1999-06 Citizens Participation Plan•
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RESOLUTION NO. 99-6
A RESOLUTION •ADOPTING
A CITIZEN'S PARTICIPATION PLAN
WHEREAS, the CITY OF OKEECHOBEE recognizes the need to develop a plan to
address continuous citizen involvement in the CITY OF OKEECHOBEE's Community
Development Block Grant Program; and
WHEREAS, it is the intent of the CITY OF OKEECHOBEE to the greatest extent
feasible, to ensure an adequate opportunity for community wide participation in the planning,
development and implementation activities related to CITY OF OKEECHOBEE's Community
Development Block Grant Program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF
OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA hereby adopts a Citizen's Participation Plan;
RESOLVED, FURTHER, that the CITY ADMINISTRATOR is designated to coordinate
the implementation of said Plan;
RESOLVED, FURTHER, that all resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict with this
Resolution are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict; and
RESOLVED, FURTHER, that this Resolution shall become effective immediately upon
adoption.
DULY ADOPTED in regular session this 15th day of June, 1999.
ATTEST:
BONNIE S. THOMS, CMC, CITY CLERK
REVIEWED FOR LEGAL SUFFICIENCY:
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h: 0 ' '
JOHN R. COOK, CITY ATTORNEY
JA)( E. KIRK, MAY
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CITY OF OKEECHOBEE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM
CITIZEN'S PARTICIPATION PLAN
Prepared by
CITY OF OKEECHOBEE
55 S.E. THIRD AVENUE
OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA 34974
With Assistance from
Craig A. Smith and Associates
242 Royal Palm Beach Boulevard
Royal Palm Beach, Florida 33411
561- 791 -9280
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page
I. Overall Goal 1
II. Objectives 1
III. Citizens Advisory Task Force on Community Development 1
IV. Public Hearings, Notices and Meetings 2
V. Access to Public Information 2
VI. Citizen Complaint Process 2
VII. Bilingual Opportunities 3
VIII. Response to Program Inquiries 3
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CITY OF OKEECHOBEE
CITIZEN'S PARTICIPATION PLAN
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM
I. OVERALL GOAL
Per the requirements of 24 CFR 570.486 and Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 9B -43, the
purpose of this Citizen Participation Plan is to ensure an adequate opportunity for community
wide participation in the planning, development and implementation activities related to the
CITY's Community Development Block Grant Program.
II. OBJECTIVES
A. To increase interchange of information between CITY staff and the local citizenry
concerning community development and related concerns.
B. To heighten public awareness as to the purpose and function of the Community
Development Block Grant program and the types of assistance available, especially among
low /moderate income residents.
C. To increase community participation in program planning and implementation, and thereby
create local support for the Community Development Block Grant program.
D. To allow affected or potentially affected citizens to directly assist in shaping and guiding
the program's impact upon their neighborhood as well as the community at large.
III. CITIZENS ADVISORY TASK FORCE ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
To ensure continuous citizen involvement in the CITY's Community Development Block Grant
Program, the CITY shall establish the Citizens Advisory Task Force on Community Development
to assist with program planning and implementation.
The Task Force shall be comprised of the members of the CITY's Code Enforcement Board
Task Force meetings shall be open to the general public. These meetings shall be accessible to
interested parties. During such meetings, the Task Force shall assist CITY staff in all aspects of
the Community Development Block Grant program, including: gathering and assessing citizen
input, selection of projects, prioritization of needs, community outreach and public relations,
public meetings, determination of program activities and service levels, quality
assurance, and continuous program monitoring (including client selection procedures, grievances,
performance, etc.).
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IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS, NOTICES AND MEETINGS
The following schedule of public hearings shall be used for program components as indicated
below.
Program Component
Number of
Public Hearings
Identification of Community Development
Needs Stage One hearing
Application Stage One hearing
Amendments to Community Development
Block Grant Project, as required One hearing
All public hearings shall be advertised once in the nonlegal section of a local newspaper of general
circulation as defined by Chapter 50, Florida Statutes, a minimum of five (5) days but not more
than twenty (20) days prior to the scheduled hearing. To ensure accessibility, hearings shall be
held at the following location: City Council Chambers, City of Okeechobee, 55 S.E. Third
Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida 34974.
V. ACCESS TO PUBLIC INFORMATION
All program information shall be available for inspection by interested citizens, including, at a
minimum: Task Force Minutes, Community Development Block Grant Application, Community
Development Block Grant Program Regulations and this Citizen Participation Plan. These
documents shall be available during normal working hours (Monday through Friday from 8:30
a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at the City Administrator's Office, City of
Okeechobee.
In addition, specific information dissemination and technical assistance activities shall be
undertaken on an as needed basis to inform the low /moderate income persons residing in the
Community Development Block Grant Project Areas. Such activities include: neighborhood
meetings at community centers, churches or other convenient locations, community outreach by
CITY staff, direct contact by Citizens Task Force members, and written (flyer type) information
concerning the program.
VI. CITIZEN COMPLAINT PROCESS
All disputes arising under the Community Development Block Grant Program shall be presented
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in writing to the CITY ADMINISTRATOR within fifteen (15) working days of the
commencement of the dispute. Such claim shall state the facts surrounding the claim in sufficient
detail to identify the claim, together with its character and scope. The CITY ADMINISTRATOR
• will contact the claimant and attempt to resolve the dispute. The CITY ADMINISTRATOR will
provide a written decision within fifteen (15) working days.
Any appeals of the CITY ADMINISTRATOR's decision shall be presented in writing within
fifteen (15) working days of receipt of the written decision by the claimant to the Citizens
Advisory Task Force on Community Development. The Citizens Advisory Task Force on
Community Development will make a recommendation to the CITY COUNCIL within fifteen
(15) working days.
The CITY COUNCIL shall consider the recommendation at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
A decision shall be made by the CITY COUNCIL at such meeting. The CITY COUNCIL's
decision on the appeal will be provided in writing and will be the final authority in the dispute.
VII. BILINGUAL OPPORTUNITIES
Operational experience in the Community Development Block Grant Program has proven that the
number of families speaking foreign languages is not significant. However, if the need arises, the
CITY will provide a translator.
VIII. RESPONSE TO PROGRAM INQUIRIES
All inquiries concerning the CITY's Community Development Block Grant program shall be
promptly answered either by telephone, personal contact or in writing. All written inquires shall
be answered in writing. The response period shall not exceed fifteen (15) working days from the
date of receipt of the inquiry by the CITY staff.
Duly Adopted in regular session this 15th day of June, 1999.
ATTEST:
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