Council opens CDBG public hearing on $504,237 draft budget, staff proposes housing rehab and public‑service grants

City officials opened a public hearing April 1 on the draft Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) action plan for program year 2025–2026, which staff estimated at $504,237 in total funds.

“Right now we are estimating an allocation of $454,237 and about $50,000 in program income, for a total budget of $504,237,” said Chris Klimechak, the city’s community development manager. Klimechak said the draft includes roughly $280,000 proposed for the city’s housing rehabilitation program and $73,000 set aside for public‑service grants (including proposed $12,500 awards to Fish and Loaves, The Guidance Center and the Senior Alliance). He described the plan as a first draft and said the city will receive a final federal allocation in May and adjust line items accordingly.

Klimechak explained that public‑service awards are capped under federal rules and that tree‑planting would be targeted to low‑ and moderate‑income eligible areas and put out to public bid. “Those projects would have to be bid out under federal procurement standards,” he said, noting coordination with the Department of Public Works.

Members of the public asked for details on where street tree plantings would occur and whether the trees would come from the parks department. Klimechak answered that planting would be limited to low/mod areas, coordinated with DPW, and awarded to the low bidder.

The council voted to open a 30‑day public comment period; residents were invited to submit suggestions by phone, email or appointment. The hearing will return to the council later in May for final action once HUD’s allocation is confirmed.

Provenance: topicintro SEG 310, topfinish SEG 499.