CONFLICT OF INTEREST PUBLIC DISCLOSURE
Federal regulations governing the administration of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and the HOME Investment Partnership Program, for units of local governments have strict guidelines relating to Conflict of Interest. Under the federal regulations the following persons are covered:
24 CFR 570.611(c) Persons covered. The conflict of interest provisions of this section apply to any person who is an employee, agent, consultant, officer, or elected official
or appointed official of the recipient [City of Parkersburg], or of any designated public
agencies, or of subrecipients that are receiving funds under this part.
Under the regulations a conflict exists as described in the following:
24 CFR 570.611(b) Conflicts Prohibited. The general rule is that no persons who
exercise or have exercised any functions or responsibilities with respect to CDBG or
HOME activities assisted under this part, or who are in a position to participate in a
decision making process or gain inside information with regard to such activities,
may obtain a financial interest or benefit from a CDBG-assisted or HOME-assisted
activity, or have a financial interest in any contract, subcontract, or agreement with
respect to a CDBG-assisted or HOME-assisted activity, or with respect to the proceeds
of the CDBG-assisted activity or HOME-assisted, either for themselves or those with
whom they have business or immediate family ties, during their tenure or for one year
thereafter.
The regulations provide for an exception for persons who fall under the Conflict of Interest regulations. Factors which were considered as part of this process to request a Conflict of Interest exception under 24 CFR 570.611(d) include:
* A Small Business Relief Fund (SBRF) & Community Development Block Grant-CV program applicant subject to Conflict of Interest provisions is qualified to receive financial assistance under the program guidelines.
* The applicant is an elected official that serves on the City Council of the City of Parkersburg but has no purview in the determination of eligibility for assistance under the SBRF Program.
* Undue hardship may result to the applicant/business if assistance is not provided.
* The City of Parkersburg Attorney has determined that CDBG funds to the otherwise eligible applicant/business would not violate any State law or local Ordinance as documented in a letter to the US Department of Housing & Urban Development Pittsburgh Field Office Director.
* Granting the Conflict of Interest waiver will allow the applicant/business to receive the same benefits as any other qualified applicant/business to the Small Business Relief Fund Program.
The exception must be made to HUD after a public notification CFR 570.611(d)(1)(i) that a person covered by the Conflict of Interest regulations has applied for assistance and the City Attorney renders an opinion that if HUD grants the exception, no state or local law will be violated.
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby provided that the City of Parkersburg Development Department will request an exception to the regulation for the following:
Individual Program Nature of Conflict
J. R. Carpenter Small Business Relief J. R. Carpenter is the owner of a local small
District #5 City Fund (SBRF) Community business (Crystal Cafe) and is otherwise
Council Member Development Block eligible to receive assistance under the
Grant-CV SBRF Program
The City of Parkersburg will receive comments regarding this publication until Monday, December 7, 2020. Oral or written comments should be submitted to Mr. Ryan Barber, Development Projects Administrator, One Government Square, P.O. Box 1627, Parkersburg, WV 26102 or by phone at (304) 424-8452 or email [email protected].
Nov. 30, Dec 7