mincow 12-11-23 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Director Leininger explained that the City paid for 50% of the project design before it was halted due to Covid and a lack of funding source. He noted that the project was listed in the 2023 Capital Improvement Plan budget as a project to be started in 2024. In response to a question from President Litten, Director Rancatore noted that the project does not have an associated funding source, though grant funds are being pursued. Councilmember Marx confirmed that she intends to allocate her remaining individual ARPA funds toward the Birdtown parking lot in an amount of $92,167. President Litten confirmed that he intends to allocate $20,000 of his individual ARPA funds toward the Birdtown parking lot. President Litten asked the administration to weigh in on its level of financial commitment to the project acknowledging that he estimated the administration’s contributions while drafting the resolution. Chief of Staff Storey expressed the Administration’s commitment to researching new funding sources but encouraged councilmembers to use its remaining ARPA funds to complete the project. Councilmember Bullock questioned the $300,000 price estimate and wondered if it could be lowered. Director Leininger replied that the cost is attributable to the rising cost of materials and concrete and the soil conditions of the property. Councilmember Bullock questioned how the Administration would move forward if grant funds were secured for the parking lot. Chief Storey acknowledged that grant funds would create increased flexibility but encouraged Council to use its ARPA funds on this project. He emphasized that ARPA projects are required to be under contract by the end of 2024 and that this parking lot project could easily fit within that timetable. In response to a follow up question, Chief Storey clarified that Council ought to use its 2024 group funds for the purpose of the parking lot. He acknowledged that the Administration has remaining ARPA funds, but that it also has a number of competing priorities and projects in mind for those funds. President Litten encouraged the 2024 City Council to quickly discuss and allocate the remaining ARPA funds due to the tight timeline. He suggested that the 2024 Council could provide $1 million to eachcouncilmemberfor individual allocations. He asked if individual councilmembers are willing to allocate remaining funds to the Birdtown parking lot project. Councilmember Rader clarified that although he has no remaining individual funds to contribute, he supports the remainder of the 2023 ARPA funds going towards the parking lot. He said that he would not support using 2024 funds unless they meet sustainability goals such as permeable pavement or EV chargers. 3