Newark advisory panel backs using CDBG funds for ADA park repairs, continues minor home-repair loans

The Newark Community Development Advisory Commission reviewed the city’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) status report and voted to recommend the City Council allocate jurisdictional improvement funds to citywide Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and pathway repairs, the commission's staff said.

The recommendation centers on using an anticipated $144,551 in jurisdictional improvement funds, combined with next year’s CDBG allocation, to address tripping hazards and ADA accessibility at Mayhew’s Landing Park, Civic Center Park and Community Center Park, staff said. Commissioners also discussed the minor home-repair loan program that provides small loans to low-income homeowners for essential repairs.

Michael Kuhlmeier, Newark’s housing policy and programs manager, presented the CDBG status report and the proposed scope of work. He told the committee the city participates in an “urban county” arrangement with Albany, Piedmont, Dublin and Emeryville and that Alameda County administers the CDBG funds on Newark’s behalf. Kuhlmeier said the city’s available amounts for fiscal year 2025–26 were not yet known but staff expects funding similar to last year.

Kuhlmeier and Deputy Community Development Director Art Interiano summarized recent work paid with CDBG jurisdictional improvement funds. Recent projects included 2-inch grind-and-overlay resurfacing of basketball courts at Ash Street Park and Birchgrove Park, new five-foot sidewalks at Ash Street Park, repair and resealing of paths at Lakeshore Park, and resurfacing and restriping of parking lots. Staff said these projects reduced tripping hazards and improved path connectivity.

On program numbers, staff reported the city received $112,854 in program income over the last 10 years and noted a large prior-year program income spike of $322,906. For the minor home-repair program, the city completed 15 repairs in fiscal year 2023–24 (the most since 2016–17); from July 1, 2024, through Dec. 1, 2024, staff said four repairs were completed and two were scheduled. Kuhlmeier clarified those counts refer to loans made to homeowners, not city crews performing repairs.

Commissioners asked how homeowners apply for the minor home-repair funds; staff directed residents to housing@NewarkCA.gov and the county portal linked from the city housing webpage for application information. Commissioners also raised a timing request to prioritize corrective work at Community Center Park before the city’s Newark Days event; staff said full replacement of the pathway was not currently funded but described two faster options: (1) engaging the city’s on-call contractor Precision Concrete Cutting for a targeted cut-and-patch to address immediate trip hazards, or (2) adding the work as a change order to the annual slurry-seal/paving contractor’s dig-out work if that project proceeds in time.

Staff recommended a two-year funding approach that combines two fiscal years of CDBG jurisdictional improvement funds to produce projects large enough to implement effectively. Staff said CDBG funds typically become available in late summer (around September) after county processing, so construction could begin in late 2026 or early 2027 depending on scheduling and procurement timelines. Commissioners noted seasonal limits on asphalt work and asked staff to coordinate timing with public works and paving contractors.

The commission voted, by unanimous voice vote, to accept the CDBG status report and recommend that the city council allocate jurisdictional improvement funds toward citywide ADA compliance improvements. The committee also unanimously approved the meeting minutes earlier in the session.

Staff said they will follow up on outstanding questions: the status of the restroom at Lakeshore Park (staff to check with public works) and distribution options for information on the home-repair loan application for seniors without internet access.