9.1 SR 07-19-2021
Request for Action
To Item Number
Mayor and City Council 9.1
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Work Session July 19, 2021 Lori Ziemer, Finance Director
Item Description Reviewed by
American Rescue Plan Act Funds Utilization Cal Portner, City Administrator
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Discuss how to utilize funds received through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Background/Discussion
In March of 2021, Congress passed the ARPA to provide local government funding to address the public health
and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The city is expected to receive $2.6 million with half
distributed in 2021 and half in 2022. These funds are more flexible with a longer window of time for utilization
than CARES Act, funds are eligible for costs incurred from March 3, 2021, through December 31, 2024.
The city may use the funds for the following broad categories of assistance:
1. Responding to the Public Health Emergency
2. Address Negative Economic Impacts
3. Premium Pay for Essential Workers
4. Replace Public Sector Revenue Loss
5. Water, Sewer and Broadband Infrastructure Improvements
Funds cannot be used to offset a tax reduction or delay a tax increase. Because ARPA funds are temporary, they
should be used for non-recurring expenditures and not for ongoing operating costs. ARPA funding provides an
opportunity to make strategic investments in long-lived assets and enhance financial stability.
Staff is seeking a broad discussion with the City Council about what the Council would like to achieve with the
ARPA funds. Included is a list of potential projects for consideration.
Financial Impact
Utilization of ARPA funds.
Mission/Policy/Goal
Nurture resourcefulness to leverage strengths to meet changing needs.
Attachments
Potential ARPA Funding
US Treasury Quick Guide
The Elk River Vision
A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional
service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity.
Updated: August 2020
ARPA Fund Use Consideration
Broadband extension – use matching MNDEED grants to extend services to underserved areas.
Community septic improvements – Offset SAC,
Liquor Store pay – premium pay backpay for hours worked as while “essential”.
FT CEC pay – premium pay backpay.
FT CEC lost revenue – Period under restricted use or closed.
YAC sewer improvements – Extended outdoor use.
Hospitality Industry Grants – Landmark Motel updates. Transient period housing in pandemic-influenced
market.
Parks FF&E – extended outdoor use during pandemic period and post-pandemic period.
Hospital lost revenue – Fairview Northland, Princeton asked for CARES funds to offset operating losses.
Park and Rec lost revenue – Programming/rental fees.
Chamber Bucks – promote local businesses.
Public Restrooms downtown – extended outdoor use, improved sanitation during post pandemic period.
Bonus to vaccinated employees – meet herd immunity goal.
Grinders for sewer lift stations – Decrease exposure to COVID in wastewater resulting from pump malfunctions.
More people home in pandemic, flushing more unflushables of all types.
Activity Center Lead Abatement – Building was abandoned during COVID. Costs to abate lead before sale.
ERMU past due electric bills. – COVID related only program to assist residents (outsource?)
Job Fair
Chamber Building Improvements
Pinewood water/sewer connection
The American Rescue Plan will deliver $350 billion for state, local, territorial, and
Tribal governments to respond to the COVID-19 emergency and bring back jobs.
The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds provide a
Eligible Jurisdictions & Allocations
substantial infusion of resources to help turn the tide on the
pandemic, address its economic fallout, and lay the foundation for
Direct Recipients
a strong and equitable recovery.
¤States and District of Columbia
Funding Objectives
($195.3 billion)
¤Support urgent COVID-19 response efforts to continue to
¤Counties ($65.1 billion)
decrease spread of the virus and bring the pandemic under control
¤Metropolitan cities ($45.6 billion)
¤Replace lost public sector revenue to strengthen support for vital
¤Tribal governments ($20.0 billion)
public services and help retain jobs
¤Territories ($4.5 billion)
¤Support immediate economic stabilization for households and
businesses
Indirect Recipients
¤Address systemic public health and economic challenges that
¤Non-entitlement units ($19.5 billion)
have contributed to the inequal impact of the pandemic
Support Public Health ResponseAddress Negative Economic Impacts
Fund COVID-19 mitigation efforts, medical Respond to economic harms to workers, families,
expenses, behavioral healthcare, and certain small businesses, impacted industries, and the
public health and safety staffpublic sector
Replace Public Sector Revenue LossPremium Pay for Essential Workers
Use funds to provide government services to Offer additional support to those who have and
the extent of the reduction in revenue will bear the greatest health risks because of their
experienced due to the pandemicservice in critical infrastructure sectors
Water and Sewer InfrastructureBroadband Infrastructure
Make necessary investments to improve access Make necessary investments to provide unserved
to clean drinking water and invest in or underserved locations with new or expanded
wastewater and stormwater infrastructurebroadband access
Example Uses of Funds