Council expands Team Up Lancaster cleanup program, funds youth work pilot

The Lancaster City Council voted to expand the city’s community cleanup effort — now called Team Up Lancaster — and to provide funding and staff direction to implement a broader, grant‑style program that addresses litter, illegal dumping, graffiti, homelessness and code enforcement issues in targeted areas.

Staff described the program as an evolution of the earlier Tidy Up a Mile adopt‑a‑highway model. The expanded program will allow community groups to sponsor city areas, receive city support and, where eligible, apply for small grants to address property maintenance and community cleanup needs. Staff said the program will prioritize “all the issues” affecting quality of life in targeted neighborhoods and will include coordination with faith‑based groups and schools.

During discussion, councilmembers noted a pilot to employ disadvantaged youth as part of cleanup crews. The council recorded a pay rate of about $17 per hour for that pilot. One council member said the expansion aligns with other city projects, including a planned large community facility at the fairgrounds intended to provide recreation and programming for youth and seniors; council members noted the city is advancing multiple capital projects funded through recent sales tax revenues.

A council motion to approve the staff recommendation carried on a 4‑0 vote. The staff presentation did not include a detailed grant application timeline or the exact total budget allocation for the expansion; staff said additional implementation details and funding allocations are in the staff report and will be brought forward as the program is established.