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107390 0 1 2 RESOLUTION NO. 10'.739 � ^ 3 �o 4 A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE CITIZEN 5 PARTICIPATION PLAN DELINEATING THE 6 STRATEGIES AND PROCESS TO INFORM CITIZENS 7 OF OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 8 PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF PROJECTS AND 9 PLANS FOR HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT 10 (HUD) FUNDS (CDBG, HOME, ESG) RECEIVED BY 11 THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK. 12 13 WHEREAS, in accordance with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban 14 Development (HUD) regulations, the City of Little Rock is required to have an 15 adopted local Citizen participation Plan to provide for citizen participation in the 16 development of plans and projects for HUD grant funds; and 17 WHEREAS, the proposed amendment expands the areas in which citizen 18 participation and planning occurs to a city -wide basis to maximize citizen 19 opportunities for involvement. 20 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 21 OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS: 22 SECTION 1. The Board of Directorswill conduct a public hearing and approve 23 a resolution amending the Citizen Participation Plan delineating the strategies and 24 process to inform citizens of opportunities to participate in the planning and 25 development of projects and plans for HUD funds received by the City; [i.e., CDBG, 26 HOME, ESG]. 27 SECTION 2. This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its 28 adoption. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 Adopted 0 December 20, 1999 Attest: Ramie Han�cockk,, City Clerk Approved as to Legal Form: dV 'k'°'''°'Q-d X4 , Thomas M. Carpenter, Uty Attorney 0 Approved: Jirt,Dalley, Mayor 724 0 0 CITY OF LITTLE ROCK CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN CONSOLIDATED PLANNING FOR HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS Section I - Purpose 725 In 1994 the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) promulgated regulations to require consolidated planning and a single submission from each state and local jurisdiction for all entitlement grant programs of the Department. These include the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG), and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Programs. The HUD Consolidated Plan replaces applications and program descriptions for the covered entitlement grants. In addition, a local government must have a consolidated plan that is approved by HUD as a prerequisite for HUD to accept applications from entities within the jurisdiction for on- formula (competitive) grants. Consequently, the plan must encompass much more than the several applications formerly submitted for the programs consolidated under it. It must take into consideration, be consistent with, and address issues such as housing conditions, homelessness, and economic conditions. This plan provides for the participation of citizens in the planning and development of projects and services to be funded through the aforementioned programs through representation from each of the City's seven (7) wards on the Consolidated Planning Committee. This Committee is the representative citizen committee which annually proposes to the Little Rock Board of Directors the uses of community development and housing entitlements anticipated by the City for each program year. It is assisted by the Committee on Community Development and Housing Needs which is comprised of staff persons and officers of various supportive agencies, always including the Little Rock Housing Authority, appointed by the City Manager to provide information and advice. Section II - Program Year and Planning Process The local program year for all affected housing and community development programs begins on January 1 and ends on December 31. The Annual Action Plan must be submitted to HUD not later than 45 days before the start of the program year. Prior to submission of the Annual Action Plan, the following steps will be taken: 1. The Committee on Community Development and Housing Needs is appointed and meets as required to assist staff to assess and analyze housing and community development data and to advise on strategies, objectives, and resources. 0 0 2. Staff conducts a citywide public hearing on community development and housing needs to: • Begin the annual planning process and brief interested persons on the citizen participation process; 726 • Provide information on the purpose and amounts of various entitlement grants and other resources anticipated and the results of needs assessment by the Committee on Community Development and Housing Needs; and • Receive public comment on proposed allocations of resources among those needs. 3. One meeting will be held in each of the City's seven (7) wards to elect two (2) representatives from each ward, and to hear concerns and needs for funding. Following this meeting, two additional meetings will be held within the ward to gain further input. Concurrent with these meetings, project proposals will be accepted for funding from interested entities. 4. The Consolidated Planning Committee will meet to consider projects proposed for funding, and to develop a recommended slate of projects and programs (the Annual Action Plan) for consideration by the City Board of Directors. 5. The City Board of Directors will hold a public hearing on the Annual Action Plan and will take action as appropriate to authorize submission of the plan to HUD. Section III - Committee on Community Development and Housing Needs The Committee on Community Development and Housing Needs is appointed annually by the City Manager. It is comprised of staff persons and key policy board members of allied public and private agencies that provide assisted housing, housing, health and social services. It will include a representative of the Little Rock Housing Authority. This committee is established to address many housing and community development needs of the low- income community that do not have a single locality and are not identifiable with a particular area. Its function is to inform and advise City staff and the Consolidated Planning Committee to ensure that appropriate consideration is given through the allocation of resources to each of three overall goals: decent housing, suitable living environment, and expanded economic opportunities. Section IV - Consolidated Planning Committee A. Membership, Or¢anization The Chairperson elected from each ward is a voting member of the Consolidated Planning Committee (CP Committee). The Vice - Chairperson elected from each ward is the alternate to that ward Chair and votes in his absence. Both the Chair and Vice -Chair of each ward is expected to attend and participate in deliberations at meetings of the CP Committee. Two city staff members are non - voting, advisory members of the CP Committee: the Director of Housing and Neighborhood Programs and the Community Development Planner. Annually, at its first meeting, the CP Committee elects its Chair and a Vice -Chair from its ward representation. B. Committee Meetings 72.4( During the year following the aforementioned planning process, the meetings of the CP Committee are convened as required and with due notice to all members. A majority of Chairs and Vice - Chairs acting as alternates in the absence of their Chairs will constitute a quorum of the CP Committee for conduct of business. No person other than the Chair or Vice -Chair may represent a ward on the CP Committee, and voting by proxy is not allowed. The CP Committee also considers and makes recommendations to the City Board of Directors on any proposed amendments to the Consolidated Plan or the Annual Action Plan. The committee may advise the Board of Directors and/or City staff on matters not part of or funded through the HUD Consolidated Plan or Annual Action Plan, but which affect local community development and housing programs. Section V - Access to Participation A. Notices Notices of public hearings and ward meetings are published in at least one newspaper of general circulation and one minority oriented newspaper, not less than five (5) days in advance of the meeting date. Notice of public hearings is also mailed to all persons who have requested to be placed on the citizen participation mailing list and to the presidents of neighborhood associations. B. Access to Records All documents and records pertaining to HUD entitlement grants to the City of Little Rock are available for inspection during normal business hours at the offices of the Department of Housing and Neighborhood Programs, 500 West Markham, Little Rock, Arkansas. C. Access for Persons with Disabilities Public hearings and committee meetings are held in locations accessible to the mobility impaired. Arrangements for access to visual or hearing impaired persons may be made by contacting the Department of Housing and Neighborhood Programs, (501) 371 -6825, at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting for which assistance is desired. 11 D. Language Barriers 0 72& Translation of oral communications or written materials into other languages is not provided. When staff is made aware that persons lacking facility in the English language desire or are likely to desire information pertaining to community development and housing programs, or wish to participate in hearings or other public meetings, staff shall initiate procedures to provide translation services. Requests should be directed to the Department of Housing and Neighborhood Programs, 500 West Markham, Little Rock, AR. E. Notices of Document Availability Notices of document availability are published in the manner and on the schedule indicated as follows: • The Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan, and any amendments will be available for a 30 -day comment period prior to its submission to HUD, the notice of which will be advertised in a paper of general circulation. Notices will also be mailed to the elected citizen participation representatives of each ward. • The Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) will be available for a 15 -day comment period prior to its submission to HUD, the notice of which will be advertised in a paper of general circulation. Notices will also be mailed to the elected citizen participation representatives of each ward. F. Complaints Complaints related to the Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan, Plan amendments, and the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) may be addressed to the Director of Housing and Neighborhood Programs, 500 West Markham, Little Rock, AR. A written response to any complaint will be prepared within 15 working days, where practicable. G. Amendments to the Citizen Participation Plan Any proposed amendment of the Citizen Participation Plan will be published in a newspaper of general circulation at least thirty days in advance of a public hearing held by the City Board of Directors to consider such amendment. The proposed amendment must be approved by the Little Rock Board of Directors to take effect.