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Use of ARPA Dollars for Build C3
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Summary and Background Information:
The attached presentation proposes allocating the remaining $7.4 million of the City’s ARPA funds to promote a better quality of life for residents through the creation of a Build C3 Program. The purpose of Build C3 will be to concurrently implement several programs to aid residents experiencing difficult times, with the goal of improving quality of life through a focus on restorative justice. If approved by City Council, investments will focus on housing, the environment, food access, infrastructure, transit, jobs, and community wellbeing. In total, the plan leverages $7.4 million in ARPA funds to provide inclusive, meaningful support across the areas of greatest need while coordinating closely with community partners. Program focused areas are summarized below.
Housing Investments ($2.3 million)
Funds will assist residents with repairs for code/safety issues, weatherization, accessibility, lead/asbestos remediation, and general livability upgrades. This allows people, especially lower income households, to stay safely in their homes. The City will also support construction of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) for intergenerational living and rental income generation. Additional investments will provide downpayment assistance and expand partnerships with non-profits like Habitat for Humanity to increase affordable housing supply.
Environmental Quality Investments ($500k)
Funds will purchase air quality monitoring equipment and filters/upgrades for homes to track and improve public health conditions. There is additional funding to construct community gardens across the city’s food deserts. Gardens facilitate access, education, and community building around healthy, sustainable food.
Food Equity Investments ($300k)
The plan allocates grant funding for local non-profits running food access and education programs. This includes nutrition workshops, grocery deliveries for marginalized groups, food skill building for youth, and pop-up markets providing healthy and culturally appropriate foods in undeserved neighborhoods.
Infrastructure Investments ($2.4 million total)
On top of $500k for sidewalk expansions, ADA compliance, broadband access, and Safe Routes to School planning, the City plans to leverage ARPA dollars to take on a $1.9 million Section 108 loan. This major boost in infrastructure capital can rebuild crumbling pedestrian/cycling infrastructure to spur large scale mobility, safety, environmental, and quality of life improvements.
Micro-transit Pilot Program ($500k)
The program would begin a three-year pilot program with a non-profit provider to increase transit access in underserved areas through flexible routing shared transport. This will connect vulnerable residents across food and job centers at low cost.
Workforce Development Initiatives ($500k)
Funds will establish apprenticeship programs, upskilling partnerships with community colleges, a small business incubator track focused on residents from marginalized racial/economic groups, and other inventive collaborations with private partners to build an equitable workforce pipeline. This strengthens economic mobility for disadvantaged groups.
Community Wellbeing Investments ($1.5 million)
Planned restructuring and new staff positions will allow the City’s Community Wellbeing division to coordinate integrated support across housing access, employment pathways, youth education, food/nutrition assistance, financial literacy, and crisis counseling. There will be increased capacity around mental health, disability inclusion, restorative justice, and relationship building across community partners like schools and non-profits.
Emergency Financial Assistance ($1 million)
Expanding existing rental/mortgage support programs by simplifying applications allows quick deployment of funds to those facing housing insecurity. The city also gains flexibility to pivot assistance based on emerging crises and hardship trends.
Staff Responsible (Department Head): Jim Tolbert, Assistant City Manager
Staff Member Presenting: Jim Tolbert, Assistant City Manager
Financial Impact: Allocation and expense of ARPA dollars
Funding Source: ARPA
Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends moving forward with utilizing ARPA dollars to fund the creation of the Build C3 Program
Suggested Motion: N/A