HomeMy WebLinkAboutCitizen Participation Plan for ICDBG
Idaho Community Development Block Grant
(ICDBG) Citizen Participation Plan
City of Rexburg
Pursuant to citizen participation requirements for Idaho Community Block Grant participants, the City of
Rexburg hereby certifies the following activities will be completed:
Provide for and encourage citizen participation, particularly for low and moderate income persons who
reside in slum or blighted areas and areas in which ICDBG funds are proposed to be used. Provide
in developing proposals in accordance with procedures developed by the department. Such assistance
need not include providing funds to such groups.
Hold a minimum of two public hearings, each at a different stage of the program, for the purpose of
scope of work, budget, schedule, location, and beneficiaries. Any earned program income must also be
noted. The application, related documents, and the Application Handbook shall be available for citizens
to review.
The second public hearing on the status of funded activities and accomplishments to date; a general
description of remaining work and a general description of changes made to the ICDBG project scope of
work, budget, schedule, location or beneficiaries.
A public hearing shall also be held in the event ICDBG project activities are added, deleted or
substantially changed from the application. Substantially changed means changes made in terms or
purpose, scope, location or beneficiaries as defined by the ICDBG program.
Provide reasonable and timely access to local meetings, information and records pertaining to the local
locations convenient to local citizens.
Public hearings shall be advertised in a local newspaper no less than seven (7) twenty-four (24) hour days
prior to the hearing date. If there is no local newspaper, public notification will occur through some other
method where there is wide distribution to citizens within the project area. The Community Development
staff must approve this method.
A copy of the publication and/or affidavit of publication shall be submitted to the department. The notice
should identify all of the topics to be addressed in the public hearing including the assurances that
hearings shall be held in facilities that are accessible to persons with disabilities and that alternative
formats shall be available to persons with disabilities where practicable, and with advance notice to the
unit of local government.
Citizens shall also be notified they will be given the opportunity to comment orally or in writing at a
minimum of five days prior to and at the hearing. Special accommodations shall be available for persons
with disabilities who may wish to comment within this period.
Public hearings shall be conducted in a manner to meet the needs of non-English speaking residents
where a significant number of non-English speaking residents can be expected to participate.
Local citizen participation records which shall be made available to the state and local citizens shall
include: A copy of the public notice and/or affidavit of publication which describes proposed or actual
project activities, scope of work, location, budget, schedule, objectives, and beneficiaries. Notices shall
also contain the accessibility clause for persons with disabilities.
Grantees must provide the address, telephone number, and times for submitting complaints and
grievances, and provide timely written answers to written complaints and grievances within fifteen (15)
working days where practicable.
citizens with the opportunity to protest project activities or related issues. A written complaint or
grievance is formal notification of a concern, allegation or protest to a proper authority. A formal
complaint, citizens must provide enough information to allow an investigation. The complaint should be
clear and concise and include the following information:
A. Identification of the project, project location, and program activities.
B. Reason for the complaint (hearsay and innuendo will not be considered valid).
C. Sufficient data to substantiate any claims or charges. If possible, supporting documentation
should be included.
D. If desired, citizens may propose a solution to the problem.
If the complaint is concerning local activities or project implementation, complaints and grievances shall
first be filed with the appropriate elected official. If this is the case, grantees shall be required to notify
the department of the complaint. A copy of the response shall also be submitted to the department. Every
attempt must be made to respond to citizens within fifteen (15) days where practicable.
If a citizen feels the response from the local jurisdiction is unsatisfactory, he or she may appeal to the
department for resolution. The department at that time may request additional information. Every effort
will be made by the department to provide a full response within thirty (30) days.
If valid and sufficient data has been provided to substantiate the complaint, an investigation will be
conducted. The extent of an investigation depends on the scope and depth of the issues involved.
If the complaint is more appropriately directed toward the ICDBG program activities, the same procedure
will be followed except all communications are between the state and the complainant.
This plan shall become effective November 20, 2019.
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Jerry L. Merrill, Mayor City of Rexburg