Community Development board approves staff funding plan, moves $270,000 to Liberty Park renovation

The Palm Bay Community Development Advisory Board on Feb. 19 approved staff funding recommendations for the city's estimated 2025–26 CDBG and HOME allocations, and approved a substantial amendment that would cancel a San Filippo Boulevard sidewalk project and reallocate $270,002.66 to Liberty Park Phase 2.

The board voted to accept staff's recommended distribution of an estimated $116,004.96 for public services and the staff-recommended HOME/CDBG line items. The motion included direction that if HUD later adjusts the city's allocation upward or downward, staff may administratively apply any additional funds to the Palm Bay bus voucher program.

Why it matters: the approvals let staff finalize grant applications and environmental review work so projects and subrecipients can begin contracting if HUD confirms funding. The substantial amendment specifically repurposes money from a sidewalk project the city found ineligible based on updated census data and instead funds additional park renovations at Liberty Park.

Staff said the board is voting against a still-estimated HUD award and that total figures will change when HUD issues its official allocations. "We're using the same number ... we usually get the confirmation of what our funding recommendation numbers are going to be in May," said Miss Carter, Community Development staff, explaining the recommendation was based on last year's award and will be adjusted if HUD revises the amount.

On the substantial amendment, staff said updated census-tract data showed the San Filippo sidewalk project no longer met the CDBG low- and moderate-income area test (projects must primarily benefit areas that are at least 51 percent low- and moderate-income). Staff recommended cancelling the San Filippo Boulevard from Wichita to Eldron sidewalk project and transferring the funds to Liberty Park Phase 2, where the scope includes full renovation of two restroom buildings, sunshades for bleachers, new outfield fencing and concrete sidewalks.

Board members discussed tradeoffs of funding more organizations at smaller amounts vs. concentrating funds to reduce monitoring burden. One member noted the "zero-sum" nature of the allocation: increases for one awardee require decreases for another. Another board member cautioned that funding many small grants creates more monitoring work for staff.

The board also approved staff recommendations for capital improvements (Victoria Playground sunshade structure, Liberty Dugout project, and Driscoll restrooms/doors), program administration/fair housing/housing services line items, and the city's HOME recommendations (Community of Hope was the sole HOME applicant). For HOME, staff said the city had $170,004.25 available to award locally and that Community of Hope requested approximately $294,007.55; the staff recommendation reflects the city's available balance and CHDO set-aside as described in the packet.

Board members asked about contingency plans if an awarded subrecipient cannot use the money; staff said they first try to resolve documentation or administrative problems with organizations and, only if that fails, would the city terminate an award. Staff also said if HUD revises the award total, staff has authority to apply changes among the already-approved organizations per the board's direction.

On staffing, the board approved a technical amendment that changes an originally proposed full-time housing rehab inspector position to a delivery-cost line that may be filled by an existing city employee or contracted out. Staff said the city manager's office directed a pause on creating new full-time positions this fiscal year, so the amendment preserves the project funding but allows delivery through contract or assignment to another department.

The board approved the package by motion; the meeting record shows at least one member voted "nay" on one motion but the motions passed and staff may proceed to present the adopted items to city council and submit required materials to HUD during the public comment period.

Looking ahead: staff plans to send the substantial amendment and the annual action plans to city council on April 3 and then submit the package to HUD after the public comment period closes.