2020-24 RESOLUTION - Adopting Lee County Community Development Block Grant 2020-2021 Program Funding Years 11-16-2020

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5.7 Public Hearing Notice Notice of public hearings must be published in a local newspaper of general circulation, in a non-legal section of the paper at least ten (10)days prior to the hearing date, but no more than 25 days prior to the meeting date. Each notice of a hearing shall include the time, date, place, and topics and procedures to be discussed. These notices may also be in the form of press releases, as a public service announcement to local radio stations, and provided to community facilities within the target area of distribution, such as churches. 5.8 Virtual Hearings During a declaration of state of emergency by the Governor or General Assembly, and if a unit of government is concerned about significant public health risks that may result from holding and in-person public hearing, the local unit of general government may undertake a virtual public hearing (alone, or in concert with an in-person hearing) if: a. It allows questions in real time, with answers coming directly from the elected representatives to all "attendees." Therefore, members of the public must be entitled to participate and address the governing body during any telephonic or video-conference meeting. b. The governing body must post a written notice that gives the public a way to participate remotely, such as a toll-free dial-in number, and that includes an electronic copy of any agenda packet that officials will consider at the meeting. c. As with an in-person hearing, the grantee must select a virtual hearing method or platform that provides accessibility for persons with disabilities and limited English proficiency (LEP) to the greatest extent possible. These accommodations must be free to these populations. d. A governing body must provide the public with access to a recording of any telephonic or videoconference meeting. e. The local unit of government must document its efforts and the reason for them. f. Additional specific communication requirements and requirements for conducting remote meetings can be found in Article 1A of Chapter 166A and Article 33C of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes. 5.9 Provision of Emergency Situations During a declaration of state of emergency by the Governor or General Assembly, consistent with applicable allowances provides by state funding agencies, notice of public hearings must be provide at least five (5) days prior to the hearing date. These notices must be either published in a local newspaper of general circulation, or to the maximum extent feasible, non-newspaper methods of outreach. In emergency situations, such as coronavirus, in lieu of newspaper publication, notices will be placed in available venues to distribute the notice, including, but not limited to: website, social media, press release, public service announcement to a local radio station, and provided to community facilities within the target area of distribution, such as churches. Each notice of a hearing shall include the time, date, place, and topics and procedures to be discussed. 5.10 Accessibility to Low-and Moderate- Income Persons The public hearing procedures outlined herein are designed to promote participation by low-and moderate- income (LMI) citizens, as well as residents of blighted neighborhoods and CDBG project areas in any public hearing(s). Local officials may take additional steps to further promote participation by such groups, or to target program information to these persons should officials feel that such persons may otherwise be excluded or should additional action be deemed necessary. Activities to promote additional participation may include: posting of notices in blighted neighborhoods and in places frequented by low- and moderate- income persons, and holding public hearings in low-and- moderate income neighborhoods or areas of existing or proposed CDBG project activities. 5.11 Accessibility to Persons with Disabilities The locations of all public hearings as described herein shall be made accessible to persons with disabilities. The COUNTY shall provide a sign language interpreter whenever the Citizen Participation Coordinator is notified in advance that one or more deaf persons will be in attendance.The COUNTY shall provide a qualified reader whenever the Citizen Participation Coordinator is notified in advance that one or more visually impaired persons will be in 5