https://www.mymanatee.org/media/docs/default-source/government-relations-department-documents/grants-division/citizen-participation-plan/final-manatee-county-citizen-participation-plan_6-17-25.pdf

## Citizen Participation Plan [Image: Im0]

## Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) [Image: Im0]

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## Table of Contents

**Change Log............................................................................................... 1** **Statement of Purpose............................................................................. 2** **Introduction............................................................................................. 2** **Maintain a Comprehensive Website.....................................................3** CDBG-DR Website Contents............................................................................................ 3 CDBG-DR Website Usability and Accessibility............................................................... 4 CDBG-DR Website Frequency of Updates..................................................................... 4 Responsibility.................................................................................................................... 5 **Action Plan Comments........................................................................... 5** **Citizen Participation Plan Comments...................................................6** **Public Notice............................................................................................ 6** **Public Hearings........................................................................................ 7** **Submission of Action Plan...................................................................... 7** **HUD-Approved Action Plan.................................................................... 7** **Individuals with Disabilities................................................................... 8** **Anti-Displacement................................................................................... 8** **Access to Records.................................................................................... 9** **Citizen Advisory Group........................................................................... 9** **Citizen Complaints................................................................................ 10** **Response to Appeals.............................................................................10** **Performance Reports............................................................................ 10** **Action Plan Amendments.....................................................................11** **Use of Plan.............................................................................................. 11** **Citizen Participation Plan Contact......................................................12**

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## Change Log

| Version | Date | Description | | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | 6/17/2025 | Final CDBG-DR Citizen Participation Plan |

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## Statement of Purpose

The County of Manatee (“County”) is a recipient of Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) to support long-term recovery efforts following eligible disasters. This funding is being provided through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The County recognizes that citizen participation is a critical component of disaster recovery. To better guide the County’s outreach in gaining citizen input, the County has developed a Citizen Participation Plan (CPP) specific to the County’s CDBG-DR programs. The CPP is designed to create opportunities for citizens to participate in the planning, implementation, and assessment of CDBG-DR recovery programs.

CDBG-DR requires that grantees adopt a citizen participation plan and *Federal Register* Notices outline the specific citizen participation requirements applicable to CDBG-DR funding. The County has developed this CPP consistent with the requirements in HUD’s January 8, 2025 Federal Register Notice (<u>90 FR 1754</u>) (Updated March 19, 2025) (“Revised Universal Notice”), and will implement updates or alternative plans as needed to ensure continued alignment with federal guidance.

In accordance with section I.C.2. of the Revised Universal Notice, the County has prepared a Plan to govern public participation in the planning, implementation, and assessment of the County’s CDBG-DR recovery programs. The County is responsible for administering the CDBG-DR funds and this CPP. Pursuant to I.C.1.c. of the Revised Universal Notice, the County will use CDBG-DR funds in a manner that complies with applicable statutes including:

• Section 109 of the HCD Act (42 U.S.C. 5309)

• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.)

• Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (The Fair Housing Act) (42 U.S.C. 3601-19)

• Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794)

• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.)

• The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12131 et seq.)

• Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) (Public Law 104-193)

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The goal of CDBG-DR funding is to promote the recovery of disaster impacted communities by addressing unmet needs as they pertain to restoration of housing and infrastructure, economic revitalization, and mitigation, with a focus on benefiting low-and moderateincome (LMI) persons. Citizen participation will be encouraged throughout the recovery process by providing notice to residents and local organizations through various media methods.

The CPP sets forth the policies and procedures to be used to encourage the participation of all County residents. To fulfill public participation requirements for CDBG-DR grants, the County is committed to the processes outlined herein for citizen participation.

## Maintain a Comprehensive Website

In accordance with requirements established by the Revised Universal Notice, the County will implement, develop, and maintain a comprehensive website that provides information on all disaster recovery activities related to CDBG-DR. The website will comply with the requirements outlined in the Revised Universal Notice which can be accessed at <u>www.mymanatee.org/lastingmanatee</u>.

The CDBG-DR website will be updated quarterly, at a minimum, in accordance with the following procedures and standards. The webpage will feature links to details about grant fund usage and management, action plans and amendments, performance reports, citizen participation notices, and program information for activities specified in the Action Plan. Additionally, it will include information on current procurement policies and most contracts related to the use of the funds.

The website offers residents, affected local government, and other interested parties the chance to review the following documents:

## CDBG-DR Website Contents

transparency regarding the administration of all CDBG-DR funds.

• Administrative Action Plan;

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• Action Plan for Disaster Recovery (including all amendments) and all vital documents necessary to understand the program;

• Each performance report (as created using the DRGR system) with all personally identifiable information omitted;

• Citizen Participation Plan;

• Program-specific policies and procedures (compliant with the timelines identified III.A.1. of the Universal Notice);

• Procurement policies and procedures;

• Procedures for ensuring timely expenditure of funds (including a projection of expenditures and outcomes);

• All executed contracts (except for those below the micro-purchase threshold) that will be paid with CDBG-DR funds as defined in 2 CFR 200.22 (including, but not limited to, subrecipients’ contracts); and

• A summary, including the description and status, of services or goods currently being procured by the grantee or the subrecipient (e.g., phase of the procurement, requirements for proposals, etc.);