04/27/20 City Council Agenda Packet - Work Session

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Citizen Participation Citizen involvement is a critical part of the process to identify specific uses for federal funds and activities to be undertaken in FY 2021. The City of Eugene works with a CDBG Advisory Committee composed of community residents to develop recommendations for use of CDBG funds. The Eugene- Springfield HOME Consortium has formed a HOME Consortium Governing Board composed of the Mayors and elected officials to direct the use of HOME funds. In addition, there are multiple evaluation committees that provide advisory guidance on specific programs. There are multiple opportunities for the public to provide comment in writing or during public meetings in addition to public hearings. Public meetings are held at times convenient to potential and actual beneficiaries in locations that meet American with Disabilities Act accessibility standards. With 48 notice prior to any public meeting, the City of Eugene can provide the following services: an interpreter and audio equipment for the hearing impaired, a reader to review printed materials with the sight impaired; and language interpreter for non-English speaking residents. The specific outreach and citizen participation process for HOME funds received by the Eugene- Springfield HOME Consortium and CDBG funds received by Eugene are described below. Due to public health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the final meetings and public hearings had to be held in an online format. Efforts were made to provide call-in options to facilitate access for individuals with limited technology access. Eugene-Springfield HOME Consortium HOME Allocation Process The Eugene-Springfield HOME Consortium Governing Board reviewed and approved the draft recommendation for the use of HOME funds on March 3, 2020. A 30-day public comment period commenced on March 6 and was completed on April 7, 2020. A public hearing by the HOME Consortium Governing Board was held on April 7, 2020. One written comment was received during this time and one public comment was made during the public hearing. The Governing Board reviewed and approved the HOME Allocation on April 7, 2020. A summary of the Eugene-Springfield HOME Consortium funding sources and uses is provided in Attachment B. The proposed HOME allocation was also provided to the Intergovernmental Housing Policy Board, which is a forum for ongoing communication with affordable housing advocates and developers. An extensive interested parties list is maintained for the HPB and monthly meetings are typically attended by affordable housing providers and other interested parties. Staff presented the proposed HOME allocation at the Housing Policy Board meeting on March 2, 2020. Eugene CDBG Allocation Process The Eugene CDBG Advisory Committee reviewed and approved the draft recommendation for use of CDBG funds on March 11, 2020. A 30day public comment period commenced on March 17 and was completed on April 16, 2020. One written comment was received during this time. A public hearing was held by the Eugene CDBG Advisory Committee on April 9, 2020, and one comment was made during the public hearing. The Advisory Committee made a final recommendation for use of CDBG funds on April 9, 2020. A summary of the Eugene CDBG funding sources and uses is provided as Attachment C.