(A) Citizen participation in CDBG application. Before submitting an application for a Community Development Block Grant, the city shall hold a minimum of two public hearings to receive comments, suggestions and questions concerning the program and the city’s proposed participation. The public meetings shall be held at times and locations that shall be appropriate to broad citizen participation. Notice shall be given to local news media at least ten days in advance of each meeting.
(B) Citizen participation in CDBG Program.
(1) Citizen participation shall be solicited periodically, as necessary, during the course of the program for information and assistance. City meetings will be used as a forum for open public discussion of all related program matters. The city shall maintain an up-to-date file of all information on the administration and execution of the program, excluding any confidential data solicited in surveys of residents, and the file shall be reasonably available for public inspection. All reasonable requests to copy program records and information shall be allowed, and handouts of frequently requested information shall be prepared and made available. Affirmative efforts shall be made to get adequate information to citizens, especially persons of low and moderate income.
(2) The city shall notify the public of any program amendment which requires state approval. A public hearing shall be held for any amendments that will change the scope of the program or alter the outcomes of any projects included in the CDBG Program. The public hearing shall be held to consider the merits of the amendment, to answer questions and to receive comments prior to its submission. Amendments not requiring prior state approval, budget revisions and minor changes to the Community Development Program shall be made without such public hearing.
(C) Public files, questions and complaints, foreign languages, hearing impaired and handicapped.
(1) The city shall maintain an up-to-date file for all information on the Community Development Block Grant Program, as received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which shall be available for public inspection.
(2) The city encourages the ideas, comments and questions of all local citizens. Any questions, complaints or proposals addressed to the city in writing will be responded to in writing generally within 15 working days and shall be included in the public file.
(3) All public hearings and meetings will be conducted at a location that is accessible to the handicapped.
(4) The city will comply (to the extent reasonably possible) with requests for translation of meeting notices, meetings, minutes or contents of the file into a foreign language.
(5) The city will comply (to the extent reasonably possible) with requests from the hearing impaired to use sign language at meetings or to give them written minutes and notices of the meetings.
(2003 Code, § 38.03) (Res. 1032, passed 7-1-1999)