The City Council approved an amendment to the city's 2025-26 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Annual Action Plan at its July 14 meeting, redirecting $1.265 million in unprogrammed federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to park and recreation improvement projects.
The approved allocations include $175,000 for improvements to Bobby Bonds Skatepark; $250,000 to replace flooring at the Janet Goeske Senior Center; $500,000 for rehabilitation of the Bobby Bonds Sippy Woodhead Pool Pump Room; and $340,000 for lighting and outdoor fitness equipment installation at Tim Strack Park.
Council members approved the measure without discussion after hearing a staff presentation and receiving no public comment on the item. Council member Clarissa Cervantes recused herself from the discussion and vote, citing ownership of real property within 1,000 feet of one of the project sites.
Housing and Human Services Senior Project Manager Michelle Guzman told the council the move was necessary to program excess Community Development Block Grant funds that could otherwise be subject to recapture by HUD if left unallocated.
"HUD regulations allow that the city of Riverside retain a CDBG balance of 1.5 times the most recent allocation amount. Any funds in excess of this threshold could be subject to recapture by HUD," Guzman said. "The balance is made up of program funds, which are to be used on current ongoing projects and unprogrammed funds which are comprised of remaining unspent funds from numerous projects over the past several years."
She said the funding consists of unspent balances from projects completed over several years and will be redirected to projects that benefit Wards 1, 3 and 6.
According to the staff report, the projects are located in income-eligible census tracts and are intended to provide direct benefits to low- and moderate-income residents. The city previously published a public notice and conducted the required 30-day public comment period before bringing the amendment to the council for approval.
