Bayonne CARES Act Substantial Amendment

City of Bayonne
Community Development Block Grant Program
Substantial Amendment of 2019 Annual Action Plan

Introduction

This document serves as the CARES Act Substantial Amendment to the 2019 City of Bayonne Annual Action Plan previously approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The 2019 Annual Action Plan was approved for $1,533,452 in CDBG funds, along with program income of $99,561.

This Substantial Amendment will include the addition of $925,177 in Community Development Block Grant CV (CDBG-CV CARES) funds awarded through the 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Public Law 116-136 to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. It is the addition of these funds and creation of new activities that constitutes at substantial amendment as outlined in the City’s Citizen Participation Plan.

Amended & New Projects

This substantial amendment creates multiple new projects funded by the CARES Act and appends it to the 2019 Annual Action Plan.

1. This funding will be used to respond to community needs due to the COVID-19 crisis. Specifically, it will be used to fund multiple public services that are working to prevent, prepare for and respond to the impact of Coronavirus. Non-profits are required to complete an application process for funding.
2. Additionally, the City will use a portion of the funding for administration costs of the CDBG CARES Act Funding.

Summary of Substantial Amendment

Stakeholder Consultation & Citizen Participation

The stakeholder and general public consultation and citizen participation process for this Substantial Amendment will conform to the City’s Citizen Participation Plan, last revised in 2020 to incorporate allowances under the 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).

Citizens will be provided with reasonable notice and opportunity to comment on proposed amendments. This will be accomplished through notification of a public hearing in the nonlegal section of a newspaper with general circulation within the City and notification on the City website. These notices have been published at least ten days prior to the hearing. However, in accordance with the 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), in emergency circumstances, expedited procedures must include at least (5) five days’ notice prior to the hearing and reasonable opportunity to comment of no less than (5) five days. The 5-day period can run concurrently for comments on the action plan amendment and amended citizen participation plans. This authority is in effect through the end of the 2020 program year.

Citizens will have not less than 30 days (or 5 days in accordance with the CARES Act) to make comments about the proposed amendment(s) prior to any amendment implementation.

This Substantial Amendment was made available to the public for review and comment for five (5) days from July 7, 2020 through July 13, 2020 per HUD requirements via the City of Bayonne website.

As per the City’s Citizen Participation Plan, a public hearing will be conducted on July 9, 2020 to allow interested citizens an opportunity to comment on the proposed amendment. Given the public health concerns, this hearing will be held virtually. The log on information will be posted on the City’s website.

General questions regarding this Plan or proposed programming as well as requests for special assistance related to limited English proficiency or disabilities should be directed to Samantha Howard at cdbg@baynj.org.