San Benito supervisors commit $150,000 from reserves to continue San Juanita River cleanup
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Summary
After staff detailed a phased cleanup and outreach effort, the Board of Supervisors voted 5–0 to allocate $150,000 from county reserves to continue work on the San Juanita River; CalRecycle grant funds of ~$43,000 are expected to offset part of the cost.
The San Benito County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Jan. 27 to allocate $150,000 from county reserves to continue a phased cleanup of the San Juanita River that staff said has removed trash, vehicles and encampments from critical sections.
County public works and integrated waste staff told the board that phases 1 and 2 of the cleanup have already cleared most encampments and removed 28.6 tons of solid waste and 35 vehicles and recreational vehicles. Staff said they had also secured a CalRecycle Farm and Ranch Solid Waste Abatement grant award of $43,000 to support cleanup in phase 3.
“We removed 28.6 tons of solid waste from phase 1 and 2,” said Selena Stottler, the county’s integrated waste manager, in the presentation to the board. Staff recommended shrinking contractor days, continuing CHEER’s contract for solid-waste removal (not to exceed $50,000 for five months), using public works equipment for non-hazardous tasks and adding $150,000 to the cleanup budget to maintain momentum.
Board members debated a mix of enforcement, outreach and cost controls. Several supervisors urged clearer coordination with the City of Hollister, more consistent monitoring of the riverbed, and stronger, regular communication among county and city staff to prevent the “whack-a-mole” pattern of encampments reestablishing in cleared areas.
Staff said the outreach team had engaged 55 individuals this year (duplicated counts) and regularly contacts 31 people. The county also said shelter capacity had increased by 12 beds, and that expansion expenses (meals, staffing and security tied to the additional beds) were covered this year through Continuum of Care funding.
The motion to draw $150,000 from reserves passed on a 5–0 roll call. The board also directed staff to pursue available grant reimbursements and provide regular status updates, including signage and periodic briefings to the board.
County staff cautioned that the current fiscal-year project limit (listed in staff materials as $25,000) constrained immediate progress and that additional cleanup beyond phase 3 will depend on future funding or reserve allocations. The CalRecycle award is a reimbursable grant; staff said the county will need to spend funds first and submit reimbursements.
Next steps: staff will implement the cost-reduction measures recommended in the presentation, continue coordinated outreach with behavioral health and sheriff’s deputies, and return with updates on spending, grant reimbursements and operational plans for phases 3–4.
