HomeMy WebLinkAbout32. Potential Uses of ARPA Funds
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council
FROM: Mark Rohloff, City Manager
DATE: April 19, 2021
RE: Possible Uses of ARPA Funds
As Council is aware, the city is anticipating the receipt of +/-$20 million in federal funds under the
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). We have received limited information from the National League
of Cities (NLC) about eligible uses of these funds, along with other references to prohibited uses.
However, specific guidelines are still subject to final direction from the U.S. Treasury Department.
I realize that there is a great deal of anticipation about the proposed uses of these funds. Rather than
get into the individual thoughts and requests that will inevitably come from this process, I thought
that it would be beneficial to have an initial analysis of the possible uses based on the preliminary
information we have.
For Council‘s benefit, staff has prepared the attached "Analysis of Possible Uses of ARPA Funds."
Please note that this is not a recommendation of the use of funds. The analysis identifies categories
and strategies that Council can use in their decision making process. Based on our understanding of
the law and our prior experiences, staff have made some suggestions pertaining to possible uses of
funds. There are also Expenditure Restraint Program (ERP) guidelines and levy limit laws that must
be considered. However, I believe that we have identified ways that we will be able to avoid any
problems in the state regulatory areas.
Within the general categories are subcategories based on the probable federal recommended uses of
these funds, as well as other general city and community needs based on the city's Strategic Plan and
annual goals that Council has set forth, strategies to use these funds for one (or more) specific
purposes, or to repurpose funds once they have been reimbursed. Some examples of potential uses
have been identified; however, these examples are not a complete list of ideas of potential uses. I
believe these examples can serve as a starting point for the public and Council to identify specific
uses.
In addition to the matrix of categories and sample uses, staff has prepared some appendices
identifying how these may qualify as "allowable uses" based on the preliminary information. These
attachments also identify short-term and long-term goals that the city may wish to achieve based on
our Strategic Plan and 2021 goals for the City Manager, as well as areas of relief for groups or
individuals that may have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, there are notes
explaining the logic of these possible uses. All of this information is intended to stir ideas and spark
discussions before Council makes any final decisions.
Moving forward, I would suggest that Council provide some general comments on this analysis,
request that staff seek input from various boards and commissions, and conduct some public input
sessions on possible uses of funds. Meanwhile, I will also solicit ideas from departments and
community stakeholders for possible projects or uses. Based on this information, it would be my
intent for staff to prepare a preliminary list of recommended uses, after which Council may seek
additional public input and staff analysis prior to making any final decisions.
Although the city will received one-half of our allotment in May 2021 and has until the end of 2024 to
use these funds, I think that before we allocate funds, it is beneficial for us to project the long-term
impacts of COVID-19 on the city, including the potential for lost revenue that we have not yet
realized. I am concerned that rushing to a final decision on use of ARPA funds may overlook
unanticipated impacts of COVID-19, as well as unintended consequences of committing all funds too
early. For example, I am concerned that the long-term loss of room tax revenue may continue for
some time. I would also be concerned about the operational impacts of some expenditures, and want
to avoid long-term commitments that the city would be unable to support. For this reason, I believe it
is prudent to go through the process deliberately, and perhaps leave some funds unallocated for the
near future.
I will place this item on the May 11 City Council agenda so that you have an opportunity to review
this analysis and ask questions of staff so a worthwhile discussion can be had. In the meantime,
please contact me if this information stirs any additional questions or thoughts on potential uses.
Attachments
cc: Department Heads
General Category/Strategy Sub-category Example of Potential Use
Allowable Use
Category Notes
ST LT
Property Tax Relief Debt Relief/Reduction Debt Holiday Unknown 1, 3, 4 1
"Pure" Utility Lead Pipe Assistance 4 2, 4 1,3 2
Pay & Display (parking)
Building Security
Connect fiber to underserved city facilities
Public Wi-Fi (Business & OASD)
Parks
Traffic/Intersection Monitoring
EOC / Training Center
City Hall Renovation
Lakeshore Park Improvements
Museum Steiger Wing Renovations
E. 9th
Oshkosh Avenue
Sawyer/Oshkosh Avenue Intersection
Burying Power Lines 3 2 3
Sub Debt for utility with Federal Money Utility assumes greater share of streets 4 1 4
Day By Day Shelter 1,2,4,6 1,2,3,4
COTS / Transitional Housing 1,2,6 4
Day Care Center (Housing Auth)1,2,3,6
Seniors Center Expansion 1 1,3 1,3
Endowment with Philanthropic Agencies 1 1,3,6,7 1,2,3 13
Rent/Mortgage Relief
Utility Assistance
Room Tax - Pay off remaining debt Redirect Funds for Cap. Repl.1-Tourism 4,6 3 7
Ticket/Fine Recovery
Liquor License Recovery
Property Tax Pay off debt/reduce borrowing Unknown 5 1,3 8
Grand Opera House Lost Revenues Fund GOH Improvements 3 1 1,2,3 9
Loans vs Direct Aid 2,3 1
Restaurant/Bar Relief
Retail Relief
Clearwell 4 4 1,2,3,4 10
Utilities along Washburn/Poberezny to Loop 4 4 1,2,3,4 11
Premium Pay for Essential Workers 2 4 12
Analysis of Possible Uses of ARPA Funds
1, 33 3
Goals
1 8
2,3,6 1
1,2,3,4,5 61
4
3
1
1 1, 2, 3
5
Business Assistance
One BIG Project
Broadband
Major Unfunded Projects (Facilities)
Unfunded Street Projects
Revenue Loss Recovery
Infrastructure
Social Serivce/Non-Profit Relief
Direct Assistance
Assist City or Non-profit Agency
1
3
1 - Nonprofit
3Reduce borrowing with proceeds
1.Respond To Negative Impacts With Assistance To
Households and Small Businesses; Assist Nonprofits
And Impacted Industries, Including Tourism
ST 1.2021 Council Goals for City Manager (4)LT 1.Strategic Plan Goals(6)
2.Premium Pay to Essential Workers ST 2.Help those with immediate need LT 2.Long Term Visible Impact
3.Reimburse Cities for Lost Revenue ST 3.Help those directly affected LT 3.Long Term Benefit
4.Water, Sewer or Broadband Infrastructure ST 4.Compliant with Federal Regulations LT 4.Long Term Relief to those repaying
ST 5.Politically Acceptable
ST 6.Leverage with other entities
ST 7.Avoid duplication of effort with others
4 General allowable uses Short Term Goals Long Term Goals
1 Using any reimbursed funds for eligible COVID relief for General Fund purposes, apply those reimbursed funds to reduce
General Obligation (G.O.) debt. Reimbursed funds would likely carry the General Fund balance over its set maximum; excess
balance could be applied to reduce debt, thereby reducing the future tax obligations.
2 Possible leverage of state or federal funds to expand lead pipe replacement program. Expenses are specifically eligible as
allowable water utility expenses.
3 Using any reimbursed funds for eligible COVID relief for General Fund purposes, apply those reimbursed funds to pay for
unfunded projects in our CIP or strategic plan.
4 By substituting utility costs with ARPA funds, and allocating a greater share of street restoration of utility work to utilities/ARPA
funds, savings would be shared between utility and General Obligation debt. Apply debt savings to reduce debt, or to borrow for
other capital uses.
5 Leverage eligible ARPA funds or freed up G.O. debt with funds from other governmental or nonprofit entities to maximize
investment in capital projects for non-profits, or for one-time expenses due to pandemic. Offers the most opportunities for
leveraging of funds.
6 Allocate funds to non-profit partners or other agencies that have familiarity with distributing funds to other non-profits or
individuals. For direct aid, focus on agencies who have the capability to conduct means testing, which is not an in house
capability.
7 Restore lost revenue to CVB and Convention Center capital debt funds. Pay off obligations, freeing up room tax funds for long
road to recovery. Staff projects that room tax funds will not fully recover until at least 2025. Need to bridge that gap for entire
length of time. This represents greatest internal loss of city funds.
8 See notes 1 and 3; provides discretionary opportunities to Council.
9 Similar to Room Tax fund, identify lost revenue and use proceeds to fund long list of GOH capital improvements.
10 Longest direct benefit, as project like this has a useful life of over 100 years.
11 Creates opportunities for economic development expansion along Washburn and Poberezny Drive corridors.
12 Although eligible, city covered overtime payments throughout 2020 for costs associated with maintaining staffing during height
of pandemic. City implemented other measures to address paid leave that employees could not take during pandemic
emergency.
13 If allowed by ARPA regulations, establish fund to be used in conjunction with other philanthropic agencies/funds, leveraging
ARPA funds with philanthropic funds to support local agencies in achieving community goals.
Notes to ARPA Funds