City staff is proposing revisions to the Community Development Block Grant Citizen Advisory Task Force (also known as the CATF) in order to change it's name and more clearly depict the activities of this advisory board.
Primary changes include:
- Changing the name from Community Development Block Grant Citizen Advisory Task Force to Citizen Advisory Task Force (CATF);
- Reducing the membership from seven to five members;
- Changing the frequency of meetings from quarterly to semiannually; and,
- adding references to Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding throughout the bylaws.
The responsibilities of the CATF include:
1. Provide for and encourage citizen participation, particularly by low and moderate income persons who reside in areas in which CDBG and HUD funds are proposed to be used by providing a specific plan of action for outreach.
2. Ensure that citizens will be given reasonable and timely access to local meetings, information, and records relating to the City of Alachua’s proposed and actual use of CDBG and HUD funds.
3. Counsel and advise the City of Alachua City Commission concerning current programs through regular meetings with City staff; participation in review of bids and selection of contracts; on-site visits to construction projects; monitoring of reports received from the staff liaison.
4. Assist in the development of new programs through meetings with citizen groups; visits to potential target areas; attendance at CDBG or HUD meetings for information and training.
5. Advocate for citizens by following the grievance procedures prescribed in federal legislation (24CFR570.486) and as recommended by the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO); moderating unresolved complaints; acting as the hearing board for all complaints filed against a CDBG or HUD program; maintaining a close relationship with citizens of the target community.