Shawnee council approves 2026 CDBG annual action plan; public hearing held

Shawnee — The City Council on Oct. 13 conducted a public hearing and approved the city's 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) annual action plan, adopting projects based on the city's 2025 award level pending the 2026 allocation.

Assistant City Manager Lauren Grasshopper said the city does not yet know the exact 2026 award and is proceeding with a planning package sized to the 2025 award and consistent with the municipality's five-year consolidated plan. Projects proposed in the packet included public facilities and improvements, housing rehabilitation, public services, and administration, planning and technical assistance.

Key proposed projects: Staff identified two proposed stormwater pipe replacement projects as additions to the capital improvement program — one affecting a section of Barton Street/60 Seventh (location described in staff presentation) and a second at 70 First and Garnett. Staff said neither design nor construction is complete and that cost estimates are preliminary. A housing rehabilitation project would support Friends of JCDS with roof repairs and restroom accessibility upgrades for housing serving three adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The plan also includes five public-service grants: Camp Shawnee (city program) with funding proposed up to $10,000 and a JCPRD out-of-school-care grant (explicitly not for the summer care program), plus emergency rent and utility assistance through Catholic Charities, Jewish Family Services and Metro Lutheran Ministry.

Administration and estimates: Staff noted CDBG rules allow up to 20% of an annual award to be used for administration; the city proposed setting administrative charges at roughly 10%, an estimated $27,000 in the packet presentation. Grasshopper told the council that final project funding will depend on the 2026 award.

Public comment and voting: There were no public comments during the hearing. The council voted to (1) conduct the public hearing, (2) conclude the hearing, (3) approve the 2026 CDBG annual action plan as presented, and (4) authorize the mayor to sign the 2026 annual plan application following the close of a 30-day public comment period ending Nov. 14, 2025. Motions passed by voice vote.

What happens next: With council approval, staff will publish the 30-day public comment period, accept any comments through Nov. 14, 2025, and submit the mayor's signed application after the period concludes. Staff emphasized final allocations and project scopes are contingent on the city's 2026 CDBG award amount.