CITY OF EAST LANSING NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS FOR TIERED PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS

Date of Publication: 11/20/2024

City of East Lansing

410 Abbot Road

East Lansing, MI 48823

517-319-6930

 

On or after Tuesday December 3, 2024, the City of East Lansing will submit a request to HUD for the release of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (Pub. L. 93-383), as amended, to undertake the following project:

 

Tier 1 Broad Review Project/Program Title: CAHP Homeowner Rehabilitation Program

Purpose: The City of East Lansing will enter into a subrecipient contract agreement with Capital Area Housing Partnership (CAHP) to administer the City’s Homeowner Rehabilitation Program.

Location: The City of East Lansing’s Homeowner Rehabilitation Program is available City-wide to income-eligible East Lansing homeowners.

Project/Program Description: The City of East Lansing Homeowner Rehabilitation Program provides up to $24,999 in CDBG funds for weatherization, lead-based paint remediation, and home improvements/code violations. The program is available city-wide, to income-eligible households. Common projects include roof replacements, energy efficient windows and doors, electrical and mechanical upgrade. Tier 2 site specific reviews will be completed for those laws and authorities not addressed in the tier 1 broad review for each address under this program when addresses become known.

Level of Environmental Review Citation: 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(3)(i)

Tier 2 Site Specific Review: The site-specific reviews will cover the following laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad review:

• Flood Insurance [Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 and National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 [24 USC 4001-4128 and 42 USC 5154a]]
• Contamination and Toxic Substances [24 CFR 50.3(i) & 58.5(i)(2)]
• Endangered Species [Endangered Species Act of 1973, particularly section 7; 50 CFR Part 402]
• Floodplain Management [Executive Order 11988, particularly section 2(a); 24 CFR Part 55]
• Historic Preservation [National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, particularly section 106 & 110; 36 CFR Part 800]
• Noise Abatement and Control [Noise Control Act of 1972, as amended by the Quiet Communities Act of 1978; 24 CFR Part 51 Subpart B]
• Wetlands Protection [Executive Order 11990, particularly sections 2 & 5]
• Environmental Justice [Executive Order 12898]

 

Mitigation Measures/Conditions/Permits (if any):

• Flood Insurance: Staff will work with Capital Area Housing Partnership to analyze the specific property location and determine whether it is within a FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Area. Under the Homeowner Rehabilitation Program, properties located within a designated 100-year floodplain, as indicated on a Flood Hazard Boundary Map published by the Federal Insurance Administration, are not eligible for program participation.
• Contamination and Toxic Substances: Staff will work with Capital Area Housing Partnership to determine whether each specific property location is located near toxic, hazardous, or radioactive substances that could affect the health and safety of project occupants.
• Endangered Species: Given that there are no critical habitats located within the City of East Lansing, staff believe it is unlikely that a specific property rehabilitation would have a significant, adverse impact on a listed species or habitat. However, the site location and project scope will be analyzed to ensure there is no significant, adverse impact on a listed species or habitat.
• Floodplain Management: Staff will work with Capital Area Housing Partnership to analyze the specific property location and determine whether it is within a FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Area. Under the Homeowner Rehabilitation Program, properties located within a designated 100-year floodplain, as indicated on a Flood Hazard Boundary Map published by the Federal Insurance Administration, are not eligible for program participation.
• Historic Preservation: Staff will work with Capital Area Housing Partnership to submit a Section 106 review to the State Historic Preservation Office on each property to determine whether the rehabilitation project will have any impact on historic properties.
• Noise Abatement and Control: Based on what homeowner rehabilitation work is being done on the specific property, that will impact whether standardized noise attenuation measures are being met as encouraged by HUD.
• Wetlands Protection: Staff will work with Capital Area Housing Partnership to analyze the specific property location and project scope to determine whether the project will have an adverse impact on wetlands within the City of East Lansing.
• Environmental Justice: Once all other factors are analyzed, then staff will work with Capital Area Housing Partnership to analyze the environmental justice impact of each property rehabilitation.

 

Estimated Project Cost: Up to $252,369.66 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding

 

The activity/activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements per give citation listed above. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at East Lansing City Hall (410 Abbot Road, East Lansing, MI 48823) and may be examined or copied weekdays 8A.Mto 5 P.M. You may also view this ERR on the City of East Lansing website at the following link: https://www.cityofeastlansing.com/2458/Active-Public-Notices

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of East Lansing. All comments received by Monday, December 2, 2024, will be considered by the City of East Lansing prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

 

The City of East Lansing certifies to HUD that Robert Belleman, Certifying Officer, in his capacity as City Manager 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 and related laws and authorities and allows the City of East Lansing to use HUD program funds.

 

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

 

HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the RE’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 one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the name of RE; (b) the RE has omitted a step or failed to make a decision 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 notauthorized 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 in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development –Detroit Field Office, Keith E. Hernandez, Director, Community Planning and Development at 477 Michigan Ave, Suite 1600, Detroit, MI 48226 or DetroitCPD@hud.gov.  Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of theobjection period.

 

Date: November 20, 2024

Robert Belleman, City Manager (Certifying Officer)

City of East Lansing

410 Abbot Road

East Lansing MI 48823

 

CP#24-729