The Las Cruces City Council will meet via video conference at 1 p.m. Monday, July 12, 2021, for a Work Session.
One item is on the agenda for Monday’s Work Session. City staff will present more in-depth information to City Council about proposed City projects or programs that could utilize American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The staff presentation and Council discussion is a follow-up to a June 14 Work Session where there were extensive discussions and questions from City Council about ARPA funds.
At the June Work Session, City Council sorted through numerous options that ARPA funds could be used for. The Council provided guidance to City staff about the proposed funding to be allocated for various uses and asked for more clarification about specific funding proposals.
On May 19, 2021, the City received a $12,379,913 direct allocation from the U.S. Treasury Department, through ARPA, for the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. A second tranche of ARPA funds, also for $12,379,913, will be provided to the City in May 2022.
ARPA funds can be used by the City to help address economic fallout and lay the foundation for a strong and equitable recovery. The ARPA allocations provide a substantial infusion of one-time financial resources to help the City turn the tide on the pandemic.
The funding is intended to be used for the following objectives, as defined in the Act:
- To support urgent COVID-19 response efforts to continue decreasing the spread of the virus and bring the pandemic under control.
- Replace lost public sector revenue to strengthen support for vital public services and help retain jobs.
- Support immediate economic stabilization for households and businesses.
- Address systemic public health and economic challenges that have been impacted because of the pandemic.
The agenda for Monday’s City Council Work Session is available online at: https://lascruces.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=239.
Monday’s Work Session will be televised live on CLC-TV, Comcast Cable channel 20. The Work Session will also be available online at clctv.com and at YouTube.com/clctv20.
Prior to the Work Session, City Council will conduct a Closed Meeting at 11 a.m. Monday through video conference. The Council will discuss pending litigation during the closed meeting.
Immediately after the Work Session, a brief Agenda Setting Meeting will be conducted between Mayor Ken Miyagishima and City Clerk Christine Rivera to determine the agenda for City Council’s July 19, 2021 regular meeting. The Agenda Setting Meeting will only be available online at YouTube.com/clctv20.