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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-19-2012 - 5hORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: June 19, 2012 Action Agenda Item No. 6-h SUBJECT: Community Development Block Grant Program — Section 3 Plan and Equal Employment and Procurement Plan DEPARTMENT: Housing, Human Rights, and Community Development ATTACHMENT(S): Section 3 Plan Equal Employment and Procurement Plan PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No INFORMATION CONTACT: Tara L. Fikes, 245 -2490 PURPOSE: To adopt the Section 3 Plan and Equal Employment and Procurement Plan for the County's Community Development Block Grant Program. BACKGROUND: Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Regulations require all localities receiving CDBG funds to formally adopt a Section 3 Plan that outlines efforts to be undertaken to employ low income residents in the service area. Additionally, an Equal Employment and Procurement Plan must be adopted that confirms efforts that will be made to make employment opportunities available to all race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap, age, and political affiliation as well as ensure that underrepresented groups such as minorities and women have equal opportunity to provide goods and services necessary for grant implementation. Both documents have been prepared for Orange County according to templates provided by the N.C. Department of Commerce — Division of Community Assistance. The most recent plans were adopted by the BOCC on April 5, 2011 and were specific to previous grants. During a recent visit from the County's Community Development Representative, it was noted that the Board should formally adopt these Plans without being grant specific. Therefore, these documents are being presented for formal adoption without specific grant numbers. The language in both Plans has not been changed from the April 2011 version. Adoption of this policy is a requirement for continued participation in the NC Small Cities CDBG Program. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with adoption of the Plans. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Section 3 Plan and Equal Employment and Procurement Plan for the County's Community Development Block Grant Program. 2 Orange County Small Cities CDBG Program Local Economic Benefit for Low- and Very Low - Income Persons Plan To ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, contracts for work are awarded to business concerns located or owned in substantial part by persons residing in the Section 3 covered area, as required by Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, Orange County has developed and hereby adopts the following Plan: This Section 3 Plan shall apply to services needed in connection with the grant including, but not limited to, businesses in the fields of planning, consulting, design, building construction/renovation, maintenance and repair, etc. This Section 3 covered project area for the purposes of this grant program shall include Orange County and portions of the immediately adjacent area. When in need of a service, Orange County will identify suppliers, contractors or subcontractors located in the Section 3 area. Resources for this identification shall include the Minority Business Directory published through the State Department of Commerce, local directories and Small Business Administration local offices. Word of mouth recommendation shall also be used as a source. Orange County will include this Section 3 clause in all contracts executed under this CDBG Program. Where deemed necessary, listings from any agency noted above shall be included as well as sources of subcontractors and suppliers. The prime contractor selected for major public works facility or public construction work will be required to submit a Section 3 Plan which will outline his/her work needs in connection with the project. Should a need exist to hire any additional personnel, the Orange County Employment Security Commission shall be notified and referred to the contractor. Each contract for housing rehabilitation under the program, as applicable, for jobs having contracts in excess of $100,000 shall be required to submit a Section 3 Plan. This Plan will be maintained on file in the grant office and shall be updated from time to time or as the grant staff may deem necessary. Early in our project, prior to any contracting, major purchases or hiring, we will develop a listing of jobs, supplies and contracts likely to be utilized during the project. We will then advertise in our local newspaper an advertisement, prominently located as a display advertisement, the pertinent information regarding the project including all Section 3 required information. Adopted this day of , 2012. Chair, Board of County Commissioners Oranze County Small Cities CDBG Program Equal Employment and Procurement Plan Orange County maintains the policy of providing equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap, age, political affiliation, or any other non -merit factor, except where religion, sex, national origin, or age are bona fide occupation qualifications for employment. In furtherance of this policy, the County prohibits any retaliatory action of any kind taken by any employee of the locality against any other employee or applicant for employment because that person made a charge, testified, assisted or participated in any manner in a hearing, proceeding or investigation of employment discrimination. The County shall strive for greater utilization of all persons by identifying previously underutilized groups in the workforce, such as minorities, women, and the handicapped, and making special efforts toward their recruitment, selection, development and upward mobility and any other term, condition, or privilege of employment. Responsibility for implementing equal opportunities and affirmative action measures is hereby assigned to the Chair of the County Commission to assist in the implementation of this policy statement. The County shall development a self - evaluation mechanism to provide for periodic examination and evaluation. Periodic reports as requested on the progress of Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action will be presented to the Chair of the County Commission. The County is committed to this policy and is aware that with its implementation, the County will receive positive benefits through the greater utilization and development of all its human resources. Adopted this day of , 2012. (Chief Elected Official) ATTEST: (Clerk)