Delegation of Authority for Environmental Certifying Officer in Accordance with 24 CFR Part 58City of Dubuque
City Council Meeting
Consent Items # 19.
Copyrighted
January 18, 2022
ITEM TITLE: Delegation of Authority for Environmental Certifying Officer in
Accordance with 24 CFR Part 58
SUMMARY: City Manager requesting Mayor Brad Cavanagh delegate the authority to
carry out the responsibilities of the Certifying Officer for funding received
from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to
Housing and Community Development Director Alexis Steger, and that
this delegation shall run until revoked by him, or until the end of his term in
office.
RESOLUTION Delegating Authority for Environmental Certifying Officer
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Adopt Resolution(s)
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Delegation of Authority for Environmental Certifying City Manager Memo
Off icer-MVM Memo
Delegation of CO - Staff Memo Staff Memo
Delegation of CO - Resolution Resolutions
THE CITY OF
Dubuque
DUB TEE1.
All -America City
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Delegation of Authority for Environmental Certifying Officer in Accordance
with 24 CFR Part 58
DATE: January 12, 2022
The City of Dubuque Housing and Community Development Department is a recipient
of multiple streams of funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD). These funds are subject to environmental review, decision -
making, and action responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act and 24
CFR Part 58, "Environmental Review Procedures for Entities Assuming HUD
Environmental Responsibilities".
The Certifying Officer is an important role for environmental review and compliance and
defaults to the highest-ranking official in a jurisdiction, which in the City of Dubuque, is
Mayor. The Certifying Officer authorizes requests for release of funds upon completion
of Environmental Reviews under 24 CFR Part 58, as well as accepting on behalf of the
City of Dubuque the jurisdiction of the federal courts for the enforcement of all these
responsibilities.
Housing and Community Development Director Alexis Steger requests Mayor Brad
Cavanagh delegate the authority to carry out the responsibilities of the Certifying Officer
to her as the Housing and Community Development Director, and that this delegation
shall run until revoked by him, or until the end of his term in office.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
CC' Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Alexis M. Steger, Housing and Community Development Director
Dubuque
THE CITY OF
All-Amerin City
DUB E nx ,
2007-2012.2013
Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2017*2019
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Alexis M. Steger, Housing and Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Delegation of Authority for Environmental Certifying Officer in accordance
with 24 CFR Part 58
DATE: January 10, 2022
Introduction
The City of Dubuque Housing and Community Development Department is a recipient
of multiple streams of funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD). These funds are subject to environmental review, decision -
making, and action responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
and 24 CFR Part 58, "Environmental Review Procedures for Entities Assuming HUD
Environmental Responsibilities".
Discussion
The Certifying Officer (CO) is an important role for environmental review and
compliance and defaults to the highest-ranking official in a jurisdiction, which in the City
of Dubuque, is Mayor. The CO authorizes requests for release of funds upon
completion of Environmental Reviews under 24 CFR Part 58, as well as accepting on
behalf of the City of Dubuque the jurisdiction of the federal courts for the enforcement of
all these responsibilities. Therefore, it is essential that the CO understands the
responsibilities provided in 24 CFR Part 58, its related Federal authorities listed in
Sections 58.5 and 58.6, as well as Section 102 of NEPA and its related provisions in 40
CFR Parts 1500-1508.
Delegation of the CO role from the Mayor to the Housing and Community Development
Department Director, Alexis Steger, provides a safeguard to the City, as Ms. Steger is
familiar with HUD's regulations governing environmental compliance. Additionally, Ms.
Steger is readily available to certify Environmental Review Records, Requests for
Release of Funds, and other documents requiring certification. This expedites approval
timelines and allows for faster service delivery to the community.
Recommendation
I respectfully request Mayor Brad Cavanagh delegates the authority to carry out the
responsibilities of the Certifying Officer under the aforementioned regulations to
Housing and Community Development Director, Alexis Steger, immediately, and that this
delegation shall run until revoked by him, or until the end of his term in office.
Prepared by: Maddy Haverland, Community Development Specialist
Prepared by Maddy Haverland Housing & Community Devel 350 W. 611 St Suite 312 Telephone: (563) 690 6072
Return to Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk, 50 W. 1V St., Dubuque, IA 52001, (563) 589-4100
RESOLUTION NO. 18-22
RESOLUTION DELEGATING AUTHORITY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFYING
OFFICER
Whereas, the City of Dubuque Housing and Community Development
Department receives multiple sources of funding from the Federal Department of
Housing and Urban Development; and
Whereas, these funds are subject to environmental review, decision -making and
action responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act, and 24 CFR Part
58; and
Whereas, the Certifying Officer is responsible for authorizing the release of
funds, certifying environmental records, and representing the City of Dubuque in federal
courts for the enforcement of these responsibilities; and
Whereas, the Certifying Officer role is held by the highest-ranking official in the
City of Dubuque, Mayor Brad Cavanagh, and this responsibility may be delegated by
formal resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. That Housing and Community Development Director, Alexis Steger, is
delegated the authority to act as the Certifying Officer for the City of Dubuque for all
HUD funding and environmental review requirements.
Section 2. This delegation shall be effective immediately and remain effective
until revoked by Mayor Cavanagh or until the end of his term in office.
Passed, approved, and adopted this 18th day of January 2022.
Attest Brad M. C agh, Mayor
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Adrienne N. Breiffelder, City Clerk