Number
211910
Version
SUBSTITUTE 2
Reference
210894, 211939
Sponsor
ALD. HAMILTON, PEREZ, DIMITRIJEVIC, BORKOWSKI, ZAMARRIPA, COGGS AND LEWIS
Title
Substitute resolution relating to the creation of the American Rescue Plan Act Funding Allocation Task Force.
Analysis
This substitute resolution creates an American Rescue Plan Act Funding Allocation Task Force to determine the process for engaging with residents to ensure diverse input and to determine the evaluation criteria for proposed projects in accordance with: U.S. Department of Treasury guidance, racial equity and inclusion, and financial sustainability.
The Task Force shall be comprised of the following 11 members:
1. The Mayor or the Mayor’s designee.
2. The Common Council President or designee.
3. The Chair of the Finance and Personnel Committee or designee.
4. Two Common Council members who represent one or more Qualified Census Tracts, appointed by the Common Council President.
5. The Comptroller or designee.
6. The Budget Director or designee.
7. The Chief Equity Officer.
8. The Director of the Community Development Grants Administration.
9. Two community members, with one appointed by the Mayor and one appointed by the Common Council President.
Body
Whereas, The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), signed into law by President Joseph R. Biden on March 11, 2021, is scheduled to operate through December 31, 2024 and is anticipated to provide approximately $394,226,649 to the City of Milwaukee through the Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (LFRF), of which the full amount is provided by the grantor, with $0 provided by the City; and
Whereas, On October 21, 2021, the Common Council adopted Resolution File Number 210894, relating to the appropriation of the first tranche of ARPA funds; and
Whereas, The City anticipates receiving the second tranche of the ARPA grant award in the amount of $197,113,324.50 in May 2022; and
Whereas, On May 10, 2022, the Common Council adopted Resolution File Number 211939 relating to the use of the second tranche of American Rescue Plan Act funding for financial sustainability in the amount of $96,900,000; and
Whereas, The Common Council commits to allocating the remaining $100,213,324.50 of the second tranche of ARPA funds in a way that prioritizes financial sustainability and maintains essential services, and:
1. Builds upon racial and economic equity, with special consideration for Qualified Census Tracts.
2. Is community-informed.
3. Supports Milwaukee’s recovery and those communities hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
4. Follows a clear and collaborative process.
5. Adheres to federal guidelines.
; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that an American Rescue Plan Act Funding Allocation Task Force (ARPA Task Force) is created consisting of:
1. The Mayor or the Mayor’s designee.
2. The Common Council President or designee.
3. The Chair of the Finance and Personnel Committee or designee.
4. Two Common Council members who represent one or more Qualified Census Tracts, appointed by the Common Council President.
5. The Comptroller or designee.
6. The Budget Director or designee.
7. The Chief Equity Officer.
8. The Director of the Community Development Grants Administration.
9. Two community members, with one appointed by the Mayor and one appointed by the Common Council President.
; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the community members appointed by the Mayor and the Common Council President shall have strong community involvement through a community-based organization, a residential block watch, a philanthropic organization, or some other enhanced connection with residents; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Chair of the Task Force shall be appointed by the Common Council President; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the ARPA Task Force is charged with determining the process for engaging with residents, including holding public hearings, to ensure diverse input; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the ARPA Task Force shall conduct a minimum of two community meetings with residents, each of which shall include a topic-specific information session presented by subject matter experts, such as the Budget Director, Commissioner of Public Works, Chief of Police, or other key persons, outlining the financial constraints facing the City budget and the parameters of ARPA funding requirements; and, be it
Further Resolved, That each community meeting shall relate to a limited scope of specific topic categories, such as affordable and sustainable housing, infrastructure, employment and job training, small business and economic development, public safety, public health, community and neighborhood health, early childhood education and youth services, fiscal sustainability and core services, and other allowable uses; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the ARPA Task Force shall conduct educational outreach to residents outlining the parameters of allowable uses, including information sessions, social media, press releases, radio and television announcements, and other media and residential engagement methods; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the ARPA Task Force shall determine the evaluation criteria for proposed projects in accordance with:
1. U.S. Department of Treasury guidance.
2. Racial equity and inclusion, including impact on Qualified Census Tracts.
3. Financial sustainability.
4. Balancing community needs with City budgetary needs.
5. If a project has already been funded in the first tranche, additional funding shall consider actual outcomes and whether funds are on track to be expended.
; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the ARPA Task Force shall be staffed by a new ARPA Director, the Department of Administration - Budget Management Division, the Common Council - City Clerk, and the Legislative Reference Bureau; and, be it
Further Resolved, That City departments and Common Council members shall present proposals to the ARPA Task Force for approval; and, be it
Further Resolved, That members of the public must secure a Common Council or departmental sponsor for proposals to be presented to the ARPA Task Force; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the ARPA Task Force shall include in its recommendations allocation of the remaining $100,213,324.50 of the second tranche of ARPA funds; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the ARPA Task Force recommendations shall balance community needs with City budgetary needs; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the ARPA Task Force shall start its work immediately upon adoption of this Resolution; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the ARPA Task Force shall recommend projects for approval to the Finance and Personnel Committee, which shall then forward its recommendations to the Common Council on the following timeline:
1. Introduction of the Common Council file with Task Force recommendations no later than December 13, 2022.
2. Finance and Personnel Committee meeting on January 11, 2023.
3. Common Council vote on January 17, 2023.
; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Department of Administration is directed to determine a process for identifying unspent ARPA funds and referring recommended reprogramming uses for these funds to the ARPA Task Force, which shall be presented to the Finance and Personnel Committee for further review and approval; and, be it
Further Resolved, That all City departments are directed to support and cooperate with the work of the ARPA Task Force; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the ARPA Task Force may include in its recommendations that the City establish a structure to work with other political entities to pursue cross-jurisdictional goals in the area of public safety, infrastructure, education, or another matter that affects residents; and, be it
Further Resolved, That it is recommended that the 2024 Proposed Budget presented by the Mayor in September, 2023, include the ARPA allocations adopted by the Common Council in January, 2023.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB 177298-3
Tea B. Norfolk
6/6/2022