CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
                  CITY COUNCIL AGENDA



  Agenda Date:        November 7, 2022

  Action Required:    Approval of Resolution

  Presenter:          Chris Cullinan, Director of Finance

  Staff Contacts:     Chris Cullinan, Director of Finance
                      Michael Rogers, City Manager
                      Samuel Sanders, Jr., Deputy City Manager
                      Ashley Marshall, Deputy City Manager

  Title:              Appropriating American Rescue Plan (ARP) Funds $565,000 (2nd reading)


Background
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the Act) to
provide additional relief for individuals and businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The
Act includes funding for state, local, and tribal governments as well as education and COVID-19-
related testing, vaccination support, and research.

The City of Charlottesville received a total of $19,609,708 from the US Treasury Department in two
equal tranches in May 2021 and June 2022. These funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024
and spent by December 31, 2026.

There is currently $2,349,565 of unallocated ARP funds. This appropriation would utilize $565,000 of
these unallocated funds.

Discussion
This appropriation includes four requests that are detailed below. These requests are eligible for
ARP funds per the guidance provided by US Treasury.

Request #1: City Hall Ambassadors.
Amount Requested: $50,000,00.
ARP Eligibility: Responding to the public health emergency.
Description: This request would provide sufficient funds to continue for the provision of temporary
staff to guide and service customers in lobby area of City Hall to maintain social distancing and
capacity limits for the remainder of FY’23.

Request #2: Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Program for City facilities.
Amount Requested: $300,000.
ARP Eligibility: Responding to the public health emergency.
Description: Currently, approximately 68 AEDs reside in City-owned properties across the City of
Charlottesville. Over 90% of these AEDs were purchased in 2008, with the rest purchased just a
short time later. The life expectancy of an AED is usually a minimum of eight years, with an average
life expectancy of between 10 to 15 years of service. As the year 2023 approaches, so does the 15th
year of service practically all of the AEDs for the City of Charlottesville.

In addition to the need for new AEDs, the City needs more AEDs. Simply put, some areas of City
premises have only one AED servicing several thousands of square feet. In an emergency, having to
locate an AED in another area of a larger building takes away precious time from rendering aid to the
patient.

In order to promote a safer and healthier work environment, the Office of Risk Management intends
to increase the number of AEDs on City property from 68 to 100 and strategically place mobile
trauma kits in high traffic and highly staffed areas of City properties.

Request #3: City Access Control Badges.
Amount Requested: $15,000.
ARP Eligibility: Responding to the public health emergency.
Description: This request would fund upgrades to the City’s access control badge system. The
upgrade includes new badges and necessary software and hardware updates. The system helps
ensure social distancing between staff and between staff and the public visiting City facilities.

Request #4: Continuation of Emergency Shelter Operations at Premier Circle – City share.
Amount Requested: $200,000.
ARP Eligibility: Responding to negative economic impacts.
Description: Premier Circle Emergency Shelter is a 92-bed, non-congregate emergency shelter
project operated by People and Communities Engaged in Ministry (PACEM) in partnership with Blue
Ridge Area Coalition for the Homeless (formerly TJACH), Piedmont Housing Alliance (PHA), and
Charlottesville Area Community Fund (CACF), and located at 405 Premier Circle in Albemarle
County.

There are currently 84 individuals residing in the emergency shelter all with health complications that
place them at increased risk of COVID 19.

A total of $500,000 is being requested to fund critical emergency shelter operations for January 2023
to April 2023. The City’s share is $200,000. A request of $200,000 is being made to Albemarle
County along with a $100,000 request to UVA Health.

Alignment with City Council's Vision and Strategic Plan
This resolution contributes to Goal 1 of the Strategic Plan, to be an inclusive community of self-
sufficient residents; Goal 2 to be a healthy and safe City; and Goal 5 to be a well-managed and
responsive organization.

Community Engagement
None.

Budgetary Impact
This request totals $565,000. If Council approves this appropriation, the remaining balance of
unallocated ARP funds will be $1,784,565.

Recommendation
Staff recommends approval of the resolution.

Suggested Motion: “I move the RESOLUTION appropriating the amount of $565,000 of American
Rescue Plan funds for eligible local activities.”

Alternatives
Council may elect not to appropriate funding for these purposes at this time or may elect other ARP
eligible program expenditures.

Attachments
1.   10.17.22 Resolution ARP Funds