Title
Report regarding a resolution amending the City of South San Francisco's Community Development Block Grant Program Year 2019 “CARES Act” Annual Action Plan and authorizing its submittal and all other required documents to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (Alvina Condon, Management Analyst II)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council hold a Public Hearing to receive public testimony and comments on an Amendment to the City of South San Francisco’s Program Year 2019 “CARES Act” Annual Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant Program, and to adopt a resolution that approves the PY2019 Annual Action Plan Amendment and authorizes staff to submit the amended Action Plan and all other required documents to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
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BACKGROUND
City Council approved the original Program Year 2019 (PY2019) CDBG Annual Action Plan on April 24, 2019, providing $466,637 for the fiscal year July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020. The PY2019 Annual Action Plan was amended twice to receive CARES Act (CDBG-CV) funding and to respond to community needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The First Amendment, approved by the City Council on April 22, 2020, added $574,525 of CDBG-CV funding to expand public services, assist homeless shelters, and create an economic development assistance program for businesses impacted by the pandemic. The Second Amendment, approved by Council on January 27, 2021, added $290,353 of additional CDBG-CV funding and reallocated funds to expand Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) access in low-income neighborhoods, provide medical supplies, assist small businesses with technical support, and deliver meals to homebound seniors.
Since being awarded $864,878 in CARES Act (CDBG-CV) funding in 2020, the City has spent $686,645.89 on the following activities.
• CDBG-CV Administration ($109,379.08)
• CDBG-CV Public Services
o Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center: small business technical assistance ($45,881.51)
o Peninsula Volunteers, Inc: meal delivery program for homebound seniors ($79,480.48)
o TAP Program: laptop and internet access ($152,883.64)
o Clean Air at Home: air purifier program ($11,763.04)
• Public Improvement
o Wi-Fi public facility project in low-moderate areas ($7,258.14)
• Economic Development to assist small businesses ($280,000)
City staff has confirmed that all completed projects listed above were properly documented, accounted for, and closed out. At this time, staff is prepared to recommend how to spend the remaining $178,232.11 in CDBG-CV funding to comply with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s June 2026 deadline. That is the subject of this report and Third Amendment.
DISCUSSION
Earlier this year, staff met with several City departments-including Public Works, Capital Projects, and Parks & Recreation-to identify eligible projects that could utilize remaining CDBG-CV (“CARES Act”) funds by the June 2026 deadline. The CARES Act requires that all activities assisted with CDBG-CV funds must be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. Staff recommends allocating the unspent balance of $178,232.11 toward a Parks & Recreation public improvement project that meets HUD requirements for CARES Act funding.
The proposed project will rehabilitate the existing restroom structure at Orange Memorial Park (1 West Orange Avenue, South San Francisco). The 1,469-square-foot building includes restrooms and two storage rooms. Planned improvements include the following components.
• Interior renovation including installation of new epoxy flooring and stainless-steel fixture, replacement of ADA-compliant and regular stalls and modernization of plumbing and electrical systems.
• Ventilation and air quality improvements, including installation of a high-efficiency active ventilation system with increased capacity and enhancement of passive ventilation with new vents.
• Exterior updates, including the installation of a new ADA-accessible drinking fountain with a bottle filler.
• Vandal-resistant and sustainable design to ensure longevity, minimize maintenance costs, and support sustainable cleaning practices. There will also be security gates installed at restroom entrances.
The rehabilitation will improve accessibility, energy efficiency, and overall usability while bringing the facility into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) and Title 15 Energy Efficiency Standards of the South San Francisco Municipal Code. All work will remain within the existing structure, with no ground disturbance, expansion, or new infrastructure required. The community impact and benefits include enhanced public health and safety, accessibility and inclusivity, and an improved park experience for residents and visitors.
The proposed Orange Memorial Park bathroom rehabilitation project aligns with the CDBG-CV Public Prevention and Response (PPR) tieback requirement by improving sanitation and safety in a high-use public space, directly addressing concerns related to the spread of coronavirus and other communicable diseases. The primary goal of the rehabilitation is to modernize the outdated facility by implementing touchless fixtures, upgrading ventilation systems, and utilizing materials that facilitate easier cleaning and maintenance. This will ensure a more hygienic and safer environment for all park visitors.
The proposed Third Amendment to the PY2019 Annual Action Plan will add a public improvement project, to rehabilitate an existing restroom at Orange Memorial Park, to the eligible uses for CDBG-CV funding. A draft of the amended Action Plan was released for a 30-day public comment period beginning August 25, 2025, and ending September 24, 2025. The public notice was published in the San Mateo County Times on August 22, 2025, posted on the City’s website, and made available at all South San Francisco Public Libraries and the Economic & Community Development Department.
FISCAL IMPACT
Adoption of the associated resolution will have no impact on the City’s General Fund. Rehabilitation of the existing restroom at Orange Memorial Park is expected to draw down all the remaining CDBG-CV funds.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council hold a Public Hearing to receive public testimony and comments on the Third Amendment to the PY2019 “CARES Act” Annual Action Plan and adopt a resolution approving the Amendment and authorizing submittal of all required documents to HUD.
Attachment 1: Draft of CDBG PY2019 Annual Action Plan Third Amendment
Attachment 2: Presentation for Public Hearing 3rd Amendment to PY2019 AAP