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Bellflower Council reallocates about $407,000 in CDBG‑CV funds to redesign Friendship Plaza sidewalk area
Summary
The Bellflower City Council on May 27 approved a resolution to reprogram remaining Community Development Block Grant–Coronavirus (CDBG‑CV) funds — roughly $407,000 — to redesign the Friendship Plaza sidewalk and fountain area to expand seating and enable social distancing; staff will return with 2–3 design concepts.
On May 27 the Bellflower City Council voted to adopt Resolution No. 25‑21 to reprogram remaining Community Development Block Grant–Coronavirus (CDBG‑CV) funds for redesign of the public sidewalk area at Friendship Plaza to support social distancing.
The reprogramming uses roughly $407,000 in unused CDBG‑CV funds, staff said. "The funds are approximately $407,000 and direction was given at the last council meeting for staff to program those to redesign the Friendship Plaza area and the fountain area for social distancing," a staff member told the council. Mayor Dutton and Council Member Wendy Morris recused themselves from the item because of property‑interest conflicts; Mayor Pro Tem Sonny Santaynes presided over the item and the motion passed on a roll call of the members present.
Why it matters: the funds are time‑limited federal CDBG‑CV dollars tied to the city’s FY 2020–2021 annual action plan. Staff said the intent is to remove or alter the fountain area, expand the public seating and gathering space, and incorporate features to make the plaza consistent with social‑distancing guidance used during the COVID pandemic. The council directed staff to hire a designer and return with two or three concepts for further council review.
Council and staff described likely amenities as benches spaced to meet the six‑foot guidance, hand‑sanitizing stations and typical plaza hardscape, and possibly drinking fountains. "We're gonna actually work with a designer to come up with some of those concepts. We'll bring two or three of those back to you for consideration at a later date," the staff member said. Staff also noted the project should be coordinated visually and functionally with a separate rehabilitation planned in the capital improvement plan for adjacent Pirate Park, though the two projects would be executed separately.
Motion and vote: Council Member Sanchez moved to adopt Resolution No. 25‑21; Council Member Coops seconded. The roll call taken while two members were recused recorded aye votes from Council Member Sanchez, Council Member Coops and Mayor Pro Tem Santaynes. The motion carried and staff was authorized to proceed with the reprogramming and design work.
Next steps: staff said it will develop and return with concept options promptly because there is a time limit on expenditure of the CDBG‑CV funds. The council did not specify a construction schedule or contract award at the May 27 meeting.
No litigation, permit approvals or specific construction contractors were named in the council action. Staff said additional details — including the designer’s concepts and a proposed schedule — will come back to council for further approval.
