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Recommendation to Assign a Portion of the $28.68 Million of Funding from the Federal Government through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 to Assist with Recovery from the Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic. (City Manager 10021030/Finance 10024051)
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To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Alameda (City) will receive a total of approximately $28.68 million in American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) funding. On June 17, the City received the first $14.34 million tranche of funding. The second tranche is expected approximately one year later (May/June 2022). Eligible costs must be incurred or obligated to projects by December 31, 2024, and the period of performance for obligated funds will run until December 31, 2026.
The funding provided under ARPA provides a unique opportunity for the City to make strategic investments using these funds.
This report includes general principles, as well as general categories with specific projects, which staff is putting forward for the City Council's consideration. The recommendation is based on evolving best practices for ARPA relief fund management, and early input provided by the City Council at the Budget Workshop on May 20, 2021.
The Proposed Guiding Principles include:
A. Prioritize "one-time" expenditures over ongoing
B. Invest in critical infrastructure
C. Seek and explore state and regional partnerships
D. Focus on City Council Priority Areas
E. Apply an equity lens
F. Identify projects that support/unburden the General Fund
G. Take the necessary time to invest strategically
H. Carefully track and report regularly to the City Council and Community
Using the aforementioned principles, and with input from the City Council in May, staff is recommending that the following general categories be the focus of the City of Alameda's (City's) ARPA spending plan:
A. Supplementing revenue loss
B. Addressing housing, homelessness, and behavioral healt...
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