BC 1991 11 04 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

358 UPON MOTION of Chairman Simmons, seconded by Commissioner Carpenter and unanimously carried, the Board approved the following Cabarrus County Citizen Participation Plan for Cabarrus County. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN CABARRUS COUNTY This plan describes how Cabarrus 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 units of government on a competitive basis. The funds must be used for 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 programs. 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 a key advisory role to these elected officials. ADVISORY COMMITTEE To insure that residents in Cabarrus County are given a full opportunity to participate in the program, a Neighborhood Area Committee will be established to function in an advisory capacity to the Board of County Commissioners 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 proposal), and two (2) at- large members. Members will be appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. Citizens and civic organizations are urged to make recommendations for appointment. The Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners are particularly interested in obtaining representation of low- and moderate-income persons, members of minority groups, the elderly and the handicapped. SCOPE OF CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Citizens will be involved in all stages of the CDBG program, including program implementation, assessment of performance and design of changes in the Plan. There will be three (3) general mechanisms for their involvement: the Advisory Committee; public hearings, and ad hoc community meetings; and individual citizens efforts in the form of comments, complaints or inquiries submitted directly to the Program Administrator or the Planning and Zoning Director. The Program Administrator is Robert Stark, P. O. Box 707, Concord, N.C. 28025. Telephone: (704) 788-8141. PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION Citizen participation in program implementation will occur primarily through consultation with the Advisory Committee. They will 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 (HAP) modifications. Ail such changes will be discussed with them and their comments considered prior to the County taking action. These meetings will be held on an as-needed basis. If program amendments require ECD approval, a public hearing shall be held specifically on the amendment. Citizens may also be involved in implementation of projects specifically requiring citizen participation, such as self-help projects. Their roles will be defined as the project develops. Technical assistance will be available as needed. PROGRAM ASSESSMENT Program assessment activities by citizens will occur in a variety of ways. A performance hearing will be held thirty (30) to sixty (60) days prior to the start of planning for the next program year. The Advisory Committee will be asked to provide citizen commentary for the Grantee Performance Report and to review that report prior to its submission.