Public Meeting Notices

SOMERSET COUNTY

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT

PROGRAM YEAR 2019 ROUND 3 CV (CV-3) FUNDING 

COMBINED NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS AND FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT 

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by Somerset County.

Notice is being given that on or about March 2, 2021, the County of Somerset will request that the US Department of Housing and Urban Development release $835,397.00 in federal CDBG-CV3 funds to be provided under Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act of 1990. A list of the projects for which funding will be requested is as follows:

                 Subgrantee                                                                                     Project                                                                                 Award

The County of Somerset has determined that these projects do not represent an action that may significantly affect the quality of the human environment and do not support activities characteristic of a major Federal Action. The projects specified were found to be actions that are Categorically Excluded from environmental review pursuant to the provisions of Federal Regulation 24 CFR 58.35(a). As these projects are subject to compliance with the provisions of certain statutory requirements as specified in federal regulation 24 CFR 58.5, the County is required to request the release of these funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file and available for public examination and copying upon request at the Somerset County Community Development office on the Fourth Floor of 27 Warren Street in Somerville, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. until March 1, 2021.  Please be advised that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, County buildings are currently closed to the public. Requests for copies of the ERR should be made via e-mail at hirsch@co.somerset.nj.us or call 908-541-5756.

Any individual, group or agency disagreeing with this determination or wishing to comment on the projects may submit written comments to the Somerset County Community Development Office.  Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, comments may be submitted in writing to the Community Development Office at 27 Warren Street, Somerville, NJ 08876 or via e-mail to: hirsch@co.somerset.nj.us.  All comments received by March 1, 2021 will be considered by the County prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.  Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

The County of Somerset is certifying to HUD that the County of Somerset and Shanel Y. Robinson, in her official capacity as Commissioner Director, consent to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. The legal effect of the certification is that, upon HUD’s approval of the certification, the County of Somerset may use Program funds, and HUD will have satisfied its responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and related laws and authorities.   

Objections to HUD’s approval of the release of funds and acceptance of the certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) may be made only if it is on one of the following bases: (a) that the certification was not, in fact, executed by the Commissioner Director of Somerset County; (b) that the County's ERR for the project indicates omission of a required decision, finding, or step applicable to the project in the environmental review process; (c) the grant recipient has committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before the approval of a release of funds by HUD; or, (d) another Federal Agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory based on environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedure (24 CFR Part 58), and addressed to HUD via e-mail at: CPD_COVID-19OEE-NK@hud.gov and are to be submitted during the comment period.

Shanel Y. Robinson, Commissioner Director

PUBLIC NOTICE

Somerset County, New Jersey

2019 CDBG-CV Round 3 Action Plan Amendment

Notice of Public Comment Period and Public Hearing

Background - The County of Somerset is the recipient of federal entitlement Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for grants to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus (CDBG-CV grants).  In order to receive, commit and spend these funds, the County will prepare and submit a Program Year 2019 CDBG-CV Round 3 (CDBG-CV3) Action Plan Amendment to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Available Funds - The County has been advised by HUD that it will receive a grant allocation of $1,673,097 in CDBG-CV3 funds.

Range of Eligible Activities - Funds available under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) must be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.  The CARES Act provisions provide that grantees may use CDBG-CV3 grant funds to cover or reimburse costs to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus incurred by an eligible party, regardless of the date on which such costs were incurred, when those costs comply with CDBG requirements.

Program Limitations – The CDBG-CV3 funds have certain legislative and regulatory limitations which restrict the types of projects and activities which may be funded under these programs, including the requirement that funds must principally benefit persons of low or moderate-income.  As a result, the range of eligible activities under these programs is subject to these legislative and regulatory limitations.  The County has prepared a draft Program Year 2019 CDBG-CV Round 3 Action Plan Amendment as summarized below.  Based on the activities proposed, the County anticipates that 100% of the CDBG-CV3 funds will be used in a manner which will benefit low and moderate income-persons as defined by federal regulations.

Proposed Program Year 2019 CDBG-CV Round 3 Action Plan Amendment – The County will submit to HUD its Program Year 2019 CDBG-CV Round 3 Action Plan Amendment.  The projects included in the Amendment are as follows:

Municipality                                Proposed Use                                                          Funding

Availability of Draft Amendment – Pursuant to the provisions of federal regulations and the County's Citizen Participation Plan, the County is providing notice that the Draft Program Year 2019 CDBG-CV Round 3 Action Plan Amendment is available for review on the Somerset County Website: https://www.co.somerset.nj.us/government/human-services/community-development/cdbg-and-home.  Community Development staff can also be reached at 908-541-5756.

Citizen Comments – Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, HUD has made available waivers of the comment period and requirement for in-person public hearings.  Persons wishing to comment on the Program Year 2019 CDBG-CV Round 3 Action Plan Amendment should respond to the County during the comment period which begins on January 21^st and ends on February 3^rd.  All comments should be addressed to Jeremy Hirsch, Principal Planner, Somerset County Community Development Office, PO Box 3000, Somerville, NJ 08876-1262 or Hirsch@co.somerset.nj.us.  Comments may also be presented at the virtual public hearing on the Program Year 2019 CDBG-CV Round 3 Action Plan Amendment to be held January 27^th, 2021 at 11:30 AM.  Details are available on the Somerset County website: https://www.co.somerset.nj.us/government/human-services/community-development/cdbg-and-home. All comments must include your name and municipality.

Shanel Y. Robinson, Commissioner Director