Council adopted a $8.38 million American Rescue Plan spending plan and awarded a $460,800 Orangewood Lakes water system contract to Harbor Contracting.
13 items on the agenda · 9 decisions recorded
On the agenda
- 1Call to Order – Roll Call▶ 0:00
- 2
Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
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[00:00:19] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for [00:00:26] which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
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- 3
Moment of Silence
Brief procedural moment of silence at the opening of the meeting.
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[00:00:45] Thank you. [00:00:46] You may be seated. [00:00:47] Do I know what this is? [00:00:53] Okay.
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- 4
Approval of Work Session and Regular Meeting Minutes
approvedCouncil approved the minutes from a prior work session and regular meeting.
- motion:Motion to approve the work session and regular meeting minutes. (passed)
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[00:00:55] The next item is approval of the work session regular meeting minutes from some time. [00:01:03] Move for approval. [00:01:04] Second. [00:01:05] Any discussion? [00:01:06] Hearing none, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [00:01:13] Aye. [00:01:14] Opposed, like sign. [00:01:15] Motion passes.
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- 5
Proclamation - Volunteer Recognition Day (By Title Only)
approvedA proclamation recognizing Volunteer Recognition Day on August 25th was read into the record by title only.
- consensus:Proclamation for Volunteer Recognition Day (August 25th) read into the record by title only. (passed)
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[00:01:16] We only have one proclamation. [00:01:19] It is for Volunteer Recreation Day, which is going to be on August the 25th, and this [00:01:26] is being read into the record by Titan Homely, so I will pass that down to the City Clerk. [00:01:33] Next is Fox Pop.
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- 6Vox Pop for Items Not Listed on the Agenda or Listed on Consent Agenda▶ 1:36
- 7.a
Purchases/Payments for City Council Approval
approvedon consentCouncil approved the consent item for purchases/payments without discussion.
- motion:Motion to approve purchases/payments for City Council approval. (passed)
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[00:08:29] Move for approval. [00:08:31] Second. [00:08:33] There's no discussion. [00:08:34] All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [00:08:37] Aye. [00:08:38] Opposed, like sign. [00:08:39] Motion passes. [00:08:40] Next, business items.
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- 8.a
Board Re-Appointment: Anna Mae McNally, Cultural Affairs Committee
approvedCouncil reappointed Anna Mae McNally to the Cultural Affairs Committee for a two-year term ending September 3, 2023.
- motion:Reappoint Anna Mae McNally to the Cultural Affairs Committee through September 3, 2023. (passed)
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[00:08:42] Board reappointment of Anna Mae McNally to the Cultural Affairs Committee. [00:08:47] Yes, Ms. McNally. [00:08:51] McNally has been on the Cultural Affairs Committee since 2019. [00:08:56] The terms of office for the Cultural Affairs Committee is for a two-year period of time. [00:09:02] Her current term is due to elapse on September 3rd, and she has requested reappointment to the board. [00:09:10] If you determine that it's appropriate to reappoint her, her renewal would be through September 3rd of 2023. [00:09:22] Move for approval. [00:09:24] Second. [00:09:25] To the maker. [00:09:26] Nothing more. [00:09:27] Second. [00:09:28] Thank you for serving. [00:09:29] Mr. Allman. [00:09:30] Mr. Peters. [00:09:31] No, sir. [00:09:32] Thank you. [00:09:33] In that case, thank you for serving. [00:09:34] All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [00:09:36] Aye. [00:09:37] Aye. [00:09:38] Opposed, like sign. [00:09:39] Motion passes.
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- 8.b
2020 Orangewood Lakes Water System Improvements – ITB 21-007 Bid Award
approvedCouncil awarded the low bid for the 2020 Orangewood Lakes Water System Improvements project (ITB 21-007) to Harbor Contracting, LLC in the amount of $460,800. The project involves installing approximately 3,100 linear feet of 12-inch water pipe, 930 linear feet of 6-inch, 150 linear feet of 4-inch, and five hydrant assemblies, funded through water and sewer construction funds.
- motion:Motion to approve award of the low bid for ITB 21-007 to Harbor Contracting, LLC in the amount of $460,800. (passed)
Orangewood Lakes area, just west off of Olsteen Road and south of Massachusetts AvenueHarbor Contracting, LLCMr. AltmanMr. PetersMr. RiveraMs. Manns2020 Orangewood Lakes Water System ImprovementsITB 21-007Water and Sewer Construction Funds▶ Jump to 9:40 in the videoShow transcriptHide transcript
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[00:09:40] Next, 2020 Orangewood Lake Water System Improvements, ITB 21-007 bid award. [00:09:47] Sir, Mr. Mayor, members of the Council, Mr. Rivera has been working on the project, [00:09:55] and he has prepared a PowerPoint presentation for you this evening related to the low bid for the project. [00:10:04] Thank you, Ms. Manns. [00:10:07] So the request of staff for City Council is to consider for approval the low bid that was submitted by Harbor Contracting, LLC, [00:10:16] in the amount of $460,800. [00:10:21] On July 2nd, 2021, Harbor Contracting was the lowest bidder out of six bids that were submitted. [00:10:30] Their low bid, the original low bid that they submitted was $459,300 compared with the high bid of $689,800. [00:10:42] Subsequent to staff's review, we found that there were two minor mathematical errors, [00:10:47] and that's what brought that bid amount to the $460, and actually was still lower than the second lowest bidder that had submitted. [00:10:57] We have not worked with Harbor Contracting previously, [00:11:02] but the owner and a couple of the high management people have worked with the city under a different company name, [00:11:09] so we're very familiar with them. [00:11:11] We feel confident that they can go ahead and complete this project as designed. [00:11:16] And so when we look at the scope of the work, it's approximately 3,100 linear feet of 12-inch water pipe, [00:11:24] approximately 930 linear feet of 6-inch, and then approximately 150 linear feet of 4-inch, and then five hydrant assemblies. [00:11:35] The location of the project is the Orange Lake area, or Orangewood Lakes area, [00:11:42] that is just west off of Olsteen Road and south of Massachusetts Avenue. [00:11:49] If you recall, we had acquired that utility system a few years ago, and so these are the upgrades that we called out for. [00:11:59] And so with that, we've identified the funding as water and sewer construction funds, [00:12:03] and we would recommend that you approve the low bid and award the contract to Harbor Contracting, LLC. [00:12:11] Thank you. [00:12:12] We'll open it up for public comment. [00:12:14] Seeing no one come forward, bring it back to Council. [00:12:17] Move for approval. [00:12:20] Second. [00:12:21] Thank you. [00:12:22] Do we to the maker? [00:12:23] No. [00:12:24] Second? [00:12:25] No. [00:12:26] Mr. Altman? [00:12:27] No, sir. [00:12:28] Mr. Peters? [00:12:29] Just one question. [00:12:31] On these contract bids such as this, do we often, or do we and when do we require performance bonds? [00:12:40] On all of them. [00:12:41] On all of them? [00:12:42] Okay. [00:12:43] That's all I have. [00:12:44] Thank you. [00:12:45] In that case, there's no further discussion. [00:12:47] All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [00:12:49] Aye.
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- 8.c
Quarterly Cash & Investment Performance Report
discussedMrs. Feast presented the quarterly cash and investment performance report for the quarter ending June 30, 2021. The city's portfolio closed at $38,575,927 with $10,726 in quarterly earnings, with the decrease in checking account balance attributed to pay applications for the parking garage and library renovation projects.
Florida Municipal Investment TrustState Board of Administration / Florida PrimeMrs. FeastLibrary renovationsParking garage construction projectQuarterly Cash & Investment Performance Report (quarter ending June 30, 2021)U.S. Treasury obligations (T-bills)▶ Jump to 12:50 in the videoShow transcriptHide transcript
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[00:12:50] Opposed, like sign. [00:12:51] Motion passes. [00:12:53] The question is 56 and 75. [00:12:58] The next item is the quarterly cash and investment performance report. [00:13:02] And Mrs. Feast will be presenting the summary analysis of the status of our current investments on the portfolio [00:13:12] and the transactions over the last quarter. [00:13:16] Thank you. [00:13:18] Included in your packet was a report ending June 30, 2021 of the city's investment performance. [00:13:27] What I'm presenting to you tonight is a summary of that report. [00:13:34] So as of June 30, 2021, which was the end of the third quarter, [00:13:39] the city closed out its cash and investment portfolio at $38,575,927. [00:13:52] 13.9% of that amount came from the city's checking account, which totaled $5,374,617. [00:14:05] The investment portion of the portfolio closed out at $33,201,310. [00:14:16] With those funds being invested in the State Board of Administration, our Florida Prime, $13,310,751. [00:14:31] The next investment was in the Florida Municipal Investment Trust, which we held $4,392,029. [00:14:42] And our largest investment was in U.S. Treasury obligations, which closed out at $15,498,530. [00:14:53] The earnings for this quarter totaled $10,726. [00:15:00] which compared to last quarter is about $6,000 lower. [00:15:07] Over the past year, the city has not earned [00:15:11] as much historically as previous years, [00:15:15] and it's mainly due just to economic conditions [00:15:18] and the type of investments that we have our funds in. [00:15:24] They're very conservative governmental trust funds, [00:15:27] and so during these times, we do earn a little bit less [00:15:32] than some of the more volatile investments, [00:15:36] but they are safe and not as risky. [00:15:41] So during this time, though, you can see that [00:15:45] for the quarter, $10,726 is what was earned. [00:15:53] This next slide just provides you with a visual [00:15:55] of the composition of the portfolio. [00:15:58] You'll see that the largest portion [00:16:00] was in our U.S. Treasury obligations, [00:16:02] which consist of two T-bills, [00:16:05] one for $10 million and one for $5.5 million. [00:16:10] Once those mature, that would be [00:16:12] what the city would have earned, [00:16:15] and the maturity, the principal and the interest [00:16:18] would be at about $5.5 million. [00:16:23] The next largest composition is [00:16:26] in our State Board of Administration at 35%, [00:16:31] followed by the city's checking account at 5.4 million. [00:16:37] And lastly, we have 11% of the portfolio [00:16:40] is in our Florida Municipal Trust Fund. [00:16:45] Comparing this quarter to the prior quarter, [00:16:49] you'll see that the change is $3,794,862. [00:16:58] Most of that coming from a reduction [00:17:01] in the city's checking account [00:17:04] compared to the previous quarter. [00:17:07] It did go down about 3.8 million, [00:17:09] and that's largely due to the funds used [00:17:13] to cover the pay applications for the parking garage [00:17:16] and the library renovations, [00:17:17] those big construction projects. [00:17:23] The change in the investment accounts [00:17:25] is just the interest earned for the quarters. [00:17:29] I do want to point out that in U.S. Treasury obligations, [00:17:33] the $15.5 million, one of those T-bills [00:17:38] did mature at the beginning of the following month, [00:17:42] so early July, and that money was transferred [00:17:46] back into the checking account. [00:17:48] So that would get our checking account balance [00:17:50] back up to historical balances, [00:17:53] or what we're accustomed to seeing. [00:17:56] And that's all I have. [00:17:58] Any questions? [00:18:00] Hearing none, thank you very much.
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- 8.d
You arrived here from a search for “Resolution 2021-58” — transcript expanded below
Resolution No. 2021-58: American Rescue Plan Act Spending Plan
approvedCouncil considered Resolution 2021-58 adopting a spending plan for $8,382,786 in American Rescue Plan Act funds, increased from the originally projected $7,033,259. Finance Director Crystal Feist presented a five-category plan (revenue loss, staffing/payroll, programs, projects, purchases/preventative measures) split across two distribution years, with increases to affordable housing, business assistance, and downtown area improvements. The resolution passed unanimously.
Ord. Resolution No. 2021-58
- motion:Adopt Resolution 2021-58 authorizing acceptance and use of American Rescue Plan Act funds per the spending plan in Exhibit A. (passed)
6235 Warren AvenueKaiser UniversityPasco CountyU.S. Department of TreasuryBill AltmanChopraCrystal FeistDebbie MannsGeorge RomagnoliRobertTim DriscollAffordable housing developmentAmerican Rescue Plan Act of 2021Business assistance programsCommunity land trustCybersecurity upgradesDowntown area improvementsResolution 2021-58Septic to sewer conversionSingle audit grant requirementsStormwater improvement projects▶ Jump to 18:03 in the videoShow transcriptHide transcript
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[00:18:03] Next item is Resolution 2021-58. [00:18:07] This is Resolution number 2021-58, [00:18:10] a resolution of the City Council [00:18:11] of the City of New Port Richey, Florida, [00:18:13] authorizing acceptance and use of funds [00:18:15] provided to the City [00:18:16] pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, [00:18:19] providing for approval of expenditures [00:18:21] provided in Exhibit A attached to year two, [00:18:23] and providing an effective date. [00:18:27] This agenda item represents, [00:18:32] as the City Attorney indicated, [00:18:36] a proposed appropriation [00:18:39] of the American Rescue Plan Act funds. [00:18:44] The, it is different than the one [00:18:48] that was originally proposed to you, [00:18:51] as we learned over the last few days [00:18:54] that the city was to receive an additional $1,349,527. [00:19:05] That would be over the two-year period, [00:19:09] but because of the additional revenue, [00:19:14] we made some adjustments in the appropriations [00:19:18] that we were recommending to you, [00:19:20] as you'll, and I'll allow Mrs. Feist [00:19:23] to more fully present the program to you [00:19:27] as she has prepared a PowerPoint, [00:19:29] but in short, as you'll recall [00:19:32] from our original presentation to you, [00:19:36] the city had an opportunity [00:19:39] based on the revenue calculations [00:19:44] to accept more revenue than we were recommending to you [00:19:51] at the time to reflect the revenue loss [00:19:54] that we experienced as a result of COVID-19. [00:19:58] We bumped up both the numbers [00:20:02] in year one and year two to include for that, [00:20:08] and additionally, we appropriated additional funds [00:20:13] into three programs that you all collectively spoke [00:20:18] to us about and indicated interest [00:20:22] in seeing additional work being done in those areas, [00:20:26] and they were affordable housing development, [00:20:30] business assistance programs, [00:20:32] and the downtown area improvements. [00:20:37] And I'll, again, allow Crystal [00:20:39] to fully present the PowerPoint to you, [00:20:41] and we're prepared to respond to specific questions [00:20:45] that you may have of us. [00:20:47] All right. [00:20:50] So a lot of what I'll go over at the beginning [00:20:52] is background information, [00:20:54] a recap of the American Rescue Plan, [00:20:56] and we'll include some of the details [00:20:58] that City Manager Manns has already shared. [00:21:02] As you know, the American Rescue Plan Act passed [00:21:05] on March 11, 2021, and it provides a total [00:21:08] of $360 billion in relief to states and local governments. [00:21:13] Of that amount, municipalities are set [00:21:16] to receive $65.1 billion. [00:21:19] The city was originally projected [00:21:21] to receive $7,033,259, [00:21:26] but the final determination is that the allocation [00:21:30] will be $8,382,786. [00:21:36] The distribution will remain in two, [00:21:40] will still be two separate transactions. [00:21:43] The first half we can expect in October of 2021, [00:21:49] and the second half in October of 2022. [00:21:54] Just to go over a summary of the eligible use of funds, [00:22:00] it was passed and the guidance provided states [00:22:05] that these funds can be used to support public health [00:22:09] by funding COVID-19 mitigation efforts, [00:22:12] assist businesses in replacing lost revenue, [00:22:15] including the city, cover costs associated [00:22:18] with rehiring staff to pre-pandemic levels, [00:22:21] and provide premium pay to essential workers. [00:22:26] Additionally, these funds can be used [00:22:28] to address economic impacts, providing worker assistance, [00:22:33] household nutrition, rent, mortgage, or utility assistance, [00:22:37] and small business assistance. [00:22:40] It can also be used to improve access to clean water [00:22:43] by supporting the installation of wastewater [00:22:45] and stormwater infrastructure, and finally, [00:22:47] expand access to broadband internet [00:22:49] and protect vital IT resources. [00:22:52] Thank you. [00:22:56] So a summary of the proposed spending plan, [00:22:59] you'll see we've divided the spending into five categories, [00:23:06] and also divided it up into two years, [00:23:12] consistent with the distribution [00:23:15] of the American Rescue Plan money. [00:23:17] The first category is revenue loss, [00:23:20] and if you remember during the work session on July 29th, [00:23:26] I presented to you how the guidance used [00:23:31] to calculate revenue loss for the city. [00:23:34] Originally, we've estimated the revenue loss [00:23:39] in year 2020 to be $1,893,259, [00:23:43] and originally, we proposed to fund [00:23:50] that revenue loss over the two years. [00:23:53] The first portion was $1,393,093, [00:24:03] with the remaining 500,000 distributed in year two, [00:24:07] and we forego, we decided not to, [00:24:13] estimate revenue loss in the future years, [00:24:17] using that, the remaining American Rescue Plan money [00:24:20] to fund some of these other categories. [00:24:23] Well, now that we are receiving additional funds, [00:24:28] you'll see that we've increased the revenue loss [00:24:31] to be closer to what we've calculated in year one, [00:24:35] and then also provide an estimate [00:24:37] of what we think the revenue loss will be in 2021, [00:24:41] and we're funding a small portion of that in year two. [00:24:45] The next category is staffing and payroll, [00:24:48] totaling 215,000 in year one, 75,000 in year two, [00:24:53] and I'll go over the details of each [00:24:55] of these remaining categories on subsequent slides. [00:24:59] Programs, we're proposing to spend 975,000 in year one, [00:25:05] and 280,000 in year two. [00:25:07] Projects, 1,378,000 year one, 2,925,000 in year two. [00:25:16] Purchases and preventative measures, [00:25:18] 30,000 year one, 95,000 in year two. [00:25:22] The total of these years will exhaust [00:25:25] all of the American Rescue Plan funds [00:25:27] that we anticipate receiving. [00:25:31] So the details of our staffing and payroll category, [00:25:35] you'll see that COVID-19 related overtime, [00:25:40] we're still kept at 50,000 in year one, [00:25:44] and not requesting any additional in year two. [00:25:49] Unemployment claims, $40,000 in year one to this category, [00:25:54] none in year two. [00:25:56] Behavioral health care worker, [00:25:58] we've reduced slightly in year one, [00:26:01] anticipating that it will take some time [00:26:06] to actually fund this position or fill this position. [00:26:10] So we're proposing to fund it at 50,000 in year one, [00:26:15] 75,000 in year two. [00:26:17] And then hazard pay for essential workers [00:26:19] remain the same at 75,000 in year one, [00:26:22] and none in year two. [00:26:27] The next category is programs. [00:26:29] The first being affordable housing development. [00:26:35] Originally we proposed 200,000 in this category, [00:26:40] we've increased that to 250 in year one, [00:26:43] and added 100,000 to year two. [00:26:47] Business enhancement activities, [00:26:49] we've kept the same at 50,000, [00:26:52] but added 30,000 in year two. [00:26:55] Business assistance programs, [00:26:57] we've increased by 2,000 in year one, [00:27:02] and added- [00:27:03] 200,000. [00:27:04] I'm sorry, yes, 200,000 in year one, [00:27:07] and added 150,000 in year two. [00:27:12] Utilities assistance remain the same [00:27:14] at 50,000 in year one, and none in year two. [00:27:17] Advanced education programs remain the same, [00:27:20] year one at 25,000, and none in year two. [00:27:23] Downtown area improvements, [00:27:28] we've increased by 153,000 in year one, [00:27:34] and 150,000 in year two. [00:27:38] Increase in construction costs remain the same [00:27:41] at 350,000 year one, none in year two. [00:27:45] Stormwater improvement projects [00:27:47] for the downtown area remain the same. [00:27:51] Septic to sewer conversion also remain the same [00:27:55] with funding in year two. [00:28:00] Finally, under projects, [00:28:01] cybersecurity upgrades has $100,000 funded in each year [00:28:07] with no changes from what was originally proposed. [00:28:12] The last category, purchases and preventative measures. [00:28:16] We first proposed hand sanitizing stations in the park. [00:28:20] We're still gonna purchase those, [00:28:22] but we've found an alternative funding source for this, [00:28:25] so we won't be using American Rescue Plan money [00:28:29] for that purchase. [00:28:32] HVAC filters in all public facilities remain the same [00:28:35] with 30,000 funded in each year. [00:28:39] And then finally, technology-friendly locker systems [00:28:42] for the library remain the same [00:28:44] with 65,000 funded in year two. [00:28:49] There you go. [00:28:50] So that ends the presentation. [00:28:51] I will entertain any questions [00:28:53] along with City Manager Manns. [00:28:57] Open it up if there's any public comment. [00:29:10] George Roman Yoli, 6235 Warren Avenue. [00:29:14] I can't argue with the projects on this list, [00:29:17] but I can argue with... [00:29:26] But I can argue with some of the allocations of this. [00:29:29] First thing, I would ask the city to check [00:29:32] with the county on the Utilities Assistance Program. [00:29:34] I think they're covering that, [00:29:36] so that might be an expense you don't have to cover. [00:29:38] I know that's specifically for New Port Richey Utilities, [00:29:40] but you may wanna double check that. [00:29:44] If you remember during the recession [00:29:46] that we had last century, no, this century, [00:29:52] Pasco County was one of the largest recipients [00:29:54] of funds for housing. [00:29:57] In fact, Pasco County rehabilitated more... [00:30:00] family homes than any other community in Tampa Bay. Almost 1,000 purchased and rehabilitated. [00:30:07] With the price of housing as it is today, you're funding maybe one and a half houses because if [00:30:13] you want to rehabilitate the homes where they should be, if you want to get rid of the jealousy [00:30:17] windows and make wind-borne windows, if you want to make the roofs secure, if you want to create [00:30:24] energy efficiencies, you're going to have to spend a lot more money than you're expecting. [00:30:29] When I bought my house, I looked at about a dozen houses in the city. Just about every house did a [00:30:35] lot of improvements on those houses. They were all done by flippers. None of them got building [00:30:39] permits, and none of them went to the systems that really needed the work, electrical, plumbing, [00:30:46] HVAC, and the like. If you really do a housing rehabilitation program, you want to [00:30:50] rehabilitate the house to bring it up to code, and so it will last for at least 40 or 50 years [00:30:57] without major maintenance issues. That will cost money. Now, when we were doing rehabilitation [00:31:03] back in the 2010s, of course, the average house was a lot cheaper. You could buy a house in the [00:31:09] city very easily for $40,000, $50,000, $60,000, but we averaged in rehabilitation $80,000 to $90,000. [00:31:17] What the cost is today with the cost of construction, I think might be a lot more. [00:31:21] The other thing you may want to consider, besides increasing the allocation for that, [00:31:26] is if you want to make it specifically for low and moderate income families, [00:31:31] make it permanently for low and moderate income families. As you know, I was a community development [00:31:36] director for the county. I think my biggest failure was not making the homes that we rehabilitated [00:31:41] permanently affordable, and there's a way you can do that. It's called community land trust. [00:31:47] What that does is that the community and trust owns the land, and the buyer buys the building. [00:31:55] So when the next person, when they sell the building, they don't get as much appreciation, [00:31:59] but the next buyer, first they have to be low or moderate income, and second, [00:32:04] they will get a cheaper price on their home that they can afford. There are non-profits in Tampa [00:32:10] Bay that can manage this for you, so you don't have to worry about the management and administration [00:32:14] of that. So I would just encourage you to look at expanding the funding for this, maybe up to [00:32:19] half a million dollars for each year, and looking to make a community land trust of that. And I am [00:32:26] available to the city manager and others for any ideas on the administration and the construction [00:32:31] of this program. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? Seeing no one else come forward, bring it [00:32:39] back to council. A couple questions. First being that what's being presented to us is for us to [00:32:48] approve a resolution identifying these projects and stating in the resolution that we find [00:32:56] to meet the requirements of the Act, which still hasn't made its final rulings. [00:33:07] So I'm not sure. When I look at the projects, the only one that I'm trying to identify from what was [00:33:19] described as the intent of the Act and how it fits relates to the, I think, response from the [00:33:28] federal government that they won't approve a project unless it meets one of the needs. So [00:33:34] I'm not in any way against paying the extra $350,000 for the steel. My question is, is this [00:33:41] fund, how do we identify that it meets the requirements of the Act? Because I'm not sure [00:33:52] what you would categorize that under. Mr. Driscoll? [00:33:59] Can you want to try to address it? We have, in recent weeks, spent a lot of time talking [00:34:09] to contractors and comparing bid prices on materials and labor, both pre-COVID and post-COVID, [00:34:20] and we are using that as a basis to determine the elevation. And the contractors that we are [00:34:30] working with are also willing to sign sworn statements indicating that the elevated prices [00:34:38] are due to COVID-related conditions. And we are going to use that to substantiate [00:34:47] the price increases for metals, for woods, for labor, [00:34:56] as it relates to our construction projects. Actually, [00:35:04] it is, the fact is, it's much more than that. We're only asking for $350,000. [00:35:11] Mr. Alvin and I were both in a presentation on the ARA, and they had a... [00:35:17] I got there, too. [00:35:19] Okay, and Chopper. The speakers were making a point that while it is key that we get all of [00:35:32] the initial paperwork completed and into the state as quickly as possible, [00:35:40] we're not necessarily wed to specific items, so long as when we do the items, they are [00:35:51] within the guidelines of the program. And as Councilman Altman pointed out, [00:35:58] they've released some preliminary rules, but they're still putting guidance out at this point. [00:36:04] They are. [00:36:07] And to prove, my question is, are we approving set numbers of items that are [00:36:14] going to happen real fast? I mean, there's going to be things that come down that don't give us two [00:36:28] weeks to have our next meeting. So are we approving basically for you to go ahead with these [00:36:35] items, but can we actually move the money at some other point? [00:36:38] I will be proceeding with caution. We continue to monitor the decisions or the rules, I should say, [00:36:53] as they're promulgated by the Department of Treasury. And the city attorney will advise me [00:37:01] when a change needs to be made, and we will come back before you when it's appropriate to do so. [00:37:09] I just, from what I gather too, they didn't have the answers. [00:37:13] No. [00:37:13] They didn't have the answers themselves. But I just say, I don't want to get stuck behind the [00:37:18] eight ball because we are waiting two weeks for a meeting and all of a sudden the date comes. [00:37:24] We won't, but we believe everything that we're proposing to you this evening is consistent [00:37:30] with the rules that have been set forth to date. [00:37:34] And if we want to change the dollars a little bit, would that be a problem down the road? [00:37:39] To a different category? I mean, within the same... [00:37:45] If it hasn't been obligated or appropriated otherwise. [00:37:56] If I may add, if approved tonight, we will incorporate this into the budget being proposed [00:38:02] to you at the public hearing. And so at that point, once adopted, it would follow [00:38:08] the normal process for approving projects, and we would have to go through the normal process. [00:38:15] Yeah, okay. So as long as it's still in those, I don't know, eight categories, [00:38:19] and we move the money around a little bit, because we see somewhere we really want to go that way. [00:38:24] Councilman Altman? [00:38:25] Right. So the comment that it becomes a budget item and we follow the budget rules is there. [00:38:29] I think that the resolution itself, and I don't want to get hung up on that, but [00:38:35] if I had the opportunity to suggest any language change at all, I would put something in as we [00:38:41] understand it or whatever, because you're asking me to make a comment that I understand that this [00:38:46] meets all of those requirements. And from what you described in the general terms, I don't see [00:38:52] the use of money for projects to be accepted, even if it's allowable, even if it's because of the [00:38:59] COVID. So because of the COVID was affected to the revenue side to give us those $2 million. [00:39:07] But I don't want to belabor that point, because I have a couple of questions to ask related to the [00:39:12] projects and the two-year cycle. So looking at the two big ones, the stormwater and the septic [00:39:21] to sewer projects, and showing that you're going to use that money in year two, my sense is [00:39:28] that it says it's partially funded. I understand and I'm grateful to understand that the city [00:39:34] manager is also planning to apply for more grants and to try to help and, you know, leverage this [00:39:40] money and particularly the sewer funds the state is offering and the stormwater funds or the [00:39:46] resilience funds. And I think that's great. I know that in those types of projects and the [00:39:52] American Rescue Plan allows for some of that to incorporate the planning. So if we could shift [00:40:00] some money for planning over into the, then it doesn't fall on the Public Works Department to [00:40:09] plan and hopefully the partial funding comes from matches and doesn't, because these projects are [00:40:17] not, as I understand it, part of what was provided to us in the Capital Improvement Plan. So to the [00:40:23] degree we can do some money in those categories to foster the professional development of this [00:40:29] plan, I think particularly as they affect the downtown stormwater or the potential annexation [00:40:35] of land, there's going to have to be some money spent to try to identify that project and prepare [00:40:40] for it. So Robert always gives us a plan that shows a year. Included in that is land acquisition, [00:40:49] so if we needed to pick up a piece of property. So again, to go back to Chopra's comment, a [00:40:58] budget adjustment that moved a little from one category because we need to do it this year versus, [00:41:04] for example, the downtown area improvements, maybe that whole, or the business assistance programs [00:41:13] with $600,000, that's going to require a lot of commitment and from some of the businesses, if [00:41:20] you're going to assist them, we could find that we only have 200,000 applications or whatever and we [00:41:28] have those funds available. So identifying the projects is great. The idea that it's going to [00:41:35] be exclusive I think would cut out the new two city councilmen who come here next year if they [00:41:40] want to review and modify. So I would say when you have a plan, you want the manager to be able to [00:41:47] implement the plan and not have you change the plan all the time. So I appreciate what you're [00:41:51] putting before us. But again, it's possible as numbers change, whatever they might be, [00:42:03] whether it's the utility assistance program which is smaller, how much of that, I don't know if [00:42:07] you've identified the $50,000 that you're going to give out or how it's going to be given out, but [00:42:14] if you have a plan, you can show us regularly or quarterly or every six months how it's going. [00:42:19] And so that's my request. I guess if the rest of you all agree with that approach, [00:42:26] I don't have any problem approving it, but I'd love to see a little bit more money for planning [00:42:31] on those big projects than to just push them off in a year. So councilman, I'm trying to understand [00:42:38] exactly what you're looking to do. Are you looking to move money from one year, you know, swap [00:42:43] monies around from year one to year two on some of these projects? Or are you looking to select [00:42:48] some other expenses to use the money for? No, no. I think the projects are good that [00:42:53] we're focused on. I'm not trying to add new projects. I'm only saying that when you get [00:42:57] two more members of council next year, you're going to have only one of you up here is going [00:43:01] to be required for it to cause any change of direction. And cities, it's good to have a plan [00:43:07] to say we're sticking to it. But when you get three votes, that can probably do about anything. [00:43:12] I'm not sure that we're committing to the federal government that we're going to spend this. We're [00:43:16] just telling ourselves, if I'm not mistaken, that we've agreed that they're to protect ourselves [00:43:21] legally to say we found them to be legal. And that's why I'm saying subject to any future [00:43:30] regulation that might come out, obviously, you'd have to come back and say, hey, [00:43:34] we found out we can't do that. So I'm just making myself feel good about voting for this. [00:43:40] And these funds will come from the federal government. So they will fall under [00:43:44] single audit grant requirements. And we will get audited on these funds. So there are certain [00:43:50] reporting requirements and compliance requirements that we have to follow. And so we do have to [00:43:56] establish how we're going to spend the money. And that's what this was going to accomplish. [00:44:01] I also want to point out year one and year two references the distributions that we're going [00:44:07] to receive. So year one would be next fiscal year. We're going to receive half. And then fiscal year [00:44:13] 22-23 would be year two. That doesn't necessarily mean we have to spend all of that money in those [00:44:18] years. We actually have until 2026 to spend it all. So if I'm following you, Councilman Altman, [00:44:30] the stormwater projects, those big projects that are dedicated to year two's distribution, [00:44:39] they may get started in fiscal year 22-23, but they may go out to the next fiscal year. [00:44:45] No, I think they need to get started now because the stormwater improvement project needs to be [00:44:50] identified if it's part of a master plan so that we can get out to the private sector to say, hey, [00:44:57] we've got Kaiser University. We've got the [00:45:00] We've got this waterfront that we've bought, and we have a master plan that tells us to [00:45:06] do some things. [00:45:07] So we've got to develop that master plan, and I think that we should be working on that [00:45:12] now. [00:45:13] If what you're saying is that you don't even want to, that we shouldn't think about that [00:45:16] project or start it for a year, I think that is what I'm saying. [00:45:20] There's no reason, since we always have a two-year segment, just because we can spend [00:45:25] it three years out, doesn't mean we can't start those projects, have those discussions. [00:45:30] Right. [00:45:31] And we can start it using other funding. [00:45:34] It doesn't have to be, I mean, this just identifies the American Rescue funds that we're going [00:45:39] to spend on that project in year two, but if you see fit, then we can allocate some [00:45:46] money from other funds or even from these funds to start. [00:45:49] I would just make a, to respond to Councilman Peters, I would say take some money at your [00:45:56] own, what you would ask. [00:45:59] I mean, this is how you do public improvement projects, is you put some money up front. [00:46:04] I would say that we could look at some of the business assistance programs, for example, [00:46:10] and move $150,000 into the second year. [00:46:15] I don't know how, if those are all prepped and ready to go. [00:46:19] We've got another $928,000 in downtown area improvements of our own as well. [00:46:24] If you know something, I don't, that's good, but I would like to see us begin the planning [00:46:30] strategy and be prepared to at least get started on those projects. [00:46:36] Thank you. [00:46:37] Mr. Murphy? [00:46:38] Is there any kind of preliminary approval that the government gives us for these things [00:46:43] that we submit? [00:46:44] No. [00:46:45] So we're just kind of, we're hoping that it falls in that category and then we spend [00:46:50] the money. [00:46:51] Yeah, you missed a really good explanation of that at the conference, which is basically [00:46:58] the IRS is in the process of releasing out FAQs and general guidance, but you won't know [00:47:07] for sure that it is approved until after you've done it and submitted the report. [00:47:14] They did FA, every letter of the alphabet, didn't they? [00:47:19] Yeah, a big chunk of change that we're responsible for. [00:47:22] We're being very conservative in the projects, the programs, and the activities to ensure [00:47:30] that we are proposing things that are consistent with the directives that they have released. [00:47:37] Oh, and I feel comfortable with all the projects. [00:47:41] I know when you look to see what your actual increases are, you've got letters from contractors, [00:47:46] I'm sure, but at the same time, lumber was going at $1,600 per foot and it is now down [00:47:57] to $483 per foot. [00:48:01] So it's back lower than it has been for a year. [00:48:04] But they still have inventory to get rid of. [00:48:07] Well, that's here and there if you buy it from the mill, which you're not going to buy [00:48:13] it from Home Depot. [00:48:15] But anyway, I would ask if we could shift some money because I don't want to see us [00:48:21] wait for a year to begin to do those kinds of designs and projects, especially if we're [00:48:26] going to put requests in for grants, it's going to take some work to figure out what [00:48:35] it is we're doing or what we're asking to do. [00:48:40] Okay. [00:48:41] Mr. Peters, any thoughts? [00:48:42] Yeah. [00:48:43] I think if I just may express what my thoughts are here, we're basically trying to allocate [00:48:52] some money in general categories, all right? [00:48:55] And sure, we all want to get them started as quickly as we can. [00:48:58] We've got to get the paperwork in order to get the funds to begin with, but we do have [00:49:03] some leeway and depending on what the project is, we want to make sure it's well-planned [00:49:08] whether we start it tomorrow or next year, but we have a certain period of time. [00:49:13] So I think that, you know, from what I've seen thus far, the city does a great job in [00:49:19] planning and preparing these various projects. [00:49:22] I don't think we'll do anything differently with these as well. [00:49:26] So I think in dust, we're just, we're approving a general idea of how these funds, we want [00:49:29] to allocate these funds, these things, and we're going to work out the details as quickly [00:49:34] as we can. [00:49:35] Is that fair enough? [00:49:36] Am I summarizing that correct? [00:49:39] We will identify the funding necessary to implement all the programs and all the projects [00:49:48] to include the concept that Councilman Altman has suggested as well. [00:49:58] Do you need a move for approval? [00:49:59] We do need a motion. [00:50:00] I make a motion. [00:50:01] Do we have a second? [00:50:02] Second. [00:50:03] To the maker? [00:50:04] Nothing more. [00:50:05] To the second? [00:50:06] Mr. Altman? [00:50:07] Mr. Peters? [00:50:10] In that case, yeah, I think this will be a couple work sessions. [00:50:17] I was going to say work in progress, but it's, nothing that we're doing tonight is going [00:50:23] to put anything in absolute stone because until that guidance is finalized, it's really [00:50:32] not going to be. [00:50:33] I do like some of the ideas George came up with, you know, looking at the money there [00:50:38] and that community land trust. [00:50:40] I would like to sit down sometime with you and learn more about it because we do have [00:50:47] some issues with affordable housing that it would be nice to address, whether from this [00:50:52] bucket of money or some other bucket down the road, trying to do something to improve [00:50:59] the housing stock. [00:51:01] But I think this is a good start. [00:51:03] So Ms. Mance, will this give you everything you need to send all the paperwork that the [00:51:09] state is waiting for? [00:51:11] It gives me everything I need for now, Mr. Mayor. [00:51:13] Thank you. [00:51:14] Okay. [00:51:15] My understanding from the conference was that once that is deemed complete at the State [00:51:22] Department of whatever it is, that gets the paperwork from us, that within eight or ten [00:51:30] days that will get transmitted over to the finance guys and they will cut a rather large [00:51:37] check for us. [00:51:38] We are not certain at this point, they have already asked for an extension of 30 days. [00:51:45] This is as of last week what their representative was telling us. [00:51:49] I hope that is accurate. [00:51:51] And we definitely want to get it in as quickly as possible because the sooner it is in, the [00:51:56] sooner we will see the money. [00:51:58] Mr. Mayor, just a clarification, I don't believe that this is a requirement for you to get [00:52:03] the money. [00:52:04] No, it is not. [00:52:05] I just wanted to make that clear. [00:52:08] Having a resolution, I believe, is, even though the allocation perhaps not. [00:52:13] I don't believe that we are getting the money. [00:52:17] They haven't officially come out with those requirements, but based on our research with [00:52:22] other states, and some states are ahead of the state of Florida with being proactive [00:52:29] in setting guidelines, they have required resolutions, and so we are being proactive [00:52:35] in that sense in getting this done, but it is not a requirement so far by the state. [00:52:40] But they have, I think what you are referring to is a funding agreement, so that is what [00:52:45] we are waiting on. [00:52:46] We have met all the requirements and done what we need to do to, in essence, let them [00:52:52] know that we are ready to receive the funds, and so we are just waiting on them to send [00:52:56] that funding agreement, which will get signed and sent back to them as soon as we receive [00:53:02] it. [00:53:03] Yes, we definitely need to turn that around as quickly as possible once it is here. [00:53:08] Any further discussion on the motion? [00:53:10] Hearing none, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye.
This text was generated automatically from the meeting video. It is not a verbatim or official record. For exact wording, consult the video or the city clerk.
- 9Communications▶ 53:13
- 10Adjournment