Town of Chapel Hill header
File #: [23-0322]    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Discussion Item Status: Passed
File created: 3/28/2023 In control: Town Council
On agenda: 4/19/2023 Final action: 4/19/2023
Title: Consider American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding for Parks, Greenways, Bikeshare and Community-Based Budgeting Pilot.
Attachments: 1. Draft Staff Presentation, 2. Staff Presentation, 3. Council Member Searing Presentation, 4. Council Questions with Staff Response, 5. AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUND (2023-04-19/O-5)
Related files: [21-0735], [22-0510], [22-0662], [22-0862], [23-0235], [21-0918], [22-0084], [22-0863], [22-0730], [22-0823], [23-0408]

 

 

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Consider American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding for Parks, Greenways, Bikeshare and Community-Based Budgeting Pilot.

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Staff:

Department:

Amy Oland, Director

Business Management

Sarah Poulton, Senior Project Manager

Town Manager’s Office

Atuya Cornwell, Director

Parks & Recreation

Bergen Watterson, Transportation Planning Manager

Planning

 

Overview: Staff will present a recommended funding allocation for skate park replacement, Bolin Creek Greenway extension design, and bikeshare funding and provide information on the community-based budgeting approach.

 

Recommendation(s):

That the Council enact the attached project ordinance amendment that allocates funding for the skate park replacement, greenway design, and bikeshare program.

 

Decision Points:

                     Staff will present the following scenario for the remaining Parks and Recreation and greenways funds:

Project

Total

Skate Park Replacement

$500,000

Design for Bolin Creek Greenway extension to Estes Drive

$500,000

                     The skate park replacement will include a replacement of all vertical elements of the current skate park at Homestead Park.

                     The Bolin Creek Greenway extension includes the segment from Umstead Park to Estes Dr. Ext. This project would be designed in conjunction with the Estes Dr. Ext. bicycle and pedestrian improvements.

                     Staff will present an allocation of $50,000 for a bikeshare program to serve Chapel Hill, Carrboro and UNC campus using unneeded money from the OWASA community partner funding.

o                     OWASA originally requested and was allocated $123,000. Since their award, OWASA customers have continued to pay off their water bill debt so the total amount needed by OWASA is now only $61,517 which leaves $61,483 of unused community partner funding.

                     Staff will inform Town Council on the approach of receiving input on Town projects using the remaining $500,000 of ARPA funding set aside for a community-based budgeting pilot.

 

Key Issues:

                     ARPA funding must be obligated by December 31, 2024.

                     Staff has presented ARPA decisions and information to Council 15 times.

                     Staff will return to Council at a later meeting with the projects with the most votes through the community-based budgeting pilot for approval.

 

Fiscal Impact/Resources: Allocate $1,050,000 of ARPA funding towards the skate park replacement, Bolin Creek Greenway extension design, and bikeshare program.

 

Where is this item in its process?

 

Attachments:

 

Project Budget Ordinance Amendment

 

Draft Staff Presentation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUND (2023-04-19/O-5)

 

BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that pursuant to Section 13.2 of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, that the American Rescue Plan Fund Ordinance provide funding for projects related to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic funded from the U.S. Treasury is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

“SECTION I

 

The projects as authorized by the Town Council include various recovery and economic projects funded from the American Rescue Plan Act, for a variety of projects related to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

SECTION II

 

The Manager of the Town of Chapel Hill is hereby directed to proceed with implementation of these projects within terms of funds appropriated here.

 

SECTION III

 

Revenues anticipated to be available to the Town to complete the project are hereby amended as follows:

 

 

SECTION IV

 

Amounts appropriated for capital projects are hereby amended as follows:

 

 

 

SECTION V

 

The Manager is directed to report annually on the financial status of the project in an informational section to be included in the Annual Budget, and shall keep the council informed of any unusual occurrences.

 

SECTION VI

 

Copies of this amended projects ordinance shall be entered into the minutes of the Council and copies shall be filed within five days of adoption with the Manager, Business Management Director, and Town Clerk.”

 

This the 19th day of April, 2023.

 

 

The Agenda will reflect the text below and/or the motion text will be used during the meeting.

 

presenter

PRESENTER: Amy Oland, Sarah Poulton

 

RECOMMENDATION: That the Council enact the attached project ordinance amendment that allocates funding for the skate park replacement, greenway design, and bikeshare program.