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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWORK SESSION SUMMARY-05/25/2021-Work Session Finance Administration 215 N. Mason 2nd Floor PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970.221.6788 970.221.6782 - fax fcgov.com MEMORANDUM DATE: May 28, 2021 TO: THRU: Mayor and City Councilmembers Darin Atteberry, City Manager Travis Storin, Chief Financial Officer FROM: SeonAh Kendall, City Recovery Manager RE: Work Session Summary – May 25, 2021, re: City Recovery Plan This memorandum provides a summary of the discussion related to the May 25, 2021, Work Session Item – City Recovery Plan. Mayor and Councilmembers Present: Mayor Arnt, Mayor Pro Tem Gorgol, and Councilmembers Gutowsky, Pignataro, Canonico, Peel and Ohlson Presenting Staff: Travis Storin and SeonAh Kendall DIRECTION SOUGHT: Does Council agree with the recommended allocation of the 15/85 split ($4.2M 2021 appropriation) of the City’s American Rescue Plan funding to address current needs while developing the City Recovery Plan? DISCUSSION SUMMARY: Staff presented a high-level recap of the City’s CARES Coronavirus Relief Fund, a review of the new American Rescue Plan Act’s State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (“ARPA”) and previewed the City’s Recovery Plan and timeline. Key Discussion Points Included: x Supported an iterative approach of making 15% of the ARPA funds available to meet current and short-term needs due to the uncertainty of the pandemic impacts. Areas of caution are: o Not to limit resources needed to the 15%, if more is needed. o Not to constrain potential support programs as either response or recovery. o Refrain from utilizing ARPA funds to offset budget constraints or shortfalls. x Encouraged community connections and leveraging funding opportunities with partners such as with Poudre School District, Larimer County, Neighbor to Neighbor and more. x Suggested focus opportunities included, but are not limited to, housing and childcare, mental health, rent and utility assistance, workforce development, women and historically underrepresented community members. x Underscored that there are still community members impacted by the pandemic.         x Urged utilizing various outreach and engagement methods to make sure the entire community is aware of resources and support. x Discussion on whether resiliency planning would be better than recovery. NEXT STEPS: ARPA Funding Allocation: 1. Staff will bring forward an ordinance to appropriate the 15% ARPA. a. 1st reading is anticipated June 15, 2021, 2nd reading on July 6, 2021. b. Funds would be available approximately July 19, 2021. 2. Staff will continue to monitor ARPA Interim Final Rule for changes while developing a short- term needs assessment and application process. City Recovery Plan 1. Begin public engagement process (June 2021) and begin development of the City Recovery Plan. 2. Anticipate a Fall 2021 Council Work Session to review a draft plan.