American Rescue Plan Task Force

MINUTES AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT TASK FORCE REGULAR MEETING OF NOVEMBER 13, 2024 Present: Mayor, Benjamin Florsheim; Kevin Elak; Pamela Steele; Diana Doyle; Carl Erlacher; Brianna Skowera; Cynthia Clegg; Christine Marques; Rev. Robyn Anderson; Bobbye Knoll Peterson; Gene Nocera; Joseph Fazzino; Brig Smith; Public: Claire Collins 1. Call to Order Meeting was called to order at 11:07 a.m. 2. Public Comment None 3. Approval of Minutes Brianna Skowera made a motion to approve the minutes from the October 9, 2024 regular meeting minutes and Pamela Steele seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 4. New Business A. 2025 ARPA Meeting Schedule Cynthia Clegg made a motion to approve the 2025 ARPA meeting schedule and Brianna Skowera seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. B. Update from UHY on Subrecipient and Departmental Compliance Claire Collins updated the task force and reported that all the funds of the subrecipients are obligated with the exception of a minor amount. All agreements are in place for the two construction projects, DFC of Middletown and JDS Holdings. Claire also reported that Cross Street has fully executed MOUs with the 11 churches, which are good through December 31, 2025. DFC Middletown has funds that are unobligated, in the amount of $36178.52. The Business Industry Foundation provided a fully executed contract for their work with vendors through the end of December 31, 2026. Middletown United Fathers and Middletown Racial Justice Coalition provided a fully executed services contract for the executive director and the youth coordinator, with the acknowledgement of a draw down being prepared for expenses. Based on all the documentation they provided, they will fully spend all their funds. Brianna Skowera questioned if it was separate from  the issued discussed last month with MUF regarding lack of documentation for the advance. Claire clarified that MUF completed the advanced reconciliation ledger, returned it, and also provided supporting documentation. She further clarified that all the major projects that needed contractual arrangements, all have the documentation in their file. C. Recommendation to Council for Funds not Obligated in Time Brig Smith explained that we will have some money left over in the city project pot that we don’t want to lose by the December 31, 2024 deadline in the federal law and guidelines. City departments were advised that they have to use their funds of lose it by November 27th, which allows some time for the next council meeting. It also allows for time to have money obligated and spent between December 2nd and 31st. The task force would need to discuss what the leftover might be and what it might be used for and then make a recommendation to the common council for the December 2nd meeting. Bobbye Knoll Peterson explained that a large number of properties coming on Newfield Street, which brings increase traffic and more folks living in the area. They have true concerns about the fire department’s ability to respond from Cross Street and Main Street and would like to bring a third station for Middletown Fire on Newfield Street. They have been able to negotiate a reasonable price of $499,000 for a property what was originally listed at a million dollars. The property has a building that is condemned, which the city would purchase, demolish, and reserve the property to be able to build a fire station. They are looking for $500,000 for the acquisition and $50,000 for the demo. There is a purchase and sale agreement already but do not have an agreement for the demolition. Kevin Elak and Brianna Skowera expressed concerns regarding the timing and the documentation needed for this project. More discussion ensued regarding getting a vendor for the demolition and how much funds is actually left over. Brianna Skowera made a motion to recommend a resolution allocating $550,000 for the acquisition and demo of the Newfield Street property and Gene Nocera seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Gene Nocera made a motion to recommend a separate resolution allocating any further unobligated funds to water and sewer projects and Brianna Skowera seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. D. JDS Holdings Request to Extend End Date of Subrecipient Agreement from June 30, 2025 to December 31, 2025 Claire Collins explained that JDS made the request to ensure they have time to get project completed, get everything resolved with Dairy Queen, and have all their funds obligated under the agreement and contracts in order to move forward with the construction of the project. 2  Pamela Steele made a motion to approve the request to extend the end date and Gene Nocera seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 5. Old Business A. Report of Current Expenses and Balances Claire Collins reported the total expense as of November 12, 2024 is $15,832,738.56, which means 72% of the ARPA award has been expensed. 6. Other 7. Adjournment Brianna Skowera made a motion to adjourn and Gene Nocera seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 12:11 p.m. 3