CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF MERIDIAN LEGAL NOTICE Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds, CDBG Housing Improving Local Livability (CHILL) Grant, For Tiered Projects and Programs

Date of Publication: September 25, 2024

Charter Township of Meridian

5151 Marsh Road

Okemos, MI 48864

517.853.4000

On or after October 2, 2024,  the Charter Township of Meridian will submit a request to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) for the release of CDBG Housing Improving Local Livability (CHILL) funds under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, Public Law 93-383 as amended 42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq., to undertake the following project:

Tier 1 Broad Review Project/Program Title: Meridian Charter Township’s CDBG Housing Increasing Local Livability Grant

Purpose: The primary goal is to assist low- and moderate-income households within the determined target areas of Towar Gardens and Core Haslett, with their housing repair and improvement needs. Housing assisted through this program will be restored to a good, and safe condition. Eligible renovation activities may include correction of code compliance violations, major housing components that may need replacement within five (5) years, items to make the house energy efficient and less costly to the participant, and necessary accessibility improvements.

Rather than build out an internal team and stand up a new program, the Township intends to contract implementation of the program to Capital Area Housing Partnership (CAHP). CAHP is very experienced in this field and will oversee administrative aspects of program implementation including participant outreach, eligibility determination, creation of work specification and necessary bid documentation, contractor selection and oversight, and program reporting as necessary. The Township will be responsible for oversight of the program parameters.

The Township is targeting areas that we know have more persons of low to moderate income means, neighborhoods that have older housing, and areas that have a higher-than-average number of code enforcement issues, which can lead towards degradation in the quality of housing. We will leverage a portion of the Township ARPA allocation to pay for the third party administration of the grant, ensuring that all of the MSHDA funding will be put towards actual construction costs for homeowners.

The purpose of this project is to bring 12 single-family homes up to code within the Towar Gardens and Core Haslett neighborhoods in Meridian Township, utilizing the $480,000 we were awarded and an additional $86.400 in local funding for grant administration. The project scope will not include any new construction or change the footprints of the existing homes.

Location: The project locations are the Core Haslett and Towar Garden neighborhoods, in the northern part of Meridian Township.  Specific addresses will be assessed in the site specific reviews.

Project/Program Description: After applications from homeowners are received (first come, first served basis), project sites will be selected based off eligibility. The funding will allow selected homeowners to make critical repairs that meet code standards, resulting in safer and more secure homes for residents. 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, Floodplain Management, Wetlands Protection, Contamination and Toxic Substances, Historic Preservation – SHPO, Noise Abatement and Control, Environmental Justice, Asbestos, Lead Based Paint and Radon

Mitigation Measures/Conditions/Permits (if any): Each site will be reviewed and tested as necessary and when applicable. Any findings of these reports will be addressed in accordance with MSHDA, EPA, OSHA and HUD requirements.

Estimated Project Cost: $480,000 in HUD CDBG funds, $86,400 in local match

The activity/activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements per 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(3)(i). An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at the Charter Township of Meridian, 5151 Marsh Road, Okemos, MI 48864 and may be examined or copied weekdays 8 A.M to 5 P.M.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Charter Township of Meridian’s Clerk’s Office. All comments received by Wednesday, October 2, 2024 will be considered by the Charter Township of Meridian prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The Charter Township of Meridian certifies to MSHDA that Tim Schmitt, Certifying Officer, in his capacity as Interim Township 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. MSHDA’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the Charter Township of Meridian to use HUD program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

MSHDA will accept objections to its release of fund and the Charter Township of Meridian’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 Charter Township of Meridian; (b) the Charter Township of Meridian 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 not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by MSHDA; 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 MSHDA at 735 E. Michigan Ave, PO Box 30044, Lansing, MI 48909. Potential objectors should contact MSHDA to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Tim Schmitt, Interim Township Manager, Certifying Officer

Materials related to the request are available for viewing in the Department of Community Planning and Development office (5151 Marsh Road, Okemos, 48864), Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm, or on the Township website at the following location: www.meridian.mi.us/about-us/departments/community-planning-development. Written comments may be sent prior to October 2 to Charter Township of Meridian, 5151 Marsh Road, Okemos, Michigan, 48864, or by email to massie@meridian.mi.us.

Deborah Guthrie

Township Clerk

CP#24-661