Baldwin Park commission approves $127,504 in CDBG public‑service recommendations

Baldwin Park — The Recreation and Housing Commission voted May 14 to approve staff recommendations for FY2026–27 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) public‑service funding totaling $127,504, directing the city’s CDBG advisory recommendations to the City Council for final adoption on June 17.

Staff presented nine applications requesting $235,249 and recommended funding six applicants within the available 15 percent public‑service allocation of $127,504. Approved awards followed staff recommendations: domestic violence advocate $20,504 (requested $25,000), East San Gabriel Valley Coalition for the Homeless $10,000 (requested $10,000), graffiti removal $28,500 (requested $40,000), Pride program $21,500 (requested $60,000), senior services center $22,000 (requested $24,249), and youth employment $25,000 (requested $36,000). Two applicants — the recreation subsidy and Redeemer Food Bank — formally withdrew their FY26–27 applications prior to the vote.

Commissioners debated whether to move additional funds to youth employment, with one commissioner proposing taking $5,000 from seniors or homeless services to boost youth programming. That motion did not secure a second. Commissioner Bernal proposed incremental increases for youth employment during discussion, arguing for greater investment in programs that keep young people engaged; the motion to alter staff recommendations failed procedurally and the commission proceeded to vote on staff figures.

Okeena Dorr, director of community development and housing, told commissioners the decisions carry consequences for future funding: “If we don’t achieve that accomplishment, we don’t just lose that funding for that year. We also lose additional funding for future years,” she said, urging the commission to weigh program performance and the city’s ability to spend dollars within HUD reporting requirements.

Several commissioners pressed staff for more granular cost and hours data for personnel‑focused awards — for example, whether the domestic violence allocation would fund additional hours for an advocate and how many participant hours the allocation would cover. Staff said timesheets and program files could document hours but cautioned that CDBG awards must be leveraged with other funding and that the city cannot use CDBG to fully supplant general‑fund positions.

Motions to adopt staff recommendations on each applicant were made, seconded, and carried by roll call. The commission approved the $127,504 package and will forward the recommendations to the City Council for final approval at its June 17 meeting.

Clarifying details recorded in the meeting docket included the total requested ($235,249), the available public‑service allocation ($127,504), and individual recommended and requested amounts for each applicant. Staff told the commission that past reallocation and substantial amendment processes have been used to avoid losing federal funds when agencies could not expend awards within program rules.

The commission’s action is a recommendation; final award authority rests with the Baldwin Park City Council. The staff will include meeting comments and votes in the draft annual action plan materials distributed for public comment beginning May 18.