American Rescue Plan Act Advisory Committee — Charleston, WV
Date: 2021-09-29
Time: 17:30

CITY OF CHARLESTON
 West Virginia


 AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
 September 29, 2021 5:30 PM
 THIS MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE IN PERSON AND CAN BE VIWED LIVE VIA CIVICCLERK
 https://charlestonwv.civicclerk.com/web/home.aspx
 AV Room, 3rd Floor Room #308, City Hall
 Charleston, WV

 Agenda

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

 1. 5‐26‐2021

DISCUSSION

 1. ARPA Application Review and Approval

 2. Administrative Report

Adjournment




 City Council | 501 Virginia Street, East | Post Office Box 2749 | Charleston, West Virginia 25330
 www.charlestonwv.gov | 304.348.8179 | 304.348.8038 fax
 Page 1 of 1

CITY OF CHARLESTON
 West Virginia


 AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
 September 29, 2021 5:30 PM
 THIS MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE IN PERSON AND CAN BE VIWED LIVE VIA CIVICCLERK
 https://charlestonwv.civicclerk.com/web/home.aspx
 AV Room, 3rd Floor Room #308, City Hall
 Charleston, WV

 Agenda

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

 1. 5‐26‐2021

DISCUSSION

 1. ARPA Application Review and Approval

 2. Administrative Report

Adjournment




 City Council | 501 Virginia Street, East | Post Office Box 2749 | Charleston, West Virginia 25330
 www.charlestonwv.gov | 304.348.8179 | 304.348.8038 fax
 Page 1 of 1

 Page | 1 of
 MINUTES
 AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
 AR ROOM #301, CITY HALL

 5:00 P. M., MAY 26, 2021

Mayor Amy Goodwin, Chairperson, called the meeting of the Charleston City American
Rescue Plan Act Advisory Committee to order at 5:00p.m., May 26, 2021.

Committee Members Present:
Mayor Amy Goodwin, Chair
Becky Ceperley, Vice Chair
Ben Adams
John Kennedy Bailey
Brent Burton (arrived after approval of the previous minutes)
Mary Beth Hoover
Joe Jenkins
Will Laird
Bobby Reishman
Chad Robinson

Members Absent:
Caitlin Cook

Also Present:
Chuck Overstreet


A roll call was taken, and it was determined that a quorum was present.




 1. Approval of Previous Minutes –

Councilmember Reishman motioned to approve the minutes for the previous meeting
held on 4-14-2021. Councilmember Hoover seconded. With no objections, the previous
minutes were approved.



 May 26, 2021

 Page | 2 of
 2. Released Guidance from the US Treasury –

Mayor Goodwin stated that the City Manager, Jonathan Storage, had gone over all of
the guidelines released by the State to review with the Committee.

Highlights of Storage’s presentation:
  The Interim Final Rule implements the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal
 Recovery Funds that provides the foundation for multiple Treasury summary
 documents.
  Spending and Timelines – Funds must be contractually committed for a specific
 purpose by December 31, 2024 and by spent by December 31, 2026.
  Reporting Requirements – Reports are due in August and October of 2021, and
 quarterly thereafter. They must include contract details and projects being funded
 during a specific reporting cycle.
  Uniform Guidance for Federal Awards – The requirements are detailed and
 substantial, and all community partners who intend to collaborate with the City
 should be knowledgeable of the rules in advance. It is required that special funds
 be created to track all spending activity as well as the use of an internet-based
 reporting system.
  Document Retention – The City is required to maintain all spending documents
 for at least 5 years from the date all funding is used or returned.
  Allowable Uses – Include revenue loss, services and programs to mitigate the
 spread of Covid-19, services to address behavioral healthcare needs
 exacerbated by the pandemic, addressing the negative economic impacts
 caused by the public health emergency, serving the hardest-hit communities and
 families, premium pay to a broad range of essential workers, water and sewer
 infrastructure, broadband infrastructure and possible other infrastructure for
 bridges and roads.
  Ineligible Uses – Include paying for tax reductions, deposits to pension funds, to
 match certain federal grants, paying off or reducing municipal debt or interest
 obligations.

Councilmember Bailey asked if infrastructure projects needed to be run through the
normal budget process. Storage replied that would be part of the fund allocation that
had been set up, although it would still be approved by Council. Councilmember Jenkins
confirmed that it is not directly backfilling the budget. Storage added that there is no
need to transfer money from the General Fund.

Councilmember Ceperley inquired about violence intervention/prevention. Storage
replied that at least 1 program had been considered, such as installing cameras to help
track reported violence. Mayor Goodwin added that they are also looking into gun
violence/gun suicide, etc.

Councilmember Laird asked if the involvement of the State Auditor was a curtesy or a
requirement. Storage replied that they do not have pre-approval authority, they are
simply recording the transactions for transparency. Councilmember Reishman asked if


 May 26, 2021

 Page | 3 of
the money could used for auditing services. Storage replied that the City will likely need
outside auditing services.

Councilmember Laird asked how the City would account for money received under the
CARES Act regarding accounting for lost revenue. Storage replied that the formula the
City will use uses an assumption of 4% growth year over year, which is the national
average.



 3. Presentation of Collected Community Input –

Mayor Goodwin stated that Mackenzie Spencer would be doing a review of the
community meetings and online suggestions. The Mayor added that there were many
good suggestions and projects that may not qualify, but were worthy of finding separate
funding for them.

Highlights of Spencer’s presentation include:
  The City held 4 Listening Sessions and made the form available online.
  They have received close to 300 submissions; some do not qualify for Act
 funding.
  Top 10 Categories are (note: examples are not comprehensive nor are in any
 particular order): Parks & Recreation (pocket parks and bike trails), Housing
 (home repair grants/loans and low-income housing), Infrastructure (sewer system
 repairs and bridge infrastructure), Business (low-interest loans for small
 businesses and ppp grants), Aquatic Center, Tourist Attractions & Entertainment
 (small zoo and return of the regatta), Food/Water (community gardens and
 greenhouses), Mental Health/SUD/Healthcare (comprehensive treatment facility
 and mobile crisis intervention team), Broadband (free wi-fi and fiber optic), Youth
 Activities (athletic leagues and art/textile studio)

Councilmember Reishman asked if that regulations required businesses that received
funds to follow any particular guidelines. Storage replied that it depended. For example,
if the City gave money to a business to do something specific, then they would probably
have to follow some guidelines. Business incentives, grants or premium pay would not
require that.




 May 26, 2021

 Page | 4 of
 4. Presentation of Collected Community Input –

Mayor Goodwin asked the Committee to think about what ideas could be funded
through other sources, and to whittle down the projects that can be funded through the
ARP money in to the 3 buckets that have been identified: Economic Recovery, Healthy
and Safe Communities and Infrastructure/Investing in the Future.

Councilmember Laird asked what the best process would be for citizens who would still
like to submit their ideas. Mayor Goodwin replied that there really wasn’t a preferred
method, whether it be via email, letter or other means. There does need to be
documentation.

Councilmember Ceperley stated that she did not know how much money it would take
to correct the storm water/sewage problems or if it could be corrected piece by piece.
She added that having that information would more inform their decision.
Councilmember Jenkins agreed.

A member of the public asked if there was a timeline for the distribution of the funds into
various projects. Storage added that the rules will not be binding until July 16, 2021.
During that time, the Committee will try to come up with a plan. Mayor Goodwin added
that she wanted to ensure that the money was not misspent, and that the funds be used
to have the greatest impact on as many people as possible in considered investments.
Mayor Goodwin added that it will be essential to partner with the County and State in
order to accomplish some of these projects.

A member of the public asked if there was a strategy on how the internet will be spread
around the City, and if it will be privatized. Mayor Goodwin replied that the State and
County are just beginning to plan, so those conversations will happen. Councilmember
Jenkins added that he wasn’t sure if most areas in Charleston would be eligible for this
based on how the rules are written. Councilmember Robinson added that South Park
Road would probably qualify. Storage added that the infrastructure capacity in the core
areas would also need to be improved in order to reach the underserved areas.

A member of the public added that they would like to be able to schedule a time to be
able to speak to the Committee about a proposal for an aquatic center, and to outline
possibly the greatest return on investment and economic impact for the funds.

A member of the public asked if the members chosen for the Committee were diverse
and inclusive. Mayor Goodwin replied that the community that gave their input was
diverse and inclusive. Councilmember Ceperley added that the Council body will be
making the final decisions.


Councilmember Ceperley motioned to adjourn the meeting. Councilmember Reishman
seconded.
Meeting adjourned.



 May 26, 2021

 Page | 5 of