HAHarvey Walden
5 days agoCDBG-DR Citizen Participation Plan Amendment
CITY OF WEST MELBOURNE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT – DISASTER RECOVERY (CDBG-DR)
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN AMENDMENT
Published: June 12, 2026
Purpose
The purpose of this amendment to the City of West Melbourne's Citizen Participation Plan ("Plan") is to incorporate procedures and requirements applicable to Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding administered by the Florida Department of Commerce, Office of Long-Term Resiliency (OLTR). The Plan is intended to encourage and provide for citizen participation in the planning, development, implementation, and amendment of CDBG-DR funded activities, including hazard mitigation, resilience, infrastructure, and other eligible activities funded through programs such as the Hazard Mitigation Grant Match Program (HMGMP). The City of West Melbourne shall provide citizens with reasonable and timely access to information regarding proposed CDBG-DR activities and opportunities for public review and comment in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
Citizen Participation Procedures
The City of West Melbourne shall make reasonable efforts to provide citizens, community stakeholders, neighborhood organizations, business representatives, public agencies, nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, and other interested parties with adequate information regarding proposed CDBG-DR activities and applications. The City encourages participation by all interested persons, including low- and moderate-income residents, minority populations, persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP), persons with disabilities, and other populations that may be affected by or have an interest in proposed CDBG-DR activities.
Public meetings, hearings, and comment opportunities may be conducted in person, virtually, or through a hybrid format. The City shall make reasonable efforts to hold meetings and hearings at times and locations convenient to potential and actual beneficiaries, provide accommodations for persons with disabilities, and ensure meaningful access for individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP), consistent with applicable federal and state requirements.
Citizen participation opportunities may include publicly noticed meetings or hearings, public comment periods, or other methods authorized or required by the applicable funding program. Specific notice periods, comment periods, hearing requirements, and publication procedures shall be conducted in accordance with applicable federal regulations, Florida Commerce guidance, and program-specific requirements.
The City shall provide public notice of proposed CDBG-DR projects, hearings, and public comment opportunities through its official website, posting at City Hall, and, where required, publication in a newspaper of general circulation. The City may also utilize electronic mailings, press releases, statements by public officials, media advertisements, social media, public service announcements, stakeholder outreach, community organizations, and any other methods reasonably calculated to provide effective public notice and encourage public participation.
Public notices and project information shall remain available for the duration of any required public comment period. The City shall maintain documentation of public participation activities, including notices, comments received, meeting records, and other related public records.
Public notices shall include, as applicable:
• A description of the proposed project or activity;
• The project location;
• The source and amount of funding being requested;
• Applicable public comment period dates;
• Instructions for submitting comments; and
• Contact information for obtaining additional information or submitting comments.
The City shall provide opportunities for public participation in proposed CDBG-DR funded activities through public meetings, hearings, public comment periods, or other methods permitted or required by the applicable funding program.
When a public comment period is required, the City shall provide citizens with an opportunity to submit written comments regarding proposed CDBG-DR funded activities. To the extent practicable and consistent with applicable program requirements, draft application materials or project information shall be made available for public review during the comment period.
Comments may be submitted by mail, email, hand delivery, or other methods identified in the applicable public notice.
The City shall consider all timely comments received during the applicable public comment period. When required by applicable federal, state, or program requirements, the City shall prepare and maintain responses to comments received and incorporate comments into project materials, as appropriate.
The City shall maintain records of public comments received, responses provided, and related citizen participation documentation as part of the official grant file.
Access to Records
The City shall provide citizens with reasonable access to records and information related to proposed CDBG-DR activities, consistent with applicable public records laws and regulations.
The City may periodically update publicly available CDBG-DR project information as appropriate throughout project implementation.
Records associated with citizen participation activities shall be maintained in accordance with applicable federal and state record retention requirements and applicable grant agreement requirements.
Project information made available for public review may include:
Public notices;
Project narratives or descriptions;
Funding summaries;
Maps or general project location information; and
Other non-confidential project information deemed appropriate by the City.
Records determined to be confidential, proprietary, exempt, or otherwise protected from disclosure under applicable law shall not be subject to public inspection.
Complaints
Complaints regarding CDBG-DR activities shall be handled in accordance with the City's CDBG-DR Complaint Policy, which is available upon request and on the City's website.
Accessibility and Accommodations
The City of West Melbourne does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, familial status, or income status.
The City shall administer CDBG-DR activities in compliance with applicable federal civil rights laws, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The City shall take reasonable steps to ensure meaningful access to participation opportunities by persons with disabilities and persons with limited English proficiency (LEP), including providing language assistance services where appropriate.
Reasonable accommodation will be provided for persons with disabilities upon request.
Where a significant number of non-English speaking residents may reasonably be expected to participate, the City shall take reasonable steps to provide translated notices and materials, including Spanish translations where applicable, in accordance with Title VI and applicable HUD guidance regarding Limited English Proficiency (LEP).
All public notices issued pursuant to this Plan shall include information regarding the availability of accommodations for persons with disabilities and language assistance services.
Public meetings and hearings conducted pursuant to this Plan shall, where applicable, be held in ADA-accessible locations. Auxiliary aids, interpretation services, and other reasonable accommodations shall be provided upon request with reasonable advance notice.
To the extent practicable, information posted on the City’s website related to CDBG-DR activities shall be made accessible in accordance with applicable accessibility standards.
Persons requiring special accommodation or language assistance should contact the City Clerk’s Office at (321) 837-7774.
Amendments
The City reserves the right to amend this Citizen Participation Plan as necessary to comply with applicable federal, state, or local laws, regulations, guidance, or program requirements.
Amendments may be made to reflect changes in citizen participation procedures, public notice requirements, accessibility requirements, complaint procedures, or other administrative requirements related to the City's administration of CDBG-DR funds.
Where required by applicable federal, state, or program requirements, the City shall provide public notice and an opportunity for public comment prior to adopting a substantial amendment to this Citizen Participation Plan.
Adoption
This Citizen Participation Plan shall become effective upon approval by the City of West Melbourne and shall remain in effect for activities funded through applicable CDBG-DR programs unless amended or replaced by the City.
This Plan supersedes any previous citizen participation procedures applicable to activities funded under the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Program.
