AG 1994 10 17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN CABARRUS COUNTY This plan describes how the County will involve citizens in the planning, implementation and assessment of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. The CDBG Program provides funds to local governments on a competitive basis. The funds must be used l'br projects which benefit low-and moderate-income persons and aids in the elimination and prevention of slums and blight. The program is intended to assist governments in undertaking neighborhood improvement progn'arns. The regulations give ultimate responsibility.' for the design and implementation of the program to local elected officials and also requires that citizens be given an opportunity to serve in key advisory, roles to these elected officials. ADVISORY COMMITTEE To insure that local residents are given a full opportunity to participate in the program, a Neighborhood Area Committee will be established to function in an advisory capacib' to the governing board regarding program design, implementation and assessment. This five (5) member committee will consist of three (3) residents of the designated Target Area (the area that is the subject of the CDBG project), and two (2) at-large members. Members will be appointed by the governing board. Citizens and civic organizations are urged to make recommendations for appointment. Of particular interest is obtaining representation of low-and moderate-income persons, members of minority groups, the elderly and handicapped. SCOPE OF CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Citizens will be involved in all stages of the CDBO program, including program implementation, assessment of' performance and desigm of changes in the Plan. There will be three (3) general mechanisms for their involvement: ( 1 ) the Advisory, Committee; (2) public hearings and ad hoc community meetings; and (3) individual citizen ef~brts in the t%rm of comments, complaints or inquiries submitted directly to the Program Administrator Bob Stark of Stark Associates. PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION Citizen participation in progn'am implementation w/Il occur primarily through consultation w/th the Adviso .ry Committee. They w/Il be asked to review and comment on specific guidelines for approved projects. They will also meet to review any program amendments, budget revisions and housing rehabilitation program modifications. Ail such changes will be discussed and their comments considered prior to action being taken. These meetings will be held on an as-needed basis. If program amendments require DOC approval, a public hearSng w/Il be held on the amendment. Citizens may also be involved in implementation of projects requiring citizen particiipation.