EL MONTE — The Graffiti Abatement Community Program will receive more than $211,000 in state funding after the El Monte City Council approved a grant agreement with the California Department of Transportation during its May 27 meeting. The council voted 7-0 to authorize the City Manager to execute the Clean California Local Grant Program agreement and accept $211,394 for the citywide effort.
According to the staff report presented to the council, the funding will support graffiti removal, neighborhood beautification and improvements to public rights-of-way throughout El Monte. The work will also focus on areas near freeway on-ramps and off-ramps while improving the appearance of public infrastructure across the city.
Graffiti Abatement Community Program Goals
City officials said the project is designed to create cleaner public spaces and improve the overall appearance of neighborhoods. The work is expected to reduce visible graffiti, improve streetscapes and make public areas more welcoming for residents and visitors.
The funding comes through Caltrans’ Clean California Local Grant Program, which provides financial assistance for projects that address litter, graffiti and community beautification. The statewide program supports local agencies seeking to improve public spaces without placing additional financial burdens on local taxpayers.
According to the council report, the grant requires no local matching funds and will not affect the city’s General Fund budget. The state funding will fully cover the approved work.
Council Approves Grant Agreement
The council’s action authorizes city officials to execute the grant agreement and complete all documents needed to administer the program. The agreement also allows the city to seek reimbursement from the state for eligible project costs.
As part of the grant requirements, El Monte must document completed work and comply with Caltrans reporting and recordkeeping standards throughout the life of the project.
The approval marked one of two Clean California grant actions considered during the May 27 meeting. In a separate vote, the council also approved another state grant and an agreement with the San Gabriel Valley Conservation Corps to support additional neighborhood maintenance and beautification projects.
City officials have not announced when work under the Graffiti Abatement Community Program will begin or identified the first locations scheduled for improvement.
The new funding reflects the city’s continued effort to secure outside resources for neighborhood improvements while limiting impacts on local taxpayers. Residents can expect additional details as project schedules are finalized and work moves forward under the state grant agreement.
More information about the Clean California Local Grant Program is available on the California Department of Transportation’s website at https://dot.ca.gov/programs/clean-california.
City officials have not announced when work under the Graffiti Abatement Community Program will begin or identified the first locations scheduled for improvement.
