CHESS Committee Meeting - August 18, 2026

The CHESS (Community Development, Housing, Education, Social Services, State & Commerce) Committee met on August 18, 2026, at 6:34 PM to address the city's non-compliance with HUD's CDBG timeliness requirements, approve the de-obligation of legacy funding, and consider re-allocating funds to a sprinkler system at the Latham Wider Community Center. Extensive discussion focused on the root causes of the timeliness issue and the need for more detailed project documentation.

Consent Calendar

• No consent calendar items were listed or approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were received during the meeting.

Discussion Items

• Item 1 (CHESS32.021): Review of Stamford’s non-compliance with CDBG timely expenditure requirements.
  • Bridget and Anita presented that the city has failed HUD's timeliness standard for five consecutive years (since 2022), with a recurring issue dating back to 2016. The 2023 staffing change contributed, and $2.8 million in PY50 and PY51 awards (52 awards) are still awaiting legal agreements. An outside consultant (CEW) uncovered $1,163,690.05 in legacy funding from prior to 2017 that was sitting unspent. The city submitted a corrective action plan to HUD. Representatives asked about the legal backlog, planned use of outside counsel, and requested regular reporting. A motion to recommit the item to steering for next month's agenda passed by voice vote.
• Item 2 (CHESS32.022): Approval of de-obligation of unspent prior year CDBG public improvement funding.
  • The originally listed amount of approximately $1,250,000 was amended to $1,163,690.05 (the exact legacy funding amount identified). After a motion and second, the amendment passed by voice vote. The de-obligation itself then passed by voice vote.
• Item 3 (CHESS32.023): Approval of re-allocation of $1,000,000 to a new Public Improvement Project.
  • Bridget proposed allocating the $1 million to install a fire sprinkler system at the Latham Wider Community Center (137 Henry Street), citing the need for code compliance and the building's role as a community hub. Representatives expressed discomfort with the lack of detailed project documentation (budget breakdown, timeline, alternatives considered) compared to what outside applicants provide. After debate over whether to approve with expectations or postpone, a motion to postpone consideration to a special committee meeting (to be scheduled before the September 8 full board meeting) passed on a roll call vote: 3 yes, 1 no, 3 abstentions. The administration committed to providing within one week: a detailed breakdown of expenditures, an explanation of why this project was chosen over other shovel-ready alternatives, HUD compliance rationale, and demographic impact data (number of residents served, low-income percentages).

Key Outcomes

• Item 1: Recommitted to steering committee for further discussion and reporting requirements (regular reconciliation reports by project, quarterly updates).
• Item 2: De-obligation of $1,163,690.05 in legacy CDBG funding approved (amended from $1,250,000).
• Item 3: Re-allocation of $1,000,000 to Latham Wider sprinkler system postponed; special committee meeting to be scheduled within two weeks to reconsider after receiving requested documentation.