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CC - CONSENT ITEM: (1) Approval of the Community Block Grant Fund Allocation for Fiscal Year 2026/2027; and (2) Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the Filing of the Application for CDBG Funding.
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Meeting Date: November 10, 2025
Contact Person/Dept: David Nauta/ Public Works Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-5606
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [ ] General Fund: Yes [ ] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No [ ]
Public Notification: Posted at City Hall (10/08/2025); E-Mail: Meetings and Agendas - City Council (11/06/2025)
Dept Approval: Yanni Demitri, Public Works Director/ City Engineer (10/23/2025)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) approve allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for Fiscal Year 2026/2027; and (2) adopt a resolution authorizing the filing of the Fiscal Year 2026/2027 application for funding from the CDBG program.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
CDBG funding for Fiscal Year 2026/2027 is anticipated to be approximately $165,292 per Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA). The actual amount of the Fiscal Year 2026/2027 funding will be determined by LACDA in March 2026 after remittance of the City’s CDBG application and can deviate from 2-3% dependent on the final allocation from the Federal Department Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
In order to receive CDBG funds, participating cities must enter a Cooperation Agreement with the County every three years. The agreement states that cities will participate in receiving a percentage of the County’s allocation of the CDBG funds. Culver City last signed a three-year Cooperative Agreement in 2023, and the agreement automatically renews for another three-year term.
CDBG policy allows for up to 15% of the total available CDBG funds to be allocated for funding salaries of eligible public service staff positions. The Recreation & Community Services Coordinator (the former Disability and Social Services Specialist) position in the Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department has been partially funded with CDBG funds for more than thirty years.
The remaining funds must be used for eligible capital improvement projects. Due to the CBDG program requirements and Culver City’s demographics, eligible capital improvement projects are limited to projects serving the elderly and disabled, such as sidewalk and curb ramp repairs to meet compliance requirements of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA). Funds therefore may be used for the City’s ADA Transition Plan and similar ADA-compliance projects, but not to construct playgrounds, recreational facilities or to fund after-school programs for youths from income-eligible families.
Staff recommends that the City Council allocate available CDBG funding for Fiscal Year 2026/2027 in the order prioritized below. The City’s Public Works Department and Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department support these recommendations.
Ongoing Social Service Project:
Priority No. 1: Recreation & Community Services Coordinator Salary ($24,793.80)
The Recreation & Community Services Coordinator position in the Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department has been partially funded with CDBG funds for the past 33 years. This staff member assists residents with disabilities by identifying, implementing, conducting, and facilitating available community resources and services. Funding this staff position to the maximum amount allowed by CDBG rules is supported and recommended by the Culver City Disability Advisory Committee and the Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department.
Staff recommends that if the actual CDBG funding amount is more or less than the amount anticipated, the maximum permissible amount (15% of the total annual CBDG funds) shall be allocated to this position. The remaining amount shall be allocated to the capital improvement projects (CIP).
Proposed Capital Improvement Projects:
Priority No. 2: ADA Sidewalk Repair Project ($140,498.20)
The City is required to maintain city sidewalks in compliance with current ADA standards. This proposed project will repair broken and uplifted sidewalks at various locations throughout the city, targeting major street sidewalks in neighborhoods with senior living facilities.
The total estimated project cost will be funded via CDBG funds and City General Funds as needed.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
If approved, the CDBG funding will be included in the budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. Additional funding necessary for the Recreation & Community Services staff position and capital improvement projects will be supplemented by the General Fund.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2025-11-10-ATT 1_Proposed Resolution authorizing City's Fiscal Year 2026-2027 CDBG Application.
2. 2025-11-10-ATT 2_2026 Cooperation Agreement.
MOTION
That the City Council:
1. Approve funding for the proposed Fiscal Year 2026/2027 CDBG projects;
2. Adopt a resolution authorizing the filing of the Fiscal Year 2026/2027 application for funding from the CDBG Program, including all certifications;
3. Designate the City Manager as the authorizing City official to execute and file all documents pertaining to the CDBG program, including making minor adjustments to project funding to address the actual Fiscal Year 2026/2027 CDBG allocation;
4. Authorize the City Attorney to review/ prepare any necessary documents; and
5. Authorize the City Manager to execute such documents on behalf of the City.