HomeMy Public PortalAboutResolution No. 549-22 01-24-2022RESOLUTION NO. 549-22
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHLAND
HILLS, TEXAS, TO STATE THE PRIMARY INTENDED USES OF THE
CITY OF RICHLAND HILLS'$ ALLOTMENT OF LOCAL FISCAL
RECOVERY FUNDS THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT;
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Richland Hills is a home rule city acting under its charter
adopted by the electorate pursuant to Article XI, Section 5, of the Texas Constitution and
Chapter 9 of the Local Government Code; and
WHEREAS, on March 11, 2021, the United States Congress passed the American
Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), which provides fiscal relief funds to state and local
governments, and other program areas aimed at mitigating the continuing effects of the
COVID-19 Pandemic; and
WHEREAS, ARPA is intended to provide support to local governments in
responding to the impact of COVID-19 and in their efforts to contain COVID-19 in their
communities, residents and businesses; and
WHEREAS , ARPA includes state and local fiscal recovery funds to support urgent
COVID response efforts to decrease the spread of the virus; to replace lost public
sector revenue to strengthen support for vital public services; to support immediate
economic stabilization for households and businesses; and to address systemic public
health and economic challenges that have contributed to unequal impacts of the pandemic
on certain populations; and
WHEREAS, the United States Department of Treasury has adopted the Interim
Final Rule as guidance regarding the use of ARPA funds; and
WHEREAS, on August 23, 2021, the City of Richland Hills received the first
tranche of funds, which is $985,320 .83; and
WHEREAS, no sooner than twelve months later, the City of Richland Hills expects
to receive the second tranche of funds, which is projected to be $985,320 .80; and
WHEREAS, that as a recipient, the City of Richland Hills accepts the award of
Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds allocation up to the maximum allowed by the
terms and conditions of the ARPA; and
WHEREAS, this Resolution is intended as a statement of intent of the Council to
expend the City's ARPA funds in accordance with federal law and guidance, for the
current critical needs and priorities for which there is consensus as set forth below.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS, THAT:
SECTION 1.
Subject to the provisions of Section 6 below, the City Manager is authoriz ed to
apply for , obtain , or otherwise assure authorization of the receipt or use of ARPA funds
as set forth in th is Resolution.
SECTION 2.
The City Council expresses its intent to expend the first tranche of funds , up to the
amount received of $985,320 .80 , for eligible , immediate needs within the categories
below as set out in the Interim Final Ru le :
A. Support public health expenditures ;
B. Address negative economic impacts caused by the publ ic healt h
emergency ;
C. Replace lost public sector revenue ;
D. Provide premium pay for essent ial workers ; or
E. Invest in water, sewer , and broadband infrastructure .
SECTION 3.
PROVIDE PREMIUM PAY FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS
It is the intent of the City Council that funds from the first tranche of the ARPA be
prioritized and expended to provide premium pay for essential workers at a flat rate of
$2.00 per hour worked between April 1, 2020 and April 1, 2021 . Essential workers will
receive half of the premium pay from the first tranche of ARPA funds and half from the
second tranche.
SECTION 4.
EXPENDITURES FOR WATER & WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE
It is the intent of the City Council that funds from the first tranche of the ARPA be
prioritized and expended for water system improvements including the addition of
auxiliary power for a well and pump at 6700 Rena Drive and 7100 Booth Calloway Road;
the addition of auxiliary power for a well and pump and replacement of the well house at
2920 Spruce Park Drive; the addition of transfer switch gear at 3600 London Lane and
3700 Scruggs Drive; and engineering and design fees.
SECTION 5.
COMPLIANCE WITH THE ARPA
The City will ensure compliance with prevailing federal guidance at the time the
funds are committed for expenditure.
Resolution No. 549-22, Page 2 of 3
SECTION 6.
Nothing in this Resolution shall be construed as taking the place of any action
otherwise required by the City Council to authorize the City Manager to enter into requisite
contracts associated with expenditures outlined above .
SECTION 7.
SEVERABILITY
It is hereby declared to be the intention of the City Council that the phrases ,
clauses, sentences, paragraphs, and sections of this Resolution are severable, and if any
phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph or section shall be declared unconstitutional by the
valid judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, such unconstitutionality
shall not affect any of the remaining phrases, clauses , sentences, paragraphs and
sections of this Resolution, since the same would have been enacted by the City Council
without the incorporation in this Resolution of any such unconstitutional phrase, clause,
sentence, paragraph or section.
SECTION 8.
This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage.
APPROVED:
LOPEZ, MAYOR
Resolution No. 549-22, Page 3 of 3