City of Benton Harbor’s

Department of Community Development

2008 ANNUAL PLAN AMENDMENT

(American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009)

-Public Notice-

This notice is hereby given to advise the public of the statutory and regulatory waivers granted to grantees under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act.) The Recovery Act appropriated $1 billion in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to states and local governments to carry out, on an expedited basis, eligible activities under the CDBG program. Notice is hereby given that the City of Benton Harbor= s Department of Community Development is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).to submit a substantial amendment to its PY2008 action plan in accordance with the consolidated plan procedures for a substantial amendment under the annual CDBG program. Pursuant to 24 CFR 91.220(d), (e) and (l), a description of the activities the City of Benton Harbor will undertake with the proposed funds are as follows:

CLEARANCE / DEMOLITION - $15,000

Under this activity, funds will be used to eliminate substandard dwellings, unfit for rehabilitation by demolishing those dwellings that cannot be made habitable in accordance with the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations.

SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENT - $30,000

Under this activity, funds will be used for repair and/or replacement of deteriorated sidewalks, in concentrated areas of the City.

STREET IMPROVEMENT - $27,000

Under this activity, funds will be used for patching and repairing of deteriorated streets in concentrated areas of the City.

PUBLIC SERVICE - $13,000

Under this activity, funds will be used to cut and trim overgrown and deteriorated trees over streets and the removal of tree stumps from sidewalks.

CODE ENFORCEMENT - $41,106

The funds programmed under this activity are for the enforcement of the City’s Housing Code; specific to inspection’s personnel salaries for sanitation and housing code violations to eliminate slums and blighted conditions.

The purpose of this Public Notice is to disclose the proposed use of funds for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). The list of proposed activities and funding amounts will be available for your review at the following locations, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

 

 

City of Benton Harbor City Clerk’s Office

175 Territorial Road

Benton Harbor, MI 49022

Benton Harbor Public Library

213 E. Wall Street

Benton Harbor, MI 49022

Department of Community Development

200 E. Wall Street

Benton Harbor, MI 49022

This information will also be available on the City’s website at www.bentonharborcity.com

You will have seven (7) days to send in your written comments on the proposed usage of these funds. All comments will be reviewed and reflected in the submission of the CDBG-R Action Plan Amendment to the U.S. Department of HUD.

Funding available under the Recovery Act has clear purposes – to stimulate the economy through measures that modernize the Nation’s infrastructure, improve energy efficiency, and expand educational opportunities and access to health care. The use of CDBG-R funds for the activity will maximize job creation and economic benefit in relation to the CDBG-R funds obligated, and will address the Recovery Act, by:

(A) Preserving and creating jobs and promoting economic recovery;

(B) Assisting those most impacted by the recession;

(C) Providing investment needed to increase economic efficiency;

(D) Investing in transportation, environmental protection, or other infrastructure that will provide long-term economic benefits;

(E) Minimizing or avoiding reductions in essential services; or

(F) Fostering energy independence.

Written comments regarding the City of Benton Harbor’s Annual Consolidated Plan must be in writing and will be accepted by the Department of Community Development Monday thru Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Your written comments must be submitted by Thursday, May 28, 2009.

Please address all comments to the Department of Community Development, 200 E. Wall Street, Benton Harbor, Michigan 49022.

Nicol Brown, Director of Community Development

Richard Marsh, City Manager

Joyce Taylor, City Clerk