Fort Walton Beach Resolution — 2008-49-CDBG Public Participation Plan — reading text

RESOLUTION 08-49 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA ADOPTING THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA: Section I.Intent & Purpose The City of Fort Walton Beach is an entitlement community that receives funds under the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's ( HUD) Community Development Block Grant ( CDBG) program. City Council has considered all public comments on the Citizen Participation Plan. Pursuant to Section 104( a)( 3) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, a Citizen Participation Plan is required to ensure that citizens of Fort Walton Beach particularly persons of low and moderate income residing in slum and blight areas and in areas in which CDBG funds are proposed to be used, are provided the opportunity and encouraged to participate in the planning and implementation of CDBG funded activities. Section II. Adoption of Plan Therefore, theCity Council adopts the CDBG Citizen Participation Plan as attached. Section III. Effective Date This resolution shall take effect immediately upon approval by the Council. Adopted by the City Council on this / 9' day of t9~~~ 2008. Mike Anderson, Mayor Attest: Approved for form and legal sufficiency. Toni L. Craig, City Attor.  CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM September 2008 Pursuant to Section 104( a)( 3) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, this Citizen Participation Plan is hereby adopted to ensure that the citizens of Fort Walton Beach, FL, particularly persons of low and moderate income residing in slum and blight areas and in areas in which COBG funds are proposed to be used, are provided the opportunity and encouraged to participate in the planning and implementation of COBG- funded activities. The City of Fort Walton Beach' s intent for its COBG program is to meet the identified needs of low and moderate income residents and to provide a more desirable living environment for all residents within the City. Due to limited resources, it is impossible for the City to identify all of the needs of our residents and/ or fund all of the programs I activities necessary to meet those needs. Therefore, the City must rely on a coordinated effort among private citizens, social service providers and other governmental agencies to assist in addressing the needs of the residents of the City. To encourage citizen participation, in the identification of community needs and appropriate measures to address them, the City has adopted the following Citizen Participation Plan. I. OBJECTIVES a. To encourage citizen participation in the development of the annual action plan, 5 year consolidated plan, any substantial amendments to the consolidated plans, and the performance report. Citizen participation will be encouraged by providing notices of public hearings and public meetings at the housing authority, working closely with churches and public service agencies especially in the target area, providing notices of the available programs directly to residents of the target area and other mechanisms that may prove to be beneficial to achieving citizen participation. Citizens participation will be especially encouraged by those citizens: i. of low- and moderate- income ( household with income up to 800/0 of median income for Fort Walton Beach, adjusted for family size), ii. living in slum and blighted areas and in areas where COBG funds are proposed to be used I iii. living in predominantly low- and moderate- income neighborhoods defined as the COBG target areas, iv. who are minorities, and non- English speaking persons, as well as persons with disabilities or v. living in public and assisted housing, or vi. living in the targeted area. b. To encourage the participation of local and regional institutions and other organizations ( including businesses, developers, and community and faith- based organizations) in the process of developing and implementing the consolidated plan by attending meetings of such organizations and explaining the CDBG programs.  c. To increase the interchange of information between the COBG staff and the Citizens concerning housing, community development and related needs or concerns. d . To heighten public awareness regarding the purpose and function of the COBG Program, including the types of assistance available, especially among low/moderate income residents of areas targeted for assi~tance. e. Create local support for and understanding of the CDBG Program and its importance to the community by increasing community participation in data collection/ needs assessment, planning program design, project implementation, substantial amendment and performance reporting/ evaluating issues associated with the COBG Program. 1. To allow f;lfected or potentially affected citizens, agencies and organizations to directly assist in shaping and guiding the impacts of the CDBG Program upon their neighborhood as well as the City. II. CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE a. The Citizen Advisory Committee shall consist of five members. The committee shall designate one of its members to be chairperson and vice- chairperson for each calendar year. Members shall be residents of the City and 3 members shall represent low/mod income, minority property owners. The Members shall be responsible for recruiting and appointing members for a term of 4 ( four) years. Members shall be appointed by a majority vote of the members present. b. The Citizen Advisory Committee shall be advisory to the CDBG staff. The CAC shall: i. Review and prioritize applications for public services funds; ii. Advise the Staff on the funding allocations for the Annual Action Plan each year; and iii. Advise on the priority of rehabilitation applications. III. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS a. Public Hearings - General: Public hearings will be the primary means of obtaining citizen views and responding to proposals and questions related to community development and housing needs, proposed CDBG activities and past CDBG performance in the development of the Five Year Consolidated Plan, Consolidated Annual Action Plan, any amendments to these plans and the Public Participation Plan. i. In the event COBG funds are granted by the State, the City of Fort Walton Beach will conduct at least two public hearings in a location within the target area if possible to obtain citizens' views and to respond to proposals and questions. These hearings shall be conducted at two different stages of the program year. Together the hearings shall address housing and community development needs, development of proposed activities, and review of program performance. At least one of these hearings shall be held during the development of the proposed consolidated plan is published for comment in order to obtain the views of the citizens on housing and community development needs, including priority non- housing community development needs, including the needs of low and moderate income 2  persons and minorities as well as other needs in the community that might be addressed through the CDBG program, and to review proposed COBG activities and the past performance of the City of Fort Walton Beach in carrying out its COBG responsibilities. The City shall: 1. hold the hearings at times and locations convenient to potential and actual beneficiaries whenever possible, and with accommodation for persons with disabilities; and 2. make arrangements to have an interpreter jf a significant number of non- English speaking residents can be reasonably expected to participate. b. Public Notice - General: i. All public notices will be published in a paper of local circulation, not in the legal advertising section, and posted in the Fort Walton Beach City Hall, at the Public Housing Authority, on the City web. site, www.fwb. orQ, and in other places frequented by the public, especially low and moderate income persons and persons benefiting from or affected by proposed COBG activities, minorities, and those located within the target areas. ii. The notice shall provide sufficient information about the subject of the hearing. iii. As circumstances warrant and as the City determines necessary or appropriate, participation may additionally be specifically solicited from persons of low and moderate income, those benefiting from or affected by COBG activities and/ or representatives of such persons. iv. Hearings will be held at times and locations convenient to potential and actual beneficiaries, and with accommodation for the handicapped ( wheel chair accessible). In the case of public hearings where a significant number of non- English speaking residents can be reasonably expected to participate, arrangements will be made to have an interpreter present. c. Additional provisions i. The City will publish public notices in the local newspaper, will make copies of the Proposed and Final Five Year Consolidated Plan, Proposed and Final Annual Action Plan, proposed and final substantial amendments, and the proposed and final performance report available at the Community Development Department located in the City Hall annex at 105 Miracle Strip Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, FL during regular office hours, at the City Clerks office located at 107 Miracle Strip Parkway, at the library and on the City' s web site, www.fwb. org. In order to meet these requirements, the City will follow the process outlined below for each report. IV. FIVE YEAR CONSOLIDATED PLAN - PUBLIC PARTICIPATION