STAFF REPORT

Date: March 8, 2023

To: Mayor and City Council

Thru: Doug Thornley, City Manager

Subject: Staff Report (For Possible Action): Presentation, discussion, and potential
direction to staff regarding the allocation of the remaining $28,150,044.97 in
State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds received through the American
Rescue Plan Act on May 19, 2021, including possible allocation to specific
projects identified through the public, Council, and staff engagement process
or general spending categories identified by Council as a priority for fund
allocation by December 31, 2024.

From: JW Hodge, Assistant City Manager

Department: City Manager's Office

Summary:
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021
establishing the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF). The City of Reno
received $51,519,997 from the SLFRF and began allocating funds to critical projects on August
25, 2021, following initial acceptance of the funds.

Since acceptance, Council adopted seven priority categories based on community input, Council
direction, Treasury requirements, and the City of Reno master and strategic plans. Approved
projects under these categories amount to $23,369,952.03 to this point. The remaining balance
of $28,150,044.97 must be fully allocated to projects by December 31, 2024 and completely
spent by December 31, 2026.

Staff is seeking direction to allocate the remaining SLFRF to five current projects that require
additional funding and 19 new projects identified by Council, community input, and current City
needs. If approved, this plan will account for the full $51,519,997 of SLFRF and support all
seven identified priorities established by Council (Table 1).
Table 1: Proposed City of Reno SLFRF Summary
Priority Approved Project Proposed Proposed %
Category Projects Overages Projects Allocation Allocation
Access to
$3,000,000 $0 $2,000,000 $5,000,000 10%
Healthcare
Affordable
$7,500,000 $0.00 $1,350,000 $8,850,000 17%
Housing
Community
$1,490,000 $0.00 $4,055,800 $5,545,800 11%
Programs
Parks and
$1,414,952.03 $137,935.32 $9,022,309.65 $10,575,197 21%
Recreation
Pandemic
$2,965,000 $1,340,000 $10,244,000 $14,549,000 28%
Response
Public Safety $6,000,000 $0 $0 $6,000,000 12%
Senior Resources $1,000,000 0 $0 $1,000,000 2%
Total $23,369,952.03 $1,477,935.32 $26,672,109.65 $51,519,997 100%

Staff recommends Council provide direction on additional allocations to approved projects and
additional new projects under the previously identified categories.

Alignment with Strategic Plan:

Fiscal Sustainability
Economic Opportunity, Homelessness, and Affordable Housing
Economic and Community Development
Infrastructure, Climate Change, and Environmental Sustainability
Arts, Parks, and Historical Resources

Previous Council Action:

February 8, 2023 – Council directed staff to seek additional engagement on senior support
projects ($1,000,000) and return to Council for allocation.

October 26, 2022 – Council approved one public safety project: Improved Public Safety through
Enhanced Technological Infrastructure ($6,000,000).

June 8, 2022 – Council approved three community projects: Biggest Little Business Partnership
($65,000) (At Large); Community Relief with 2nd Baptist Church Community Development
Corporation ($25,000) (Ward 3); and Reno Brewery District Coalition Revitalization ($6,5000)
(Ward 5).
June 1, 2022 – Council approved one community project: Increased Access to Micromobility
with Reno Bike Project ($5,000.00) (Ward 5).

May 25, 2022 – Council approved one community project: Somersett Dog Park ADA Benches
($10,000) (Ward 5).

March 9, 2022 – Council approved two affordable housing projects and five parks & recreation
projects: Scott Manor ($3,000,000); Bonanza Inn ($6,000,000); Dorothy McAlinden/Mayor's
Park ($1,115,000); Idlewild Park Pond Bottom Restoration ($500,000); Idlewild Park Pond
Walls Restoration ($500,000); California Building HVAC Installation ($800,000); and Truckee
Meadows Parks Foundation (TMPF) Trails Coordinator ($50,000).

February 23, 2022 – Council approved four community projects: Landscape Revitalization in
Public Spaces ($30,000) (Ward 4); Senior Communications & Outreach ($10,000) (Ward 4);
Spanish Communications, Community Engagement, and Events ($30,000) (Ward 4); and
Downtown Reno Business Improvement District ($49,184.67) (Ward 5).

February 22, 2022 – Council approved two affordable housing projects: Sage Street 2.0
($2,500,000.00); and Hi-way 40 Rehabilitation ($2,000,000).

January 26, 2022 – Council allocated $24,499,998.50 to seven priority categories and approved
two pandemic response projects and one community project: Wastewater Surveillance of
COVID-19 ($504,258.66); Remote Work Equipment ($200,000); and Oxbow Park ($70,000)
(Ward 1).

August 25, 2021 – Council accepted the SLFRF allocated through ARPA, directed staff to begin
a public engagement process to identify potential uses of remaining funds to support pandemic
response and relief, and allocated $1,260,000 to urgent projects: City COVID-19 Coordinator
($90,000); Hybrid Meeting Technology ($200,000); Retention and Recruitment for Volunteers of
America Shelter Operations ($480,000); and Ward Specific Allocation to Councilmembers
($490,000).

Background:
Council approved seven general spending priorities on August 21, 2021. These priorities were
identified following a significant amount of community engagement including in-person as well
as online engagement through surveys and potential project submissions (Table 2).
Table 2: Public Engagement Activities
Engagement Activity Metric
Public feedback events 11 in-person events
Community stakeholder meetings 8 in-person meetings
Neighborhood Advisory Boards 5 in-person meetings
Regional Partner Collaboration (other SLFRF recipient coordination) 4 meetings
City of Reno department specific meetings 14 meetings
Public Survey – Nevada Recovers portal 70 day interval
City of Reno project proposal portal 68 day interval

The final priorities (Table 3) were selected by council based on the feedback received from the
community and alignment with federal guidelines and Council plans.

Table 3: Priority Alignments

Treasury Strategic Supports Underserved
Priorities Master Plan
Eligible Plan Recovery Community
Access to
Yes Goal C 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 Yes Yes
Healthcare
Affordable 6.4A, 6.4B, 6.4E,
Yes Goal C Yes Yes
Housing 6.4F
Community 2.5D, 3.2D, 4.3C,
Yes Goal F Yes Yes
Programs 6.3, 7.6, 7.7
Parks and
Yes Goal B 1.3D, 3.2A, 6.1 Yes Yes
Recreation
Pandemic 4.2B, 4.2D, 4.2E,
Yes Goal D Yes Yes
Response 6.3
Public Safety Yes Goal B Pandemic Response Yes Yes
Senior Resources Yes Goal D 1.2C, 1.4, 1.5 Yes Yes

Since the acceptance of the SLFRF, Council approved $23,369,952.03 of the $51,519,997.00
awarded to the City of Reno to projects and programs (Table 4). Twenty three projects and their
progress are outlined in the annual Recovery Plan Performance Report (Attachment A). An
additional project was added on October 26, 2022 to support improved public safety technology
and is included in the Quarterly Project & Expenditure Report (Attachment B).
Table 4: Summary of Approved Projects
Project Amount
Access to Healthcare
Project(s) TBD $3,000,000
Affordable Housing
Hi-way 40 $2,000,000
Scott Manor I (12 units) $3,000,000
Sage Street 2.0 (96 units) $2,500,000
Community Programs
Ward Specific Allocation to Councilmembers $490,000
Community Grant Program $1,000,000
Pandemic Response
Wastewater Surveillance $504,258.66
Retention & Recruitment for VOA Staff $480,000
City COVID Coordinator $59,626.13
Hybrid Meeting Technology $171,067.24
Remote Work Technology $200,000
Parks & Recreation
TMPF Trails Coordinator $50,000
Dorothy McAlinden/Mayor's Park $1,115,000
California Building HVAC $800,000
Idlewild Park - Pond Bottoms $500,000
Idlewild Park - Pond Walls $500,000
Public Safety
Axon $5,632,620
CopLink $172,380
Fusus $195,000
Senior Support
Project(s) TBD $1,000,000
Discussion:
The remaining balance of SLFRF, $28,150,044.97, requires Council allocation to priorities or
programs that meet the intent of the American Rescue Plan Act and adhere to the established
timelines set by the Treasury Department. Allocations should follow the same guidelines
established and adopted by Council on August 21, 2021 and must be fully allocated to specific
projects by December 31, 2024. Funds from projects not expended prior to December 31, 2024
can be reallocated to different projects as directed by Council as long as they are fully allocated
by the December 31, 2024 deadline. Staff will be monitoring the progress of each project and
will bring forward reallocation plans if necessary.

Two categories of proposed allocations are outlined below for Council consideration. Five
previously approved projects require additional fund allocation to complete the initial work
based on rising equipment, materials, and construction costs totaling $1,477,935.32 (Table 5).

Table 5: Projects With Additional Allocations

Additional
Project Approved Total
Allocation
Pandemic Response
Remote Work Technology $200,000 $137,935.32 $337,935.32
Parks and Recreation
Dorothy McAlinden/Mayor's Park $1,115,000 $500,000 $1,615,000
California Building HVAC $800,000 $240,000 $1,040,000
Idlewild Park - Pond Bottoms $500,000 $300,000 $800,000
Idlewild Park - Pond Walls $500,000 $300,000 $800,000

In addition, multiple new projects are being proposed based on ongoing Council, community,
and staff feedback (Table 6). These projects have been identified based on community need and
are aligned with the Council established priorities; they also meet all of the previously defined
criteria.
Table 6: Proposed Projects
Project Proposed
Access to Healthcare*
Expansion of Neil Road Facility $5,000,000
Affordable Housing
Additional Operating Costs - Sage Street 1.0 & Sage Street 2.0 $1,000,000
Hi-way 40 Gap Funding $350,000
Community Programs
Tenant Improvement/Lease Support for Restaurants and Small Businesses $500,000
City Hall ADA Accessibility Improvements and Deaf/Hearing
$510,800
Communication Devices
Downtown Waste Disposal & Recycling Program for Hazardous &
$350,000
E-Recycling
Virginia Street Placemaking & Downtown Façade Improvement Program $2,550,000
Clean & Safe/Rise/DRP Vehicles $145,000
Pandemic Response
Security Upgrades: City Infrastructure $2,000,000
Revenue Replacement $5,212,312.11
Reno Fire Department Conex Boxes for PPE $20,000
FEMA COVID 19 Reimbursement $1,789,997.54
Parks & Recreation
Parks Planner $444,000
Flat Field Support $2,000,000
Idlewild Pool - Deck Replacement $1,000,000
Lear Theater - Landscaping/Fence Upgrades $1,000,000
Virginia Range Horses Fencing $500,000
River Path Plan and Improvements $3,000,000
Reno Tennis Center Upgrades/Court Repair $2,300,000
*Access to healthcare previously allocated $3,000,000 in the priority category. Seeking
additional $2,000,000 to fund the identified project.

This list covers six of the identified priorities and includes projects to address critical
infrastructure needs, make improvements to parks and recreation facilities, secure and maintain
affordable housing, expand city owned facilities, and address accessibility needs at City Hall. A
brief summary of each identified project is provided below.
Project Summaries by Priority Category
Access to Healthcare:
• Neil Road Building Remodel and Expansion: Expansion of 3915 Neil Rd, Reno, NV
89502. This building is City of Reno property that is currently being leased to community
partners that provides critical healthcare services to a traditionally underserved
community. The current revenue brought in through this building is $36,060/year which
will be increased based on the price per square foot to include space added through the
expansion project.

Affordable Housing:
• Sage Street 1.0 and 2.0: Operating costs for the Village at Sage Street. These one-time
funds will allow the village to continue to operate during the expansion of 2.0 when 96
additional units will be added, creating a better economy of scale.
• Hi-way 40 (now East Fourth Street Village): There is a $450,000 gap between the
purchase price and the SLFRF dollars allocated from the City of Reno. Volunteers of
America has privately raised $100,000 and this allocation would fill the remaining gap.
The project also received ARPA dollars from the Home Means Nevada Initiative for
rehabilitation of the units.

Community Programs:
• Tenant Improvement/Lease Support Program for Restaurants and Small Businesses:
Revitalization management through tenant improvement assistance for current
businesses, and lease support assistance for new restaurants and small businesses,
throughout the city.
• City Hall ADA Accessibility Improvements and Deaf/Hearing Communication Devices:
Upgrades to accessible route outside of City Hall from the City Hall parking garage to the
front entrance of City Hall and the purchase of 3 UbiDuo 3 Wireless devices for state of
the art communication via a split screen interface.
• Downtown Waste Disposal & Recycling Program for Hazardous & E-Recycling:
Additional waste disposal in downtown Reno and the addition of hazardous & e-
recycling waste to community cleanups in all wards.
• Virginia Street Placemaking & Downtown Façade Improvement Program:
Implementation funding for recommendations that result from the Gehl concept and
design recommendations and a downtown façade improvement match program to assist
in restoring, substantially beautifying, and/or enhancing the entire façade of a commercial
building.
• Clean & Safe/Rise/DRP Vehicles: Vehicles are needed to provide transport for outreach
efforts done in partnership with the City of Reno Clean & Safe team, the Reno Initiative
for Shelter & Equality (RISE) team, and the Downtown Reno Partnership (DRP) team.
Pandemic Response:
• Security Upgrades for City Infrastructure: Additional cameras, alarm systems, and
improved technology throughout Reno to protect our citizens and City of Reno
infrastructure.
• Revenue Replacement: City of Reno dollars to replace lost public sector revenue due to
the pandemic.
• Reno Fire Department Conex Boxes for PPE: Conex storage boxes for the Reno Fire
Department to store pandemic personal protection equipment (PPE) used for COVID-19
and future emergency needs.
• FEMA COVID-19 Reimbursement: After all FEMA reimbursements, this is the City of
Reno's final cost share portion for the joint incident command and coordinated response
for COVID-19.

Parks and Recreation:

• Parks Planner: A grant funded, short term position to execute SLFRF-funded parks
projects to ensure compliance and completion within SLFRF timelines.
• Flat Field Support: Planning and execution of flat fields throughout Reno to increase
open space and sporting events.
• Idlewild Pool Deck Replacement: Replacement of deck for City of Reno outdoor pool
located at Idlewild Park.
• Lear Theater Landscaping/Fence Upgrades: Outdoor upgrades including landscaping and
fencing on historic Reno property.
• Virginia Range Horses Fencing: Barrier fencing in South Reno to protect wild horses and
urban property.
• River Path Plan and Improvements: Cohesive plan for the Truckee River and
implementation funding for improvements.
• Reno Tennis Center Upgrades/Court Repair: Repairs on Reno Tennis Center courts and
design of a canopy for the front gathering area and center walkway.

Project Requirements
As established with previously approved projects, all activity will follow the United States
Treasury Final Rule, Code of Federal Regulations, and City of Reno procedures. Projects will be
required to provide quarterly reports and make progress on their project prior to, and between,
each quarterly report. Projects will be terminated if any rules, regulations, or procedures are not
followed, including failure to make progress and/or failure to provide reports within the
identified dates.

Financial Implications:
Future funding of projects using these funds will follow standard City purchasing and
contracting policies and procedures.

Legal Implications:
Funds will be allocated and spent in compliance with the American Rescue Plan Act,
Department of Treasury Final Rule, and City purchasing policies and procedures.

Recommendation:
Staff recommends Council approve additional allocations to projects and new projects under the
seven identified priorities.

Proposed Motion:
I move to approve staff recommendation.

Attachments:
Attachment A: 2022 Recovery Plan Performance Report
Attachment B: December 2022 Quarterly Project & Expenditure Report