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Northglenn council directs staff to split CDBG surplus between Odell Berry Park and food banks
Summary
Council instructed staff to pursue option B: proceed with Odell Berry Park funding and allocate up to $189,000 of surplus CDBG funds for prequalified food banks, with Adams County administering eligibility and disbursement; staff warned funds won’t be available until Oct. 2026 and that reducing park match could risk other grants.
Northglenn — After discussion at its Dec. 1 meeting, the City Council directed staff to pursue a hybrid approach for surplus Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds that balances park construction and food‑assistance needs.
Brooks Svoboda, Director of Planning and Development, said Adams County rules limit allocations and that some funds from 2023 were unspent; combining those with fiscal‑year 2026 funding would allow the city to make a meaningful allocation. Staff presented options: (A) allocate up to $293,000 to food banks; (B) fund both Odell Berry Park and allocate up to $189,000 to food banks; or (C) a different mix. Council members voiced support for option B, describing it as a compromise that preserves momentum on the park project while helping food‑assistance programs.
Director of Parks (Director Peterson) warned of timing and matching risks: some grant sources supporting the park (notably Great Outdoors Colorado and the Land and Water Conservation Fund) have expenditure windows (about 2½ to 3 years) and delaying the park or reducing its local match could jeopardize roughly $420,000 in other grant funds if the city reduces the planned $700,000 local match. Peterson also said Adams County staff would administer the application and qualification process for food‑bank grantees, which includes capacity and 501(c)(3) screening; city staff would not be expected to administer that program.
Council members noted the practical limits: even if approved, Adams County’s process means funds would not become available until roughly October 2026, so the allocation would not address immediate food‑bank needs this winter. Council members nonetheless favored option B to preserve grants and support local nonprofits, and directed staff to prepare the resolution and next steps to transmit the city’s request to Adams County for amendment and administration.
What happens next: Staff will work with Adams County to draft the necessary resolution and program guidance, notify and help prequalify potential nonprofit applicants as appropriate, and return to council with implementation steps. Council emphasized equity and that Adams County will determine distribution among applicant food banks.
