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Santa Ana agrees to Caltrans reimbursement deal for freeway-area cleanup, up to $200,000 per year
Summary
The council approved a two-year delegated maintenance agreement with Caltrans to reimburse city cleanup, encampment abatement and graffiti removal work along state right-of-way up to $200,000 annually.
The City Council approved a delegated maintenance agreement with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) that will allow the city to remove encampments, clear litter and abate graffiti on Caltrans right-of-way within Santa Ana and receive reimbursement of up to $200,000 per year for two years.
Councilmember Angel Becerra introduced the agreement and Mayor Meskwah seconded; the motion passed with six ayes and one absence (Councilmember Hernandez absent). City staff said the agreement mirrors similar arrangements used by other cities to address highway-adjacent public-safety and nuisance conditions sooner than Caltrans could respond.
Public-works and city-manager staff described the agreement as a reimbursement contract: Santa Ana crews will perform abatement and maintenance work adjacent to state-owned corridors; Caltrans will reimburse labor and material costs up to an annual limit agreed to in the contract. Acting in support, Councilmember Becerra said the arrangement turns previously uncompensated work into a reimbursable activity and will enable faster cleanups.
City Manager and staff said residents can continue to report freeway-adjacent encampments through the existing My Santa Ana app; the work will remain coordinated with Caltrans' safety rules and will not encourage unsafe reporting or stopping on freeways.
Council action
- Motion by Councilmember Angel Becerra, second by Mayor Meskwah, to approve the Encampment Delegated Maintenance Agreement with Caltrans and associated recommended actions. - Vote: 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absence (Councilmember Hernandez). Outcome: approved.
Clarifying details
Staff said the agreement reimburses the city up to $200,000 per year for two years for encampment abatement, litter/debris removal, weed abatement and graffiti removal on Caltrans right-of-way within Santa Ana. The city manager's office and public-works staff will coordinate scheduling and operations and accept reports through the city's existing service app.
Ending: Council members characterized the agreement as a practical step to speed cleanup and reduce hazards along state corridors while recovering city costs via Caltrans reimbursement.
