June 28, 2022
Library and Community Services
DATE: June 28, 2022
TO: Mayor Butt and Members of the City Council
FROM:
LaShonda White, Interim Library and Community
Services Director
Patrick Seals, Senior Management Analyst
Subject:
Update from HR&A Advisors, Inc. regarding the
American Rescue Plan Act Community Needs
Assessment and Strategic Investment Plan
Development.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact to receiving this report.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
May 18, 2021, June 23, 3021, June 29, 2021, and
February 15, 2022
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
A Community Needs Assessment and Strategic
Investment Plan will help City Council determine how to spend the City’s remaining ARPA allocation on behalf of the Richmond community.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECEIVE an update from HR&A Advisors, Inc. and
Contigo on the status of the American Rescue Plan Act
(ARPA) Community Needs Assessment and Strategic
Investment Plan to provide guidance on spending the
City’s remaining $17.2 million ARPA allocation – Library and Community Services (LaShonda White 510-620-
6512).
AGENDA
REPORT
June 28, 2022
DISCUSSION:
As part of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) relief package, the City of Richmond allocation is currently set at $27.7 million. As part of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-2022 budget, the Richmond City Council approved an allocation of $10.5 million in ARPA funds for various projects, including funding to conduct a Community Needs Assessment (CNA) and develop a Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) for informing City Council’s decision for how to allocate the remaining $17.2 million in ARPA funds. All funds must be obligated by the end of 2024 and spent by the end of 2026.
There are significant requirements, guidance, and limitations on how ARPA funds are to be used. Richmond has discretion to use the award funds in ways that best suit the needs of our community, as long as each use fits into one of the following statutory categories and aligns with ARPA regulations:
To respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency or its negative economic impacts;
To respond to workers performing essential work during the COVID-19 public health emergency by providing premium pay to such eligible workers of the recipient, or by providing grants to eligible employers that have eligible workers who performed essential work;
For the provision of government services, to the extent of the reduction in revenue of such recipient due to the COVID–19 public health emergency, relative to revenues collected in the most recent full fiscal year of the recipient prior to the emergency; and
To make necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure
Additional information regarding ARPA can be found at:
http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/4095/American-Rescue-Plan-Act.
Community Needs Assessment Process
After a competitive bidding process, on February 15, 2022, the City Council approved a contract with HR&A (subcontract with Contigo) to:
(1) Conduct comprehensive Community Engagement and develop a Community Needs Assessment (CNA) that will evaluate current assets and determine community needs/gaps in services or programs that can benefit the Richmond community through the use of ARPA funds.
(2) Develop a Strategic Investment Plan (Plan) that includes a proposed decision-making structure and metrics and is based on the results from the CNA report, ARPA eligible uses, use of an equity framework, and ability to leverage internal and external funds. This Plan will include strategic funding recommendations that are in alignment with ARPA regulations.
June 28, 2022
Next Steps
The community engagement process began in March 2022 and will continue through July/August 2022. The CNA includes a robust community engagement process, which uses effective engagement techniques that will reach Richmond’s diverse populations.
During the June 28, 2022, City Council meeting, HR&A and Contigo will provide an update on the CNA process and share next steps. City staff, in collaboration with HR&A/Contigo will provide updates to City Council throughout the process, and plan to bring the Strategic Investment Plan to City Council for discussion and approval no later than October 2022.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 - ARPA CNA Update PowerPoint Presentation