Report Prepared by: Laura Ivancich, Management Analyst, Engineering Department
Title
SUBJECT: Authorization to Accept and Appropriate $1,500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds from Merced County for Community Park 42 North - Project CP250062
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers authorizing to accept and appropriate $1,500,000 in ARPA funding from Merced County for the annexation, environmental review, design, and any other related costs for the northside of Community Park 42.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Accepting American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from Merced County in the amount of $1,500,000; and,
B. Approving a budget amendment to increase revenue in Fund 5000 by $1,500,000 and appropriating the same to Fund 5000 (Project No. CP250062); and,
C. Approving the use of pooled cash until reimbursement is received from Merced County; and,
D. Authorizing the City Manager to execute the necessary documents; and,
E. Authorizing the Finance Director to make the necessary budget adjustments.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by Staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to conditions other than recommended by Staff (identify specific findings and/or conditions amended to be addressed in the motion); or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items (specific items to be addressed in the motion); or,
5. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in the motion).
AUTHORITY
Merced City Charter, Section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
City Council Goals and Priorities - Merced Unity Project, As Provided in the 2024-25 adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
On June 7, 2022, Merced County Board of Supervisors allocated $1,500,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to Community Park 42 (CP-42), for the annexation, environmental review, design, entitlements, which could include property acquisition, and any other related costs for the northside of Community Park 42.
To collaborate on the development of CP-42 and the operation of the Sports Complex, a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Merced, Merced County, Merced Office of Education (MCOE), and the Merced Union High School District (MUHSD) was drafted. As part of the MOU, these parties are memorializing their commitment to form a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) in the future to oversee operations of the Sports Complex.
The MOU was approved by the Merced County Board of Supervisors on October 17, 2023, and then approved by the Merced City Council on November 6, 2023.
Staff has recently learned that the appropriation of the County ARPA funding did not occur at the November 6, 2023, meeting when the MOU was approved. Staff is continuing to move forward with the annexation and design of the northern part of CP-42 and is seeking Council approval to appropriate the $1,500,000 ARPA funding into Project CP250062 (Community Park 42 North).
The City of Merced is to invoice Merced County for reimbursement of the ARPA funding, per the terms of the executed MOU.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
Staff is requesting increasing revenue in Fund 5000-Parks and Community Service CIP by $1,500,000 and appropriate the same to CP250062, and allowing the use of pooled cash until reimbursement is received from Merced County.
This budget amendment will require an affirmative vote of five council members to pass.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Executed Memorandum of Understanding
2. Location Map