Title
Resolution to Amend the Fiscal Year 2022 Approved Budget to Accept the Local Allocation of Funds Received from the Commonwealth of Virginia through the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) Program and to Appropriate Those Funds to the Grants Fund
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
The City of Hampton (the "City") has been awarded $399,341.67 from the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (“SLFRF”) through the American Recovery Plan Act (“ARPA”) for the COVID-19 ARPA SLFRF Municipal Utility Assistance Program through the Commonwealth of Virginia. The award requires that the funds be used to directly assist the City's residential wastewater customers with arrearages greater than 60 days for the time period between March 12, 2020, and August 31, 2021. The City's Public Works - Wastewater Division, through Newport News Waterworks ("NNWW"), have obligated the SLFRF funds as provided under federal law applicable to the Program . NNWW has applied the funds in the same manner as they applied the funds for the City of Newport News customers. SLFRF funds will be paid to NNWW on a reimbursement basis once invoiced.
Discussion:
See PURPOSE/BACKGROUND.
Impact:
COVID-19 ARPA SLFRF Municipal Utility Assistance Program funds received by the City will assist in mitigating the impact that COVID-19 has had on the City and its citizens.
Recommendation:
Rec
Approve the Resolution.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Hampton (the “City”) has been awarded $399,341.67 from the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (“SLFRF”) through the American Recovery Plan Act (“ARPA”) for the COVID-19 ARPA SLFRF Municipal Utility Assistance Program (the “Program”) through the Commonwealth of Virginia;
WHEREAS, the award requires that the funds be used to directly assist residential customers of the City for municipal wastewater delinquent accounts with arrearages greater than 60 days for the time period between March 12, 2020, and August 31, 2021;
WHEREAS, the Program start date was October 29, 2021, and the end date was February 28, 2022;
WHEREAS, prior to February 28, 2022, the City's Public Works - Wastewater Division, through Newport News Waterworks ("NNWW"), have obligated the SLFRF funds as provided under federal law applicable to the Program and will only cover those costs that:
a. Are necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency due to COVID-19; or otherwise adhere to official federal guidance issued or that will be issued regarding what constitutes an eligible expenditure; and
b. Fulfill the purpose as appropriated by the General Assembly in Paragraphs B.1 and B.2 of Item 479.20, Chapter 1, 2021 Acts of Assembly, Special Session II;. SLFRF funds will be paid to NNWW on a reimbursement basis once invoiced.
WHEREAS, upon receipt of an invoice from NNWW, the City will pay to NNWW the funds so obligated; and
WHEREAS, any funds not obligated and disbursed must be returned to the Commonwealth of Virginia by March 31, 2022.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia that it hereby accepts $399,341.67 in SLFRF funds, amends the Fiscal Year 2022 Council Approved Budget to include those funds, and appropriates those funds and any related supplemental funding provided by the Commonwealth of Virginia associated with this Program to the City’s Grants Fund; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council authorizes the City Manager, or her designee, to execute any necessary agreements and to take any and all actions necessary to carry out the purposes of this Resolution, subject to approval by the City Attorney.