HomeMy WebLinkAbout15518 1 RESOLUTION NO. 15,518
2
3 A RESOLUTION TO STATE THE PRIMARY INTENDED USES OF A
4 PORTION OF THE FIRST TRANCHE OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK,
5 ARKANSAS', ALLOTMENT OF LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS
6 THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT; AND FOR OTHER
7 PURPOSES.
8
9 WHEREAS,on March 11,2021,the United States Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act of
10 2021 (ARPA),which provides fiscal relief funds to State and Local Governments,and other program areas
11 aimed at mitigating the continuing effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic;and,
12 WHEREAS, ARPA is intended to provide support to local governments in responding to the impact
13 of COVID-19 and in their efforts to contain COVID-19 in their communities, residents, and businesses;
14 and,
15 WHEREAS, ARPA includes State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to support urgent COVID
16 response efforts to decrease the spread of the virus; to replace lost public sector revenue to strengthen
17 support for vital public services; to support immediate economic stabilization for households and
18 businesses;and to address systemic public health and economic challenges that have contributed to inequal
19 impacts of the pandemic on certain populations; and,
20 WHEREAS,the United States Department of Treasury has adopted the interim final rule as guidance
21 regarding the use of ARPA Funds; and,
22 WHEREAS, on May 17, 2021, the United States Department of Treasury deposited the City of Little
23 Rock's first tranche of funds, which is Eighteen Million, Eight Hundred Fifty-Six Thousand, Seven
24 Hundred and 50/100 Dollars($18,856,700.50); and,
25 WHEREAS, that as recipient, the City of Little Rock accepts award of Coronavirus Local Fiscal
26 Recovery Funds allocation up to the maximum allowed by the terms and conditions of the ARPA;and,
27 WHEREAS,this resolution is intended as a statement of intent of the Board to expend a portion of the
28 first tranche of the City's ARPA Funds in accordance with Federal Law and guidance,for the current critical
29 needs and priorities for which there is consensus as set forth below.
30 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY
31 OF LITTLE ROCK,ARKANSAS:
32 Section 1. Subject to the provisions of Section 8 below,the Mayor, City Manager,City Clerk and any
33 City signatories required to do so, are authorized to apply for, obtain, or otherwise assure authorization of
34 the receipt or use of ACRA funds as set forth in this resolution.
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1 Section 2. As set forth more fully below, the Board expresses its intent to expend these funds for
2 eligible, immediate needs within the categories below:
3 A. Expenditure of Lost Revenue on Governmental Services
4 B. Public Health Measures to Respond to COVID-19
5 C. Premium Pay
6 D. Indirect Costs
7 Section 3. Expenditure of Lost Revenue on Governmental Services. It is the intent of the Board of
8 Directors that funds from the first tranche of the American Rescue Plan Act be prioritized and expended
9 for governmental services as follows:
10 A. Critical Information Technology Upgrades to Cybersecurity and IT Infrastructure across City
11 Departments -- estimated total of Three Million, Four Hundred Thousand Dollars
12 ($3,400,000.00).
13 B. Fire Apparatus -- estimated total of Two Million, Two Hundred Thousand Dollars
14 ($2,200,000.00).
15 Section 4. Expenditures for Public Health Measures to Respond to COVID-19. It is the intent of
16 the Board of Directors that funds from the first tranche of the American Rescue Plan Act be prioritized and
17 expended for public health measures as follows:
18 A. Community Violence Intervention Programs -- estimated total of One Million, Five Hundred
19 Thousand Dollars($1,500,000.00).
20 B. COVID Mitigation and Prevention, including eligible vaccination incentives and public
21 communications efforts--estimated total of Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars($700,000.00).
22 Section 5. Additional One(1)-Time Pay for Eligible City Employees. It is the intent of the Board of
23 Directors that funds from the first tranche of the American Rescue Plan Act be expended to provide eligible
24 City of Little Rock employees with premium pay and to provide Little Rock Police Officers and Firefighters
25 who are not otherwise eligible for premium pay but who have worked for the City since March 1, 2021,
26 with one-time bonuses of identical value as a retention tool.
27 A. The sum of Three Million, Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,200,000.00), or the actual
28 amount required, is to be paid to eligible City employees as premium pay for working during
29 the pandemic; further,the City shall provide Little Rock Police Officers and Firefighters who
30 are not otherwise eligible for premium pay, but have worked for the City since March 1,2021,
31 with one-time bonuses of identical value as a retention tool.
32 Funds for this expenditure will be taken from Account No. 271 —American Rescue Plan(ARPA).
33 Section 6. Expenditures Related to Indirect Costs. It is the intent of the Board of Directors that
34 indirect costs be provided for in an amount not to exceed 5.5% of total costs of each of the expenditures
35 listed above for an estimated total of Six Hundred Five Thousand Dollars($605,000.00).
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1 Section 7. Compliance with the American Rescue Plan Act. The City will ensure compliance with
2 prevailing Federal guidance at the time the funds are committed for expenditure.
3 Section 8. Nothing in this resolution shall be construed as taking the place of any action otherwise
4 required by the Board of Directors to authorize the City Manager to enter into requisite contracts associated
5 with expenditures outlined above.
6 Section 9. Nothing in this resolution shall be construed as constituting an employment contract or as
7 altering,modifying or affecting the"at-will"employment relationship between the City of Little Rock and
8 any employee of the City of Little Rock.
9 Section 10. Severability. In the event any title, section, paragraph, item, sentence, clause, phrase, or
10 word of this ordinance is declared or adjudged to be invalid or unconstitutional, such declaration or
11 adjudication shall not affect the remaining portions of the ordinance which shall remain in full force and
12 effect as if the portion so declared or adjudged invalid or unconstitutional was not originally a part of the
13 ordinance.
14 Section 11. Repealer. All laws,ordinances,resolutions,or parts of the same that are inconsistent with
15 the provisions of this resolution are hereby repealed to the extent of such inconsistency.
16 ADOPTED: August 3,2021
17 APPROVED:
18 �.
19 %aligt . 1±
20 Susan " " le ty Clerk rank Sco , r., ` ayor
21 APPRO` I A 0 LEGAL FORM:
22
23
24 Alexander J. •tton,Chief Deputy
25 City Attor ey
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