AGENDA #4e
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Recommended Process to Amend the 2001-2002 Community Development Program
DATE: April 22, 2002
The attached resolution would adopt a process to amend the 2001-2002 Community Development program. This process would include a public hearing to receive comments and proposals from organizations and the public.
BACKGROUND
In March 2001, the Youth Creating Change Serteen Club requested Community Development funds from the Town to open a youth arcade in the Northside neighborhood. At that time, we recommended that if the group’s business plan were more fully developed and other resources and funding were committed, the Council should consider using up to $9,000 of Community Development program income or reallocate residual Community Development funds to match the funds raised. The group has since modified its original proposal and has instead opened a retail shop on North Graham Street.
At a budget public hearing on March 26, 2002, Maxecine Mitchell representing Youth Creating Change requested that the Town provide funds for this activity. At that time, the Manager reported that we would meet with representatives from Youth Creating Change and determine if an eligible job training program could be developed. We have reviewed the federal Community Development regulations and determined that funds could be provided if a job training component was developed.
DISCUSSION
We have met with Ms. Mitchell and other representatives for Youth Creating change and have developed a job training component that would be eligible as a public service activity under the Community Development regulations.
We propose that the Council budget $9,000 during the 2001-2002 program year for this activity by using program income.
Youth Creating Change would use funds to provide a job training program to its members. According to its proposal, the organization would sponsor four training programs on the following topics: financial literacy education and training; leadership training; job readiness and life skills training; and entrepreneurship training. A full description of the program would be put forth to the Council at the public hearing.
According to the Town’s Citizen Participation Plan adopted by the Council, in order to budget program income for eligible Community Development projects, the Council must hold a public hearing to receive citizen comments on the proposed use of funds. At that time, any organization or individual could present ideas for use of these funds. After a public hearing, we would return to the Council with a recommended plan for use of these funds. The Citizen Plan also requires that we notify the public about the proposed amendment.
PROPOSED PROCESS
We propose the following schedule for the Council’s consideration of how the program income could be budgeted:
· Publish a notice in the Chapel Hill Herald on April 24, 2002 to announce the time and date of the public hearing and send a notice of the hearing to our Community Development mailing list (approximately 80 organizations and individuals);
· Conduct a public hearing on May 8, 2002 to receive citizen comments;
· Return to the Council on May 13, 2002 for consideration of the proposal; and
· If the proposal is approved, submit a revised 2001-2002 Annual Update to the Consolidated Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
That the Council adopt the attached resolution adopting a process to amend the 2001-2002 Community Development program.
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A PROCESS TO AMEND THE 2001-2002 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (2002-04-22/R-5)
WHEREAS, the Town has an ongoing interest in the promotion of Community Development activities in the Town of Chapel Hill; and
WHEREAS, the Town has received Community Development program income;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council adopts the following process to amend the 2001-2002 Community Development program to budget up to $9,000 of Community Development program income:
· Publish a notice in the Chapel Hill Herald on April 24, 2002 to announce the time and date of the public hearing and send a notice of the hearing to our Community Development mailing list (approximately 80 organizations and individuals);
· Conduct a public hearing on May 8, 2002 to receive citizen comments;
· Return to the Council on May 13, 2002 for consideration of the proposal; and
· If the proposal is approved, submit a revised 2001-2002 Annual Update to the Consolidated Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
This the 22nd day of April, 2002.