HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/07/2021 11. Discussion on the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds •
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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 11.
For Meeting of: September 7, 2021
ITEM TITLE: Discussion on the use of American Rescue Plan Act(ARPA)
funds
SUBMITTED BY: Robert Harrison, City Manager
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
See attached.
ITEM BUDGETED:
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL BY THE CITY MANAGER
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve report.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date Type
0 ARPA funding memo 9/3/2021 Corer Memo
❑ Funk proposal 8/31/2021 Corer Memo
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" . 1`'''`1 OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
s, 129 North Second Street
• City Hall, Yakima, Washington 98901
s,C�`•. I,�s
Phone (509) 575-6040
Date: September 3, 2021
To: The Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
From: Bob Harrison, City Manager
Subject: American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Recommendations
The City of Yakima shall receive$26.2 million from the federal government under the American Rescue
Plan Act. These funds are provided in two installments of$13.1 million of which the first was received
in May 2021 and the second is expected in May 2022.
In developing these recommendations, the City Administration used the following guidelines:
1. ARPA rules and guidelines
2. Council Priorities
a. Fiscal sustainability
b. Investment in Infrastructure
c. Public safety
d. Housing
e. Strengthening community partnerships
3. Existing City financial obligations; city assets; and planned investment
4. Economic Development
5. Leverage ARPA funds to spur additional private or public investment
The ARPA funds have provided the City a unique opportunity to leap ahead in meeting basic financial
obligations, meet several community needs, enhance the basic productivity of City operations, and assist
in economic development.
Lost Revenue
Utilizing the calculators provided by U.S.Treasury and GFOA, the City determined it is eligible to claim
up to $11.9 million in lost revenue from the ARPA Act. The lost revenue makes up for the estimated loss
in revenue to the City during the defined time period in the ARPA Act. Once the revenue is booked by
the City into the American Rescue Plan Act fund, the City is free to utilize those revenues on a variety of
expenses.Thus far in 2021, the City has committed $8,200,000 of this lost revenue to:
• $4.6 million for the acquisition of 57 police patrol vehicles
• $1.6 million for the acquisition of 2 fire engines
• $2 million for the acquisition of the former Bank of America building next to City Hall
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The City Administration recommends the following uses for the balance of lost revenue:
• $1.2 million for an additional fire truck and replacement of several fire department vehicles
(2022)
• $1 million on the investment in new technology and software for City operations (2021/2022)
• $300,000 for an initial space study for the BOA building and other City operations. (2022)
• The balance of the$1.2 million we are suggesting claiming when the second payment is received
in 2022.
ARPA Eligible projects
In addition to lost revenue,ARPA designated several opportunities for specific eligible investments as
outlined in the ARPA legislation. The City is proposing the following expenditures based on those
guidelines for the remaining$14.3 million in ARPA funds.
Project Amount Year
Mill Site Water&Sewer $6,000,000 2022/23
Sewer Investments $1,000,000 2022
Mental Health/Homeless $1,500,000 2021/22/23
Women and Family Shelter $2,000,000 2022
DV Advocate—City $250,000 2022/23/24
Yakima Convention Center $800,000 2021/22
Community Partnerships $500,000 2022
Affordable Housing $1,000,000 2022 - 2024
Yakima Arts Center $1,250,000 2022 - 2024
The in-depth descriptions of the project can be found below.
$6 million for Mill Site Water and sewer improvements (2022/23): This project funds the necessary
water and sewer improvements needed for the project. The City is able to maximize the state LIFT
program which will provide an additional $6 million in matching funds. The balance of the project costs
will need to be funded through a bond issuance and the balance of the LIFT funds.
$1 million for sewer investments (2022): There are fully developed residential areas in the City limits
that still do not have sewer and are relying on septic systems. This allocation will provide funding for
sewers in certain neighborhoods.
$1.5 million for homeless/mental health related programs (2021/2022/2023): The City has been
working with Comprehensive Healthcare to partner in reducing homelessness and the impact of
behavioral health and addition on homelessness. We are finalizing the development of a pilot program
in this area. The City is also exploring a partnership to provide a capital investment in a day shelter for
homeless individuals.
$2 million for YWCA woman's shelter(2022): The City has one of the worst domestic violence rates in
the State of Washington. The City has revamped its approach with police and legal and partnering with
the YWCA on its approach to domestic violence. This capital grant would be for the investment in
woman and family shelter for transitional housing as families try to rebuild their lives.
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$250,000 for funding for three years of an additional domestic violence advocate (2022): The City
currently has one domestic violence advocate and the program has been very successful. The City
administration plans to add a second advocate the salary and portion of benefits of which can be offset
by ARPA costs for 22, 23, and 24. Based on the outcomes of the program, and existing financial needs at
that time, the City will evaluate the position further in the 2025 budget as the full costs of the position
will be borne by the City at that time.
$800,000 for Yakima Convention Center support(2021/2022):The City has provided $500,000 in
support to date for the Yakima Convention Center for lost earned revenue (revenue earned by the
facility itself through rentals,etc.). Given the continuing pandemic impact, it is difficult to know when
the tourism market will stabilize. Setting aside an additional$300,000 will provide some financial buffer
if needed based on how the local tourism economy continues to rebound from the pandemic. If by the
end of 2022 the extra set aside is not needed, it could be released for other projects.
$500,000 for community partnerships(2022): The Administration is proposing setting aside$500,000
for 5 one-time community partnership grants of$100,000 apiece. We would anticipate issuing an RFP in
2022 that allows non-profit partners to put forth grant proposals that meet varying community needs
and that are consistent with the ARPA requirements.
$1 million for Affordable Housing(2022/2023): Similar to the community partnerships concept, the City
could open an RFP for community partners that can complete an affordable housing project in Yakima
within the next three years.
$1.25 million for Yakima Community Arts Center (2022/2023): With the acquisition of the BOA building,
the City will free up the second floor, and is currently not using the third or fourth floor of the current
City Hall building. Remodeling and putting this additional facility space into productive use for
educational opportunities for communities that were negatively impacted by COVID will also provide
economic development benefits. The City is currently studying an Arts District and the Arts Center could
be an anchor for that development. The facility will also provide opportunities throughout the day and
evening to offer courses in painting, drawing,dance, and the visual and performing arts. Lastly, moving
the Capitol Theater offices to the Yakima Arts Center will also save approximately$50,000 annually
which is currently being used for lease costs. While this concept needs additional study, setting aside
funds for the remodeling of the existing City Hall will also provide matching funds for potential
additional grants that are available for these purposes. (Note: a portion of the space at City Hall will
likely still be needed for City Hall internal service offices).
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American Rescue Plan Project Proposal for
Mental Health Challenges in Yakima
Kay Funk, MD
Updated Program discussion on Sept. 7th, 2021
Specific Problems
• "Dumping" of a homeless man who already had trespass orders and outstanding warrants
• Death of Tiffany Eubanks and other incidents with impaired and/or intoxicated individuals
• Persistent Camping and problem behavior on Naches Parkway
• The new requirement that individuals in possession of a controlled substance must be offered
diversion to substance use disorder assessment and treatment services at least twice will require
increased longitudinal record keeping
Background Problems which often result in cross-over of criminal justice and
mental health issues
• ACEs, dysfunctional parenting, trauma, PTSD
• Criminal behavior, eg domestic violence, theft, assault, driving while intoxicated
• Possession, sale, and use of illegal intoxicants (stimulants cause more problems)
• Addiction/Substance Use Disorder w/legal substances, eg alcohol, MJ, prescription drugs,
computer games
• Cognitive disability eg developmental delay, encephalopathy, brain injury
• Mental health detention criteria (danger to self or others, grave disability) with inadequate
resources for detention
• Incompetence for self-care (eg dementia)which does not meet criteria for detention
Program
1. Financially support a contract with Comprehensive Mental Health for additional Crisis
Response Mental Health Professionals (CRPs) to provide needed 24/7 coverage and
additional YPD patrol coverage. Currently, there is not enough trained staffing available, and
there are frequent long wait times.
2. Inventory the availability of paraprofessional behavioral health workers for EMT calls. Work in
partnership with affected agencies (eg: 911 Suncomm, Lower Valley dispatch, YPD, and YFD)
to standardize credentialing, protocols, and risk-management.
3. Explore Yakima Fire Department purchase and staffing of 2 paramedic-led emergency
response vehicles. This is an option which would work entirely within the Fire
Department.
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Funding Opportunities/References
American Rescue Plan Provides More Relief to Local Governments. Eric Lowell. Municipal
Research News. Spring 2021.
https://mrsc.org/Home/Stay-Informed/M RSC-I nsight/March-2021/America n-Rescue-Plan-Provid
es-Relief.aspx
"ARPA funds can be used by local governments:
• To respond to the public health emergency caused by COVID-19...
The ARPA legislation is over six hundred pages long, and this article only covers areas most
pertinent to local governments. Also included in ARPA are several other potential grant
opportunities for local governments. Your agency may want to pursue funding available in these
areas, such as:
• Block grants for community mental health services(Section 2701)
• Block grants for prevention and treatment of substance abuse(Section 2702) •
Grants for local substance use disorder services (Section 2706)
• Grants for local behavioral health needs(Section 2707)
• Homelessness assistance and supportive services (Section 3205)"
Legislature agrees on approach to address Blake
https://wacities.org/advocacy!News/advocacy-news12021104/26/legislature-agrees-on-approach
to-address-em-blake-em
"The legislation requires law enforcement officers who encounter an individual in possession of a
controlled substance to offer a diversion to seek substance use disorder assessment and treatment
services. The first two interactions by law enforcement must result in such a diversion. Further
contacts allow the officer to offer diversion but does not mandate that the officer do so. If an officer
arrests and pursues a misdemeanor charge, the prosecutor is not required to prosecute. The
prosecutor may offer diversion or move forward with a charge.
The Washington State Health Care Authority(HCA)is charged with establishing a recovery services
advisory committee to create a substance use recovery services plan. The purpose of the plan is to
implement measures to assist those with a substance use disorder in accessing outreach, treatment,
and recovery support services that are low-barrier, person-centered, informed by people with lived
experience, and culturally and linguistically appropriate. Additionally, the committee must make
recommendations regarding the appropriate criminal legal system response, if any, to possession of
controlled substances. It must also make recommendations regarding the collection and reporting of
data that identifies the number of people law enforcement officers and prosecutors engage with
regarding drug possession, and the design of a mechanism for referring people with a substance use
disorder, or who display problematic behaviors resulting from substance use, to supportive services. A
final plan is due to the Legislature by December 1, 2022.
The HCA will also establish several other plans and programs, including:
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• A comprehensive statewide substance misuse prevention plan. As a part of this plan,
the HCA must administer a competitive grant process for existing local community
efforts to prevent substance misuse. The plan must be completed by January
1, 2024.
• A grant program to provide Treatment for low-income individuals with substance use
disorder who are not eligible for Medicaid. Grant distribution must begin by March 1,
2022.
• A grant-based homeless outreach stabilization transition program. Grant distribution
must begin by March 1, 2022.
• Funding for behavioral health administration services organizations to establish
recovery navigator programs. These programs will provide community-based
outreach, intake, assessment, connection to services, and, as needed, long-term
intensive case management and recovery coaching services to individuals with
substance use disorders.
• An expanded recovery support services program that increases regional access to
recovery services for substance use disorder such as housing, employment training,
recovery coaching, and legal support.
By July 1, 2022, the Criminal Justice Training Commission must develop new training for law
enforcement officers on how to manage interactions with people they encounter with substance use
disorders, including referral to treatment and recovery services. The training will be incorporated into
the curriculum at the Basic Law Enforcement Academy.
In addition to the$83.5 million in the state's budget to help the state and counties manage the legal
impacts of the Blake decision, SB 5476 includes another$88.4 million to help establish the new
programs outlined above. Of that$88.4 million, $4.5 million will go to the Administrative Office of the
Courts to help enhance municipal and district therapeutic courts. There are no direct appropriations to
cities to offset the costs of diversion and prosecution."