Is This Done in Middletown?

Journal story....

HAMILTON
HUD plan influenced by citizen comments

HAMILTON — Although it’s a document the city is required to file every year, citizens had a significant voice in how more than $1.5 million in federal funds are spent in 2014 and 2015.
City Council approved earlier this week its One Year Action Plan for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 that must be filed with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development by March 15. The plan encompassed community feed back through multiple surveys and public comment sessions.
“A lot of the decisions have been made … and decisions are made based on citizen input,” said Duronna Smith, Hamilton’s Neighborhood Development Specialist. “A lot of public services and citizen services are paid based on citizen participation. It can sway either staff recommendation or staff approval based on citizen input.”

There were several opportunities for citizens to provide feedback — four scheduled meetings, a 30-day public comment period at advertised locations and two public hearings. There were also two surveys: one posted on the city’s website and one mailed to about 2,000 randomly selected citizens (with 414 being returned).
City Manager Joshua Smith said this plan really is the citizens’ plan.
“It provides the opportunity for a communitywide discussion so we can get input from different parts of the city, so we can have that dialogue for communitywide development and community needs,” he said.

IF THIS IS A HUD REQUIREMENT, IS THIS ALSO DONE IN MIDDLETOWN?