Council approves amendments moving unspent CDBG and HOME funds into park and street projects

City Council on May 22 approved both substantial and minor amendments to prior annual action plans for CDBG and HOME funding to repurpose unspent funds and repayments into active capital projects.

Jamie Schroeder (on the phone, finance/administration staff) explained that funds not expended on the originally allocated activities — including repayments identified in HUD monitoring — are being moved to current projects. Specifically, Schroeder said leftover or repaid funds from 2019 were redirected to Newberry Park, and other repayments and completed housing‑rehab project balances from 2019–2022 were redirected to Little League Boulevard and Elm Park depending on year and availability.

Finance committee members confirmed the amendments at committee and explained the difference between a substantial amendment (which requires additional advertising/public hearing) and a minor amendment (which may be approved by council without an additional public hearing because it moves funds between existing activities rather than creating or eliminating an activity). Council voted to approve the amendments; the record shows the motion passed 7–0.

Why it matters: reallocating unspent CDBG/HOME dollars and HUD monitoring repayments allows the city to accelerate visible park and recreation and neighborhood street projects rather than leave funds idle. Schroeder emphasized that minor amendments do not create new activities, eliminate activities or involve program income; they shift funds between existing, active projects.

No changes to project scope beyond the described reallocations were adopted at the meeting.