City Council Meeting Date: August 17, 2021
To: City Council
From: Ben Martig, City Administrator (on direction of Mayor related to appointments)
Cc: Mayor Pownell
Title
Consider Mayoral Appointments to the American Rescue Plan Local Recovery Fund Advisory Committee.
Body
Action Requested:
The City Council approves the following Mayoral Appointments to the American Rescue Plan Local Recovery Fund Advisory Committee of the following members:
Rhonda Pownell, Mayor/City Council
George Zuccolotto, City Council
Jami Reister, City Council
Galen Malecha, Rice County Commissioner
Brent Nystrom, Northfield Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Tracy Heisler, Planning Commission
Rachel Leatham, Economic Development Authority
Kathleen Holmes, Northfield Downtown Development Commission
Sarah Nathan, Northfield Shares
Summary Report:
The following members are the appointments by Mayor Pownell to the American Rescue Plan Local Recovery Fund Advisory Committee.
Rhonda Pownell, Mayor/City Council
George Zuccolotto, City Council
Jami Reister, City Council
Galen Malecha, Rice County Commissioner
Brent Nystrom, Northfield Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Tracy Heisler, Planning Commission
Rachel Leatham, Economic Development Authority
Kathleen Holmes, Northfield Downtown Development Commission
Sarah Nathan, Northfield Shares
Northfield City Code lays out for the Mayor to appoint and Council confirm special committees. See attached information on the American Rescue Plan Local Recovery Fund Advisory Committee that was established by the City Council on August 2nd, 2021.
Background on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund
The City Council is being asked to officially accept the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. The ARPA Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds provide $130 billion for local governments split evenly between municipalities and counties. The Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund will provide $19.53 billion to support tens of thousands of non-entitlement units of local government, which are local governments typically serving a population under 50,000.
Treasury is launching this much-needed relief to meet the following objectives:
• Support urgent COVID-19 response efforts to continue to decrease spread of the virus and bring the pandemic under control; and
• Replace lost revenue for eligible state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments to strengthen support for vital public services and help retain jobs; and
• Support immediate economic stabilization for households and businesses; and
• Address systemic public health and economic challenges that have contributed to the inequal impact of the pandemic.
The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds provide eligible state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments with a substantial infusion of resources to meet pandemic response needs and rebuild a stronger, and more equitable economy as the country recovers. Recipients may use these funds to:
• Support public health expenditures, by, for example, funding COVID-19 mitigation efforts, medical expenses, behavioral healthcare, and certain public health and safety staff
• Address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency, including economic harms to workers, households, small businesses, impacted industries, and the public sector
• Replace lost public sector revenue, using this funding to provide government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue experienced due to the pandemic
• Provide premium pay for essential workers, offering additional support to those who have and will bear the greatest health risks because of their service in critical infrastructure sectors
• Invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure, making necessary investments to improve access to clean drinking water, support vital wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and to expand access to broadband internet
Within these overall categories, recipients have broad flexibility to decide how best to use this funding to meet the needs of their communities.
City of Northfield Use of Funds
The City Council has the authority to determine the use of these funds. The Council created a structure for a committee that will be advisory to the City Council along with City staff. See attached information related to the committee. Mayor Pownell will be bringing forward appointments to the City Council for consideration of confirmation. The committee will then meet once the appointments are completed.
ARPA Funds Available
The City of Northfield is expected to receive $2,195,324.46 is the estimated total ARPA Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds allocation to the City pursuant to the ARPA (“Allocation”) with remaining funds expected to be received in 2022. The City has received $1,097,662.23 pursuant to the ARPA (“Allocation”) on July 27, 2021. The 2nd half distribution of the funds are anticipated to be available beginning in May of 2022. The 2nd half will not be distributed earlier than 12 months of after the first distribution.
The timeframe for using the funds begins March 3, 2021 and the deadline for spending is Dec. 31, 2024
Alternative Options:
N/A
Financial Impacts:
N/A
Tentative Timelines:
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