The Fresno City Council voted Oct. 30 to accept delegated‑maintenance funds from Caltrans to remove and clean encampments on state highway right‑of‑way — initially focusing on State Route 41 between Shaw and Friant — and separately approved a contract to continue city‑funded mobile shower and restroom services for people experiencing homelessness.

Caltrans funding and scope: Public Works Director Scott Moser and Assistant Director Phil Skye told the council the initial Caltrans allocation for freeway litter and encampment cleanup is $400,000 for the area identified in the agreement; the city also noted an existing highway litter control program that has $400,000 from Caltrans plus $100,000 from the Fresno Council of Governments (Measure C) and a local match through Measure P, bringing related resources to about $600,000 for statewide routes.

The Caltrans agreement specifically authorizes cleanup on state right‑of‑way and does not cover private vacant lots or general city sidewalks. Phil Skye said the segment from Shaw to Friant was selected because it had the highest number of service requests this year. "This stretch from Shaw to Friant is the most concentrated area of service requests that we have citywide on all freeway systems," Skye said.

Public concerns: Several public speakers and council members urged safeguards for personal property and clearer plans for where people will go after freeway clearance. Brandy Nusviegas and other advocates said closures and removals often leave residents with lost IDs, medication and personal items, retraumatizing people and impeding shelter placement. "When leaders ignore warning signs ... the city must ensure contracts are ethical and providers are legitimate," a resident said during public comment.

Mobile showers: The council also approved continuation of mobile shower and restroom services to serve people experiencing homelessness in Fresno (the city funds the service). Council members asked administration to confirm the contract will operate within city jurisdiction and not be repurposed to serve County‑island parcels without returning to council for approval. Assistant Director Phil Skye clarified the contract is city funded and intended to serve city residents at city‑identified sites, and the existing deployment pattern includes the Fresno Fairgrounds as a location that sits on county‑owned property within the city boundary.

Council direction and vote: Both items carried unanimously, 7–0. Council members said they supported the safety aims — cleaning freeway right‑of‑way, reducing fire risk and preserving travel lanes — but pressed staff to clarify storage practices, the handling of residents' belongings and how the city will coordinate with county partners so cleanup does not simply displace people into other neighborhoods.

Next steps: Staff agreed to follow up with additional details on evidence storage and to report back if Caltrans provides additional funds to expand the covered stretches.