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CC Resolution No. 1025 1832 RESOLUTION NO. 1025 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS, ADOPTING THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN AS REQUIRED FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDING. WHEREAS, citizen participation is vital to decisions involving the Community Development Block Grant funds; and WHEREAS, the City of Baytown seeks to secure citizen opinion and comment before any final decision is made concerning the Community Development Block Grant funds; and WHEREAS, a City of Baytown Community Development Citizen Participation Plan has been developed to address these needs; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS : Section 1 : That the City of Baytown Community Development Citizen Participation Plan attached as Exhibit "A" is hereby adopted. Section 2: This resolution shall take effect immediately from and after its passage by the City Council of the City of Baytown. INTRODUCED, READ and PASSED by the affirmative vote of the City Council of the City of Baytown, this the 25th day of August , 1988. MMY J HN , DIayor Pro Tempore ATTEST: f EILEEN P. HALL, City Clerk RANDALL B. STRONG, City rney C :1 :12:2 1833 City of Baytown Community Development Citizen Participation Plan Citizen Participation has always been a very important part of any decision that involves Community Development Block Grant Funds. The City of Baytown has actively pursued citizen opinion and comment before any final decision is made concerning these funds. Detailed below is the City of Baytown's Citizen Participation Plan which should enhance further citizen participation. In order to receive input from the citizens of Baytown the Community Development Advisory Committee will be utilized to make recommendations and hear citizen proposals. The Community Development Advisory Committee is made up of nine City Council appointed citizens. This committee is ac- tively involved in planning and reviewing proposals pesented by various agencies and citizens of Baytown. The Community Development Advisory Committee, will meet quarterly to review Community Development progress, hear citizen proposals and suggestions; and to hold public hearings. This committee will hold public hearings and make general funding recommend- ations to City Council for the proposed C.D.B.G. budget. The City of Baytown, has a neighborhood civic association or neighborhood watch program in almost every subdivision in Baytown. As the C.D. Office prepares it's proposed C.D.B.G. budget for the upcoming fiscal year these organizations will be contacted by mail. They will be advised of the 1 EXHIMT 1834 upcoming public hearings and the amount of C.D.B.G. funds available, eligible types of projects and asked for comments on how these funds should be spent for better neighborhoods. They will also be advised to notify their members. This notice will also inform the organizational leaders of the Community Development Office's hours and their addresses, should anyone in their neighborhood care to make comments. A notice similar to that sent to the civic association or neighborhood watch programs will also be placed in the Baytown Sun. These notices described above should make most of the citizens of Baytown aware of C.D.B.G. funds, and how to comment about them. Any meeting or public hearing concerning upcoming C.D.B.G. fund proposals will be posted and advertised in advance of each meeting. A notice of a public hearing or public meeting will be posted at City Hall 72 hours prior to the proposed meeting. This notice will include the proposed budget. An announcement of the meeting and proposed budget will also be advertized in the Baytown Sun in advance of the meeting. The Community Development office offers technical assistance and advice whenever it is requested. Any letters or notices will state this fact and advise anyone seeking technical assistance to contact the Community Development Office. Staff is available to meet with all groups and explain the program and guidelines. The City of Baytown Community Development Advisory Committee will conduct 2 public hearings before approval of C.D.B.G. funds by City Council. At least one of these meetings will be held in a low and moderate income neighborhood in a building that is handicapped accessible. At these meet- 2 FXHIRIT A 1835 ings the Community Development Advisory Committee will present a review of past C.D.B.G. expenditures along with proposed program categories for the next fiscal year. The Community Development Advisory Committee will also accept proposals and questions on any Community Development Activity. Sum- maries of all public hearings will be provided to City Council before approval of C.D.B.G. funds. Any written complaint or grievance received in the Community Development office will be acted upon immediately. The complaint will be investigated and a reply will be prepared and returned within 15 working days of receiv- ing the complaint. A copy of the complaint and response will be forwarded to the Director of Planning and Traffic. Should the complaining party not be satisfied with the Community Development Office's response they may appeal to the Director. The Director will review the facts and make a decision based on his investigation. Should the complaining party disagree with the Planning and Traffic Director's decision they may appeal to City Council. Any notice of public hearing or letters that advise citizens of upcoming meetings will be published in English and Spanish. A list of available interpreters has been obtained and will be used as necessary. The Com- munity Development Staff will have an interpreter present at all public hearings and meetings involving federal funds. For languages other than Spanish, the Community Development Staff will make every effort to have an interpreter present at public hearings and meetings, as necessary. This procedure will insure the views and proposals of all non english speaking citizens of Baytown will be considered when preparing the Community 3 EXHOIT A 1836 Development Budget. The City of Baytown strongly encourages citizen participation in this program. Any citizen proposal is thoroughly reviewed and considered before final decisions are made. In the past many of the projects undertaken by the Community Development Office were as a direct result of citizen's proposals. This excellent citizen participation and interaction will continue in the future to enhance the efforts of the Community Development Office. The Community Development staff retains the right of final decis- ions on all projects and funding categories submitted to City Council within federal and funding guidelines. 4 EXHIBIT A