Council approves $750,000 CDBG amendment and awards ADA improvements contract

The Newport Beach City Council unanimously approved a substantial amendment to its 2025–26 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) annual action plan on Feb. 24, reallocating $750,000 of carried-forward and current-year CDBG funds to a citywide ADA improvements project.

Lauren Whittlinger (staff) summarized the 5-year consolidated plan and said Public Works identified more than 100 locations with ADA nonconformance (sidewalks, curbs, gutters and driveway ramps). The amendment would assemble funds from prior years and the current grant year to allow the city to program and spend $750,000 on accessible public infrastructure. Staff noted unspent CDBG funds carry forward but can be forfeited if not properly programmed and spent.

Council held a public hearing and — with no speakers during the hearing — voted to adopt the resolution authorizing the substantial amendment and directed staff to prepare and submit required documents to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The council then moved to award the contract for the ADA improvements (Contract No. 99403-126R12), with council voting in favor of the award (recorded as 7–0 at the time of the vote).

If the amendment and contract proceed as planned, staff will schedule construction and execute contract documents; staff said that identifying the 103 sites allows targeted concrete repairs and accessibility upgrades.