The city will receive a combined $136,641, with $71,395 allocated through a partnership with the Regional Housing Authority for work at the senior housing site. Designed by Freepik

LIVE OAK, CA (MPG) – The Live Oak City Council approved the use of state housing funds for improvements at the Live Oak Senior Village, directing more than $71,000 toward upgrades aimed at safety and accessibility.

The funding comes from the city’s 2022 and 2023 Permanent Local Housing Allocation awards from the California Department of Housing and Community Development. The city will receive a combined $136,641, with $71,395 allocated through a partnership with the Regional Housing Authority for work at the senior housing site.

Finance Director Ethan Gutierrez said the project will include cabinet refacing, ADA-compliant toilet upgrades, kitchen improvements and new lighting. The work is intended to improve accessibility and overall living conditions for residents.

“It’s state money that’s allocated to our city, and we’re taking that and using it where we can,” City Manager Ben Moody said, noting the agreement came together ahead of a deadline to secure eligible projects.

Mayor Jeramy Chapdelaine said the funding had not been used in recent years and thanked staff and the Regional Housing Authority for identifying a project that benefits residents. The council approved the agreement 4-0, with Councilmember Bob Woten absent.

In a related action, the council also approved revisions to its housing funding application after the state requested administrative corrections. The updated application was approved 4-0.

During public comments, several residents raised concerns about transparency, representation and the city’s election system.

Resident Cruz Mora said he sent a legal demand letter in December 2025 urging the city to comply with the California Voting Rights Act and move to district-based elections. Mora said the current at-large system leaves parts of the city without representation and called for a voluntary transition.

“No city in the state of California has won on this case,” Mora said.

Resident Marcus Prasad also supported district elections, saying the current system limits community representation. He noted Latinos make up nearly half of the city’s population but have no representation on the council.

Another speaker, J.R. Thiara, raised concerns about the city’s budget deficit and called for accountability from council members.