Lincoln Park council approves $778,236 CDBG budget, directs funds to public services and parks; gives readings on short‑term rental ban

Lincoln Park City Council adopted the city—s 2025–26 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) annual program budget of $778,236 at its July 14 meeting, approving a package of public‑service awards and infrastructure allocations that the city said are intended to support hunger relief, workforce services, senior outreach, public safety efforts and park repairs.

Monique Guerrero, the city—s community development and planning director, said the allocation comes from HUD and that staff recommended spreading funds across programs to reach a wide range of needs. "This year—s allocation is $778,236 from HUD," Guerrero said, reading the proposed awards to council.

The recommended public‑service awards included: Blessed Hope, $10,000 for pantry and meal distribution for residents experiencing housing insecurity; Downriver Community Development, $14,000 for job readiness and placement; City of Hope Lincoln Park, $5,000 for senior outreach and resource navigation; Guidance Center, $10,000 for behavioral and mental health services; Saint Michael—s blessing box, $9,000 for food access and meals for children; and Senior Alliance, $2,900 for in‑home supportive services coordinated with the state Medicaid program. Infrastructure and capital items recommended in the action plan included $43,000 to the fire department for equipment (thermal imaging, smoke/CO detectors), $88,000 (current) and $120,000 (future) to streets and utilities work, and $280,000 for parks and recreation improvements (including work at Gregory Park basketball court). The resolution lists the total allocation as $778,236.

Council members questioned several elements during the public hearing and discussion. One member asked when the Gregory Park basketball‑court work would move forward; Guerrero said the city is still collecting contractor quotes and evaluating options, and that the CDBG amount would be a portion of a larger set of repairs. Another council member noted that the Senior Alliance award of $2,900 was substantially smaller than previous years and raised whether the department should adjust amounts; Guerrero replied that new applicants allowed staff to spread funds across more programs this year.

After brief discussion the council approved the CDBG program budget by roll call. The council also discussed several other agenda items and formal actions at the meeting, including an ordinance amendment on short‑term rentals, a resolution authorizing drinking water state revolving fund loans, authorization of special event permits and the auction or sale of multiple pieces of Department of Public Services equipment. Those actions are summarized below.

Votes at a glance

- CDBG 2025–26 annual action plan and budget: Approved. Motion: "Resolve that the 2025–26 Community Development Block Grant program budget be approved as follows" (documented allocations listed). Roll call showed council approval; total allocation $778,236.

- Ordinance to more clearly prohibit lodging houses/short‑term rentals in single‑family residential districts: First and second readings given; council moved to amend the draft to add a requirement that boarding houses "comply with all requirements for dwellings." The amendment was approved by roll call and will be incorporated before the ordinance returns for final action.

- Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan ordinance: Adopted by title as submitted (motion carried by roll call).

- Exchange Club: Special event permit (Lincoln Park Days) approved. Council debated reducing cost recovery fees and whether to waive meter deposits and how overtime manpower would be documented; the permit resolution as amended was approved by roll call.

- Surplus equipment (multiple DPS vehicles and pieces of paving equipment): Council authorized the Department of Public Services to auction or scrap several units the city identified as nonfunctional or not in use, including a 2009 Ford F‑750 (spreader/plow M64), a 2003 Ford F‑550 (spreader/plow M55), a 2019 asphalt recycler trailer (M58), and a 2016 Vortex spray patcher (M160). Separate roll‑call votes approved the auctions.

Why it matters

CDBG funds are federal dollars administered by HUD and routed through the city—s annual action plan; council adoption allows the city to submit its plan to HUD and to proceed with contracts and project implementation. The budget sets aside money for neighborhood streets and parks at a time when the council and residents have expressed frustration about paving and restoration work. Council members— questions about project timing, contractor quotes and the small senior services award reflect implementation concerns staff said they will continue to address during follow‑up.

What—s next

Guerrero and city staff said they will proceed with grant administration and execute agreements with successful applicants. Council asked staff to provide more detail offline on the parks spending plan and the timing for the Gregory Park court work. The short‑term rental ordinance will return after staff and the planning consultant incorporate the amendment language and any further edits required before final adoption.

(Reporting note: amounts and program names above follow allocations read into the record by Monique Guerrero, community development and planning director. Council roll‑call votes are recorded in the meeting transcript.)