Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
City of Westminster Public Right-of-Way Cleanup - 2026 Second Quarter and Third Quarter Report.
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publichearing
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From: Jake Ngo, Public Works Director
Requested by: Administration
Prepared by: Vincent Huante, Parks Division Supervisor
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
Receive and file the report.
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BACKGROUND
The Public Works Department continues its right-of-way cleanup efforts to address illegal dumping, abandoned bulky items, and debris within the public right-of-way. A dedicated team from the Public Works Department Parks Division is focused on eliminating blight by removing abandoned items in the public right-of-way and properly addressing homeless encampments.
This team consists of seven part-time employees, providing sufficient coverage every day of the week. Team members work closely with the Police Department’s Homeless Liaison Officers and proactively canvas hot spots and neighborhoods throughout the City. Staff routinely collect and dispose of abandoned items such as mattresses, furniture, appliances, shopping carts, and other debris found within the public right-of-way. The team also responds to requests for service received through Police Dispatch, work orders generated by phone calls, and the My Westminster Mobile App.
Staff tracks the collection of all abandoned items. During the second quarter of 2026 (April through June), the division completed approximately 146 work orders and removed an estimated 8 tons of items and debris (Attachment 1).
Bulky items collected during this reporting period include:
• 15 couches (sectionals, love seats, full-size)
• 14 desks and cabinets
• 2 refrigerators (single- and double-door)
• 11 chairs (dining and recliners)
• 15 shopping carts
• 3 tables (dining and accent)
• 13 mattresses (twin, full, queen, and king)
• 1 TV (various flat-screen sizes)
• 1 washing machine
• 1 toilet
• 3 wood pallets
• 16 miscellaneous large items (wood, beams, bed frames, tires)
During the third quarter of 2026 (July through September) the division completed approximately 291 work orders and removed an estimated 14.5 tons of items and debris (Attachment 1).
Bulky items collected during this reporting period include:
• 37 couches (sectionals, love seats, full-size)
• 34 desks and cabinets
• 12 refrigerators (single- and double-door)
• 61 chairs (dining and recliners)
• 25 shopping carts
• 15 tables (dining and accent)
• 98 mattresses (twin, full, queen, and king)
• 5 TVs (various flat-screen sizes)
• 2 toilets
• 10 wood pallets
• 19 miscellaneous large items (wood, beams, bed frames, tires)
Staff has identified areas that frequently experience illegal dumping or the abandonment of bulky items within the public right-of-way. These areas are referred to as “hot spots” (Attachment 2). These areas, primarily located in public alleys and within dense commercial and residential neighborhoods, are inspected daily by staff.
In addition to monitoring the hot spots, staff routinely patrol “routine encampment corridors” (Attachment 2) to address homelessness-related concerns, debris, and other maintenance issues. These corridors include Beach Boulevard (city limits), Garden Grove Boulevard (Edwards Street to Bolsa Chica Road), Westminster Boulevard (Newland Street to Bushard Street), Hoover Street (city limits), Trask Avenue (Hoover Street to Beach Boulevard), and Bishop Place (Magnolia Street to Bushard Street). Cleanup of these corridors often requires coordination with Homeless Liaison Officers to effectively address homelessness-related issues.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
The subject report provides an update on public right-of-way cleanup activities and their results. While the report summarizes these efforts, it does not fully capture the extent of the work and resources required to address illegal dumping, abandoned bulky items, and homeless encampments throughout the City of Westminster. Public Works Department continues to expand proactive cleanup efforts, respond to reported concerns, and conduct regular inspections of known illegal dumping hot spots and neighborhoods throughout the City. The recommended action is to receive and file the report.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Bulky Items/Debris Quarterly Breakdown
2. Hot Spot Map
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
City Attorney’s Office
Christine Cordon, City Manager