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but so far,funding can be used on round of loans and grants to businesses
<br /> streets only if they need to be fixed or that still suffer from COVID 19 fallout. Q . . i
<br /> replaced because of underlying water o.$r 111;�,
<br /> or sewer work or if the funds originally Funding immediate COVID-19 "max-,-
<br /> qualified under revenue loss.As for needs broadband,projects that are designed Savage(populationwill The c�tv of savage «sn,
<br /> P $ 32,465) get$34 o''some of its ABPA funds '1 $
<br /> to provide internet access to unserved million in ARPA funds,and City Council o to do weekly testing of, 4.`- —.AL
<br /> or underserved areas are eligible. members are interested in spending it on . unvaccn,ated employee;. '
<br /> Providing funding to replace aging economic recovery needs,housing,and
<br /> infrastructure is one of the most exciting broadband and water infrastructure,says probably be on building new housing,but
<br /> things about ARPA,Soya says.While City Administrator Brad Larson.The coun- details are still being worked out
<br /> those funds can only be spent on water, cil also wants input from residents on how Almost$13 million will go toward pub-
<br /> sewer,and broadband,"it's not often federal dollars should be used,so the city lic works and utilities,including replac-
<br /> that the federal government provides created a public engagement website and ing all home water meters,developing a
<br /> such broad funding to our cities;she hired a temporary worker to manage it. program to replace lead water lines that
<br /> says."Most cities have aging infrastruc- But Savage is also using funds for the run to homes,and buying street sweepers,
<br /> ture that is very expensive to replace. immediate need of testing unvaccinated which help with clean water by keeping
<br /> This is a great opportunity for cities to city employees for COVID-19.The city debris out of storm sewers.
<br /> meet that need:' hasn't mandated the shots,Larson says,but Long before the pandemic hit,Duluth
<br /> is asking those who have&had the vaccine officials were concerned about the anti-
<br /> Funds ease city worries to get tested every week if they spend a gusted ventilation in City Hall,Carlson
<br /> In Houston,city officials are still deciding significant amount of time in city facilities. says.Clean air wasn't circulating in the
<br /> how to use the funds,but Quinn is pleased That effort,which started in September 1928 building.About$12 million will be
<br /> that the federal money would allow the city and tests about 30 people per week,costs directed to that project
<br /> to finish replacing lead water pipes.The roughly$11,000 a month.The city hired "This addresses some longstanding
<br /> city is also considering using its funding to a vendor who visits twice a week to test infrastructure needs that the city other-
<br /> line a sewer main that has problems with and report back on any positive results. wise would have had to place on taxpay-
<br /> groundwater infiltration. Larson says the project does not have ers;Carlson says."Without this funding,
<br /> Over the years,Quinn says,Houston an end date."While we are in high or sub- we'd be in a very different place,and I'm
<br /> has been steadily replacing deteriorating stantial COVID spread,we will do this:' not sure how we would tackle these proj-
<br /> infrastructure,but she's been concerned ects that have big numbers:'
<br /> that rising debt from those projects could A variety of uses
<br /> pull down the city's bond rating.The Larger cities may end up using their fed- Extra time to be thoughtful
<br /> new funding would allow work on those eral funds in a lot of different ways.For ARPA rules give cities until 2oa4 to spend
<br /> priorities to continue without worry example,in Duluth(population 86,697), the new federal funds,or zoz6 if projects
<br /> about that. the City Council has approved a plan to are in process.In Savage,Larson says,
<br /> Red Wing(population 16,547)will use its$58 million in ARPA funds on a the city wants to take time developing its
<br /> receive a total of about$1.7 million long list of projects. plans to invest that money.
<br /> from ARPA.The city's financial consul- hi addition to replacing lost revenue, "We're trying to be creative in helping
<br /> tants verified that the city's overall 2020 the city will use funds for projects such as the community recover;that's our num-
<br /> revenue dropped from the previous year. affordable housing;investments in public ber one goal;he says."The City Council
<br /> This means the city can use ARPA funds works,utilities,and broadband;and wants to look at projects with the goal of
<br /> as revenue replacement for the provision improving ventilation in City Hall.The having a long-term impact."GIB
<br /> of government services.City Council city will also use funds for public safety
<br /> Administrator Kay Kuhlmann says the programs involving social workers,as well Mary Jane Smetanka is a freelance writer.
<br /> causes of those losses included unpaid as crisis and violence inter-
<br /> taxes,enterprise funds that lost money, vention.And the city plans • w� Y ;;
<br /> and an overburdened ambulance service. to offer aid for businesses 4` ;" -�* ""�"�'i'
<br /> The federal funding"is huge,Kuhl- and organizations that ' • .— d
<br /> mann says."We see this as helping us were negatively impacted .. ?'i c TT I ill ti 1' f
<br /> [recover from] COVID,but we also by the pandemic. 17 " *r'
<br /> 1
<br /> can be strategic how we invest in the Affordable housing is .f ' `' I' '.� J '" - .
<br /> ! g
<br /> community.It's$1.7 million we never the biggest investment, o V ;r. � ,{' , ' ` '
<br /> knew was coming,so we can think a at$19.2 million. Hous- o •.;,� � ,1. - '� ; ,e.. ' ,:
<br /> little differently." ing is a challenge here, u -, ,r r4 ` . y, �'
<br /> Some of that ARPA funding will and we could spend that 0 '4'6410 -4',r` , - �' t,t
<br /> probably be invested in Red Wing's m times over;saysJen R `' `�'or
<br /> P Y g �}" ° Duluth Plans,o or,o, .mac—' ��
<br /> city-owned ambulance service,she says, Carlson,Duluth's finance o or its.ARPA funds o f urove
<br /> and the city is also considering a second director.The focus will a, 76.1tl,iion.n its city Hall _ ;, �_ '`'..111e_
<br /> MINNESOTA CITIES I JAN/FEB 2022 I 17
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