Patchogue CDA holds CDBG public hearing; board approves invoices, consultant work and utility‑allowance update

The Patchogue Village Community Development Agency held a public hearing on Thursday, Feb. 6, where staff described eligible projects for anticipated federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and board members approved several invoices and consultant contracts. The hearing took place at Village Hall, 14 Baker Street, Patchogue, N.Y.

Marion, a CDA staff member, told the hearing that the village is expected to receive about $150,000 in federal CDBG funds in October 2025 and reviewed how projects are selected under HUD’s national objectives, which prioritize activities that primarily benefit low‑ to moderate‑income persons, remove slum and blight, or address an urgent need. “When we look at projects, our question is whether or not it meets one of the national objectives,” Marion said.

The hearing and discussion focused on where the agency can use CDBG money under the 2020 census block definitions, and on a menu of potential projects: replacement of ADA ramps on South Ocean Avenue (planned for fall 2025 or spring 2026 pending release of funds), sidewalk and pedestrian enhancements near the train yard and Division Street, drainage improvements at the library crosswalk where pooling limits accessibility, curb/ramp work near Wollbauer Park, and outreach to people living outdoors as a public‑services option. Marion also described the agency’s typical capital budget range and administrative set‑asides.

Theresa, the agency’s finance staff member, delivered the financial report and itemized recent disbursements. She reported that, for a December–January period, the CDA issued dozens of checks across programs; for example, she said the CDA wrote 77 checks totaling $281,659.45 (transcript figures as reported). On the Section 8 account she reported separate line items for office and administrative checks and said housing assistance payments made up the bulk of that outflow.

The board approved payment of an accounting invoice after staff explained the contractor gave the CDA a credit to keep billed work within the agency’s $18,000 annual contract cap. Theresa said the vendor reduced an $8,750 invoice by $5,425, leaving a net payment of $3,325; the board voted to approve payment.

The board also approved payment of a roughly $8,000 auditing fee billed by the village to be paid to the auditing firm Cullum & Donowski; staff said the fee covers the CDA’s share of the village‑wide audit and the federal single‑audit elements used to review federal programs.

During public comment and staff discussion, residents and trustees raised several project proposals and concerns: - Outreach to people living outdoors: multiple speakers asked the CDA to consider funding contracted outreach through a nonprofit subrecipient rather than hiring staff directly; Marion said that approach has been used before and could be explored with the Town of Brookhaven as allowed under the program’s public‑services limit. - Tunnel Creek / flood mitigation: a resident urged the CDA to review a Brookhaven study that identified flooding and pollution risks in Tunnel Creek and suggested the village consider phased mitigation measures; staff agreed to share the study and follow up with the town. - Division Street pedestrian improvements: several speakers recommended beautification and safety upgrades along Division Street and near the train area, noting pedestrian traffic to River Avenue School. - Library crosswalk drainage: staff described a proposal to replace a low segment of asphalt that routinely pools water near the library crosswalk to improve access and reduce icing; the CDA will seek cost estimates and clarification of road jurisdiction with the town or county as needed.

On housing programs, Theresa reported that HUD’s federal funding flows experienced a temporary freeze during the federal continuing resolution period. She said the CDA received an extension of its HUD contract covering March and April and that rental assistance payments that were delayed have since been made; she warned the board that future funding uncertainty could require use of agency reserves if federal disbursements are delayed.

Staff and trustees also approved administrative items: a one‑day consultant engagement for $1,200 for an update to the CDA’s administrative plan (Ned McCabe, consultant), and a vendor contract to prepare the agency’s annual utility‑allowance schedules (transcript lists the contract sum as $14.49; amount recorded as stated in the meeting). Marion said the utility‑allowance work provides updated tables for different housing types and an additional schedule for reasonable‑accommodation electricity use for medical equipment.

Finally, the board adopted a resolution to participate in a shared‑services records‑digitization grant application with the Village of Patchogue (staff described a multi‑year project focused on building‑department records and permanent CDA records) and set a public hearing on the CDA’s fiscal‑year 2026–2029 budget for the next meeting on March 6.

Votes at a glance (motions recorded at the Feb. 6 meeting and outcome as stated in the transcript): - Approve minutes (Nov. 7, Dec. 5, Jan. 2): approved (motions made; no roll‑call tally recorded). - Approve payment of accounting invoice from PKF, net $3,325: approved. - Approve payment of village auditing fee (Cullum & Donowski), approx. $8,000: approved. - Approve consultant Ned McCabe for one day to update the administrative plan, $1,200: approved. - Approve vendor to prepare utility‑allowance schedules (amount reported as $14.49 in meeting): approved. - Adopt resolution to join shared‑services records digitization grant application (staff discussed $5,000 contribution): approved. - Set public hearing on FY2026–2029 budget for March 6: approved. - Close the CDBG public hearing: motion carried.

The CDA staff said next steps include confirming eligible projects with the Town of Brookhaven, obtaining cost estimates for the prioritized projects (ADA ramps, drainage and sidewalk work), filing required REAC and HUD reports (REAC filing deadline noted as Feb. 28 for the year’s reporting), and preparing the shared‑services grant resolution for the village application. Staff asked residents with technical studies — for example, the Tunnel Creek flood assessment — to share those reports so the CDA can coordinate with the town.

Residents and trustees were invited to the next CDA meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. on March 6, when staff will present updated cost estimates and the agency will consider final project selections for the CDBG application cycle.