HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 85-29 ORDINANCE NO. 410�9
ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AN AMENDED
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN OF THE CITY OF
BEAUMONT.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF BEAUMONT:
That the Community Development Plan of the City of
Beaumont, attached hereto as Exhibit "A" , be, and the same is
hereby , adopted.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont this
the ��, day of 1985.
Mayor -
THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
FOR THE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM
OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS
Prepared by
Polk C. Curtiss, Jr. , CDBG Senior Planner
Community Development Block Grant Program
Planning Department
City of Beaumont, Texas
March
1984
11-�5-z1
Exhibit A
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Page
I. Purpose of the Community Development Plan. . . . . . . . . . . 1
II. Goals and Objectives of the Community 1
Development Program. . .-.. . .-.-.,. . ...I.
III. Standards of Participation. . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
IV. Scope of Participation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Communitywide Participants. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . ... . .. 4
Neighborhood Level Participants. . 5
VI. Procedure for Submission of Views and Proposals by
Citizens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . .. . . . .. . . . . .. 7
VII. Complaints Procedure. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. . .. . . . 7
VIII. Consideration of Objections to Statement of Objectives
and Projected Use of Funds Submitted to HUD. . . . . . . . . 8
IX. Technical Assistance to be Available. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 8
X. Description of Adequate Information. . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . 9
XI. Public Hearing Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . 10
XII. Procedure for Contingency and Local•Option
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XIII. Program Amendments. . 11
XIV. Schedule for CDBG 1984 Program Year.. . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. 12
XV. Ordinance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .z .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS
Purpose of the Community Development Plan (C. D. Plan).
The major purpose of the Community Development Plan presented here
is to provide citizens and 'city officials alike with knowledge of the
process in which citizens may become involved in planning,
implementation, and assessment of the Community Development Block Grant
program. The provisions 'of-the plan apply to all- ongoing CDBG activities
at the time of plan adoption as well as all future CDBG activities. The
plan will remain in effect until all activities are completed or a new
plan is adopted.
Nothing in the Community Development Plan should be contrued as
restricting the authority of the City in development or execution of the
CDBG program nor its responsibility to do so.
Goals and Objectives of the Community Development Program
1. Community Needs
The major needs of Beaumont's neighborhoodsthat have been affected
by blight and deterioration are public facility improvements and housing
preservation and rehabilitation. Public facilities in need of
improvements in these neighborhoods are streets, water and sewer lines,
storm drainage, and parks. Housing preservation and rehabilitation
activities needed include code enforcement, demolition and clearance of
dilapidated structures, and rehabilitation loans to assist families who
�. otherwise could not find funds to repair their property.
Neighborhoods (census tracts) that have high percentage of housing
in need of rehabilitation and demolition correspond to those
neighborhoods with higher percentages of minority residents and low and
moderate income households.
2. Housing Needs
There is a need to expand housing opportunities for low and moderate
income households. In addition to improving housing options for low and
moderate income households through rehabilitation loans, rent subsidies
and construction of assisted housing, there is also a need to expand
housing opportunities by allowing construction of modular housing units
and a more orderly placing of mobile housing units by revising the city
zoning ordinance that provides resource for those persons (often
minorities and low income persons) who feel that they have been
discriminated against in regard to housing. The existence of this
ordinance needs to be publicized.
3. Community Development Short and Long Term Objectives
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The overall objective of the _Community Development_ Block_Grant
Program for the City of'- -Beaumont Texas -is the development of viable
urban communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living
environment and expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons
of low and moderate incomes in the Community Development Strategy Area
(CT#'s_7, g,- -9 10, 1-S_,-_17, I-8, 22 - 23-,`and parts of 19 and 20).
In order to attain the overall objective of the Community
Development Block Grant Program, the following are short-term
objectives:
o Elimination of..slums 'a
nd blight' and the .prevention -
of blighting influences in the Community Development
Strategy Area.
o Elimination of conditions which are detrimental to
health, safety, and public welfare in the C. D.
Strategy Area.
o Conservation and expansion of the City's housing stock.
o Expansion and improvement of the quantity and quality of
community services available for lower income residents
of the City.
o Restoration and preservation of properties of special
value to the City of Beaumont for historic, architectural
and esthetic reasons.
In addition to the short-term objectives of the Community
Development Program, several long-term objectives were developed and are
listed below:
o A more rational utilization of land and other natural
resources in the Community Development Strategy Area.
o Reduction of the isolation of income groups within
communities and promotions of an increase of the
diversity of neighborhoods within the city.
o Alleviation of physical and economic distress through
stimulation of private investment.
The achievement of both the short and long term objectives should
allow the city to obtain the overall goal of the Community Development
Block Grant Program.
Standards of Participation
The following standards will apply to the Beaumont Community
Development Plan.
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1. All aspects of citizen participation" will- be conducted in an
open- manner, with aecess for all interested persons.
2. There will be involvement of low and moderate income person,
members of minority groups, residents of- area-s- where a
significant amount of activity is- proposed or ongoing, the
elderly, the handicapped, the business community, and civic
groups who are concerned about 'the program.
3. The City will make reasonable efforts to ensure that citizens
or citizen organizations are continually involved throughout
all stages of the CDBG-program.
4. Citizens will be provided adequate and timely information, to
enable them to be meaningfully involved in important decisions
at various stages of the CDBG program.
5. All citizens, especially low and moderate income persons and
residents of blighted neighborhoods, will be encouraged to
submit their views and proposals concerning the CDBG program.
6. The City will provide for, in this Community Development Plan
a process for citizen participation at the communitywide level
and at the neighborhood level in areas where significant CDBG
activity is proposed or ongoing.
Scope of Participation
Citizens will be involved in all stages of the CDBG Program.
Citizens will specifically participate in the following areas:
1. Proposed Statement - planning activities including Final
Statement of Community Development Objectives, Projected
Use of Funds, and any related amendments or changes to the
above.
2. Program implementation - at a minimum, citizens will
` participate in an advisory role to Council and City staff in
policy decision regarding program implementation. Self-held:
activities and program operations conducted by neighborhood
organizations will be encouraged as well.
3. Assessment of performance - Citizens and citizen organizations
will be given an opportunity to assess and submit comments on
all aspects of the City's CDBG performance including the
performance of the City's grantees and contractors. They also
will be requested to assess whether objectives of the program
have been achieved through the activities and projects czrried
out. Comments from citizens and the City's responses to them
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must be included in the City's annual CDBG Performance Report.
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Process of Participation
The process of participation and the participants involved are
described as follows:
1. Communitywide :Participants c;
a. Community Development Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC)
The communitywide citizen participation process will be strur,tured
around the existing Citizen Advisory-Committee-.(CAC). Currently, the CAC
has 21 members, appointed to 2 year terms. The Mayor and members of
Council each appoint 3 persons. To ensure that there is "substantial"
representation of low and moderate income citizens and members of
minority groups on the committee, the Mayor and Council will consider
income and minority status when choosing subsequent members. The
elderly, the handicapped, the business community, and civic groups who
are concerned about the program are also groups that will be considered
when choosing members of the CAC.
There may be a representative/liaison from any neighborhood
association. Representatives will be selected by their associations and
only serve as representatives to the CAC (representative/liaison for the
neighborhood will not be allowed to vote).
The Community Development Senior Director or his/her designee will
serve as non—voting secretary of the CAC, recording and preparing minutes
of all meetings. Minutes of a previous meeting will be available at the
next meeting for approval by the Citizens Advisory Committee.
The City Council will select a chairman and vice—chairman. The
_ Executive Committee will meet with the CDBG staff prior to formal
hearings to help disseminate information to other CAC members. The CAC
may delegate decision making authority to the Executive Committee if it
so desires.
If necessary, subcommittees or task forces may be established by the
CAC to study specific issues or plans to advise the CAC. The
subcommittees' chairman and members (4 to 6) will be appointed by the CAC
chairman.
Duties and responsibilities of the CAC will be as follows:
1. To act as an advisory board to the City Council and the
City Manager.
2. To recommend objectives to the city for the Community
Development Block Grant Program.
3. To assist the City Council and City Manager's staff
in planning for a continuing program of Community Development.
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4. To met as required by the chairman of the committee or the
secretary with regular public meetings' to be held not less
than once every calender quarter and additional meetings
will -be left to the discretion of the Chairman of the CAC.
5. To keep the City Council and the City Manager's staff informed
of.. :current -:trends .and.:to:xecommend changes and improvements to
the local CDBG Program.
6. To consider proposals and recommendations made by neighborhood
associations in regard to- programs for their neighborhoods
before -making final recommendations -for the community as a
whole. -
7. To study the needs of eligible areas of the City and make
recommendations to the City Council for its physical
development.
b. City Council
The City Council is the final decision-making authority for the
Community development Program. The City Council is advised by the CAC,
and the City Manager concerning the CDBG program. All Council meetings
are open public hearings.
c. Loan Advisory Board
The Loan Advisory Board is an entity peculiar' to the Rehabilitation
Loan Program. It has 5 members who are appointed by the City Council for
2 year terms. This board will be responsible for making determination on
all rehabilitation loans. Loan Advisory Board meetings will be held as
the case loan dictates. Due to the confidential nature of the
information disclosed at these meetings, the board meetings will not be
open to the public; however, weekly, quarterly, and annual status reports
will be available to the public. Status reports will be submitted to the
CAC members.
d. Residents of the Community
Ali citizens in Beaumont may be a part of the citizen participation
process. Any interested persons may come to any public hearing and may submit views and proposals for consideration by the City Council, the CAC
and the City Manager and his staff.
2. Ieighborhood Level Participants
a. Neighborhood Associations
The primary neighborhood level participant in the neighborhood will
'- be neighborhooa associations.
CDBG staff will meet with the representative committees of the
y individual associations. These meetings will offer the committee members
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a change to discuss specific neighborhood problems, comment on how
effective the CDBG program is and offer suggestions as to how the program
might be improved or how the neighborhoods' priorities- have changed. The
CDBG staff will keep each committee:_informed, on the status of the program
and discuss any problems the staff has encountered in program
implementation.
Responsibilities of the neighborhood associations will be:
1. To act as an advisory board to the Citizens Advisor
Committee.
2. To recommend objectives to the city for the CDBG
program in their neighborhood.
3. To meet as required by the chairman of the association
with meetings held as he or she deems necessary.
4. To keep the Citizen's Advisory Committee, City Council
and the City Manager's staff informed of current trends
and to recommend changes and improvements which will
update the neighborhood plan.
b. Neighborhood Residents
Residents of neighborhood strategy areas may also become involved in
the CDBG program outside the confines of structured meetings through '
self-help projects for their neighborhoods that do not necessarily
require CDBG funds but supplement formal CDBG activities in the area.
Self-help projects will be encouraged; by the City and the CAC.
Residents of neighborhoods that are not strategy areas may become
involved in citizen participation through public hearings, organization
of neighborhood associations to represent them, and self-help projects
for their neighborhood. As is true for any citizen in Beaumont, any
individual resident of any neighborhood may submit views or proposals
concerning the CDBG Program to the City for consideration.
The Beaumont CDBG program year runs from July 13 to the next July
12. Briefly, the major participants will interact as follows: The CAC
will continue to function as the community's advisory body to Cour.c; il and
City staff concerning CDBG matters. The CAC will consider neighborhood
associations ' , and citizens' recommendations and proposals when advising
City Council and staff. The CAC and all citizens will rely on CDBG staff
to provide accurate and timely or "adequate information" throughout the
CDBG program. Neighborhood associations and all City residents may make
recommendations, complaints, and statements at appropriate times to CDBG
staff, the CAC, and to City Council concerning the CDBG program.
The public hearing and citizen participation process timetable will
be established each year by the City Council. All public hearings will
be advertised in the non-legal section of the Beaumont Enterprise-Journal
10 days prior to the hearing. Neighborhood associations will be
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responsible for scheduling additional meetings throughout the program
year as they see fit. Special me etingls of the CAC and the neighborhood
committees and/or assoc a!:ions "will'�be�`i old through the year as
situations warrant. .
Procedure for Submission of Views and Proposals by Citizens
All citizens in Beaumont may submit to the City, views and proposals
concerning the CDBG program. Views and proposals my abe submitted:
I. Directly to the city during the planning period
(January --Play) at -public -hearings on the CDBG
Statement of Objectives and Projected Use of Funds.
2. To recognized neighborhood association committees
and the Citizen Advisory Committee.
3. At neighborhood and other meetings if scheduled by the
city prior to formal public hearings.
4. At formal public hearings.
These views and proposals will be reviewed and considered by the
City and reasonable effort made to provide responses within fifteen (15)
working days. Written responses will be provided for written proposals
and will state the reasons for action taken on the proposal by the City.
Whenever possible, responses will be provided prior to the final hearing
on the CDBG Statement of Objectives and Projected Use of Funds. A
deadline for submission of views and proposals in regard to planning for
the next fiscal year and performance during the previous year is set
every program year,proposals concerning day to day program implementation
will be accepted anytime within this planning period.
Submission of views and proposals will be encouraged through
publicity about meetings and through public service announcements
concerning the CDBG program. All information distributed about the CDBG
program will include a byline requesting submission of views and
proposals by citizens . The information will be made available to low and
moderate income persons, minorities, and residents of blighted areas
through neighborhood associations, special notices, radio and television
' publicity. Citizen viers or proposals pertinent to performance will be
included in the annual Performance Report.
Complaints Procedure
Citizens who have complaints about the CDBG program should register
their complaint directly to the City CDBG staff either during working
hours or at neighborhood meetings and public hearings. Complaints should
be in written form if at all possible. The city will make every
reasonable effort to provide written responses to all complaints within
fifteen (15) working days.
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If a citizen does not feel that his or her complaint has been
answered adequately or a satisfactory solution found, he or she should
come before the CAC and present there case.
Individual activities or programs under the CDBG program amy require
a separate and more specific complaint procedure that will replace the
process described here. This is particulrly true of the rehabilitation
loan program where a complaint procedure is outlined in the Rehabilit-
ation Loan Program Handbook. If other activities require a special
complaint procedure, it will be described in a handbook made available to
citizens. Otherwise, the procedure described above should be followed.
Consideration of Objections to Statement of Objectives and Projected Use
of Funds Submitted to HUD
Anyone wishing to object to approval of the Beaumont CDBG Statement
of Objectives and Projected Use of Funds by HUD may do so through the HUD
Regional Office in Fort Worth (Address: Mr. Victor C. Hancock, Director -
Community Planning and Development Division - Department of Housing and
Urban Development Regional Office - P. 0. Box 2905 - Fort Worth, Texas
76113). HUD will only consider objections made on the following
grounds:
I. The City's description of needs and objectives is plainly
inconsistent with available facts and data.
2. The activities to be undertaken are plainly inappropriate
to meet the needs and objectives identified by the City.
3. The Statement of Objectives and Projected Use of Funds does
not comply with the requirements of the CDBG Program or other
applicable law.
4. The Statement of Objectives and Projected Use of Funds proposes
activities which are otherwise ineligible under the CDBG
program regulations.
Such objections should include which requirements were not met and
the data and facts which the objectors 'rely on.
HUD will consider objections submitted at an time but t objections
should be submitted within 30 days of the publication of the notice
stating Beaumont has submitted its CDBG Final Statement of Objectives and
Projected Use of Funds.
Technical Assistance to be Available
City staff will also provide information and advice or referrals to
groups of low and moderate income persons and groups of residents of
blighted neighborhoods who request assistance in developing proposals and
statements of views if possible.
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Pdeighborhaod:.organizations:_will .be. responsible :fQr maintaining their
own schedule -of_ meetings and -activities. City staff will refer
neighborhood groups to-appropriate public or private entities if the
group is interested in assistance in organizing an association or
carrying out CDBG activities.
Description of :Adequate Information
_ -_.Citiz.ens .in .B.eaumont .will be provided with full-access to, CDBG
program information and ."special efforts" will be made to inform low and
moderate income, persons and -residents -of -blighted neighborhoods. These
"special efforts" will consist of placing notices where these persons
will see them, informing neighborhood associations in these particular
areas, and putting publicity in local newspaper and on local television
and radio. Specific information to be made available to citizens is
outlined in the following paragraphs.
As soon as CDBG staff begins planning for the upcoming funding year,
citizens will be provided with the following information:
1. The amount of CDBG funds available for all activities.
2. Eligible activities that may be undertaken and what has been
done with past funds.
3. Processes for preparing CDBG Statement of Objectives &
Projected Use of Funds and schedule of meetings.
4. The role of citizens as described in the CD Plan.
S. Summary of any other requirements.
The CDBG staff will always keep on file, at their main office,
copies of the following key documents for citizens to review:
1. All mailing and promotional materials pertaining to CDBG.
2. Records of hearings pertaining to CDBG.
3. Prior applications, letters of approval, grant agreements,
prior Community Development Citizen Participation Plan,
- performance reports, evaluation reports, other HUD required
reports, (i. e. Environment Review Record) and proposed and
final statement for the current year.
# 4. Copies of regulations and issuances governing the program.
S. Documents regarding other program requirements, such as
contracting procedures, environmental policies, fair housing
a and other equal opportunity requirements and relocation
provisions.
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6 Status reports of all activities.
7 _0ther .pertinent information.
When the CDBG Final :.Statement is submitted to .HUD,_the .City will
publish :a notice in -a--newspaper of general circulation (Beaumont
Enterprise-Journal) stating that the Final Statement of Objectives and
Projectea Use :af funds .has been- submitted and is available to interested
parties upon request and also describing the requirements on citizen
objections-to.-,the Final.=Statement.
The-CDBG-.staff-will make:copies°of :the Community Development Plan,
the Proposed and Final Statement; and the Annual Performance Report
available at locations convenient for persons affected by the program and
accessible to the handicapped. - Probable locations will include but not
be limited to field offices established in or near neighborhood strategy
areas, the home of a member (secretary) of the representative committee
of each of the neighborhood associations, any community center
established with CDBG funds including the multi-purpose- senior center,
the public library or any other location that is convenient to persons
affected by the CDBG program.
Public Hearing Requirements
Public Hearings will be held throughout the various stages of the
CDBG program under various formats. For example, any item that requires
City Council approval (including the CDBG Statement and Budget) will be
discussed at a "public hearing" or open city council meeting. The CAC
will meet in open public session. Neighborhood association meetings will
be open to anyone and CDBG staff meetings.with neighborhood association
committee members, will also be open to the public. For public hearings
held by the City concerning the CDBG, the program must meet the following
guidelines:
I. The City will hold one official public hearing by the City
Council prior to submission of the CDS G Proposed Statement
of Community Development Objectives and Projected Use of
Funds.
a. To obtain views and proposals of citizens at the initial
stage of development on Community Development and housing
needs and priorities and to obtain comments on the City's
�- CDBG performance. _
b. To obtain views of citizens on the proposed statement prior
to submission of the Final Statement to HUD.
2. The City CDBG staff will hold with the City Council an
a additional public hearing 30 to 60 days prior to the
start of planning for the next program year to review
program progress and performance (performance hearings) .
3. Notice for public hearings will be published 10 days prior
a
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to each public hearing in the "non—legal, easily readable
section of the -Beaumont Enterprise and Journal.
Notice must the date, time, place, procedures of
be made o t rovidevnotices'id d: 'Reasonable effect will
ere
hearing andpto ics to be �cons to` newspapers and periodicals
_ serving low—moderate income neighborhoods. The City will also
use public 'service'radio and television announcements to widely
publicize the hearings.
Procedure for Contingency and Local Option Activities
If the City sets aside funds in its application for contingencies
and/or local option activities or identifies activities in the statement
that could replace any activities disapproved by HUD, citizens will be
involved in selection of such activities. Recommendations will be
requested from the neighborhood associations in the areas where the
activity is planned and also from the CAC. These recommendations will be
considered by the City before selecting an activity.
Program Amendments
If any amendment to the CDBG program is proposed (except for
disaster activities) citizens will participate in the decision. For
amendmends that require prior HUD approval (listed under 570.312 of
March 1, 1978 Federal Register) formal public hearings will be held.
This plan is subject to amendment at any time by the City Council.
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SCHEDULE FOR ''COMMUNITY ;DEVELOPMENT -BLOCK GRANT
1984 PROGRAM YEAR
The following schedule is proposed for preparation of the 1984 CDBG
Statement of Objectives and Projected Use of Funds:
Thursday, February 2nd. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .Public Hearing - West Tabernacle
Baptist Church. The first of four
Public Hearings held in
neighborhoods to solicit citizens
comments on CDBG Funded activities
that are completed and additional
projects.
Tuesday, February 7th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Public Hearing #2 St. John's
Missionary Baptist Church.
Thursday, February 9th. . . . . . .. .. .. . . . ..Public Hearing X63 Fellowship
Missionary Baptist Church.
Tuesday, February 14th. . . . . .. . . . . . ..
.. .Public Hearing #4 City Hall -
Council Chambers.
Friday, February 24th. .. .. .. . . . . .. . . . . .Deadline for submitting proposals
for use of CDBG Funds.
Wednesday, February 29th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grant Application (CDBG Statement)
Subcommittee submits
recommendation to CAC.
Tuesday, March 20th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .City Council Workshop on CDBG
proposed statement for FY 84-85
(CAC's recommendation submitted).
Tuesday, March 27th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .City Council conducts Public
Hearing on CDBG proposed Statement
of Projected Use of Funds (1984)
Council Resolution.
Saturday & Sunday. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Publish 1984 CDBG Statement of
March 31st & April 1st Objectives and Projected Use of
Funds.
Monday, April 6th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Submit 1984 CDBG Statement to HUD.
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March 15, 1985
Council Letter 352.
Honorable Mayor and
Members of City Council
Subject: Adopting Community Development Plan
The City Council adopted the original CDBG Community Development
Plan on March 23, 1982 - Ordinance #82-29. Since the time of
adoption, statutory changes in the regulations governing the CDBG
Program have required additional information to be included in the
Community Development Plan. The changes in the regulations required
the City to include community and housing needs and short-term and
long-term objectives of the CDBG program in the Community Development
Plan.
The CDBG Citizens ` Advisory Committee (CAC) reviewed the proposed
Community Development Plan during their quarterly meeting held on
February 27, 1985. The CAC voted unanimously to recommend to City
Council the adoption of the new Community Development Plan.
It is recommended that this ordinance be adopted.
Karl Nollenberger
City Manager