American Rescue Plan Task Force

MINUTES AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT TASK FORCE REGULAR MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 13, 2023 Present: Mayor Benjamin Florsheim; Pamela Steele; Carl Erlacher; Diana Doyle; Brianna Skowera; Christina Heckart; Bobbye Knoll Peterson; Joseph Fazzino; Kevin Elak; Brig Smith Public: Martha McCabe 1. Call to Order Meeting was called to order 11:08 a.m. 2. Public Comment None 3. Approval of Minutes Brianna Skowera made a motion to approve the minutes from the July 12, 2023 regular meeting minutes and Bobbye Knoll Peterson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 4. New Business A. Approval of One-Time Advance of $19,200 to MUF/MRJC Project Martha McCabe explained that MRJC project was assumed by MUF and MUF made a request in July to get a one-time advance of 20% of the operating funds. The project is a 3 year project receiving $96,000 and 20% of that is $19,200. MUF needed the advance quickly, so Brig and city staff preapproved the payment, which was made on July 27th. Martha further explain that the Task Force needs to formally approve the advance. Brianna Skowera made a motion to approve the advance and Pamela Steele seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. B. Discussion of Potential Cut-Off for Projects Encountering Problems Martha McCabe shared her screen and explained that the city only has 3 subrecipients that have not yet submitted a first time draw request, which are CHC’s family wellness center and the YMCA’s two projects. Martha mentioned that she will be doing a desk review and can let the subrecipients know that have not drawn yet. The same concerns go for City projects that have not started purchase orders or spending. There will be a Webinar for the city departments to prompt them and  get them to understand that there is less than 15 months to get the projects fully expended or obligated. Martha suggests the city should discuss if we wish to set a deadline to draw funds or be redacted. More discussion ensued regarding what date makes more sense to set the deadline for. Brianna Skowera questioned the status of Middlesex Redemption Center and Martha stated that they have not signed a subrecipient agreement yet because they are still looking for a space. She also further explains that they have not received any funds to date yet and the city has four subrecipients who has not started the process yet. More discussion ensued regarding the deadline. Brianna Skowera made a motion to notice all subrecipients by March 31, 2024 that they must provide a timeline for obligated, and or expending their funds prior to December 31, 2024. Additionally, subrecipients who have not yet drawn upon their awarded funds must do so by January 31, 2024 or have not provided the obligation expense timeline by March 31, 2024 will have their grants subject to reallocation. Kevin Elak seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously. C. Amending Resolutions Replacing Appointment Brig explained the Brianna Skowera suggested that some of our appointments need attention. There has been a vacancy created by Joe Samolis’ resignation. Brianna stated that it is the position that requires them to be on this committee not the person. More discussion ensued. Brig questioned if we want to just have the positions on the resolution or the name and positions on the resolution. The Mayor suggested keeping it the same and changing Joe Samolis to Christine Marques. Brianna Skowera made a motion to put forth Christine Marques as the Mayor’s appointment and Pamela Steele seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. D. Connecticut Home Collective Move from Subrecipient to City Project Brig explained that the task force has been working with Sacha Armstrong Crocket to move her project forward. It is an educational project for home ownership for tenants to educate focused on the BIPOC community. Sacha has been experiencing transactional issues and wanted to partner with the city. Brig explained that ECD would house and take on the project and come up with an agreement between the city and Connecticut Home Collective. Martha explained that Sacha has not signed a subrecipient agreement and the city would need to withdraw the offer and then reallocated to the city group of ARPA projects. More discussion ensued regarding if this would be a partnership or not. Bobbye Knoll Peterson made a motion to withdraw Connecticut Home Collective’s award and reallocate to ECD and Pamela Steele seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 2 5. Old Business A. Report of Current Expenses and Balances Martha explained that the city is not experiencing any big problems. She also stated that she is doing desk reviews every six months and the next progress will be due in January and will be able to report and the Task Force’s January meeting 6. Other 7. Adjournment Brianna Skowera made a motion to adjourn and Pamela Steele seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned. 3