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Notices are one of the most important parts of a relocation program. Providing notices to <br />affected persons and businesses in a timely manner can save municipal funds, save the <br />affected persons from unnecessary hardship and in some cases, minimize displacement. <br />Relocation notices include, but are not limited to: General Information Notice, Notice of <br />Relocation Eligibility, 90 -day Information Notice, and 30 -Day Notice to Vacate. <br />Epic will assign a relocation agent to each displaced person. This agent will contact the <br />displaces as soon as possible to establish a line of communication and provide for the seamless <br />relocation of that household or business. Some of the questions that will be addressed at the <br />initial Interview with residential displacees will include: number, gender and age of all occupants, <br />household income, distance to employment, utilization of neighborhood services including public <br />transportation and any other special needs that the displaces may have. Some of the questions <br />that will be addressed at the initial interview with displaced businesses will include: number of <br />employees at the location, special moving requirements, special licensing or zoning needs and <br />permits needed to resume business. <br />Epic's relocation agent will personally explain the relocation assistance program and eligibility <br />requirements for relocation payments. This will also include referrals to, and coordination with <br />community resources available, as well as public housing and other public services. In addition, <br />Epic will explain the Relocation Assistance Appeal process to each displacee. In the event that <br />the displacee does not speak English, Epic will arrange for translation. Epic has numerous <br />Spanish speaking agents and can support several other languages in -house as well. <br />Replacement housing valuation reports will be prepared by a person other than the designated <br />relocation assistance agent for the displaced person. All subject and comparable dwellings will <br />be field reviewed and any special or unique interior features noted. The valuation reports will <br />contain photographs of all dwelling units described in the reports. The entitlement letters will be <br />prepared based on this information and submitted to the City for review and approval. <br />Epic will research the marketplace for available replacement locations. After the market data <br />has been obtained, Epic will compile a listing of available housing and /or replacement business <br />sites. Some criteria used by Epic in determining comparable replacements include whether sites <br />are: functionally equivalent; adequate in size to accommodate the displaced persons; not <br />subject to unreasonable adverse environmental conditions; located in similar proximity to public <br />services and employment; located on a site typical in size; currently available on the open <br />market to the displaced person, and within the financial means of the displaced person. Part of <br />Epic's function as the relocation consultant is to inspect replacement dwellings to determine if <br />they meet decent, safe and sanitary replacement housing standards as required by health and <br />safety codes. For most displaced persons, relocation advisory services are as important, if not <br />more so, than the financial aspects of the relocation. Epic is willing to provide any additional <br />relocation advisory services as may be deemed necessary to minimize hardship and provide <br />that all persons displaced by the public project shall receive fair, uniform and equitable <br />treatment. This includes transportation to view replacement sites, if necessary.. <br />Epic will determine eligibility for and proposed amounts of relocation benefits, including <br />replacement housing payments, rental or down payment assistance and moving expenses for <br />residential relocations. For businesses, Epic will review and recommend payments for <br />reasonable moving and related expenses as well as reestablishment expenses. For displaced <br />persons, the paperwork process can be confusing and overwhelming. Epic understands this and <br />prepares all applicable benefit claim forms, explains them in depth to the displaced person, <br />obtains the claimant's signatures on the forms and then submits the claim forms for processing <br />payment. Epic's agents will conduct all relocation efforts in accordance with the City's right of <br />