Notice of first public hearings for North East Borough FY 2020 CDBG program and North East Borough special CDBG COVID-19 program
Notice is hereby given that North East Borough will hold two (2) public hearings regarding its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program on Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at the North East Borough Municipal Building, 31 West Main Street, North East, PA 16428.
The First Public Hearing will be take place from 10:00 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. and will focus on the Borough’s FY 2020 CDBG Program.
The second hearing will take place from 10:30 A.M. to 10:45 A.M. and briefly discuss the Borough’s special allocation of COVID CDBG funds it is eligible to receive if activities can be found to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the virus.
Public Hearing – FY 2020 CDBG Items to be covered at this hearing include providing a brief summary of the CDBG program; updating the current Three Year CDBG Plan; discussing community development and/or housing needs; and how the FY 2020 funds could be used to address these needs. The Borough is entitled to apply for and receive an annual allocation of CDBG funds from the PA DCED pursuant to PA Act 179 of 1984 and since 1985 has received approximately $3.7 million in CDBG funding. The PA DCED has informed the Borough that its FY 2020 allocation is $95,244 which is $2,017 or 2.16% more than last year’s grant of $93,227. The County on behalf of the Borough will submit the application requesting the funding to DCED by October 28, 2020. CDBG funds can be used to undertake a wide range of “Eligible” activities, including, but not limited to: water and sanitary sewer line replacement; storm sewer installation; street reconstruction; curb and sidewalk replacement; recreation/park improvements; handicapped accessibility improvements; single family/rental housing rehabilitation; first-time homebuyer assistance; fair housing activities; and administration/planning.
It is noted that North East Borough would be responsible for replacing all low and moderate income housing units that may be demolished or converted as a result of a CDBG funded activity. The Borough does not anticipate the demolition or conversion of any housing units. Eligible activities must meet one of three “National Objectives”:
1) principally benefit low-to-moderate income persons,
2) aid in the prevention or elimination of slums and blight; or
3) meet a need having a particular urgency.
It is noted that the primary objective of the CDBG program is to “principally benefit low-to-moderate income persons” and at least 70% of the funds must be allocated for this purpose.
Public Hearing – Special CDBG-COVID 19 Allocation As a state CDBG entitlement municipality, the Borough has been informed by DCED that it is eligible to apply for and receive a special allocation of funds to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus The amount of funds available is $61,503 and the deadline to submit an application to DCED is July 31, 2020.
Examples of Eligible Activities include:
• Construct a facility for testing, diagnosis, or treatment.
• Provide grants and loans to support new businesses or business expansion to create jobs and manufacture medical supplies necessary to respond to infectious disease.
• Carry out job training to expand the pool of health care works and technicians.
• Deliver meals on wheels to quarantined individuals or individuals that need to maintain social distancing due to medical vulnerabilities.
The municipal building and meeting room where the hearings will be conducted is handicapped accessible. The Borough will make reasonable accommodation for any known disability that may interfere with a person’s ability to participate in these public hearings. Persons needing an accommodation should notify/contact Robin Steff, Assistant Borough Secretary at 725-8611 at least 48 hours prior to the hearings to discuss how the Borough may best accommodate their needs. Due to COVID 19 a mask will be required for anyone entering the building and social distancing will be maintained.
Borough Manager Patrick Gehrlein
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