Submitted By
Jonathan Burch, Neighborhood Services Director/ Assistant Village Manager
Reviewed By
Ahmad M. Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Approving the Village Manager and Neighborhood Services Director/Assistant Village Manager as the Village’s Certifying Officers for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Electronic Reporting System for Environmental Reviews Required for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Projects
End
Overview
Overview
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Resolution represents the Delegation of Certifying Officers for the Environmental Review, decision-making, and action responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and 24 C.F.R. Part 58, Environmental Review procedure for entities assuming United States Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Environmental responsibilities.
End
Recommendation
Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution.
Background
As an Entitlement Community, the Village of Oak Park receives an annual CDBG grant allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and uses the funds for a variety of locally-determined projects. Environmental review of approved projects are a requirement to the release of HUD’s authority to use grant funds.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Environment and Energy (OEE) developed the HUD Environmental Review Only System (HEROS), which is a web-based system for Responsible Entities, such as Oak Park, to prepare and manage their Environmental Review Records (ERR). HEROS streamlines the environmental review process by replacing the existing paper-based process with a comprehensive web-based system.
HUD requires the certifying officer (or designee) of the responsible entity to sign these documents. A certifying officer is defined by the HUD as the chief elected official of the government. The chief elected official (Village Board President) may delegate this authority through a formal delegation. Village staff deemed it essential to the time efficiency of the environmental review process to designate Village management as certifying officers. The Village of Oak Park’s formal delegation of certifying officers dated July 31, 2023, has expired due to the recent change of staff within the organization.
Fiscal Impact
N/A
DEI Impact
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program requires that each activity funded, except for administration, meet one of three national objectives. The three national objectives are: 1) benefit to low- and moderate-income (LMI) persons; 2) aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight; and 3) meet a need having a particular urgency. An activity that does not meet a national objective is not compliant with CDBG requirements.
The Village’s CDBG program focuses on the first national objective which benefits low-and moderate-income persons. This objective includes the following eligible activities: area benefit activities (LMA); limited clientele activities (LMC); housing activities (LMH); and job creation and retention activities (LMJ).
Alternatives
N/A
Previous Board Action
On July 31, 2023, the Village Board approved the Village Manager and Deputy Village Manager as the Village’s certifying officers for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) electronic reporting system for environmental reviews required by CDBG projects.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
N/A
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
Pending the Village Board’s adoption of the Resolution, the authorized certifying officers may carry out HUD environmental responsibilities until the current Village Board President’s term expires.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
N/A