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Council delays CRA transfer of CDBG funds for Blue Line entrance pending committee review
Summary
Councilmembers requested a one-day continuance and an amendment requiring Community Redevelopment Agency allocations of CDBG funds for a cultural entrance and parking facility to return to committee before expenditure, citing a need for clearer CRA work plans and to meet MTA grant deadlines.
The Los Angeles City Council continued two related agenda items and directed that certain Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) expenditures of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds come back to committee before funds are spent.
A member of the public raised concerns that the CRA proposed transferring CDBG funds away from previously designated projects to pay for a cultural "crescent" Blue Line entrance and parking facility and questioned how the change fit into the CRA's overall redevelopment plan. The commenter asked for clearer documentation on project design, funding sources and how CDBG money was being moved among line items.
Councilmember Pacheco offered an amendment that would fund the projects to meet the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) grant deadline but require that the CRA return to committee for approval before expending the funds. Councilmember Hernandez said he wanted additional information from CRA about its use of CDBG funds and a work plan for the agency's projects. Councilmembers agreed to a one-day continuance so CRA staff could meet with offices and clarify the source and intended use of the CDBG funds.
Council direction: CRA staff will meet with Councilmember Hernandez's office and provide a work plan and explanation of CDBG sources; items 23 and 24 were continued one day and will return to committee with the requested documentation.
Clarifying figures noted in the discussion: $179,000 was cited for the Blue Line entrance project; an additional $346,000 in MTA grant funds was referenced in CRA materials. Council also discussed that funds were being reallocated from items described as "community marketplace," "Grand Oasis Center," and "response to development opportunities."
