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stated the merits of those uses, but noted that affordable housing may be difficult to do because <br /> of it being tied to qualified census tracts. There are only 3-4 qualified tracts in the city and they <br /> all fall in Ward 4. <br /> Councilmember Litten questioned the course of action if$1 million of the $47 million of ARP <br /> funding was spent in an improper way. Chief of Staff Storey indicated that it would have to be <br /> paid back to the federal government. <br /> The administration spoke to the interplay involved with other governments on ARP spending, <br /> noting that the county was looking to spend its funding on broadband. <br /> Chairman Bullock stated a desire to have ARP spending goals in a resolution by the end of <br /> September as a form of policy guidance that shapes the process. <br /> Councilmember Litten asked whether the city could underwrite lead abatement or affordable <br /> housing with ARP dollars. Mayor George indicated there were some high level discussions about <br /> incorporating funding with the CRA or a TIF. Chief of Staff Storey indicated that as the ARP <br /> currently is, underwriting would not be approved and that economic development ventures <br /> would not be approved uses under the ARP. <br /> Communication from Councilmember Rader regarding participatory budgeting proposal. <br /> (Referred to Finance 5/3/21) <br /> Councilmember Rader and Chairman Bullock gave an overview of the participatory budgeting <br /> proposal, noting it could be a form of incorporating a diversity of ideas in the city and could <br /> enable further dialogue between the Council and community. <br /> Councilmember Rader expressed a desire to engage with firms that do this type of work in other <br /> cities. A firm would conduct the process with Council and the administration present. The <br /> community would come up with 5-10 projects and conduct voting upon them for administrative <br /> action the following year. Council would develop a resolution to solicit a firm. The process of <br /> project creation and voting could occur at any time. <br /> Councilmember Rader added that project examples could range from $5,000 in cost to larger <br /> amounts. He noted the amount of latitude that Council has in the process and would be open to <br /> funding the participatory budgeting proposal with less than a million dollars. He concluded that <br /> he would have a more polished presentation in the future. <br /> Council Budget Priorities Process for 2022 budget <br /> The meeting was adjourned at 7:12 p.m. without objection. <br />