City Council Meeting Date: January 11, 2022
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Sara Hoffman, Deputy City Clerk (continued temporary interim position)
Ben Martig, City Administrator
Title
Review of Potential Federal Community Funding Requests.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council will discuss potential projects presented by staff in relation to upcoming and possible future Federal funding opportunities. Council is asked to provide feedback regarding the City of Northfield submission for the 2023 Community Project Funding process and preferred projects for other funding opportunities identified at a later date.
Summary Report:
City Administrator Martig will give a presentation on potential grant projects, focusing on the Federal Community Project Funding Grant process and other possible funding opportunities identified at a later date. The detailed listing and summary of project ideas are still in draft but will be provided as supplemental information.
The Federal Community Project Funding Grant process was reinstated in February 2021 via the House Committee on Appropriations. Each member of the House of Representatives is able to submit up to ten projects to the House Appropriations Committee for potential funding. The protocols for the 2022 Community Project Funding process (attachment 1), 2022 protocols from Rep. Craig’s office (attachment 2) and the list of 2022 Community Project Funding requests submitted through Representative Craig’s office (attachment 3) are attached. Timelines for 2023 submissions have not yet been announced but staff in Rep. Craig’s office expect them to align with 2022 timelines. Therefore, any submissions would likely be due mid-April 2022.
In a conversation with a member of Rep. Craig’s staff, the new water treatment plant was discussed due to its readiness, impact, and cost. This project was deemed a viable choice for submission due to the various areas it comprises: water, health and human services, and equity. When a project is selected by a House member, a subcommittee is chosen for eventual submission. Due to the wide impact of the water treatment project, there are a number of subcommittees the project could be submitted to, if selected. Rep. Craig’s office provided examples of other projects they have championed. Using those as a guide, a one-page summary of the water treatment plant has been drafted (attachment 4). If the Council approves submitting this project, this summary will be used to generate letters of community support and in the eventual submission process.
In addition to the water treatment plant, a list of projects was generated by Department Coordination Team members and then ranked by five categories: (1) project readiness, (2) equity, (3) economic development value, (4) strategic plan tie-in, and (5) project reach. Items deemed higher priority will be presented for Council feedback. These will be the projects staff will focus on as other funding opportunities become available. Projects that were deemed of lower priority, likely due to their early stages of planning/development, will also be presented to identify projects within this list that may be of specific interest or importance to Council.
Staff requests feedback and guidance from Council regarding: (1) the selection of the water treatment plant for 2023 Community Project Funding Grant submission, (2) what project(s) Council would like staff to focus on from the higher priority list provided, (3) if there are any projects from the lower priority list that Council would like staff to focus on, and (4) any other projects, not listed, that Council would like staff to research for potential funding opportunities.
City Administrator Martig will be presenting information on this agenda item. Sara Hoffman will be providing support on questions and other details.
Alternative Options:
Council can direct staff to submit a different project for 2023 Community Project Funding process.
Financial Impacts:
N/A
Tentative Timelines:
The 2023 Community Project Funding process is expected to have a deadline of mid-April, but dates are pending.