22-2360 CDBG Amendment CITY OF MERIDIAN RESOLUTION NO. 22-2360
BY THE CITY COUNCIL: BERNT, BORTON, CAVENER, HOAGLUN,
PERREAULT,AND STRADER
A RESOLUTION APPROVING ADOPTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE CITIZEN
PARTICIPATION PLAN FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT;
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE AND ATTEST THE
SAME ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, pursuant to the regulations of the United States Department of Housing
and Urban Development ("HUD"), it is necessary to adopt a Citizen Participation Plan that sets
forth the jurisdiction's policies and procedures for citizen participation; and
WHEREAS, the previously adopted Citizen Participation Plan has been updated to
streamline HUD requirements;
WHEREAS, the City held a public hearing on the attached Citizen Participation Plan
on July 26, 2022, and held a public comment period on the draft application materials from
June 24, 2022 to August 15, 2022;
NOW, THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN,IDAHO:
Section 1. That the amended Citizen Participation Plan, as attached hereto, be, and the
same hereby is, adopted as to both form and content.
Section 2.That this Resolution shall be in full force and effect immediately upon its
adoption and approval.
ADOPTED by the City Council of City of Meridian, Idaho this 13th day of December,
2022.
APPROVED by the Mayor of the City of Meridian,Idaho, this 13th day of December,
2022.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
By:
Mayor Robert E. Simison Chris Johnson, City Clerk
RESOLUTION ADOPTING CDBG DOCUMENTS—Page 1 OF 1
City of Meridian Citizen Participation Plan
The City of Meridian is an entitlement community for the Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) program administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development(HUD).
As a recipient of these funds, the City is required to have a strategy for citizen participation.
This document outlines the City's process and plans for soliciting and receiving citizen input during
the lifecycle of Meridian's CDBG Program. Included in this is the Consolidated Plan (Con Plan),
Action Plan,Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report(CAPER), Analysis of
Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI), or amendments to any of these documents. This plan
will be effective upon approval.
The City of Meridian recognizes the importance of public participation in understanding current
housing and community development needs and barriers and prioritizing resources to address those
needs.The Citizen Participation Plan is intended to encourage citizens of all ages,genders, economic
levels, races, ethnicities, cultures, and special needs equal access to become involved in the CDBG
planning process each year.This Citizen Participation Plan was written per Sections 91.100 and 91.105 of
HUD's Consolidated Plan regulations.
Any complaints related to the Con Plan,Action Plan, CAPER,Al, amendments, or the CDBG program, in
general, should be directed to Meridian's CDBG Program Administrator. Staff will respond within five
(5) business days.
Translations and Reasonable Accommodations
The Citizen Participation Plan,Con Plan,Action Plan,and Al will be made available in formats
accessible to persons with disabilities and in languages other than English upon request. All
materials, announcements, and notices of the hearing will include information about how persons
with disabilities and non-English speaking persons may request accommodations to review the
proposed plan and provide written or oral comments. Upon request, or in the case of public
hearings where a significant number of non-English speaking residents can reasonably be expected
to participate, the City will provide both written interpretation(s) of the proposed consolidated or
action plan one (1) week before the public hearing or within 48 hours of a request; and/or oral
interpretation atthe public hearing.
CDBG Citizen Participation
Consultation with Organizations and City Agencies
When preparing the Con Plan,Action Plans, and the Al,the City will actively consult with public and
private agencies that provide housing,health,and social services to ensure that the interests and
needs of all groups are being adequately identified.These may include the regional Continuum of
Care, private businesses/employers, residential developers, nonprofit organizations, philanthropic
organizations, and community-based and faith-based organizations, including those that provide
services to special needs populations. This consultation will occur through interviews conducted with
such organizations, stakeholder meetings, and incorporation of data and reports produced by such
organizations into the Con Plan,Action Plans,and Al,where applicable.
Glossary of Relevant Terms
Action Plan.The yearly portion of the Consolidated Plan identifies the specific activities and projects
to be undertaken by the City with CDBG funds during that program year.
Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice(AI).This document reviews housing challenges and
fair housing issues in the City and broader region. It results in goals and action steps to address and
mitigate barriers.
Community Development Block Grant(CDBG). Established under Title 1 of the Housing and
Community Development Act of 1974 as amended, Public Law 93-383,and the funding received
under such programs, assists communities in addressing housing and community development
needs, primarily for low-and moderate-income residents.
Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report(CAPER).The CAPER reports the City's
completion of projects and activities as outlined within the Action and Consolidated Plans and the
expenditure of CDBG and related block grant funds,as received by the City.
Consolidated Plan.A five-year plan of a City's housing and community development needs, resources,
priorities, and proposed activities to be undertaken for the CDBG programs.
Relevant Areas and Programs.The City of Meridian's 2022-2026 Consolidated Plan covers the
geographic area within the city limits of Meridian. CDBG funds must benefit low-and moderate-
income residents and/or neighborhoods within Meridian.
CDBG Citizen Participation
Public Participation and Comment
Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plans
The City will conduct at least two public hearings at different stages of the annual planning process to
obtain citizens'views on housing and community development needs, program performance, funding
priorities, and to respond to questions. At least one of these hearings will be held before the proposed
plan is published for comment.
The City may elect to collect citizen input through alternative public involvement techniques (e.g.focus
groups,surveys, and social media)with the intent of developing a shared vision for investment in
communities and neighborhoods.
Upon request,the City will offer technical assistance to groups that represent low-and moderate-income
persons, in developing funding proposals under any of the goals covered by the Consolidated Plan.The
level and type of assistance will be determined annually by the City depending on need,as evidenced
in past applications and expressed by residents,stakeholders,and past grantees.The assistance need
not include the provision of funds to the groups receiving technical assistance.
The citizen input techniques will be designed to encourage participation by low-and moderate-
income residents, residents living in neighborhoods with revitalization needs, residents benefitting
from public housing assistance, and residents with special needs.The Ada County Housing Authority
(ACHA)will be notified about Consolidated Plan activities related to developments and resident
communities to allow this information to be available at public hearings required for its plan.
Before the adoption of the Con Plan and Action Plans, the City will make available to interested parties
the draft Plan for a comment period of no less than 30 days and will conduct a public hearing during or
at the end of the 30-day comment period.
The 30-day comment period and the public hearing for the Consolidated Plan and Action Plans
will be noticed in the City of Meridian's newspaper of record and by posting the notice on the
City's website and social media sites.The public notice shall be published at least two weeks in
advance of the public hearing and shall include information regarding the subject of the hearing,
the date,time, and location of the public hearing, and a notice of opportunity to provide
written or oral comment. Public hearings will follow the format set forth by the City for regular
Council meetings and may include alternative formats such as a virtual platform.
CDBG Citizen Participation
In the event of an emergency, HUD may grant a waiver to the number of days required for a public
comment period to ensure funding can get into the community as quickly as possible. Under these
circumstances, Action Plans, substantial amendments, and the Citizen Participation Plan will only
require a five (5) day public comment period. The legal notice for at least one local newspaper will be
published no less than five (5) days before the end of the public comment period.
The draft Con Plan will contain the amount of assistance the City expects to receive through the HUD
CDBG grants and the strategic goals that will guide funding over the five planning periods.The Action
Plans will detail the projects to which the City may allocate funds for that particular program year.
Electronic copies of the draft plans will be available on the City's website and circulated to
residents and stakeholders who have expressed interest in receiving the document via email.
Hardcopies will be available at City offices upon request.
The Council will consider any comments or views of individuals or groups received in writing or orally
during the Plan process and at the public hearing to be held during,or immediately following,the 30-day
public comment period.The Council shall, at a regular or special public meeting, review the proposed
Plan and the summaries regarding the incorporation of citizen comments or views provided,and vote on
a resolution to adopt the final Consolidated Plan or Action Plan.
Comments received on the draft plans will be summarized in the final plan submitted to HUD.Copies of
letters and emails received may be appended to the plans if requested and permitted by
commenters. All comments received during the planning process and public comment period will be
accepted and a summary attached to each plan.
Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice
The citizen participation process for the Al will include alternative public involvement techniques (e.g.
focus groups,surveys, and social media)with a focus on reaching residents who are most vulnerable
to fair housing challenges and are historically underrepresented in community engagement
processes.The Al will be available for public review during a 30-day comment period. Electronic copies
of the draft Al will be available on the City's website and circulated to residents and stakeholders who
have expressed interest in receiving the document. Hard copies will be available for review at City
offices upon request.
CDBG Citizen Participation
CAPER
A public notice of the CAPER availability with the date, time, and process for public comment will be
published in the City of Meridian's newspaper of record at least 15 days in advance of the end of the
public comment period. The City will accept all comments received during the public comment period
and provide a summary of these comments with the CAPER.
Substantial Amendments
Public comments or a change in circumstances may warrant an amendment to the Con Plan and/or
Action Plan. Minor changes require notice to HUD while major changes require a substantial amendment.
The following criteria define adjustments that require a substantial amendment:
• A change in the expected federal allocation of the block grant of 20 percent or more.
• A change in the City's allocation plan that would redirect more than 20 percent of annual
funding to a different project goal.
• Carrying out a project using CDBG funds or program income not previously described in the
Con Plan or Action Plan.
In the event of a substantial amendment, the City will publish a notice of the recommended changes
and the date,time, and location of the public hearing in the City of Meridian's newspaper of record at
least two weeks in advance of the public hearing.The City will provide a 30-day public comment period
with a public hearing during or at the end of the 30-day comment period. The Council shall, at a
regular or special public meeting, review the proposed substantial amendment and the summaries
regarding the incorporation of citizen comments or views provided, and vote on a resolution to adopt
the substantial amendment. Following the Council's passage of the resolution adopting the substantial
amendment,the City will notify HUD of the amendment and submit a copy of each substantial
amendment to HUD as it occurs.
City Council will consider any comments on the substantially amended Plan from individuals or
groups. Comments must be received in writing or orally at public hearings. Virtual meetings and oral
comments from the public are allowable if the City chooses to utilize this platform. A summary of the
written and public hearing comments on the substantial amendments will be included in the final
Plan.
CDBG Citizen Participation
Public access to records
The City will provide all interested parties with access to information and records related to the City's
Con Plan,Action Plans,CAPER, and the City's use of funds under all programs covered by the Con Plan
during the preceding five years.
Use of available waivers from HUD
The City of Meridian,when provided the authority from the Housing and Urban Development
Department, may utilize any flexibilities or statutory waivers provided by HUD as they relate to the
Community Development Block Grant Program. Waivers are typically provided in the event of a disaster
and/or emergency declaration,though waivers may be available at other HUD-specified times.
A declared disaster or emergency may include, but is not limited to the following:
1) Man-Made Disasters
2) Natural Disasters
3) Terrorism
4) Infectious Disease or Pandemic
S) National Emergency
If waivers or other authorities are available from HUD to assist in expediting available additional
resources and/or any plan modifications, the City may take full advantage of offered exceptions to
standard Citizen Participation requirements outlined in other sections of this plan. Reasonable notice
and opportunity for public response or comment will be considered as the minimum outlined in any
provided waivers.
CDBG Citizen Participation •
Resolution
Will be added when complete.
CDBG Citizen Participation