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118 | options related to cost effectiveness and for looking at the social and equity impacts, not costs: Nancy Shemick, Alameda. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft requested clarification on the strictness of ARPA reporting requirements. The Assistant City Manager stated the reporting requirements are frequent; staff must update the federal government on the use of funds on a quarterly basis; the federal government has stressed the importance of adhering to the eligible project list and ensuring accountability for dollars spent; the funds are meant to be an investment in the community; the City must ensure good care is being taken of the public dollar; the overall intent is for local government to do their very best to be transparent with the community and invest in a way that is consistent with the interim final rule from the United States (US) Department of Treasury. The Finance Director displayed a calendar for reporting dates; stated August 31st is the first due date for an interim report; there are many strict requirements; by October 31st , staff will need to complete a second and third quarter report. Councilmember Knox White expressed support for coming back with concepts; stated that he is supportive of the housing proposal; he is open to considering some form of hybrid which includes business assistance; business assistance does not include grants; the one-time funds are meant for rebuilding the resilience of the business areas; expressed support for permanent draws to business districts in order to strengthen the local economy; stated that he will only consider the matter be placed into revenue loss, if the City has flexibility to use funding on desired projects; expressed concern for back- filling the budget; stated that he appreciates the one-time only costs; the housing proposal is the most impactful; he agrees that the funding is a one-time opportunity and should be used to have ongoing and strong future outcomes; expressed concern about squandering funds. Councilmember Herrera Spencer expressed concern about dedicating funding to purchase the Marina Village Inn; stated that she would like to spread the funding to impact as many people as possible; expressed support for prioritizing internet and Smart City wireless hot spots; stated the digital gap now has an opportunity to be closed; some people cannot access the current meeting being held via Zoom; people without internet access have been left out of society for one and a half years; outlined Exhibit 5 of the staff report; stated the health services recommendation is important; people impacted by COVID need help; expressed support for assistance to households; stated services which cover low-income is a good use of the funding; expressed concern about dedicating four-fifths of the funding towards a project that will impact approximately 50 people versus a program which can help thousands of people. Councilmember Daysog stated that he would have supported some of the funding going towards Jean Sweeney Park; he accepts staff's analysis of the park being ineligible; he supports one of the categories being housing and Marina Village Inn; $20 million of the Regular Meeting Alameda City Council July 20, 2021 15 |