CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: November 3, 2025
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
TITLE: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. __-25 TO AUTHORIZE THE REALLOCATION OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) FUNDS
FROM THE CITY HALL POND AND FOUNTAIN REHABILITATION
PROJECT NO. 01-24 TO THE GOVERNMENT SERVICES PROGRAM
CATEGORY AND TRANSFER AN EQUIVALENT AMOUNT OF
GENERAL FUND MONIES TO THE CITY HALL POND AND FOUNTAIN
REHABILITATION PROJECT NO. 01-24
SYNOPSIS
The City Hall Pond & Fountain Rehabilitation Project (Project) No. 01-24 is included as a funded project in the approved Fiscal Year 2024/2029 Capital Improvement Plan (FY 2024/2029 CIP).
The purpose of this item is for the City Council to authorize the re-allocation of ARPA funds from the Project to the Government Services Program Category and that an equivalent amount of General Fund monies be transferred to the Project for completion of the work. The Budget Committee reviewed this proposal at the October 6, 2025 meeting and recommend approval to the City Council.
DISCUSSION
Background
The Project is funded through ARPA, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Improvement Program (Gas Tax Fund 301), the Sidewalk Maintenance Program (Measure J-306), and Measure K funds.
The existing shallow, concrete lined pond was last serviced in 2010. It suffers from poor water quality and proliferation of algae and sediment. Additionally, the mechanical equipment needs to either be serviced, cleaned, and/or replaced. The existing fountain conveys hard and abrasive well water, which has caused extensive damage to the fountain’s tile by removing most of the grout and protective coating of the tiles, creating an unattractive appearance to the water feature. The original plaza/donor memorial walkway is composed of concrete and decorative tiles, and over time the elastomeric seal along the tile edges has failed, allowing water to settle beneath the tiles, causing them to crack/break, creating a potential tripping hazard.
The project as proposed will separate the pond into two bodies of water, a main chlorinated lake and a smaller, non-chlorinated koi/turtle pond. The fountain will be remodeled, including the replacement of the existing fountain tile with new decorative tile bonded with an epoxy grout, which is resistant to the damaging effects of the hard well water that supplies the lake/pond. The fountain will continue to circulate the chlorinated water in the main lake, and the koi pond will have an independent oxygenation system for the koi and turtles. The concrete plaza will be expanded to separate the new koi pond from the main lake and additionally will be upgraded with new surfaces to meet current ADA requirements. The Project also includes new plumbing system for both bodies of water, HVAC, electrical, landscaping, and water displays.
The project was put out to public bid in October 2024, and City Council awarded the project to the apparent low bidder on December 2, 2024. The project agreement was not executed, and the resulting lawsuit has prevented staff from rebidding the project at this time.
Analysis
The Project is partially funded by $870,00.00 of ARPA funds. ARPA funds needed to be obligated by December 31, 2024, and spent by December 31, 2026.The City has already spent $230,467.06 on design and engineering work in support of the project. The remaining $639,532.94 in ARPA funds were to be obligated upon execution of the construction contract. The project agreement was not executed, such that the City must re-bid the project, but because we are past the December 2024 deadline, the City cannot re-obligate the ARPA funds.
As mentioned above, ARPA funds can only be used for projects or programs that have an obligation as of December 31, 2024, which includes authorizing transfers from existing open ARPA projects and programs. On December 2, 2024, the City Council authorized the obligation of the Government Services Program Category by designating police and public works positions to meet the requirements of the U.S. Treasury (Resolution No. 80-24) as an option to expend remaining ARPA funds. Therefore, Staff is recommending the remaining ARPA funds for the pond and fountain project be re-allocated to the Government Services Program Category, which is designated for personnel assigned for police and maintenance workers expenditures in the General Fund. Additionally, since ARPA funds will be re-assigned to cover General Fund expenditures, staff is recommending the City Council allocate the equivalent amount of General Fund dollars to the City Hall Pond and Fountain Rehabilitation Project No. 01-24.
Acceptance of this proposal by the City Council will authorize the transfer of $639,532.94 in ARPA funds from the Project to the Government Services Program Category, and an equivalent amount of General Fund monies ($639,532.94) be transferred to the City Hall Pond and Fountain Rehabilitation Project. The Budget Committee reviewed this proposal at the October 6, 2025 meeting and recommend approval to the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
The fiscal impact includes the transfer of $639,532.94 in ARPA funds from the City Hall Pond and Fountain Rehabilitation Project to the Government Services Program Category, and an equivalent amount of General Fund monies ($639,532.94) be transferred to the City Hall Pond and Fountain Rehabilitation Project.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public Contact was made through posting of the City Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center, and at the Pleasant Hill Police Department. The agenda and staff report are posted on the City’s web page.
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Adopt Resolution
ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDED ACTION
None recommended.
ATTACHMENT(S)
Proposed Resolution
Prepared by: Ann James, Public Works Director
Reviewed by: Erick Cheung, Chief Financial Officer
Approved by: Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager