Title
Conduct a required public hearing to obtain residents' views and to respond to proposals and questions received during the preceding 30-day public comment period regarding the County’s Citizen Participation Plan (CPP) for Housing and Urban Development’s (HUDs) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, and accept revisions to the CPP.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Conduct a required public hearing to obtain residents' views and to respond to proposals and questions received during the preceding 30-day public comment period regarding the County’s Citizen Participation Plan (CPP) for Housing and Urban Development’s (HUDs) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, and accept revisions to the CPP.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
In 2012, the County of Monterey created a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Urban County Consortium to become a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Entitlement community. To remain eligible for HUD CDBG funds, the County is required to conduct two public hearings annually on CDBG funding priorities and goals. The County adopts an Action Plan annually in May following a public comment period and public hearing. A second hearing is held to consider a Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report, known as the CAPER. The CAPER summarizes accomplishments for the FY21/22, which was considered by the Board on September 27, 2022.
Since 2013, the County has incorporated full opportunities for citizens to participate in planning, development, and review of proposals for funding from the entitlement program. Federal regulations require the citizens must be provided with a reasonable opportunity to participate in an advisory role in planning, implementing, and assessing the program and proposals. To encourage citizen participation each jurisdiction is required to adopt a Citizen Participation Plan (CPP). County of Monterey’s CPP sets forth the policies and procedures for citizen participation.
The CPP was last revised and accepted by the Board of Supervisors on May 19, 2020. This revision added a section for a substantial amendment process in response to COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Newson issued a proclamation to terminate California’s COVID-19 State of Emergency effective February 28, 2023. Therefore, the Substantial Amendment Process in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic can be removed.
In 2021, the housing section was renamed from County of Monterey Housing and Economic Development to County of Monterey Housing and Community Development. The CPP currently has publication of notices in four (4) local newspapers. 24CFR section 91.105 (b)(2) states the requirement for publishing may be met by publishing a summary of each document in one or more newspapers of general circulation. Therefore, Housing and Community Development is revising four (4) local newspapers to one (1) local newspaper, the Monterey Weekly, and adding social network website posting in English and Spanish.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
FINANCING:
This action does not change the current FY2023-24 appropriations and revenues. The HUD grant is an annual agreement. If the County complies with grant requirements, the County may elect to continue to receive annual entitlement funding, subject to the federal budget process.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Authorizing the Urban County to amend the Citizen Participation Plan is required to keep the Urban County in compliance with HUD CDBG requirements. Continued eligibility for the Urban County designation will allow the County to continue to receive the Entitlement Allocation of CDBG from HUD, approximately $1.2 million annually.
X Economic Development
X Administration
__Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Prepared by: Dawn M Yonemitsu, Management Analyst II, x5387
Reviewed by: Darby Marshall, Redevelopment & Housing Analyst II, x5391
Approved by: Craig Spencer, Interim Director of Housing & Community Development, x5233
Attachments:
Attachment A - Draft Citizen Participation Plan
Attachment B - Draft Citizen Participant Plan with Track Changes