View the PDF version Google Docs PDF Viewer
City of Muskegon
Citizen Participation Plan
The City of Muskegon fully understands that there is a strong correlation between a successful
CDBG/HOME program and the degree of citizen input in the planning, implementation and
assessment process. As a representative of the community the citizens offer first-hand
knowledge of the concerns and needs of the community and their neighborhood that staff may
not be aware of or not realize the importance of. City staff are made aware of issues, suggestions
and important responses to potential city plans, activities and projects.
The City of Muskegon understands the importance of having citizen involvement during and
after the planning and implementation of its Community Development activities. The
Community and Neighborhood Services department staff is responsible to coordinate the duties
of our policy to ensure citizens participate in an advisory role in implementing and assessment of
projects.
Citizen Participation Plan Objectives
The City of Muskegon encourages participation of its citizens, especially those residents who are
extremely low, very low, low and moderate income. Citizens are also encouraged to participate
who reside in high minority concentrated neighborhoods, who are non-English speaking or speak
limited English. Residents are also encouraged to participate that are involved in the housing
area whether it be as a realtor, builder, housing advocate, nonprofit or for profit developers or
residents of Public Housing and or other types of assisted housing residents. All residents
involved in the public service area are also encouraged to participate.
A. The City will provide citizens with reasonable and timely access to all of its committee
meetings, in person or virtually.
B. The City will offer technical assistance from the City’s Community Neighborhood
Services Department to residents and eligible nonprofit in developing proposals,
conducting research, etc.
C. The City’s Community Neighborhood Services department will respond to all formal
complaints submitted to the Community Neighborhood Services department in writing
within 15 days of receipt with a written response.
D. If and when notified the City will supply assistance to residents with mobility problems,
hearing and visual impediments that wish to participate in the City meetings concerning
its CDBG/HOME activities and process and or any other related meeting.
E. The City will consult with local Public Housing authorities when developing any studies
related to housing development, neighborhood revitalization (i.e. Consolidated Plan,
F:\Downloads\741.doc 1
Action Plan, CAPER etc) In order so that the local Public Housing Authority can submit
any related information to be included in the plan and make the information available to
their tenants and or board members.
Citizen District Council
The City of Muskegon, Community Development Block Grant, Citizen District Council
is composed of four (4) Citizens representing each of the four wards, three (3) Citizens
from at large with one (1) liason from the City commission.
All members are appointed by the City Commission and their terms are for three (3)
years.
The purpose of the Citizens District Council (CDC) is to act as an advisory board to the
City Commission on all matters dealing with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development programs concerning the City of Muskegon and it citizenry.
All CDC meetings are open to the public and are subject to the Michigan Open meeting
act, Public Act 276 of 1976 as amended (MCL Section 15.261 et.seq.)
Scope of Participation
• The Citizen District Council will be involved in an advisory capacity in reviewing the
proposed annual Consolidated Plan, any amendments to the existing CDBG/HOME
program, and the Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER), prior
to the scheduled Public Hearing.
• The Citizens District Council (CDC) will be briefed on the status and performance of the
programs during its regular meetings, in order that members may provide meaningful
input to assess the effectiveness of the program activities in addressing the 1990 National
Affordable Housing Act (NAHA) and the CDBG National objectives. CDC minutes will
be included in the Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Reports (CAPER).
• Access for Information and Records
As part of the City of Muskegon Consolidated Planning Process, the City will make
available to citizens, public agencies, nonprofit and other interested parties the following
information:
• The total amount of funding the City anticipates receiving from the U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development each fiscal year.
• The type of activities that will be undertaken with that particular fiscal years funding.
• The estimated amount of funding which will be committed to activities benefiting low
and moderate-income residents.
F:\Downloads\741.doc 2
Amendments and/or Modifications
The City will follow 24CFR 91.505 when making amendments or modifications to the
Consolidated plan, Action Plan or Citizen Participation Plan. An amendment to the Consolidated
Plan or Action Plan will be necessary when one of the following occurs.
1. A change occurs in the City's allocation priorities or a change in the method of distribution of
funds.
2. It is necessary to change the purpose, scope, location or beneficiaries of an activity.
3. An activity is to be carried out using funds from any program covered by the Consolidated
Plan but not previously described in the Action Plan.
Criteria for Substantial Amendment
The City of Muskegon considers an item to be a substantial amendment that significantly affects
the scope of services, purposes or beneficiaries of a project or in combination with other changes
that are greater than 12% of the year’s fiscal CDBG or HOME entitlement amount in question.
Any amendments to the Consolidated Plan will be advertised on our Website, in the City's major
newspaper "the Muskegon Chronicle or Mlive" allowing the citizenry 30 days to comment on the
amendment(s) unless there is a Pandemic, Natural Disaster, or National Crisis then a 5 day
comment period will be used to expedite the needs of the community. The City will review all
comments concerning the changes written or oral. A summary of the comments and views along
with any required replies will be attached to the amendments of the plan.
Period for Citizen Comments
A formal comment period of 30 days will be provided for all Consolidated Plans, Annual Action
Plans, Citizens Participation Plan. In case of Environmental reviews and request for release of
funds activities the City will comply with CFR 24 58.45. In the event of a Pandemic, Natural
Disaster, or National Crisis, we will limit the comment period to 5 days.
In all circumstances a summary of the plan, performance report, or substantial amendment, or
other relevant documentation will be published at the beginning of the formal comment periods.
The summary will clearly express the period that comments will be accepted (i.e., 5, 15, 20, or
30 days) as well as the procedure for making comments.
F:\Downloads\741.doc 3
Written comments received during the comment period along with oral comments made during
Public Hearings will be considered. A summary of such comments by citizens, public agencies,
and other interested parties will be attached to the relevant Plan, substantial amendment or
performance report or related document. In a situation where it is not favorable incorporated the
comments will be included in the summary of comments along with an explanation of why it was
not possible to incorporate the comments.
Public Hearings
• The City of Muskegon will hold at least two (2) Public Hearings per year during regular
City Commission meetings in order to obtain comments and suggestions of citizens on
the proposed activities and or complaints.
• In person hearings will not be required during Pandemics, Natural Disasters, or National
Crisis to expedite procedures to provide no less than 5 days for public comment. If virtual
public hearings are offered reasonable notification and access for citizens will be
provided.
• The City of Muskegon Community and Neighborhood Services department will publish a
notice of public hearings in the Muskegon Chronicle, Mlive, City Hall entrances,
Facebook, or other social media sites ten (10) days prior to the Public Hearing date. The
notice will include date, time, place, virtual instructions, and/or procedure of the hearing
and topics to be considered.
Availability and Accessibility to Documents during Public Comment Periods
The City of Muskegon will have the document available for public review and comment at the
following locations:
• Community and Neighborhood Services office, City Hall, 933 Terrace St. 2nd Floor
• City of Muskegon City Clerk’s office, City Hall, 933 Terrace St. 1st Floor
• Hackley Public Library, Research Section, 316 W. Webster Ave, Circulation Desk
• Muskegon Housing Commission, 1080 Terrace Street
• City Website: www.shorelinecity.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityofMuskegon/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cityofmuskegon/
F:\Downloads\741.doc 4
Anti-Displacement Policy
The City of Muskegon has attempted to avoid to all extent feasible the involuntary permanent
displacement of persons as a result of federally assisted projects. No displacement is anticipated
to occur as a result from current or projected community development or housing activities to be
under taken by the City. If conditions occur which trigger displacement as defined by applicable
Federal regulations the City will provide all advisory services and financial assistance in
accordance with the Uniform Relocation and Real Property acquisition Policies Act of 1970 and
Section 104(d) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 as amended the City
will take the necessary steps to ensure its subrecipients or CHDO’s and agents are aware of the
necessity of avoiding displacement and that they are also aware of their responsibility should
displacement occur in connection with any of the activities they administer.
F:\Downloads\741.doc 5
Sign up for City of Muskegon Emails