American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)

What is ARPA? 

ARPA.jpg The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) is a $1.9 trillion economic recovery bill that was signed into law by President Biden on March 11, 2021.The City of Claremont will receive a funding allocation of $8.7 million in American Rescue Plan Act Funds and has chosen to take the standard allowance for the full amount of the allocation. The City received its first disbursement of half the allocated funding on July 9, 2021. The second half of the funds will be released under the second disbursement one year after the first disbursement. Funds for local governments must be "obligated by" December 31, 2024, and "expended" by December 23, 2026. Local governments are encouraged to use payments from the ARPA funds to respond to the direct and immediate needs of the pandemic and its negative economic impacts and the needs of households and businesses that were disproportionately and negatively impacted by COVID-19 and the public health emergency.

 

Community Input & Survey Feedback 

In March 2022, the City conducted two surveys with community members and businesses, asking for input on what ARPA funding priorities they would like to see for the community. The 385 community respondents ranked thirteen potential uses of the funding in the Claremont community which were most important to them, while twenty-seven businesses provided feedback on the types of assistance that would be helpful for their businesses/organizations now and in the future.

Claremont Community Survey: A Community Survey was designed by staff and HdL ECON Solutions to solicit input on the following thirteen possible funding opportunities. The list below is based on the ranking provided by 385 community members, in priority order:

1. Improve public infrastructure (roads, sidewalks, storm drains, etc.)
2. Assist residents that need housing, food, healthcare, childcare, rent or utility help
3. Public safety services
4. City having the resources to continue to provide high quality services
5. Recreation, parks, trails, creeks, and open spaces
6. Support the recovery of local businesses
7. Affordable housing options
8. Traffic/Bike/Pedestrian safety
9. Enhanced broadband capability, including public WiFi service
11. Provide services to the homeless population
10. Provide ARPA funding to Tri-City Mental Health Authority to expand mental health services and programs
12. Support the work of non-profit organizations in the community
13. Extend/Expand outdoor dining opportunities

Claremont Business Needs Survey: The Business Needs Survey helped identify the negative impacts experienced by twenty-seven local businesses, as well as exploring possible ways to address these impacts and support the local business community including the possibility of small business relief grants.

 

Use of Fiscal Recovery Funds

On May 10, 2022, the City Council voted to authorize funding from the American Rescue Plan Act Funds for the following projects and programs:

  • Traffic Calming Measures ($500,000 in 2022-23)
  • Community Based Organizations (CBO) and Homeless Services Funding ($293,300 in 2022-24)
  • Chamber of Commerce Agreement ($120,000 in 2022-24)
  • Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Design Standards ($50,000 in 2022-23) and Grant Program ($400,000 in 2022-24)
  • Psychiatric Assessment Care Team (PACT) Funding ($350,000 in 2022-24)
  • Police Department Dispatch Center Upgrade ($500,000 in 2022-23) and Emergency Radio Replacements ($495,000 in 2022-24)
  • City Technology Upgrades ($723,000 in 2022-23)
  • Business Grant Program ($400,000 in 2022-23)
  • Business Tax Relief Program ($200,000 in 2022-23)
  • Commuter Rebate Program ($100,000 in 2022-23) 
  • Stipends for City Workers Providing Services During the Pandemic ($413,000 in 2021-22) 

The allocation of the proposed $4,544,300 in funding for these programs and projects will leave $4,081,798 in ARPA funds unobligated. Staff will return to the City Council at a later date to recommend the allocation of the remaining ARPA funds to additional projects and programs.

 

Related Documents

May 10, 2022 City Council Staff Report - American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Update and Funding Recommendations(PDF, 26MB) (copies of the Community and Business Survey results are included as attachments to this report)

May 10, 2022 City Council Meeting - Staff PowerPoint Presentation (ARPA)(PDF, 5MB)

 

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