Livingston planning commission backs CDBG application, prioritizes water projects and housing programs

On March 3, 2026, the Livingston Planning Commission voted 3-0 to recommend that the City Council apply for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds using the state’s option to submit one capital project, one program and one public‑service or planning activity. Commissioner Steve Bassi moved the recommendation and Vice Chair Jose Flores seconded; the motion passed on a roll call vote.

Contract city planner Miguel Galvez told the commission the state issued a Notice of Funding Availability and set an April 3, 2026 application deadline. Galvez said the state designated approximately $27,000,000 for non‑entitled jurisdictions statewide and described the allowable activity mixes and funding caps, noting planning and public‑service applications are generally capped at $300,000 and program requests may be up to $1,500,000. (Staff cited both $3.3 million and $3.6 million figures during the presentation for maximum awards to a jurisdiction; staff emphasized applications must demonstrate project readiness and meet federal environmental review requirements.)

The commission recommended the application prioritize a single capital project focused on water, sewer and storm‑drain infrastructure, with parks as a secondary project priority. "If we can fund improvements to our water delivery system — whether treatment, new wells or storage — that should be the priority," Vice Chair Jose Flores said, urging readiness for environmental and bid specifications before application.

For the program slot, commissioners agreed housing‑related programs should be the top choice, specifically homeownership assistance, housing rehabilitation and housing counseling, with microenterprise assistance listed as an economic‑development backup. "A housing rehabilitation program could be implemented quickly by partnering with experienced nonprofit administrators," Miguel Galvez said; he added that some activities such as direct rental assistance may be ineligible under CDBG rules and that projects should not supplant existing committed funding.

Under the planning/public‑service category, the commission prioritized master planning for water, sewer and storm drainage and feasibility studies for future improvements, and suggested public services focused on crime prevention and recreation. The body instructed staff to relay the planning commission’s recommendations to the city manager and to the consultant assembling the state application.

The commission’s recommendation is advisory; the City Council will consider the formal application and final program selection at its next meeting. Galvez said the state likely would award funds later in 2026 and any awarded project would proceed once federal and state environmental and procurement requirements are satisfied.