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Killeen staff propose updates to citizen participation plan to improve clarity and outreach
Summary
City staff proposed revisions to the citizen participation plan to clarify CDAC and staff roles, update substantial amendment rules, adopt "not less than 30 days" comment periods, and create generic contact emails; staff opened a public comment period and will return with final language July 15.
KILLEEN, Texas — City staff on June 3 outlined proposed revisions to the City of Killeen's citizen participation plan intended to clarify roles, streamline substantial-amendment procedures and improve public outreach.
Ms. McNair, a Community Development staff member, said the city is required by HUD to maintain a citizen participation plan and that the proposed edits are intended to make the plan easier to use and reduce the need for frequent text edits tied to staff names. "We're going to remove individual staff and replace with specific staff position," Ms. McNair said, noting the department is creating generic email addresses such as communitydevelopment@killeentexas.gov to preserve continuity as staff change.
Other proposed changes include clarifying responsibilities between CDAC and Community Development staff (for example, which party will administer community planning meetings and monitor programs), updating the substantial amendment criteria, and changing fixed-language requirements that currently read "30 days" to "not less than 30 days" so the city can meet HUD timing when calendar schedules vary. Ms. McNair said staff reviewed peer plans in other Texas jurisdictions, including Austin and Bexar County, and reorganized content for readability.
Residents urged more active outreach and clearer reporting back to the public. Michael Ferino suggested broader notice via the city website, water bill inserts and local media: "Let's take advantage of everything and everything we've got," he said. Melissa Brown urged that the city use citizen participation to solicit input on priorities such as replacing private water laterals in low-income neighborhoods and to provide quarterly updates on major projects and local housing authorities.
Questions about fair-housing oversight were raised. Sean Price asked who analyzes implementation of fair-housing responsibilities. Ms. McNair said the federal government enforces fair-housing law; the city contracted a consultant to prepare an analysis of impediments to fair housing and will continue work with HUD field office guidance. She said the current federal guidance suspended some previous documentation requirements but that the city is continuing an analysis "so that the city of Killeen will have one" if HUD again requires it.
Staff said the proposed revisions are part of an open comment period from June 9 through July 15 and that council will be asked to consider adoption of the revised citizen participation plan on July 15. If adopted, staff will submit the plan with the consolidated plan on or before Aug. 15.
