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Moreno Valley approves initial funding to clean freeway underpasses, seeks Caltrans reimbursement
Summary
City council approved a consent-item plan to fund cleanup and outreach under Highway 60 and other state-owned rights-of-way and said it will seek reimbursement from Caltrans and pursue broader state reimbursement tools.
The Moreno Valley City Council on May 20 approved a consent-item request to fund cleanup and outreach at freeway underpasses and other state rights-of-way, with staff to seek reimbursement from Caltrans.
Council member Delgado said the item, identified on the agenda as I-16, would allow the city to step into persistent encampment and litter problems on the Highway 60 corridor and then request reimbursement from Caltrans. “I just wanna comment on I 16. I think it’s a great thing that, our city is doing if this passes,” Delgado said during the consent-calendar discussion.
The council discussion said the staff request starts at $150,000 as a funding allocation to allow the city to perform cleanup and outreach on state-owned facilities and then submit costs for reimbursement. Mayor Pro Tem Baca Santa Cruz said staff would “ask for the moon” in negotiations with Caltrans and also noted legislative work (Senate Bill 569) that could provide additional reimbursement pathways for local jurisdictions.
City staff explained the program would target underpasses and off-ramp areas that are on Caltrans right-of-way and therefore outside the city’s regular maintenance jurisdiction; the city would initially cover costs and pursue reimbursement from Caltrans’ District 8 and related state programs. Council members said the off-highway, state-owned locations often persist even after typical city cleanup efforts, and they praised the item as an attempt to fill that gap.
The consent calendar, which included this item and multiple routine grants and closures, passed unanimously: Council members Bernard, Gonzales, Delgado, Mayor Pro Tem Baca Santa Cruz and Mayor Cabrera voted yes.
The city said it would pursue reimbursement and coordinate with Caltrans and with ongoing state legislative efforts that could provide additional tools for jurisdictions to respond to encampments on state rights-of-way. Staff indicated the $150,000 amount is an initial request and could be adjusted through negotiations or subsequent amendments.
Council members and staff indicated follow-up reporting to the council would include the scope of work performed and any reimbursement received from Caltrans or state programs.
