Council approves update to citizen participation plan; adds clear triggers for substantial amendments

The Rock Island City Council approved an update to the city's citizen participation plan used for federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) planning and annual action plans.

Miles, community development staff, summarized the changes as "two things primarily": a cleanup for clarity and the inclusion of a clearer definition of what constitutes a "substantial amendment." He told the council that three circumstances would trigger a substantial amendment and require renewed public engagement: a 20% change in the overall budget structure, the introduction of a significant new project not previously in the plan, or the receipt of a special emergency allocation of funds (Miles cited the city’s prior handling of CDBG‑CV coronavirus funds as an example).

Councilmembers encouraged the Community Development Department to meet with the West End revitalization group, which is piloting participatory budgeting, so the city could learn from that engagement and potentially incorporate best practices within the statutory public‑engagement framework required for consolidated planning.

The council voted to approve the updated citizen participation plan. Staff noted the plan can be amended at any time, and they will consider closer coordination with the West End revitalization team as the city prepares its five‑year consolidated plan.