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Council opens 30-day public comment and approves CDBG-CV amendment to shift funds to senior services and Meals on Wheels
Summary
Paradise Town Council approved a substantial amendment to its CDBG-CV plan on Dec. 10 and opened a 30-day public comment period to shift underused emergency rental-assistance funds to public services targeted at seniors and disabled residents, including reimbursements to Meals on Wheels and a neighbor-to-neighbor program.
Paradise Town Council on Dec. 10 approved a substantial amendment to the town’s Community Development Block Grant — Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) plan and opened a 30-day public comment period to reallocate underspent emergency rental assistance funds toward targeted public services for seniors and disabled residents.
Melanie (staff) told council that the town’s earlier emergency rental assistance activity had very low uptake because HUD’s income-verification rules and program requirements made it difficult for local residents to qualify. The amendment would shift that allocation into public-service activities that do not require household income verification when the program serves seniors or disabled residents, staff said.
Key elements of the proposed amendment - Reimbursements to Chico Meals on Wheels specifically for costs incurred serving Paradise residents. Paradise Meals on Wheels no longer exists as a separate entity; Chico Meals on Wheels provides the service in the Paradise area. - A neighbor-to-neighbor grant to the Paradise Recreation and Park District to expand senior and disabled services and leverage state grant funding. - Staff said the funds originate from HUD and must be used according to its CDBG-CV program rules; if unspent within HUD’s timeline the funds must be returned to HUD.
Council discussion and public comment Council members pressed staff on how the activities tie to COVID-19 program eligibility. One council member noted a 2023 U.S. Surgeon General report linking social connection to health outcomes and questioned whether programs that reduce social isolation could reasonably be funded under CDBG-CV; staff replied that Parks & Rec programs targeting seniors and disabled residents meet HUD’s requirement because the beneficiaries are presumed low- and moderate-income by virtue of program eligibility and therefore avoid the burdensome income-verification process for other activities.
No members of the public submitted cards during the hearing on this item.
Roll-call vote Council voted to approve the substantial amendment and open the 30-day public comment period. The roll-call recorded one dissenting vote by Council member Cullerton; other council members voted in favor and the motion passed.
What happens next The town will publish the amendment and take public comments for 30 days; any comments will be attached to the amendment when it is submitted to HUD by the town. HUD/HCD will then determine whether to approve the amendment and the revised use of CDBG-CV funds.
Ending Council members and staff said they will continue to communicate with HUD about permissible uses and to pursue outreach that helps eligible residents access any programs that remain available under the amended plan.
