SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO FY20 ACTION PLAN AND AMENDMENT TO THE CITIZENS PARTICIPATION PLAN

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO FY20 ACTION PLAN
AND AMENDMENT TO THE CITIZENS PARTICIPATION PLAN

In accordance with 24 CFR 91.105(c)(2) of the federal regulations relative to citizen participation for Community Planning and Development Programs and applicable waivers made available to those requirements through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, notice is hereby given that the City of Peabody and the North Shore HOME Consortium, an organization comprised of thirty cities and towns in the Merrimack Valley and the North Shore, will hold a 5-day comment period beginning on June 19th through June 23rd regarding the substantial amendment of the program year 2019-2020 Action Plan and the Citizen Participation Plan.

The City of Peabody has been notified of an award of at least $260,000. In accordance with the CARES Act the funds must be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19. The purpose of the substantial amendment is to add this new allocation (CDBG-CV) to our program year 2019 Action Plan as an available resource. A copy of the Action Plan Amendment will be posted on the City’s website at www.peabody-ma.gov on the Community Development page under Community Development Block Grant.

The CDBG-CV funds will be utilized to meet emergency needs that are a direct result of the COVID- 19 virus. Funds will be provided to local service providers that have been assisting Peabody households directly affected by COVID-19. Projects include funding a local food pantry to meet the increased need for food stability, delivering prepared meals to elders, providing housing assistance, legal services to assist those in danger of losing housing and assisting a non-profit that provides essential services to some of our most vulnerable residents.

The Citizen Participation Plan (available at www.peabody-ma.gov on the Community Development page under North Shore HOME Consortium) serves as a guide for how the City of Peabody and the North Shore HOME Consortium involves citizens in the 5-year Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan process. The amendment outlines the waivers and flexibilities provided by HUD in the administration of funds used to respond to COVID-19, such as reduction of public comment periods to 5 days and the allowance of virtual meetings.

A virtual public hearing will be held on Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at 5:00 pm, to invite comments on the Citizen Participation Plan Revisions and the Substantial Amendment to the program year 2019 Action Plan. Pursuant to Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A § 18, and the Governor’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the City of Peabody and the North Shore HOME Consortium will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time, via technological means. Individuals may participate remotely in the meeting via a remote participation platform called Zoom. Members of the public and/or parties with a right and/or requirement to attend this meeting may access the remote participation through any one of the following ways:

• Enter this link into your web browser to join the meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84699829984
• Enter this link into your web browser to open the Zoom website: https://zoom.us/join. Enter the meeting/webinar ID# 846 9982 9984 as directed on the webpage and click “Join”. Follow the onscreen instructions to join the meeting.
• Participants can dial a toll-free number +1 312 626 6799 to join the meeting. When prompted, enter meeting/webinar ID# 846 9982 9984 and follow the instructions to join the meeting.

Questions may be sent to stacey.bernson@peabody-ma.gov. Public comments must be received no later than June 23rd, 2020 and may be submitted via email to stacey.bernson@peabody-ma.gov or by mail, postmarked no later than June 23rd, 2020 to the City of Peabody, Department of Community Development and Planning, 24 Lowell Street, Peabody, MA 01960. Written submissions received will be summarized and made available at www.peabody-ma.gov.