06-10-19 Regular Meeting of the La Porte City Council

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1. Public notice of all hearings must be published at least seventy-two (72) hours prior to the scheduled hearing. The public notice must be published in a local newspaper. Each public notice must include the date, time, location, and topics to be considered at the public hearing. A published newspaper article can also be used to meet this requirement so long as it meets all content and timing requirements. Notices should also be prominently posted in public buildings and distributed to local Public Housing Authorities and other interested community groups. 2. When a significant number of non-English speaking residents are a part of the potential service area of the CDBG project, vital documents such as notices should be published in the predominant language of these non-English speaking citizens. 3. Each public hearing shall be held at a time and location convenient to potential or actual beneficiaries and will include accommodation for persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities must be able to attend the hearings and the City must make arrangements for individuals who require auxiliary aids or services if contacted at least two days prior to the hearing. 4. A public hearing held prior to the submission of a CDBG application must be held after 5:00 PM on a weekday or at a convenient time on a Saturday or Sunday. 5. When a significant number of non-English speaking residents can be reasonably expected to participate in a public hearing, an interpreter should be present to accommodate the needs of the non-English speaking residents. The City shall comply with the following citizen participation requirements for the preparation and submission of an application for a CDBG project: 1. At a minimum, the City shall hold at least one (1) public hearing to prior to submitting the application 2. The City shall retain documentation of the hearing notice(s), a listing of persons attending the hearing(s), minutes of the hearing(s), and any other records concerning the proposed use of funds for three (3) years from closeout of the grant to the state. Such records shall be made available to the public in accordance with Chapter 552, Texas Government Code. 3. The public hearing shall include a discussion with citizens as outlined in the applicable CDBG application manual to include, but is not limited to, the development of housing and community development needs, the amount of funding available, all eligible activities under the CDBG program, and the use of past CDBG contract funds, if applicable. Citizens, with particular emphasis on persons of low- and moderate-income who are residents of slum and blight areas, shall be encouraged to submit their views and proposals regarding community development and housing needs. Citizens shall be made aware of the location where they may submit their views and proposals should they be unable to attend the public hearing. 4. When a significant number of non-English speaking residents can be reasonably expected to participate in a public hearing, an interpreter should be present to accommodate the needs of the non-English speaking residents.