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Glendale reprograms $57,967 in CDBG funds to complete Elk Mini Park playground
Summary
The city and housing authority approved reprogramming $57,967 in undesignated CDBG funds to finish Elk Mini Park’s phase-two playground items after staff said the move protected funds from HUD recapture and helped meet timeliness requirements.
The Glendale City Council and Glendale Housing Authority voted unanimously on June 9 to reprogram $57,967 in undesignated CDBG fund balance from program years 2020–2021 to the Elk Mini Park playground replacement project, funding phase-two items such as drinking fountains, benches, trash receptacles, bike racks and landscaping.
Community Services and Parks staff said phase one of the project — removal of the old playground and installation of new play equipment, shade canopies, landscaping and signage — is already in construction and that reprogramming the undesignated fund balance avoids the risk of HUD recapture because CDBG funds from 2020–2021 approach HUD’s seven-year performance deadline. Staff also noted that keeping the city’s CDBG timeliness ratio within HUD limits helps prevent potential reductions in future entitlement allocations.
A council member asked whether related pedestrian links — including a tunnel under the freeway connecting the Pioneer affordable housing project and the park — had been considered. Teresa Alexian, assistant director of Community Services and Parks, said the Library Arts & Culture Department has an RFP for public-art/lighting concepts to brighten the tunnel and that she would follow up with more interdepartmental coordination with Public Works and GWP.
During public comment, Herbert Molano urged the city to fund an annual quality-of-life report (he suggested $50,000) to better identify community needs and proposed using existing partnerships such as the YMCA Well-being Collaborative to expand resident access to pools and recreation as an alternative to building new parkland.
After brief discussion, council and authority members moved, seconded and approved the reprogramming appropriation by unanimous roll call. Staff said the funds would be executed through the city manager or designate and that construction and procurement steps will continue to complete the playground work this summer.
