HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-21-2002 - 8a r
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May21,2002
Action Agenda
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SUBJECT: Citizen Participation Plan for Housing/Community Development Programs
DEPARTMENT: Housing/Comm. Developmerd PUBLICHEARING: (YIN) Na
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Citizen Participation Plan Tare L. Fikaa,ext 2490
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732.8181
Chapel Hill 96114501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227.2031
To approve the Citizen Participation Plan for use in the implementation of federal
and state housing programs.
BACKGROUND: Citizen participation is an essential component in the planning, development
and implementation of all federal and stale funded housing programs. The plan sets forth a
process to allow c8¢en input at all stages of housing program implementation as well as during
the evaluation and monitoring phases. The most recent Citizen Participation Flan was approved
on August 5, 1996.
Orange County's stale funding agency has asked that the Board adopt this policy again due to the
lapse of time since initial adoption. Subsequently, the Affordable Housing Advisory Board
reviewed the plan and suggested including the aNlity for the public to access proposed
applications via the Internet. This suggestion has been incorporated into the Plan.
Adoption of this policy is a requirement for continued participation in federal and state housing
Programs.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None,
RECOMMENDATIONHH: The Manager recommends that the Board approve the Call
Participation Plan for use in the implementation of federal and state housing programs.
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ORANGE COUNTY
CITIMN PARTICIPATION PLAN
FOR
HOUMG AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
POgpOSE
The purpose of this Cifizan Pafncipation Plea is m set Forth a process that will give oltlzans an
oppos1wtity to patticipetc in an advisory tole in developing applications In fooling, program
implemevtation, monitunng and evaluation of Orange County housing and co unity
development pmgmrm. This plan is wfinen in mocrdance with NC Cmnmunity Developmmt
Black Omnt Regulations as well as Clmolidmwi Plan regulations found in Y CPR Swim
91.105.
'Ihe.Omnge Cotmty Board of Commiseionm adopted the onginal Citizan Participation plan on
Deembef 5, 1988 with msoo nee ham the Remhm Street Project Area Committee prirumily for
we wild the Small Cities Community Development Block C mt Pmgam. In August 1996, the
Plan was m OxW to specifically reference the Consolidated Plan mquiremonz and b bmaden
the applicable programs andlof wtivities beyond the Community Dcvclopmmt Progam.
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STAUWW OF INTENT
The County of Orange recognizes that citizen participation is an essential component in the
planning and development of our housing and community development programs. It is our intent
to provide adee is with adealuam information and opportmdly to participate in every aspect of
our program. Specifically,rise goals of the plan include the fallowing:
1. Auvide for the iru0tution and operation of a Citizen Participation process whereby
atizm remesealadves adequately reflect the geographic arems and social, egwc and
economic groups of the County.
2. Provide for continuing dhcct access for Citizen ngresentstives to the Beard of
Corrnmimionaa, rho County Manager and other County staff in order to increase citizen
involvement and contributions in the Community Development process.
1 Provide ofuem with timely and concert infirmmtion conceming public resea errs. plans
and pmgmrm frr the utilization of these resources land other activities afforded to
citizens.
C Provide the Board of Commissioners, the County Manager and writer Canary aad Town
officials with timely and current information regarding cidzrans' needs, plans, projecm,
relative prlwritiw and recommendations fm action by the County.
STANIIAFn¢FOR CI'fl CIPATION
The County shall provide a framers for citizen participation at the county atill neighborhood
level,as appropriate,wbiar shall include the following
1. All aspects ofchourn participation shall be maternal fir an open roamer,with freedom of
access for all interested parrots.
2. Low and medeorte income cilium, members of commonly groups, special population
groups residrnss of nagbborrood mitalization aring or othms directly ffi red by
proposed housing and c wiry developmem programs shall be mentioned to
participate in the various phases of program davelop ram and impt®entthon.
3. All reasonable efforts shall be mYoa to retire continuity, of participation by cimbem and
citizen ongardzetiwm throughout various stages of program development and
imphamirgation.
4. - Adequate and timely information will be provided to citizen.; in order to facilitate their
meaningful participation.
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5. All citizens shall be provided an opportunity to submit their views and proposals during
all phases ofpmgmm design and implerumtation.
6. Ethnic end culturally diverse members of the community, shall be mo raged m
participate on my countywide or community caused advisory committees established in
co Junctim with bousi and wmmwiry developmnt mtiviti
FROCFSS OF CUTZEN PARTICIPATION
The County shall prmide adegnate n6ca ation to citizens, bold public Turnings to obtain views
regarding application development and program implcmrnmtion, and providc citiz m with an
opporturnty to wmmmt of pmgmm p�mce. The role of citizens will be specified in this
Plan. The Housing and Community Development Deparmrmt,under the direction of the County
Manager, has primary responsibility for administering housing and community developmrnt
promams in the County. Thmefine, this depmtlnrnt stall fatililate citizen panicipAiw sus
outlined below.
PROORAn4?I Ary DEVELOPW NT
CONSOLMATED PLAN
Dunng the development of the Consolidated Plan, the County will consult the local public
bousing authonties, residents of public and assisted housing developments, local housing
development aw-prol l agencies as well as other interested citizens to assess the housing needs
of the community. A public hearing will be held ro provide At oppostmity for the public b
provide then asseasmrnt of housing needs end priorities prior to pubfishivg the proposed
Consolidated Plan.
A Accuracy of comments received in writing or coolly at the public hearings Will be prepared and
atuched to the final Consolidated Plan.
Aden this hearing, the County will make available the Proposed Consolidated Plan for Orange
County for public comment for a period, not less than thirry (30) days. Notice regarding fie
location of flit Plan docnmcm and the process for cmnmmtuig will be provided to the
aboveroentioned groups by individual mailings and to the general public by advenismrmt in the
Chapel Hill HemldMw Herald-Sun. At amiNmum,a copy of fire document will be placed in Ore
Chapel dull Library and the Orange County Library. The document will also be available for
trwiti on the County's interne[ sum. Special attention will be givm to making re rcdce
necommodatiow to provide the plan document to persona with disabilitles upon requan.
A rmmnrny of comments received during the wvunmt period will be prepared rood attached In
the final ComolidAM Plan.
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CONSOLIDATED PLAN AW..NDMRNTS
The Consolidated Plan may be amended for me following reasons:
1. To make a change in its attention priomise or a clmngc in the method of
distribution of funds;
2. To curry out an activity, using funds from any progrma covered by the
Consolidated Plan not previously described in the Action Plaa;
3. To change the purpose,scope,location,or beneficiaries of an activity,
A substantial amerWmaLL is irradiated to be Item 01. In this case, a public hearing will be held
m provide an opportunity for the public to respond to the proposed emaMment prior to HIID
submission. All other changes shall be considered non-substantial end will be commuwcetd W
County and Town officials for sear review and approval prior To submission W IDID.
A summary of comments received in wooing or orally at the public heating will be prepared and
attached to the Consolidated Plan Amendmem submitted to F .
Prior t0 the development of a Community Development Application, a public hearing will be
held W receive comments born the public regarding community needs. All comments received
will be considered in designing an application then covets the County's nods.
A second public hr'^+9 will be field after the application has been prepared, brit, before
submission W the appropriate same agency
PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
Continuity of participation shall be provided through the Community Development Advisory
Committee which is onposd Of citizen representatives of the commodity and which is
reAeotive of the diversity present in Orange County Phis com®ttce is appointed by the Comte
County Roared of Commiesionas and is responsible for measuring the County's bonding and
counimmiLy development presents. Also, Periodic public meetings may be held an dissernmare
impor laat programmatic information such as major regulation changes.
PERFORMANCE ASSESSMEMI'
Within sixty days of One end of tie federal fiscal year, the County will prepare an Annual
performance Fiction for submission W I111D. A public hearing will be held to provide oitlun
comments regarding the organization's performance prior to submission of me report W HUD.
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In addlnon,the Perfomicnee Report will be made available in each foam in the Comfy for public
review and caannmt for a minimum period of 15 days not to exceed 30 days.
Notice regarding the location of the Plan document and the process for commenting will be
provided to the abovementiond groups by individual mailings and to the general public by
advertisement in the Chapel Hill Heraldffhe Herald-Sim. Special amagroa will be given to
making reasonable accommodations to provide the plan document m persons with disabilipes
upon request
MEETINGS AND PUBLIC HEARINGS
All Housing and Comity Development relined meetings and public bondage shall be freely,held
at mnvandem times and at readily accessible locations. A notice of meetings and public hearings
will be publisbed is the Chapel Hill Herald TlerandSun as well as delivered m citizen groups and
social service agencies. Thesc meetings and public hearings shut provide for broad citiam
paticipation and make possible acmngemeats for full involvenmot by the harrlicapped, elderly,
and other special populations. Ninnies or summaries that record the content of all public
hearings anal be retained by Orange County.
All public hearing rites shall be published in accordance with applicable Federal and/or State
regulations. Unless superseded by those regulatio w,at notices shall be published a minimum of
too (10) calendar days but not mine then 25 days prior in the public hearing. Such notices shall
be published a minimum in T}m Chapel Hill Herold Tlemld-Sun and will medicate the time,
location,&is,procedures,and topics b be discussed.
The ( mngc Comfy ADA Cociu rotor may be conacted to make reasonable accommodations
underthe Americans with Disabilities A0.
TECDNICAL ASSISTANCE
Resources must be made available to provide tahmical ascisarrce to groapc representative of low
and mo icib o-mcomc persons. The assistance may range firm grant writing seminars to help in
establishing a non-proft mganivnoa
COMPI.AMTS
A complaint Is"a claim concerning any notion on the pan of a department or contract agency or
frm involved in carrying out the County's housing and community development programs based
upon an cvcm or condition which aff eta the cisame a Tess under which a citizs lives,allegedly
used by misinterpretation, unfair applicarim, vuAatim of commit or lack of esablisl d policy
peiaixong to program implementation and which fie complaint feels infringes upon the bemth,
safety,welfare m right to due process for himeclf/herself or hisler family,pprop rrty or personal
possessions.
A citizen may file a writen or verbal complaint regarding lire Consolidated Plan
amendments, Atmuai Performance Report In addition, a resident beneficiary of County
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admvdsnmed housing and commututy development programs may file a written or record
complaint to me County Housing and Community Development Department. Within five (5)
Woking days the Department shell respond in writing to me complaint.
If the complainant is dissatisfied with the response,he or she cart appeal in writing to the Orange
County Manger. The County Manager has em (10) working days to respond in writing ro the
complaint Thed siono£me Comty Mraagar ibeEn .
ACCESS TO RECORDS
The Comity shell provide full public access to program information and will make good farm
efforts to keep citizens infortmes], consistent with the rights of privacy and obfigations of
cmfidmEality.
Pro ram files regarding program utilvatim and arc located at the office of Orange County
Housing and Comity Devclopmem office and are available upon request Further,copies of me
Consolidated Plan are kept in each Public Library in me cowry, and will be made available an
governmental web since as technologically possible.
EEEECIUMHATE
This plan Wes adopted on August 5, 1996 and revised on May 21, 3003 and supersedes all
province; namm Citizen participation Plans. ne Board of Cmmissionem must approve all
Moore amendments to thisplaa