City Council Meeting Date: October 6, 2020
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Ben Martig, City Administrator
Title
Consider Resolution Authorizing CARES Act Expenditures.
Body
Action Requested:
Staff recommends a motion to approve Resolution Authorizing CARES Act Expenditures.
Summary Report:
Staff has identified eligible City expenditures that would complete the remaining unallocated eligible CARES Act funding for reporting in the amount of $778,400 of the total $1,538,900. We are currently preparing the Resolution and documented expenses.
City Administrator Martig is also recommending to include authorization for some CARES Funds to be utilized for police patrol room improvements to help mitigate spread of COVID-19. The following is some additional information and there is an attachment to this agenda item that shows costs and visuals of the improvements.
Police Patrol Room Improvements
The police department patrol work area was designed in an open concept with low dividers between officers desks and 4 shared computer work stations. While this was a popular welcoming design in 2014 when the building was designed, it is less than ideal during the current pandemic. Isolation and separation of employees are key to preventing community spread of the Coronavirus. The patrol area was studied and a redesign plan submitted by ATSR architects. The plan meets the current needs by separating workspaces, separating employees, and minimizing group use of equipment. The redesign uses glass top panels to maintain an open feel and allow for communication and the ability for coworkers to see who is on the phone or computer and who is available.
The redesigned workspace will reduce the risks of community spread of the coronavirus, and since this virus spreads in a similar fashion to other viruses, such as the flu, should help to minimize those risks as well. The redesign incorporates re use of all available current panels from the work stations and adds new ones where needed to complete the workspaces. The creation of plans, bidding, ordering and scheduling are expected to take 120-150 days and the build time is estimated at 40 days.
Other Community Funding
Staff is scheduling a discussion for additional community funding considerations from received CARES funding for Council at the October 13th meeting. Additionally, there would be an action item scheduled for October 20th on this.
Economic Development Coordinator Carlson has attached a summary report of the business and non-profit grants. Staff will continue to review those as it relates to identifying potential additional community needs for business and non-profits.
Alternative Options:
Council could amend the resolution in draft to remove the police patrol room improvements for future consideration at October 13th or 20th.
Financial Impacts:
See presentation
Tentative Timelines:
See presentation