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Council hears plan to reallocate leftover CDBG‑CV funds, broaden eligible projects in 2025–29 consolidated plan
Summary
City staff proposed substantial amendments to CDBG/CDBG‑CV and the 2025–2029 consolidated plan to add eligible public‑facility categories and reprogram unspent COVID era funds for Lowden Park; council opened a public comment period through April 17.
Rono City staff presented two substantial amendments on April 6 to the city's HUD entitlement programs and the 2025–2029 consolidated plan. The proposed changes would reprogram roughly $113,000 of unspent CDBG‑CV (2019 CARES era) funds toward Lowden Park renovations and expand eligible project categories in the five‑year consolidated plan to include water, sewer, stormwater, traffic calming, fire equipment and broader public‑facility improvements.
Housing Programs Officer Desi Winters said the changes are intended to accelerate spending on projects that are shovel‑ready and eligible under HUD rules and to reflect programmatic needs identified since the plan was adopted. Winters told council staff conducted a 30‑day public comment period that continues through April 17 and emphasized multiple access points for public review and comment (city hall display, interpreter services and in‑person staff meetings).
Councilmembers probed the proposal's relationship to target‑area funds, specifically funds tied to the Belmont‑Fallon target area, which residents have expected to see expended locally. Winters and staff said they are auditing prior allocations and working to ensure Belmont‑Fallon commitments are advanced before allocating leftover funds elsewhere; staff estimated approximately $1.2M of previously uncommitted funds may require reassessment and programming.
Council directed staff to continue outreach and to return with any proposed project lists following the public comment window. The amendments are administrative (substantial amendments under HUD rules) but require council approval after the public notice period.
