The CDBG Commission welcomes verbal or written statements from Madison residents or groups concerning the performance of assisted activities during 2003, emerging community needs and opportunities, and suggested funding priorities and terms for the next five years. This is another step in establishing specific objectives and terms of funding for the year 2005-2006, and in defining the Five-Year Community and Neighborhood Development (Consolidated) Plan.

The Commission particularly invites comments that address these concerns:

• As the City begins to revise its Five-Year Plan, where should the CDBG Commission place its priorities for new funding? Which population groups? Which neighborhoods would best be served by a concentration neighborhood planning process?
   

• How can the CDBG Commission and the CDBG Office best improve their effectiveness in working with community groups to achieve the adopted goals of the Five-Year Plan? Are there specific opportunities or concerns emerging in the next several years that you feel the City should be addressing through its community and neighborhood development program?

Time at a public hearing is usually short, and the Commission requests that you keep within a five-minute presentation limit. If you find the time too brief, or are unable to participate because of other reasons, the Commission would welcome your participation using other methods.

Interested persons may:

• Give a verbal presentation to the Commission at the following additional meeting: April 1st regular Commission meeting and Public Hearing, to be held at 5:00 p.m. in Room 260 of the Madison Municipal Building;

• Send written comments to the CDBG Office at 215 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, Room 280, P.O. Box 2985, Madison, Wisconsin 53701-2985;

• Fax the office at (608) 261-9661;

• Send the Commission an e-mail at cdbg@cityofmadison.com; or

• Phone in your comments to (608) 267-0740.

Your comments will be incorporated into the discussions of the 2005-2006 priorities.

The funded activities during 2003 and the Program Framework for 2003-2004 are described here on the CDBG program website.