:
That the Honorable City Council:
(1) Adopt Resolution No. 26-047 accepting Community Cleanup and Employment Pathway (CCEP) Grant funding in the amount of $300,000.00 to support a City Old Town Beautification and Workforce Empowerment Initiative focusing on litter abatement and public space beautification within the public right-of-way, while creating workforce development opportunities for Wellness Center clients facing barriers to employment;
(2) Authorize the City Manager or his designee to finalize all documents needed to execute the CCEP contract and administer the overall project; (3) Authorize the City Manager or his designee to make any necessary amendments to the contract as deemed necessary by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) or the City Attorney; and
(4) Adopt Resolution No. 26-048 amending the annual budget for fiscal year 2025- 2026 to reflect an additional appropriation in the amount of $300,000.00.
Fiscal Impact:
The proposed action will result in increased revenue of $300,000.00 in the City's annual budget for fiscal year 2025-2026 to support a City Old Town Beautification and Workforce Empowerment Initiative focused on litter abatement and public space beautification, while also creating workforce development opportunities. To administer the grant, the City's Homelessness Solutions staff will oversee its administration and implementation. A required $20,000 match will be addressed through a combination of in-kind contributions, including bed-night costs at the Wellness Center for the 15 program participants as well 4 7
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as administrative support provided by the City’s Homelessness Solutions staff, which are eligible contributions to satisfy the match requirement.
The following budget table provides a summary of the revenue and expenditure accounts related to this item.
Account Code Account Description Amount
2707501E-43110-20596
(Revenue) CCEP Grant $300,000.00
2707501E-52300-20596
(Expenditure) CCEP Grant - Contract Services $130,750.00 2707501E-52110-20596
(Expenditure) CCEP Grant Program - Supplies $53,848.76
2707501E-51100-20596
(Expenditure) CCEP Grant Program - Full Time Wages $96,607.18 270501E-51200-20596
(Expenditure) CCEP Grant Program - Fringe $12,532.57
270501E-51300-20596
(Expenditure) CCEP Grant Program - Payroll Tax $6,261.49 Strategic Plan Goal:
The subject funding opportunity is strongly aligned with multiple goals and strategies outlined in the City’s 2023–2026 Strategic Plan and will directly support the City’s ongoing efforts in community and economic development, communication and outreach, homeless reduction, and organizational effectiveness and sustainability. Specifically, the proposal addresses the following goals:
Goal C – Community and Economic Development - The funding will be used to support several key strategies of the noted Goal focused on enhancing and revitalizing the Old Town area including:
oStrategy 2: Advance the Old Town façade improvement program and secure sustainable funding for continued implementation.
oStrategy 3: Complete the 7th Street Old Town streetscape project to improve the visual appeal and functionality of the corridor.
oStrategy 7: Attract new businesses while supporting the retention and growth of existing businesses within the community.
Goal D – Reduce Homelessness - The funding expenditures as proposed will advance the City’s efforts to reduce homelessness through strengthened coordination, expanded service delivery, and workforce development by implementing the following strategies:
oStrategy 3: Expand and enhance the City’s homelessness outreach network to more effectively engage individuals experiencing homelessness and connect them to services.
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oStrategy 5: Strengthen collaboration with the County and regional partners to identify new funding opportunities and expand partnerships for homelessness services.
Goal F – Communication and Outreach - This supports activation of public spaces, fosters community pride, and encourages resident engagement given its proposed use to enhance public spaces within the Old Town area, as supported by the noted strategy below.
oStrategy 3: Explore and implement opportunities to enhance or introduce new community events and activities.
In summary, the proposed funding opportunity represents a strategic investment that advances the City’s core priorities across community and economic development, homelessness reduction, and communication and outreach. By supporting revitalization efforts in Old Town, strengthening coordinated homelessness responses, enhancing community engagement, and fostering a resilient and collaborative workforce, this funding will deliver both immediate and long-term benefits to the community. Acceptance of these funds will position the City to further implement its 2023–2026 Strategic Plan in a comprehensive, coordinated, and impactful manner.
Background:
Grant History/Purpose
The Community Cleanup and Employment Pathway (CCEP) Grant Program is an initiative under the Clean California Program, administered by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). The program is designed to support litter abatement and public space beautification efforts along locally owned public rights-of-way, while simultaneously creating meaningful workforce development opportunities for individuals facing barriers to employment. Through a competitive grant process, CCEP provides funding to eligible local agencies, including federally recognized tribal governments, to implement targeted litter removal, graffiti abatement, and corridor enhancement activities.
These efforts are complemented by community education and engagement strategies that foster civic pride and support long-term maintenance. The program places a strong emphasis on investing in disadvantaged and underserved communities and encourages jurisdictions to demonstrate local commitment through participation in the Clean California Community designation pledge.
A central component of the CCEP program is the development of employment pathways through partnerships with workforce development organizations and/or existing employment services. These partnerships are intended to connect justice-involved individuals, persons experiencing homelessness, at-risk youth, and other vulnerable populations with job training and paid transitional employment opportunities focused on environmental stewardship, landscaping, and public space/public maintenance. 4 7
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City Proposal
The City actively pursued this funding opportunity following the release of the call for proposals by Caltrans on September 15, 2025, and subsequently submitted its initial application for the Old Town Beautification and Workforce Empowerment Initiative (OTBW) on October 24, 2025.
On January 12, 2026, Caltrans notified applicants of an opportunity to expand previously submitted proposals by up to 50 percent to support additional high-impact work, contingent upon demonstrated capacity and the ability to meet program timelines and requirements. In response, the City submitted a revised scope of work and updated budget on January 14, 2026, to maximize the potential impact of the program locally.
On February 19, 2026, the City received a preliminary notification indicating that it had been selected for award funding for the Old Town Beautification and Workforce Empowerment Initiative, pending the Governor’s official announcement.
Following this notification, City staff initiated preparation of the Restricted Grant Agreement packet on March 17, 2026, for processing with Caltrans, and the City Attorney’s Office was engaged to review the agreement. The grant agreement is now before the City Council for consideration and approval.
Acceptance of this funding will enable the City to further enhance its efforts to maintain clean, safe, and attractive public spaces while advancing workforce development initiatives that provide meaningful employment pathways for residents facing significant barriers to employment.
Discussion:
Proposed Grant Uses
The recommended action builds upon the progress being made in Old Town and at the Victorville Wellness Center, by providing additional resources to Old Town and strengthening workforce development efforts and promoting independence and job readiness among residents experiencing homelessness within the City of Victorville.
Through this grant, the City of Victorville will receive a total award of $300,000.00 to support a comprehensive, service-integrated approach to workforce development and community beautification.
Of the total $300,000.00 award, distribution of these funds is proposed as follows:
$115,401.24 is allocated to program staff time to support City personnel involved in the Old Town Beautification and Workforce Empowerment Initiative. $53,848.76 is designated for program supplies, equipment, materials, and tools necessary for successful program implementation.
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$130,750.00 will fund contracted workforce development services, to be provided by the Wellness Center operator, focused on preparing Wellness Center clients for long-term employment and self-sufficiency.
As proposed, workforce development programming will include structured job readiness services such as resume development, interview preparation, and mock interviews, including opportunities for participants to engage in simulated interview panels.
Participants will also receive job training and systems navigation support, including enrollment in interactive job readiness training, as well as instruction in timekeeping, task management, and workplace expectations. The program will further incorporate environmental education and soft skills development, including education on litter reduction and sustainability (supported by environmental staff), and provide communication training necessary for public engagement.
In addition, the program emphasizes hands-on experience through environmental cleanliness activities at the Wellness Center, participation in local cleanup events, and other beautification efforts in Old Town Victorville. Participants will also engage in broader citywide efforts, including coordination and participation in October 2026 and April 2027 City Cleanup Days. An outreach component may extend services into downtown encampment areas, connecting unsheltered individuals to resources while promoting environmental awareness and community stewardship.
With this additional $300,000.00 in funding, the City will continue to enhance the Old Town area while advancing workforce development opportunities for individuals experiencing homelessness. This investment leverages expanded resources to support both community revitalization and the ongoing operations of the Wellness Center.
Grant Requirements
Upon approval and acceptance of the grant, the period of performance for this funding shall commence no earlier than April 15, 2026, contingent upon written authorization from California Department of Transportation and the City’s receipt of the Notice to Proceed under the Reimbursable Grant Agreement (RGA). All reimbursable project activities must be completed no later than July 30, 2027.
Project closeout activities and final invoicing to California Department of Transportation must be submitted no later than November 30, 2027. Any work performed after July 30, 2027, shall be ineligible for reimbursement, and payment shall be forfeited for any invoices submitted after November 30, 2027. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the California Department of Transportation may reimburse the City for actual project closeout costs incurred through November 30, 2027, provided that such costs do not exceed five percent (5%) of the total grant award.
The required $20,000 match will be satisfied through a combination of in-kind contributions, including bed-night costs at the Wellness Center for the 15 program 4 7
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participants, as well as administrative support provided by the City’s Homelessness Solutions staff.
Given the City’s established role as an administrator over Wellness Center operations and the City staffing, including all necessary personnel required to fulfill this grant project, staff does not anticipate any challenges in fully expending the awarded funds within the required timeframe or meeting the match requirement. Guided by the Citywide Strategic Plan, the City remains committed to beautifying Old Town, addressing homelessness, and increasing workforce development opportunities through coordinated, results-driven efforts while continuing to leverage external funding sources to reduce reliance on local funds.
Staff Recommendation
In alignment with the City’s Strategic Plan goals and the City’s continued collaboration with Caltrans, staff recommends that the Honorable City Council adopt Resolution Nos. 26-047 and 26-048, amending the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget and authorizing the City Manager to formally accept the $300,000.00 in available CCEP funding. Staff further recommends authorizing the City Manager to make any necessary amendments to the contract as deemed necessary by San Bernardino County or the City Attorney.
Staff remains available for any questions or comments you may have.
Prepared By:
William Lamas, Homelessness Solutions Manager
Attachments: A. City Council Resolution No. 26-047 - City/County CCEP Agreement
B. City Council Resolution No. 26-048 - Budget Amendment