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Santa Ana council backs Caltrans advisory committee bill and urges funding for local maintenance
Summary
Councilmembers supported a resolution and a draft letter urging state action on SB 569 (Caltrans advisory committee) while seeking amendments to require appropriation of funds so cities can be reimbursed for maintenance on state property.
The Santa Ana City Council signaled support for state legislation (SB 569) that would require Caltrans to form district advisory committees and increase local collaboration on maintenance and encampment responses, while asking staff to submit an amendment request and a letter seeking a dedicated funding stream to reimburse local governments.
Councilmembers said the current practice — where Caltrans declines to enter maintenance reimbursement agreements in some jurisdictions — leaves local governments without authority to clean or maintain state right‑of‑way and places the financial burden on cities. Councilmember Becerra said: "Caltrans has been very consistent and efficient in telling us no," and urged the state to provide a reimbursement mechanism similar to the City of Los Angeles arrangement.
Council direction and suggested amendments: Several councilmembers asked staff to draft a letter of support for SB 569 with specific amendments. Proposed changes include (1) requiring the Legislature to appropriate funds to the Caltrans department to reimburse local governments for maintenance and cleanup work on state property; (2) clarifying that reimbursable work explicitly includes environmental cleanup, trash removal and security; and (3) designating a Caltrans liaison in each district.
Why it matters: Council members framed the bill as a step toward a repeatable, institutionalized working relationship between Caltrans and local governments. They emphasized the need for a funding guarantee; without appropriation language, council members said, the committee requirement would create new meetings without solving the underlying maintenance shortfall.
Next steps: Staff will prepare a proposed letter of support with amendment requests for the council's review and will coordinate with the city's legislative contacts and local partners. Councilmember Phan asked staff to submit the letter to the Transportation Committee ahead of its April 22 hearing if possible.
Ending: Councilmembers indicated they would pursue a dual approach — support the concept of district advisory committees while pressing for concrete fiscal provisions to reimburse local public‑works and cleanup operations.
