American Rescue Plan Task Force

MINUTES AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT TASK FORCE REGULAR MEETING OF DECEMBER 11, 2024 Present: Mayor, Benjamin Florsheim; Pamela Steele; Diana Doyle; Brianna Skowera; Cynthia Clegg; Christine Marques; Bobbye Knoll Peterson; Gene Nocera; Brig Smith; Public: Claire Collins; Dominick DeMartino 1. Call to Order Meeting was called to order at 11:02 a.m. 2. Public Comment None 3. Approval of Minutes Brianna Skowera made a motion to approve the minutes from the November 13, 2024 regular meeting minutes and Gene Nocera seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 4. New Business A. DFC Middletown, LLC Mayor Florsheim gave a brief overview regarding DFC Middletown, LLC. He explained that the original scope of the project was to revitalize and restore a downtown building but the business plans for what would go into the building has changed. The question before the task force is whether under the rules of ARPA and under the federal guidelines, what uses are appropriate and are going to be allowable. Claire Collins explained that the award for DFC was subject to renovations and rehabilitation of specific property addresses. In the subrecipient agreement, it does not specify use of property following any rehabilitation or renovation of a property. The final rule that was issued also is silent on that and leaves is up to the zoning and building code requirements set forth in the City of Middletown and State of Connecticut. Pamela Steele explained that the original vote was for a grocery store and just wanted to make sure everyone was aware that has since changed. Brianna Skowera questions if there was any contractual commitment that would  prevent the use of a retail space for a legal cannabis dispensary. Mayor Florsheim clarified that it was reflected in the minutes that it was a grocery market that was being discussed and no action is needed from the task force today. Discussion ensued regarding what is the address of the actual project. Dominick DeMartino explained that the address is 428 Main and they also requested a rare address through the city, which is going to be 7 Melilli Plaza. 5. Old Business A. Report of Current Expenses and Balances Claire Collins reported the total expense for city projects, as of December 9th, is $7,610,615.07. The small business subrecipient total expense is $3,127,800.48. The nonprofit subrecipient total expense is $5,113,877.80. The total expense today are $15852293.35, meaning the city has expensed 72.9% of its ARPA award. 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 at 11:24 p.m. 2