HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2004 - 05 Grant Citizens PartResolution 2004-05
Idaho Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG)
Citizen Participation Plan
City of Rexburg
Pursuant to citizen participation requirements for ICDBG 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 technical assistance to group's representative of low and
moderate income persons that request assistance 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 obtaining citizens' views. The first public hearing shall include a description
of the proposed project, scope of work, budget, schedule, location and beneficiaries. Any
earned program income must also be noted. The application, related documents and
Application Handbook shall be available for citizens to review.
The second public hearing on the status of funded activities shall, at a minimum, include
a review of project 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.
Public hearing procedures shall also be used in the event ICDBG projects or activities
were added, deleted or substantially changed from the application. Substantially changed
means changes made in terms of 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 government's proposed and actual use of ICDBG funds. Public
hearings shall be conducted at times and 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. This method must be approved by the Community
Development staff.
A copy of the publication and/or affidavit if 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 prior to and 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 if 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 activities, scope of work, location, budget, schedule,
objectives, and beneficiaries. Notices shall also contain the accessibility clause for
persons with disabilities.
Local staff shall be familiar with citizen's complaint procedures. These procedures shall
provide 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 will be considered filed at the time it is delivered
to the appropriated authority's office. To file a 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 (heresy and innuendo will 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 appropriated 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. Additional information may be requested by the
department at that time. 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 ICDBG program activities, the
same procedure will be followed except all communications are between the state and the
complainant.
This plan shall become effective June 02, 2004.
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Shawn Larsen, Mllryor, City of Rexburg Slair D. Kay, City Clerk, City1f Rexburg
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