Livingston planning commission backs single-project application approach for state CDBG funding, prioritizes water and sewer

The Livingston Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend the city pursue a combination of one capital project, one program and one public service or planning activity in its application for state Community Development Block Grant funding.

Miguel Galvez, contract city planner for the City of Livingston, told the commission the state issued a notice of funding availability and that applications are due April 3, 2026. “Applications be turned in by April 3,” Galvez said, and he urged commissioners to identify which mix of project, program and public service the city should pursue so staff can coordinate with the city manager and a consultant preparing the application.

Why it matters: the state has set aside money for nonentitlement jurisdictions and Galvez said jurisdictions must compete for the award. He described CDBG program rules and national objectives — funds must typically benefit low- and moderate-income persons, address blight or meet urgent needs — and said capital projects must be “bid-ready” and complete required environmental review (including federal NEPA and state CEQA where applicable) at the time of application.

Galvez described the scale and types of eligible uses: capital infrastructure such as water, sewer, streets and parks; housing programs like rehabilitation or down-payment assistance; and public services often delivered by local nonprofits. He said the state has made roughly $27 million available overall and noted per-jurisdiction caps and sublimits for program and planning applications. (Transcript references to maximum amounts were inconsistent: Galvez first referred to a $3,300,000 cap for a single capital project and later described a $3,600,000 jurisdictional total set-aside; the commission requested clarification.)

Discussion and vote: Commissioners asked whether identified water-storage and treatment projects already have committed funding and whether CDBG would supplant existing money. Galvez advised CDBG typically funds projects without existing committed financing and reiterated the readiness requirement. The commission discussed three permitted combination types and reached consensus on the first option — one project, one program, one public service/planning application. A motion to endorse that combination passed on a roll call vote of 3-0 (Mohinder Khanda — yes; Commissioner Steve Massey — yes; Vice Chair Jose Flores — yes).

Priorities and next steps: Commissioners signaled a priority for water-related projects, followed by sewer, storm drainage and parks, reflecting results from a recent public workshop. Staff asked commissioners to identify a specific project, program and public service to include in the application; Galvez said the City Council will consider the Planning Commission’s recommendations at its March 17 meeting and that the city manager is working with consultant Paul Ashby to assemble the application.

A separate motion to formalize the project-priority order (water, sewer, storm drainage, parks) was made and seconded, but the meeting recessed for technical difficulties before a recorded final vote on that motion appeared in the transcript. The hearing record also notes the City Council previously received a Feb. 13, 2026 letter from Michael Gallo Ranches seeking a general plan amendment; Galvez indicated he attached a staff report and would discuss that matter under the director’s report.

The Planning Commission’s recommendations will be transmitted to the City Council for consideration and possible inclusion in the city’s state CDBG application. The application deadline to the state is April 3, 2026.