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PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE TO THE B18 (FYE19) FOURTH YEAR ACTION PLAN FOR THE 44TH YEAR NORMAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT.
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BACKGROUND: The 2014-2019 Consolidated Plan approved in May 2014 is a comprehensive planning approach to identify and address the needs of low-to-moderate income residents of Norman. Incorporated in the plan was a community profile of needs, goals and objectives related to housing, homeless persons, community development (including facilities, infrastructure, public services, and economic development), public and assisted housing needs, and other issues including fair housing and lead-based paint; and a strategic plan to address those needs.
The Fourth Year Action Plan for the 44th Year Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and the 2018 HOME Partnership Program (City of Norman FY 2018-2019) were approved by the Norman City Council on May 8, 2018 and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on June 18, 2018. All activities included in the proposed use of CDBG funds referenced the Five-Year Consolidated Plan Objectives and expected performance outcomes, and totaled $843,653.
Designation of activities for an Action Plan is considered the year prior to the actual implementation. It is not uncommon for the scope of these activities to be expanded or reduced, or a determination made that the activity is no longer needed to be undertaken with this funding source. Dependent upon the circumstance, amending the Action Plan is either a minor or a substantial amendment to allow for reprogramming. The reprogrammed funds will be utilized for a program targeting owner occupied properties within the CDBG Target Area who, as a result of October 2020 Ice Storm (FEMA-4575-DR), incurred substantial tree damage on their private property. The project will be administered by the CDBG Program under the direction of the Parks and Recreation Department.
DISCUSSION: The CDBG Program requires that each grantee adopt and follow a Citizen Participation Plan for the proposal and implementation of all activities. The Plan that is adopted by the City of Norman requires that a Substantial Amendment to an Action Plan is required if an activity is proposed that was not previously approved by HUD or if there is an overall change in funding by addition or reduction of an award. Once approved by Council, this request will be forwarded to HUD for approval. The CDBG Policy Committee unanimously approved Substantial Amendment #1 to the Fourth Year Action Plan during a virtual meeting held on January 6, 2021. A Legal Notice was published on January 13, 2021 which included a thirty-day comment period. No comments, written or verbal were received.
The following activities to the approved Fourth Year Action Plan are eliminated or reduced as follows:
• Acquisition - GC0078; Land Acquisition for Non-Profits $25,000. This activity is cancelled.
• Neighborhood Projects - GC0079; CART ADA Improvements $22,340. The scope of this activity was reduced.
The following activity is a new addition to the Fourth Year Action Plan
• Neighborhood Projects - Tree Pruning/Removal/Replacement Project $47,340. These funds will be added to GC0077 CDBG Tree Planting and the scope increased to include pruning and removal. Total budget for this activity is increased to $82,340 of which $35,000 has previously been expended.
The activity will be limited to owner occupied households within the CDBG Target Area. Applications will be taken primarily online with an avenue for households that do not have internet access. The CDBG Staff will be responsible for verification of ownership and payment processing. The City of Norman Forester, Tim Vermillion, will evaluate each property and determine the scope of work. After obtaining the approval of the owner, the work will be contracted to a Certified Arborist. All work is limited to private property; no activity will be allowed within the City of Norman Right-of-Way.
RECOMMENDATION: Approval of Amendment One to the Fourth Year Action Plan for the 44th Year Community Development Block Grant Program, as proposed.