FINANCE COMMITTEE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

A Public Hearing on the following proposed Resolution will be held before the Finance Committee on Monday, November 1, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 869 Park Avenue, City Hall, Cranston, R.I. pursuant to Section 3.12 of the Charter, in accordance with the RI General Laws Chapter 45-24-53 for the purpose of considering the following items listed on the agenda.  Remote participation is also available by using the logon information provided below as posted on the City’s website at www.cranstonri.gov and Secretary of State’s website at www.sos.ri.gov.

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 Complete copies of proposed Resolution is available for public review at the City Clerk’s Office, and the Cranston Central Library and the City’s website cranstonri.com under calendar by clicking on the meeting date.

“Individuals requesting interpreter services for the dear or hard of hearing must notify the City Clerk’s Office at 461-1000 ext. 3197 seventy-two (72) hours in advance of the hearing date.” 

Christopher G. Paplauskas, Acting Chair
Finance Committee

Rosalba Zanni
Acting City Clerk

PROPOSED RESOLUTION “AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS – PRIORITIZING USE AND PUBLIC INPUT”

WHEREAS, not unlike our Nation, the citizens and businesses of Cranston experienced unprecedented hardships and adverse consequences resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, including loss of income as well as limited and altered access to municipal services and spaces that support everyday life in our community; and

WHEREAS, the needs of our citizenry for its government to provide additional structure and support in the areas of health and social services, child care, mental health, senior care, as well as in the areas of education and business has intensified as a result of the pandemic; and

WHEREAS, on March 11, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., signed the American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) into law - a $1.9 Trillion-dollar appropriation aimed at accelerating the national recovery from the effects of the pandemic by

1. Supporting urgent COVID-19 response efforts to continue to decrease the spread of the virus and bring the pandemic under control,
2. Replacing lost revenue for eligible state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments to strengthen support for vital public services and help retain jobs,
3. Supporting immediate economic stabilization for households and businesses,
4. Addressing systemic public health and economic challenges that have contributed to the unequal impact of the pandemic; and

WHEREAS, $350 Billion-dollars of APRA funds are allocated to “Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds”, of which Cranston will receive $42.6 million dollars to

1. Support public health expenditures, by, for example, funding COVID-19 mitigation efforts, medical expenses, behavioral healthcare, and certain public health and safety staff.
2. Address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency, including economic harm to workers, households, small businesses, impacted industries, and the public sector.
3. Replace lost public sector revenue, using this funding to provide government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue experienced due to the pandemic.
4. Provide premium pay for essential workers, offering additional support to those who have and will bear the greatest health risks because of their service in critical infrastructure sectors.
5. Invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure, making necessary investments to improve access to clean drinking water, support vital wastewater and storm water infrastructure, and to expand access to broadband internet; and

WHEREAS, the City Council is desirous of meaningful input from its citizens, business leaders, and governmental stakeholders as to highest and best use of its APRA allocation; and   

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the Honorable Cranston City Council:

1. Shall invite its citizens, business leaders and governmental stakeholders to special meeting workshops of the City Council to engage in meaningful dialogue framed by the authorized uses of Cranston’s APRA allocations and for the purpose of soliciting their input on suggested uses of the APRA funds; and
2. At the conclusion of the workshops, the City Council shall compose a report of its findings in order to inform the Council as it approves the prioritization of the highest and best use of Cranston’s APRA allocation.

Sponsored by Council Vice-President Ferri, Councilman Donegan and Councilwoman Marino