WATSONVILLE >> The five-year period for Watsonville to receive project funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Block Development Grant program ended last week, so the City Council is now tasked with adopting a new five-year plan through 2030.

This five-year consolidated plan will go before the council at its Tuesday meeting.

According to a staff report by Housing Manager Carlos Landaverry and administrative analyst Maria Ortiz, the city is required to adopt a five-year plan to qualify for a Community Block Development Grant. This program of the federal Housing and Urban Development Department seeks to support community development activities at municipalities throughout the country by way of grant funding. The plan is subject to the department’s approval and must be updated every five years to remain eligible for funds.

The city’s most recent HUD-approved plan began July 1, 2020, and came to a close June 30 of this year, putting the city in position to adopt a new five-year consolidated plan that would end June 30, 2030.

“This new plan will build upon the priorities and strategies identified in the current plan while incorporating any new needs, goals, and community priorities,” Landaverry and Ortiz wrote. “Once adopted, the plan will be submitted to HUD for approval.”

The city is also required to submit an action plan to outline the specific use of Community Block Development Grant funds for each fiscal year, per the staff report. The new and continued projects outlined in the 2025-26 action plan are:

• Funding for Parks and Community Services staff at the Gene Hoularis and Waldo Rodriguez Youth Center on Maple Avenue, which provides recreational services to approximately 100 youth per day. Estimated cost: $98,220.

• A code enforcement program to “address and inspect illegal and unsafe construction, substandard housing and property maintenance issues” throughout the city, per the report. Estimated cost: $150,000.

• Housing rehabilitation for income-qualified homeowners, with eligible improvements including roofing, plumbing, electrical systems, windows and other code compliance repairs. Estimated cost: $75,000.

• Planning administration and management of the Community Block Development Grant program, including reporting, expenditure tracking, Integrated Disbursement and Information System entry, action plan development, monitoring, contract management and more. Estimated cost: $130,481.

• Funding for the El Pajaro Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit which would manage the Plaza Vigil Business Incubator program to provide technical assistance to small businesses. Funding would also support the Incubator Without Walls program that provides training and assistance to local business startups and entrepreneurs. Estimated cost: $50,000.

• Funding for the all-inclusive playground at Ramsay Park, aimed at ages 5 to 12. The project is expected to be completed in 2026. Estimated cost: $200,000.

Overall, the city is proposing an allocation of $703,701 for these projects. Staff is recommending the council approve the consolidated and action plans and direct City Manager Tamara Vides to submit the plans to HUD for approval with any suggested adjustments to the funding levels made by council members.

In other business, the council will consider a 5% increase in monthly salaries for council members, including the mayor.

The council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday on the top floor of the Watsonville City Council Chambers, 275 Main St. This will be preceded at 4:30 p.m. by a ceremony to introduce new employees and recognize recent retirees, a presentation to honor this year’s Summer in the City graduates and a closed session to discuss legal matters.