Title
Public Hearing: Amendment to the CDBG Citizen Participation Plan
Body
Issue/Request:
In 1994, Lee’s Summit was designated as an Entitlement Community under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This designation gives the City the authority to administer the grant funds within our City. As an Entitlement Community, the City is required to draft and follow their Citizen Participation Plan. This Plan sets forth the policies and procedures to be used to solicit and encourage the citizens of Lee’s Summit to participate in the identification of community needs, along with the development and implementation of programs utilizing CDBG program funds to address those needs.
With recent urgent needs, President Trump signed Public Law 116-136, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) to respond to the growing effects of this historic public health crisis. The CARES Act provides a special allocation of CDBG grant funds (CDBG-CV) to jurisdictions for preventing, preparing for, and responding to Coronavirus. The CARES Act also allows for additional flexibility to processes, such as allowing municipalities to amend their Citizen Participation Plan in order to expedite approving a plan during an emergency event.
To implement these procedures, the City of Lee’s Summit is requesting to amend the Citizen Participation Plan to allow for the following:
· Virtual public hearings as an allowed method for citizen participation upon declaration of a disaster or emergency event
· Allows for an expedited review and public comment period reducing that period from no less than 30 calendar days, to no less than 5 calendar days upon declaration of a disaster or emergency event
Following the public hearing, there will be a 15 day public comment period.
Committee Recommendation
Committee Recommendation: I move that the CEDC recommends that the City Council approves the amendment ...
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