NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS (NOIRROF)
City of Rensselaer
Planning and Development Department
City Hall, Second Floor
62 Washington Street
Rensselaer, New York 12144
(518) 462-4839
TO ALL INTERESTED AGENCIES, GROUPS AND PERSONS:
On or about Wednesday, November 30, 2022, the City of Rensselaer will submit a request to the Office of Community Renewal (OCR) for the release of CDBG funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, to undertake a project known as the Neighborhood Safe Parks Improvements Project for the purpose of making recreational facility and equipment upgrades (other than buildings) to four municipal public parks, located at First Street, Tracy Street, Plum Street, and Riverfront Park in the City of Rensselaer. The total estimated project cost is $1,975,000, including $1,927,000 in FY 2022 CDBG funding awarded to the City of Rensselaer and $48,000 of member item funding provided through the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York.
The activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act requirements. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at the address below and may be examined or copied weekdays from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
City of RensselaerPlanning and Development Department City Hall, Second Floor 62 Washington Street Rensselaer, New York 12144 (518) 462-4839
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of Rensselaer Planning and Development Department. All comments received by November 29, 2022 will be considered by the City of Rensselaer prior to submission of a request for release of funds.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
RELEASE OF FUNDS
The City of Rensselaer certifies to the Office of Community Renewal that Michael Stammel, in his official capacity as Mayor and Certifying Officer, 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. The Office of Community Renewal’s acceptance of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and allows the City of Rensselaer to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
The Office of Community Renewal will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Rensselaer’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 City of Rensselaer; (b) the City of Rensselaer 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 the Office of Community Renewal; 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: Crystal Loffler, Acting President, at the NYS Office of Community Renewal, Hampton Plaza, 38-40 State Street, 4th Floor, Albany, NY 12207. Potential objectors should contact the Office of Community Renewal to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Michael Stammel
Mayor and Certifying Officer