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Minutes 05-18-22 ARPA Workshop Minutes of the ARPA Workshop Meeting In-Person at City Hall Commission Chambers 100 E. Ocean Avenue, Boynton Beach, Florida On Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at 5:30 P.M. Present: Mayor Ty Penserga James Stables, Interim City Manager Vice Mayor Angela Cruz Kathryn Matos, Asst. City Manager Commissioner Woodrow L. Hay Andrew Mack, Asst. City Manager Commissioner Thomas Turkin Mike Cirullo, Deputy City Attorney Commissioner Aimee Kelley Crystal Gibson, City Clerk 1. Agenda Items A. Call to Order - Mayor Ty Penserga Mayor Penserga called the meeting to order at 5:36 P.M. Invocation by Commissioner Hay. The Invocation was given by Commissioner Hay. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Commissioner Thomas Turkin Commissioner Turkin led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Roll Call City Clerk Crystal Gibson called the roll. A quorum was present. Agenda Approval: 1. Additions, Deletions, Corrections 2. Adoption Motion Commissioner Hay moved to approve the agenda. Vice Mayor Cruz second the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Public Comment Sherry Johnson, Coordinator for Heart of Boynton Alliance, spoke about the impact of inequity. She said the ARPA funding was for the communities hardest hit and develop unique ways to address the challenges. She said her organization matches dollar for dollar. Meeting Minutes ARPA Workshop Boynton Beach, FL May 18, 2022 . Mary Postman, Chief Program Officer for Pharmcare, described the health center sites they operate and how the requested funding would benefit their Boynton Beach site. Sheila Gaines, 2500 Quantum Lakes Drive, Boynton Beach, spoke how the funding for the Heart of Boynton Alliance would impact the community. Chuck Ridley, Political Consultant for SEUI, said the Heart of Boynton Alliance was amazing. He spoke on the history of the coalition and the how the ARPA funding would be utilized to benefit the community. Jennifer Ray, Chief Program Officer for AID To Victims of Domestic Abuse, spoke on the outreach services and educational programs provided by their organization. Victoria Amoroso, CEO of Victory Program, described the work of her organization. Annette Gray, Founder of GBDC Center for Entrepreneurship, Workforce Development, and STEAM, joined virtually. She spoke on the impact of the pandemic on the local youth. She described the mission of her organization. Jacoby Waters, Founder of Young Men of Distinction, joined virtually. He spoke on the mission of his organization and how the funding would help expansion. Julen Blankenship submitted a question virtually. They asked whether the application process would be reopened for more organizations to apply. B. Allow staff to provide an informational presentation regarding eligible uses for the American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, as requested by members of the City Commission at the April 19, 2022, regular City Commission meeting. Mayor Penserga reiterated the purpose of the workshop. David Scott, Director of Economic Development and Strategy, introduced the City's ARPA team. He introduced Carisse LeJeune, who presented an overview of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). She noted the American Rescue Plan Act was signed into law on March 11 , 2021 and established the US Department of Treasury Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. The Plan had the following four objectives: • Support urgent COVID-19 response efforts to continue to decrease spread of the virus and bring the pandemic under control. • Replace lost revenue for eligible state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments to strengthen support for vital public services and help retain jobs. • Replace lost revenue for eligible state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments to strengthen support for vital public services and help retain jobs. 2 Meeting Minutes ARPA Workshop Boynton Beach, FL May 18, 2022 • Address systemic public health and economic challenges that have contributed to the inequal impact of the pandemic. She stated within ARPA Bill H.R. 1319, the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund provides $350 billion for states, municipalities, counties, tribes, and territories. The City of Boynton Beach was allocated $13,647,904 over two years. The Secretary of the US Treasury Department issued an Interim Final Rule, Final Rule, and multiple compliance documents on regulations and restrictions for reporting and expending the Fiscal Recovery Funds. These funds can be used for: • Public Health • Economic Hardship • Revenue Loss • Premium Pay • Water, Sewer, and Broadband Infrastructure Ms. LeJeune reviewed the following restrictions on use: • Payment of financial indebtedness for borrowed money or interest or principal on any outstanding debt • Direct or indirect offset for reduction in net tax revenue due to a change in law, regulation or administrative interpretation • Settlement agreement, judgement, or consent decree • Deposit into any pension fund • Infrastructure not directly addressed in ARPA • Federal matching requirements • Rainy Day funds or Financial Reserves She reviewed the progression of the Master Spending Plan, which included a Commission-approved Task Force, a study by Florida International University (FIU), and a City-Wide Survey. She spoke on the five identified Community Assessment Priorities and allocated funding: • Economic Stability and Resilience • Housing Affordability and Homeownership • Educational Opportunities & Job Skills Development • Healthcare Access and Health Outcomes • Criminal Justice and Safety Ms. LeJeune reviewed the ARPA Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) schedule. She confirmed 18 out of 20 applications were determined eligible and were scored and ranked by the ARPA Review Team. These rankings were provided to the City Commission to make the final determination. Any award of funding would be contingent on contract negotiations with the Subrecipient for Budget and Scope of Services. 3 Meeting Minutes ARPA Workshop Boynton Beach, FL May 18, 2022 She shared the current APRA Expenditure Budget and noted the total unobligated funds to date is currently $6.2 million. She reviewed the key changes and clarifications in the Final Rule, released in January 2022 and in effect on April 1 , 2022. She displayed the US Treasury Expenditure Categories. Mayor Penserga asked for clarification on the difference between a pass-through organization versus a direct recipient. Ms. LeJeune said a direct beneficiary is an end user. She said a sub-recipient is a non-profit or an organization that takes ARPA funding and passes it through to a beneficiary. I Commissioner Hay inquired whether the funding could be utilized to increase affordable housing units. Ms. LeJeune responded that it was an eligible use. Commissioner Kelley asked about the Small Business Assistance Grant Program. John Durgan, Economic Development Manager, said the Small Business Assistance Grant Program is for For-Profit Organizations. He said none of the $345,000 have been used. He confirmed the City Commission could decide to reallocate that funding. Commissioner Kelley asked about the Paid Internship and Apprentice Program with the City. Mr. Durgan said the Gateway Program was designed by Human Resources and the $250,000 was an estimation and had not been expended to date. Commissioner Kelley asked about the reporting process and how the City would assist smaller businesses that would be provided. Ms. LeJeune summarized the reporting mechanism that the City's ARPA team created. Commissioner Hay asked about the funding timeline. Ms. LeJeune all funding needs to be expended by December 31, 2024, unless it is a capital project. If it is a capital project, the funds need to be encumbered by the 2024 deadline and expended by December 31 , 2026. Commissioner Turkin asked about distribution of the remaining unobligated funds. Ms. LeJeune replied the remaining $6.2 million can be distributed however the City Commission votes to do so. Commissioner Turkin asked about if ARPA Task Force looked at the information the White House released on May 13, 2022. Mr. Scott said City Staff have been keeping updated on newly released information. 4 Meeting Minutes ARPA Workshop Boynton Beach, FL May 18, 2022 In response to Commissioner Turkin's question, Ms. LeJeune said storm drainage can be considered under infrastructure. Vice Mayor Cruz inquired about a recent sewage issue. Andrew Mack, Assistant City Manager, provided an explanation. Vice Mayor Cruz recommended funding be spent to mitigate these issues. Mayor Penserga spoke on a food desert in District II and whether funding could be used to incentivize to attract a grocery store partnership. Ms. LeJeune said she cannot say for sure whether it was allowable as an incentive, but she noted food insecurity is identified. She encouraged City Staff to further research that question. Jim Stables, Interim City Manager, asked if funding could be used for a public private partnership to accomplish what Mayor Penserga is asking about. Ms. LeJeune said they would need an opinion from the US Treasury Department. Mayor Penserga said alleviating food insecurity should be a top priority. Commissioner Kelley suggested reallocating funding from the Small Business Assistance Grant Program to the idea. Mr. Durgan noted that program is designed for already established businesses prior to the pandemic. Commissioner Turkin referenced the recent Strategic Planning Workshop and the agreed upon top priority of Public Safety. Motion Commissioner Hay moved to amend the agenda to add a second public comment. Commissioner Turkin second the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Public Comment Victoria Amoroso noted she neglected to state she has transitional housing with wraparound services. Gloria Goolsby, 327 Boynton Bay Circle, said the community determined the order of priorities and asked the Commission to take that into consideration. She said it is a COVID-related grant and that should be the priority. Sandra Watson asked about the $6.2 million and the expenditure sheet. Sherry Johnson said the grocery store needs to be a non-profit with affordable groceries. She proposed a non-profit butcher and market. 5 Meeting Minutes ARPA Workshop Boynton Beach, FL May 18, 2022 Keturah Joseph, 2191 North Seacrest Boulevard, said the community has spoken and developed the pillars that were important to them. She said it would be unfair to take ARPA funding for infrastructure initiatives. Cassandra Corbin Thaddeus suggested thinking about the youth and how their voices are never considered. Sheila Gaines said the community is begging to expand their programs and they are asking for help. Monica Roundtree Cleckley said she is seeing a lot of mental health issues in her patients. Jennifer Ray said domestic violence increased during Covid and continues to be at high rates. She said the community was assessed the need is there. Chuck Ridley said there is no bigger investment than public safety. He said the CRA could get creative to address food insecurity. Pam O'Brien spoke on domestic violence in Boynton Beach. 2. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 7:35 P.M. ATTEST: / -dr../i//IA_ _ AC ' / .d __( /.Crystal Gibson M C' City Clerk 6