Tuscaloosa committee reallocates CDBG funds, adds $100,000 to Habitat rehab contract and tables project awards to next Projects Committee meeting

The Tuscaloosa City Projects Committee approved moving an unused Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program allocation from program year 2023 into the CDBG program for program year 2024 and voted to add $100,000 to Habitat for Humanity’s existing rehabilitation contract.

Committee members also discussed a requested amendment to the city’s 2023 Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding to de-obligate Turning Point’s contract and reallocate those funds to Temporary Emergency Services; committee discussion recorded the request and a motion and second but did not include a recorded final vote on that item in the transcript.

Why it matters: CDBG and ESG funds support local housing rehabilitation, business and community projects, and emergency services. Committee choices determine which applicants receive city-allocated grants and how existing contracts with nonprofit providers are adjusted.

Committee action and immediate outcomes

- Reallocation of PY2023 CDBG to PY2024: Committee staff described a request to cancel a PY2023 CDBG program allocation and reallocate those funds into the PY2024 CDBG program. A motion to authorize the reallocation was moved and seconded and passed on an oral vote.

- Habitat for Humanity contract amendment: The committee approved an amendment to Habitat for Humanity’s rehabilitation contract to add $100,000. A motion was made, seconded and passed by oral vote.

- Turning Point / ESG request: Staff reported that Turning Point’s executive director asked to de-obligate their 2023 ESG contract so the funds could be given to Temporary Emergency Services. The transcript records a motion and a second on that amendment but does not record an explicit vote outcome.

- Springer Estates recognition: Staff announced that the city and the Housing Authority received the Audrey Nelson Award from the National Community Development Association for the Springer Estates project, describing the combined investment as about $7,300,000 between the city and the Housing Authority.

Project selection process and scheduling

Committee members spent substantial time on procedures for ranking and awarding a separate pool of CDBG-funded projects. Staff told the committee one application (listed as number 22) had dropped out and that 33 applications remained; members confirmed applicants were present to answer questions but not required to present.

Members agreed to collect each council member’s ranked preferences and asked staff (identified in the discussion as Brandon and Liz) to tabulate the results. Because the city’s publication and advertising rules require a one-week lead time for items moving from committee to full council, the committee voted to table final award decisions and move the discussion to the Projects Committee meeting scheduled for the 20th at 2:30 p.m. That motion to table and re-notice the item passed by oral vote.

What staff and members said

A staff member summarized the application pool and compliance review, saying the committee had a “handy cheat sheet” and that all remaining applications met program intent. Council President Tanner and Councilor Lanier both discussed districts and priority lists; several councilors said they had prepared “top 10” preference lists and asked staff to tally them for the next committee meeting. One applicant named in the transcript, Thomas Ribshack, requested $55,000 in assistance.

Next steps and timeline

The committee instructed councilors to submit preference lists to Brandon and Liz so staff can produce a consolidated recommendation. If the committee issues a final recommendation at the Projects Committee meeting, staff said the item could be published a week in advance and proceed to full council for a final vote during the next council meeting cycle.

Details the transcript does not specify

The transcript does not record the exact vote counts for all motions, full names for some staff and council members, nor a final vote on the Turning Point/ESG amendment. The committee discussion indicated publication timing and next meeting logistics but did not specify calendar dates beyond the reference to the 20th and the 2:30 p.m. meeting time.

Ending

The committee adjourned after tabling the project awards to the Projects Committee meeting on the 20th at 2:30 p.m.; staff will return with a consolidated tally of council preferences and draft award amounts for committee consideration before any final council vote.