Title
Consider and take action on a resolution authorizing the acceptance of the American Rescue Plan Act grant funds allocated by the U.S. Treasury to the City (Emergency Management Coordinator)
Background:
Approval of this resolution will authorize the City to accept funds from the American Rescue Plan Act grant allocated by the U.S. Treasury.
To support the immediate pandemic response, bring back jobs, and lay the groundwork for a strong and equitable recovery, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 established the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, designed to deliver $350 billion to state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments to bolster their response to the COVID-19 emergency and its economic impacts. The City of League City has been allocated $10,385,742.
The ARP allows local jurisdictions to allocate any funds received through this program to a variety of expenses to include:
A. Public Health and Economic Impacts - Eligible expenses in this category must be in response to the “disease itself or the harmful consequences of the economic disruptions”. There is a sample list of eligible expenses in the Interim Final Rule (beginning on pg. 10).
B. To respond to workers performing essential work during the COVID-19 public health emergency by providing premium pay to eligible workers - This is outlined beginning on page 45 of the Interim Final Rule.
C. Provision of government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue due to the COVID-19 public health emergency relative to revenues collected in the most recent full fiscal year prior to the emergency (beginning bottom of pg. 51)
D. To make necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure - This is outlined beginning on page 63 of the Interim Final Rule (Ensure that these expenditures align with CWSRF and DWSRF).
At this time the City is looking to allocate approximately $1,600,000 to category A - public health and economic impacts and the remainder of the funds (approximately $8.8 Million) to category D - necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure.
Within these categories staff suggests projects such as:
• Rental and utility assistance to those impacted by the pandemic
• Assistance to older apartment complexes for necessary repairs with rental assistance being passed along to those tenants
• Work on building 500 for storage and office space upgrades
• Small business/Restaurant assistance to those impacted by the pandemic
• Job fairs for residents impacted by the pandemic
• Payroll costs for select public safety staff
• Improvements that increase capacity for water and wastewater or maintain compliance with State and Federal regulations
• Generators for water and wastewater facilities that increase storm/disaster resilience
Attachments:
1. Data Sheet
2. Proposed Resolution
3. ARPA Grant Pre-Approval Form
4. Financial Assistance Agreement - Local Governments
5. Local Financial Recovery Funds - Interim Final Rule
6. Allocations for Cities - Final
FUNDING
{ X } The COVID-ARPF fund 8022 has been set up and will be included in the FY2022 Proposed Budget.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
{ X } NOT APPLICABLE