TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THRU: Jarad Hildenbrand, City Manager
FROM: Christopher Cash, Public Works Director
1. Subject
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A Pledge to Become a Clean California Community. Resolution No. 11631.
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2. Summary
The proposed resolution authorizes the City to participate in the Clean California Community Program, a statewide recognition initiative administered by the California Department of Transportation. Taking the pledge provides many benefits to the City, including eligibility for grant opportunities.
3. Recommended Action
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1. Adopt Resolution No. 11631. A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Orange pledging to be a Clean California Community.
2. Authorize staff to submit the pledge on the Mayor and Council’s behalf.
3. Authorize staff to prepare and apply for the Clean California Community Program, administered by the California Department of Transportation, which includes competitive grant opportunities.
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4. Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact to the City. If awarded, the revenue received from the California Department of Transportation may be used to fund expenses for this initiative.
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 5: Improve Infrastructure, Mobility, and Technology
6. Discussion and Background
The proposed resolution authorizes the City to apply for grant funding from the Clean California Community Program, a statewide recognition initiative administered by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). The program encourages local jurisdictions to commit to maintaining clean, safe, and aesthetically pleasing public spaces through community engagement, litter reduction, beautification, and sustainability practices. The program also provides grant opportunities to support these initiatives.
The City is already engaged in activities that align with the program’s criteria, which will streamline the application process and future grant administration. Current initiatives, including CR&R collection drives, partnerships with community cleanup organizations, and the installation of trash and recycling receptacles. The current initiatives demonstrate the City’s established commitment to environmental stewardship and community enhancement. With these practices and infrastructure improvements already in place, the City is well-positioned to meet the program’s requirements efficiently.
Once approved, staff will create a plan of action to meet the program criteria. Some examples of the criteria include signing the pledge, conducting community input sessions and educational programs, organizing cleanup events, enhancing greening and beautification efforts, and installing anti-littering infrastructure.
Through participation in this program, staff intend to seek restoration of grant funding for Santiago Creek cleanups, which were previously funded by this Caltrans program. Additionally, staff will seek to fund other initiatives relating to creating clean communities such as expanding litter abatement efforts and increasing graffiti abatement.
Participation in this program aligns with the City’s goals of improving quality of life, fostering civic pride, and supporting environmental stewardship through collaboration between City departments, community groups, and other government organizations.
Staff recommend adopting the resolution that formalizes the City’s commitment to the Clean California Community pledge. Additionally, staff will evaluate the most effective plan to implement the necessary activities to achieve this recognition.
7. ATTACHMENTS
• Resolution No. 11631
• Community Designation Checklist