By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
The public hearing is past, but it is not too late to
submit a written response.
Nephi City Council held a public hearing on Tuesday to
consider potential projects for which suggestions for
potential funding may be applied under Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) Small Cities Programs for the program
year 2004-2005.
"These funds must be used on projects that primarily
benefit low- and Moderate-income people" said Chad Brough,
mayor.
The program provides annual grants on a formula basis
to entitled cities and counties to develop viable urban
communities by providing decent housing and a suitable
living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities,
principally for low- and moderate-income persons.
"The Six-County Association of Governments (SCAOG) has
identified approximately 473,000 that could be used in Juab
County in the 2004-2005 program year," said Brough.
States participating in the CDBG Program award grants
only to units of general local government that carry out
development activities. Annually each State develops funding
priorities and criteria for selecting projects.
"All eligible activities that can be accomplished
under this program are identified in the CDGB application
guide," said Brough. "Interested parties can review the
guide at any time."
Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program (Section 108
Program)
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement
communities are eligible to apply for a guarantee from the
Section 108 Loan Guarantee program. CDBG non-entitlement
communities may also apply, provided that their State agrees
to pledge the CDBG funds necessary to secure the loan.
Non-entitlement applicants may receive their loan guarantee
directly or designate another eligible public entity such as
an industrial development authority, to receive it and carry
out the Section 108 assisted project.
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program
works largely without fanfare or recognition to ensure
decent affordable housing for all, and to provide services
to the most vulnerable in our communities, to create jobs
and expand business opportunities.
"CDBG funds have been used for economic development
planning and for housing rehabilitation in Nephi and Juab
County in prior years," said Brough.
CDBG is an important tool in helping local governments
tackle the most serious challenges facing their communities.
The CDBG program has made a difference in the lives of
millions of people living in communities all across this
Nation.
A grantee must develop and follow a detailed plan
which provides for, and encourages, citizen participation
and which emphasizes participation by persons of low- or
moderate-income, particularly residents of predominantly
low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, slum or blighted
areas, and areas in which the grantee proposes to use CDBG
funds.
The plan must provide citizens with reasonable and
timely access to local meetings, an opportunity to review
proposed activities and to review program performance;
provide for timely written answers to written complaints and
grievances; and identify how the needs of non-English
speaking residents will be met in the case of public
hearings where a significant number of non-English speaking
residents can be reasonably expected to participate.
The list of items in the city's consolidated capital
improvement list was reviewed.
Those items included: a swimming pool and recreation
center; trail system; skate park; sewer lagoon expansion
feasibility study, water source development; golf course
expansion; watershed protection; drainage masterplan; water
distribution masterplan; water storage and distribution
improvements; park construction; library and city hall
construction; and public works building.
"Street improvements in an area of low- and
Moderate-income households might be considered," said Andrew
McPherson.
Helping the food pantry was also suggested by citizens
at the meeting. It was also suggested that Nephi might apply
for funds for housing rehabilitation.
Developing a park was also suggested. That item is
already, said Brough, on the city's agenda.
No further suggestions were received, however,
residents of Nephi may send written suggestions to city hall
in the next few days.
Over a one, two, or three-year period selected by the
grantee not less than 70 percent of the CDBG funds must be
used for activities that benefit low- and moderate-income
persons.
All activities must meet one of the following national
objectives for the program: benefit low- and moderate-income
persons, prevent or eliminate slums or blight, be directed
to community development needs with a particular urgency
because existing conditions pose a serious and immediate
threat to the health or welfare of the community.
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