CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
STAFF REPORT
N
ovember 3, 2025
To: Cit
y Council
Fr
om: Office of the City Manager
Samantha C. Argabrite, City Manager
Subj
ect: Update on the COVID -19 Community Recovery Grant Program and Request Direction for Use of Remaining Funds
Staff Recommendation
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t is recommended that the City Council receive and file the update on the COVID -19 Community Recovery Grant Program and provide direction to staff regarding the use of remaining funds.
Background
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was signed into law on March 11, 2021, and provided $350 billion to eligible state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments to aid with the impacts of COVID-19 through 2023. The intended use of the funds was broken down into seven broad categories as outlined by the Treasury Final Rule (Public Health, Negative Economic Impacts, Revenue Replacement, Premium Pay, Services to Disproportionately Impacted Communities, Administrat ive, and Infrastructure). These funds were intended as one- time allocations to support recovery projects , not ongoing financial obligations for the City. They were to be allocated by December 31, 2024, and fully expended by December 31. 2026.
T
he City of Simi Valley was awarded $15,325,294 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. Over a series of City Council meetings, the Council allocated $10 million for Streets and Roads improvements and directed that the remaining funds be used for community recovery projects, including a $1 million allocation to the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District for the Pool/Pool House Rehabilitation Project, consistent with ARPA guidelines.
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s Treasury guidance evolved, the City claimed the full $15.3 million allocation as revenue loss, allowing greater flexibility in supporting local recovery and infrastructure priorities. When the City claimed the $15.3 m illion in ARPA funds as revenue loss , the money was transferred to the General Fund, and no longer subject to Federal reporting and compliance requirements associated with ARPA. As General Fund dollars, they have no restrictions and may be used at the discretion of the City Council. Therefore, the funds do not have to be distributed or allocated if the City Council wishes to keep the balance of funds in the General Fund.
AGENDA ITEM NO.
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The flexibility enabled the creation of the COVID-19 Community Recovery Grant program (CCRG), which provided funding to assist local nonprofits, businesses, and community organizations in their post -pandemic recovery efforts. On May 20, 2024, staff reported that the entire $15,325,294 in ARPA funds had been received and fully programmed in accordance with City Council direction.
Discussion
To date, the COVID-19 Community Recovery Grant Program has an available balance of $1,002,955.50 (Attachment A), which exceeds the anticipated balance remaining in the project when this program began.
Of the remaining funds, $400,000 was set aside for Household Home Repair and Assistance. However, the City has been unable to identify a vendor to administer this project. Also, there are remaining funds which were not fully allocated in the various categories (Attachment B) as outlined by the Treasury Final Rule.
Most projects funded through the CCRG program are expected to be completed by December 31, 2025, with a few exceptions.. The Economic Development Collaborative Ventura County continues to manage the City’s ongoing business revolving loan program.
This project will continue until either party terminates the contract. The Boys & Girls Club of Moorpark & Simi Valley’s contract is valid until December 31, 2026, and continues to implement its funded project.
The Free Clinic of Simi Valley is requesting $147,266.26 in additional one-time funds. The initially approved Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) project has faced unexpected challenges. The roof at 2003 Royal Avenue was found structurally unsuitable for the original HVAC units. After consulting a structural engineer, the Free Clinic identified lighter, more energy-efficient units, but these are more expensive than the initial proposal (approved by the City Council on July 22, 2024). Of the $109,994.50 awarded, $9,913.37 has been spent on structural engineering, mechanical system & plumbing design, and permits. Additionally, $5,270.39 was used for Outdoor Therapy Yard expenses paid in June 2023. This leaves a remaining balance of $94,807.74. The revised project estimate, including permits, is $242,074.
The Samaritan Center of Simi Valley is requesting $121,000 annually for a three- year term for ongoing case management, housing assistance, and food pantry services to the vulnerable population in Simi Valley. The total requested amount is $363,000.
Financial Impact
If the Council takes action to fund either the Free Clinic or the Samaritan Center’s requests, there will be no new impact to the General Fund. T he original allocation was made in the FY2023-24 Adopted Budget for the COVID-19 Community Recovery Grant Project, GT10000003 and funds have been carried forward since.
2 City Council Priority
This item supports the City Council’s Thriving Community Pillars of Excellence with a Focus A rea Goal of pursuing economic development opportunities and supporting business growth.
Suggested Motion
I move to receive and file the update on the COVID -19 Community Recovery Grant Program and provide the following direction to staff regarding the use of remaining funds:
• Approve the Free Clinic’s request for one-time funds of $147,266.26 to complete the previously approved HVAC project.
And/Or
• Approve the Samaritan Center’s request of $121,000 annually for three years ($363,000) for case management, housing assistance, and food pantry services to the vulnerable population in Simi Valley.
Or
• Do not approve either request.
Summary
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provided $15.3 million to the City of Simi Valley, which was claimed as revenue loss and transferred to the General Fund in 2022. Of this amount, $5.3 million was allocated to the COVID-19 Community Recovery Grant Program to support local non-profits and agencies serving residents and businesses impacted by the pandemic. Staff recommends that the City Council receive and file the update on the COVID-19 Community Recovery Grant Program and provide direction on the use of remaining unspent funds.
Prepared by: Heidi DiNardo, Senior Management Analyst
Attachments
Attachment A – ARPA Project List
Attachment B – Grant Recipients
3 PROJECT LIST PROJECT ALLOCATION GRANTEE AWARDED CONTRACT END DATE Temporary Staffing 400,000.00$ Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County 50,000.00$ until terminated by either party Cybersecurity for Waterworks District #8 and Sanitation District Facilities 400,000.00$ City of Simi Valley - Public Works 400,000.00$ N/A Water Line Replacement - Roan Street 300,000.00$ City of Simi Valley - Public Works 300,000.00$ N/A Business Revolving Loan Fund 1,000,000.00$ Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County 975,000.00$ until terminated by either party Cultural Arts Center - Non Profit Support 200,000.00$ Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center 200,000.00$ N/A Household Home Repair and Assistance 400,000.00$ TBD -$ Reinforcement to Food Pantries serving Simi Valley 300,000.00$ Samaritan Center 100,000.00$ 12/31/2025
SEWA International, Inc. 100,000.00$ 12/31/2025 SEWA International, Inc.* 25,000.00$ 12/31/2025
Simi at the Garden 15,000.00$ 06/30/2024
Shepherd of the Valley 10,000.00$ 06/30/2024
Samaritan Center** 10,700.00$ 12/31/2025
Vulnerable Population Case Management 425,000.00$
Samaritan Center 250,000.00$ 12/31/2025
Interface 138,555.00$ 12/31/2023
Vulnerable Population Housing 200,000.00$ Samaritan Center 125,000.00$ 12/31/2025 Behavioral Health Care 250,000.00$
Free Clinic of Simi Valley 105,795.00$ 12/31/2025 Free Clinic of Simi Valley 109,994.50$ 12/31/2025 Acquisition of Air Filters 60,294.00$ City of Simi Valley - Public Works 60,294.00$ N/A Senior Center Food Storage Equipment 15,000.00$ City of Simi Valley - Senior Center 15,000.00$ N/A Streets and Roads 10,000,000.00$ City of Simi Valley - Public Works 10,000,000.00$ N/A Rehabilitation of Pool and Pool House at Rancho Simi Community Park 1,000,000.00$ Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District 1,000,000.00$ 12/31/2024 Child Care Assistance 250,000.00$
YMCA 50,000.00$ 06/30/2024
Boys & Girls Club of Moorpark & Simi Valley 120,000.00$ 12/31/2026 Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District 50,000.00$ 01/31/2025 Domestic Violence Safe House 125,000.00$ Interface 112,000.00$ 12/31/2023 TOTAL: 15,325,294.00$ 14,322,338.50$
* Granted on the dias on 6/12/23, initially requested under CDBG Funds **Granted on the dias on 6/3/24, initially requested under CDBG Funds FUNDS REMAINING / NOT AWARDED: 1,002,955.50$ Attachment A
4 COVID-19 Community Recovery Grant Program Allocations Vulnerable Population Case Management Reinforcement to Food Pantries Budget 425,000.00$ Budget 300,000.00$
Allocation 1: Samaritan Center (250,000.00)$ Allocation 1: Samaritan Center (100,000.00)$ Allocation 2: Interface (138,555.00)$ Allocation 2: SEWA International (100,000.00)$ Allocation 3: Allocation 3: SEWA Change Order (25,000.00)$ Allocation 4: Allocation 4: Sheperd of the Valley (10,000.00)$ Balance Remaining 36,445.00$ Allocation 5:Simi at the Garden (15,000.00)$ Allocation 6: Samaritan Center (CO #1) (10,700.00)$
Vulnerable Population Housing Balance Remaining 39,300.00$ Budget 200,000.00$
Allocation 1: Samaritan Center (125,000.00)$ Public Health 15,000.00$ Allocation 2: Simi Valley Senior Center (15,000.00)$
Allocation 3: Balance Remaining -$
Allocation 4:
Balance Remaining 75,000.00$ Small Business Economic Assistance & Aid to Nonprofit Organizations 200,000.00$
Behavioral Health Care Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center (200,000.00)$ Budget 250,000.00$ Balance Remaining -$
Allocation 1: Free Clinic (105,795.00)$
Allocation 2: Free Clinic (grant #2) (109,994.50)$ Acquisition of Air Filters 60,294.00$ Allocation 3: G/L to Public Works (60,294.00)$
Allocation 4: Balance Remaining -$
Balance Remaining 34,210.50$
Waterline 300,000.00$
Domestic Violence Safe House Public Works (300,000.00)$ Budget 125,000.00$ Balance Remaining -$
Allocation 1: Interface (112,000.00)$
Allocation 2: Rancho Simi Recreation Park District 1,000,000.00$ Allocation 3: Allocation: RSRPD (1,000,000.00)$
Allocation 4: Balance Remaining -$
Balance Remaining 13,000.00$
Cybersecurity for Waterworks 400,000.00$
Temporary Staffing Allocation: G/L Transfer City of Simi (400,000.00)$ Budget 400,000.00$ Balance Remaining -$
Allocation 1: EDC-VC (25,000.00)$
Allocation 2: EDC-VC (25,000.00)$ Household Repair 400,000.00$ Allocation 3: Funds not distributed 400,000.00$
Allocation 4:
Balance Remaining 350,000.00$ Child Care Assistance 250,000.00$ Allocation 1: YMCA (50,000.00)$
Revolving Loan Fund Allocation 2: Boys & Girls Club (120,000.00)$ Budget 1,000,000.00$ Allocation 3: RSRPD (50,000.00)$
Allocation 2: EDC-VC (975,000.00)$ Allocation 4:
Balance Remaining 25,000.00$ Balance Remaining 30,000.00$ Attachment B
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