NOTICE OF CDBG SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO THE FY 2020 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR CARES ACT FUNDS PLAN AND VIRTUAL PUBLIC HEARING

CITY OF HAZLETON, PA

Notice is hereby given that City of Hazleton proposes a Substantial Amendment to its 2020 CDBG-CV program budget. The Substantial Amendment will be available for five days beginning March 27, 2023. The City will hold a virtual public meeting on Monday March 27, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. to solicit citizen input on the Proposed Substantial Amendment. The hearing will be held as a virtual hearing. Persons wishing to participate can call 667-770-1557 Passcode 277-704. TTY users can use 7-1-1. Anyone requiring special accommodations or who requires a presentation in a language other than English, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting time.

La información será proporcionada en español a petición

The Substantial Amendment is available for public inspection and review from March 27-March 31, 2023 on line at www.hazletoncity.org The documents can be provided in alternative formats for persons with special needs and limited English proficiency. Please contact the Community Development office at 570-459-4965 (TDD: 7-1-1) or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Interested persons are encouraged to express their views on the Substantial Amendment at the public hearing or in writing to the Office of Community Development, 40 N. Church St. Hazleton, PA 18201, Attention: Joe Zeller, Director. All comments received by 4:00 p.m. Friday March 31, 2023 will be considered.

By Order of

Jeffrey Cusat, Mayor

City of Hazleton

CITY OF HAZLETON, PA

SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO FY 2020 CDBG-CV PROGRAM BUDGETS

The City proposes to reduce the activity COVID Health activity by $162,997.55. The position is currently vacant. The City proposes to increase the existing CDBG-CV activity entitled DCNR CAN DO Community Park Phase 3 by $162,997.55. The purpose of the activity is to ensure sufficient outdoor recreation space to encourage outdoor social gatherings in accordance with public health guidance. Total funding for the activity is proposed at $381,845.55 and will be used as match to an application to PA DCNR for same project. The service are for the project will be the entire City.

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

POSTING DATE: March 21, 2023

GRANTEE NAME: City of Hazleton

ADDRESS: Office of Community and Economic Development

40 North Church Street

Hazleton, PA 18201

TELEPHONE: 570-459-4965

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Hazleton.

Request for Release of Funds

On or about April 11, 2023, the City of Hazleton will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to release federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (P.L. 93 383) (including the Section 108 loan program) to be used for the following project in the City:

CAN DO Park Improvements: This project involves the construction of a new CAN DO Community Park in downtown Hazleton. Specifically the project will include a brick retaining wall and staircase along Laurel Street, installation of sidewalks, landscaping, pedestrian lighting, and benches in the lower lawn area, as well as associated earthwork, utilities, and permitting. This project is the final phase of development of a new passive recreation park for downtown Hazleton, which is located within the center of several city revitalization projects. The outdoor park improvements will add programmable recreation space to the City’s park inventory, as well as provide additional outdoor recreation/socialization opportunities designed to minimize the spread of COVID-19. CDBG-CV Funding: $$381,845.55; Total Project Cost $706,062

Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)

The City has determined that the projects will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR). The ERR will be made available to the public for review at the City of Hazleton Office of Community and Economic Development; 40 North Church Street; Hazleton, PA 18201 Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Public Comments

Any individual, group or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of Hazleton via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by mail at the address listed above. Comments received through April 10, 2023 will be considered. Comments should specify which notice they are addressing.

Environmental Certification

The City of Hazleton certifies to HUD that Jeffrey L. Cusat, in his capacity as Mayor of the City of Hazleton, consents 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. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA andrelated laws and authorities and allows the City of Hazleton to use CDBG Program funds.

Objections to Release of Funds

DCED will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Hazleton’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Hazleton; (b) The City of Hazleton has omitted a step or failed to make a determination or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before 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 from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted via email in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to the Director of Community Planning and Development, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Director, Office of Community Planning and Development, US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Philadelphia Regional Office, Strawbridge’s Building, 801 Market Street, 12th Floor, Philadelphia PA 19107. Potential objectors should contact the Director of CDP via email to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Jeffrey L. Cusat, Mayor, City of Hazleton

Certifying Officer