Monterey planning commission recommends FY2026–27 CDBG action plan after staff deletes controversial language

On April 14, 2026, the City of Monterey Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend the draft fiscal year 2026–27 annual action plan for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to the City Council and to authorize submittal to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, with staff‑recommended edits read into the record.

Planning Manager Levi Hill told the commission that staff proposed deleting four paragraphs in the plan’s executive summary and replacing them with a single line: "The city will comply with all applicable state and federal laws." HCD Coordinator Jacob Verania summarized the staff recommendation that the commission conduct the public hearing, receive comment and adopt a resolution recommending council approval and HUD submittal.

The plan documents the city’s intended use of entitlement and program income to meet CDBG objectives — affordable housing, a suitable living environment and economic opportunity. Consultant Veronica Tam explained the process and funding context, saying the city’s FY26–27 entitlement is $242,267 and that program income, which fluctuates, could add as much as about $1,200,000 and would affect how many backup projects can be activated. Tam also noted federal caps: public services are limited to 15% of the grant and administration/planning funding is generally capped at about 20%.

Because the HUD allocation released in April was roughly $8,000 less than anticipated, staff recommended reducing one public service award, trimming Meals on Wheels from $50,000 to $42,000 to keep the public‑services total within the 15% cap and reserving the option of proportional adjustments if further reductions are necessary.

Members of the public spoke in favor of the executive‑summary change. Dr. Dawn Ray Davis, a professor of gender and women’s studies, said she did not have the packet pages in front of her but welcomed the revision and added that "trans and non‑binary people are under assault in this nation right now" and that the staff change was "a wonderful change." Mel Zaragoza, representing Monterey Peninsula Bridal, called the original language "shocking" and said the revision better reflects the city’s values and its downtown parade that celebrates LGBTQ identities. Corina McKinley cited research on housing vulnerability for transgender people and urged protections for that population.

Hearing and staff discussion also covered which agencies applied through the notice of funding availability. Jacob Verania said some agencies that received funds in prior years did not reapply; Victory Mission, a newer Salinas‑based shelter that coordinates with local partners, applied and was recommended to receive funding that would also benefit Monterey residents.

A commissioner moved to recommend the draft plan to the City Council "with the revisions as read into the record by staff." The motion passed on a 5–0 roll‑call vote (Vice Chair Latasa and Commissioners Bluth, Freeman, Palmer and Stoker). The City Council will receive the recommendation and the final action plan is scheduled for submittal to HUD by May 15, 2026, pending council action.

The commission’s recommendation and the materials in the staff packet note backup projects that could be activated if program income is higher than estimated — including public facilities, infrastructure improvements and housing rehab — so final allocations may change if additional funds materialize.