M E M O R A N D U M 09-101
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: WALT WREDE, CITY MANAGER
DATE: AUGUST 4, 2009
SUBJECT: STIMULUS MONEY
At the June 22nd I mentioned that the City was going to receive $163,000 in stimulus funding that was intended to be general relief for municipalities to compensate for lost tax revenues. The money is being funneled through the State Department of Community and Economic Development. The program will take the form of a reimbursable grant. The grant applicable forms will arrive in mid-August. The money can be used for almost anything but it must target job retention or job creation. So in other words, the City could use it for general operations in order to avert anticipated layoffs. It could also use it for capital projects or other programs that create jobs. Capital projects should be as close to “shovel ready” as possible so that we can put people to work fast. Placing money into a depreciation account, other reserve fund, or “rainy day account” to hedge against future revenue declines would probably not be approved. Money for planning and design would also probably be difficult. After the last meeting, Council member Wythe asked me to come up with a list of possible projects from the existing CIP List or any other ideas that we might have regarding how to use the money. Here is a first stab at it for discussion purposes. These are all projects that I think meet the criteria and get jobs on the street quick. Council would likely not have to make a final decision until September.
Skyline Fire Station: Convert old water treatment plant to fire station.
Karen Hornaday Park Improvements: Implement First Phase of Adopted Master Plan, Parking and Drainage Improvements.
Town Center Infrastructure: Phase One, Trail Construction.
Fish Dock Road Restroom: Complete financing and construct
Jack Gist Park Improvements / Phase I: Parking Improvements, maintenance equipment storage building, concession stand.
Beluga Trail Reconstruction: Reconstruct Trail
Ben Walters Park Improvements / Phase II: Improve and Expand Parking Area, Improve Picnic Shelter.
Fishing Lagoon Improvements: Dredging basin and entrance, erosion control
Implementation: Place funds in the Sustainability Fund to be used for implementation of the recommendations contained in the Deerstone Report, primarily retrofitting and making city buildings more energy efficient.
Job Retention: Appropriate funds specifically for labor costs in next years budget to avert layoffs and prevent reductions in basic core city services.
Digester Project: Allocate the funds to cover a portion of the City’s local match if this project is ultimately approved.