Public Notice: Community Development Block Grant

The purpose of this notice is to identify two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Dakota County Community Development Agency (Agency).

On or about July 5, 2011, the above named Agency on behalf of Dakota County, will submit a request to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of federal funds of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and/or HOME Investment Partnership funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (PL 93-383) for the following projects:

Eagan Commercial Rehabilitation – Safety compliance and accessibility improvements to commercial facility in Cedar Grove redeveloped area, located at 3880 Sibley Memorial Hwy (estimated funding $88,750);

Farmington Micro-Enterprise – Rental assistance to eligible micro-enterprise business owners who occupy commercial or industrial space within municipal boundary (estimated funding $23,800);

Hastings Assessment Abatement – Assistance to low/moderate income homeowners to pay their portion of street construction along fives areas in 2011 street construction project (estimated funding $63,500);

Inver Grove Heights Floodplain Acquisition – Acquisition of blighted properties in the Doffing Area Floodplain (estimated funding $52,000);

Mendota Public Improvements – Improvements to pave D street, currently a gravel road (estimated funding $16,250);

Northfield Homebuyer Assistance – Loans for low/moderate income homebuyers for down payment costs (estimated funding $16,500);

Northfield Manufactured Housing Replacement Assistance – Loans for low/moderate income homebuyers for the replacement of manufactured housing (estimated funding $18,500);

Northfield Acquisition and Clearance – Clearance and demolition of foreclosed properties - designated as slum/blight, (estimated funding $21,500);

Rosemount Public Facility – Construction of publicly-owned senior center (estimated funding $48,500);

South St. Paul Acquisition and Clearance – Voluntary acquisition and clearance of blighted properties for residential redevelopment (estimated funding $37,000);

Homeowner Rehabilitation – Rehabilitation of owner-occupied residences within the cities of South St. Paul, West St. Paul, Eagan, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Mendota Heights, Burnsville, Inver Grove Heights, Northfield, and other parts of Dakota County (estimated funding $746,450);

HOME Northwood Family Townhomes – Acquisition of land for the new construction of affordable rental townhomes at the northeast corner of Northwood Circle and Northwood Parkway in Eagan (estimated funding $272,990).

It has been determined that such request for release of funds will not constitute actions significantly impacting the quality of the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (PL 91-190) is not required.

Environmental Review Records (ERR), with respect to the above mentioned projects made by the Agency, document the environmental review of the projects and more fully set forth the reasons why such statements are not required. These records are on file at the above address and are available for public examination between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. No further review of the project will be conducted prior to the request for release of funds.

Public Comments on Finding
All interested parties, groups, agencies and persons disagreeing with this determination or wishing to comment on the projects may submit written comments for consideration by the Agency to the office of the undersigned and to specify in their comments as to which finding their comments are addressed. Such written comments should be received at the address specified on or before July 5, 2011. All such comments so received will be considered and the Agency will not request the release of funds or take any action on the projects prior to the date specified.

Release of Funds
The Agency is certifying to HUD that the Agency and the Director of Community Revitalization, as Certifying Officer, consent to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to environmental reviews, decision making, and action; and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. The legal effect of the certification is that upon its approval, the Agency may use CDBG funds and HUD will have satisfied its responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

Objections to Federal Release of Funds
HUD will accept objections to its approval of the release of funds and acceptance of the certification for a period of 15 days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases:

1. The Certification was not in fact executed by the Certifying Officer or other grantee approved by HUD; or
2. The Environmental Review Record for the project indicated included an omission of a required decision, finding, or step applicable to the project in the environmental review process; or
3. The grant recipient has committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 (environmental review process) before approval of the release of funds by HUD; or
4. Another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory form the standpoint of environmental quality.

Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedure (24 CFR Part 58) and shall be addressed to HUD, 920 Second Avenue South, Suite 1300, Minneapolis, MN 55402.

Objections to the release of funds on a basis other than those stated above will not be considered by HUD. Potential objectors should contact the Minnesota HUD office to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Dan Rogness, Director of Community Revitalization

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