SPRINGFIELD — There is ample time and opportunity to decide on the use of $123.7 million in federal COVID-19 recovery funds, the city’s finance chief said this week.
Chief administrative and financial officer Timothy J. Plante discussed the issue at Monday’s City Council meeting after some councilors said they felt left out of the process.
“So far, I have to be honest, it hasn’t been a good start,” Ward 8 Councilor Orlando Ramos said. “Right now, it doesn’t seem to be a very inclusive process.”
Councilor at Large Kateri Walsh agreed.
“The City Council should have a greater role or we should at least have our initiatives or our concerns considered for this funding and the allocation,” she said.
Other councilors disagreed, saying that administration officials under Mayor Domenic J. Sarno have been providing updates to councilors in subcommittee meetings.
Some councilors have been upset since learning in early August that Sarno approved the use of $2.7 million in relief funds to purchase three downtown office buildings. Other councilors praised the purchase, which is aimed at steering the future use of key buildings near MGM Springfield. The buildings are at 113-115 State St., 1139-1155 Main St. and 11-21 Stockbridge St.
Plante told councilors there have been only a few decisions have been made about spending money from the American Recovery Plan Act, and that input from councilors and the public is encouraged, including during an ongoing city listening tour involving the mayor and other top city officials.
Recommendations should be forwarded to Plante and to city attorney Thomas Moore, who is director of the newly created Department of Recovery and Business Continuity, Plante said.
City councilors have also scheduled virtual community meetings to get feedback from residents on spending priorities. The meetings, scheduled by Councilors Tracye Whitfield and Justin Hurst, are scheduled Sept. 22 and Oct. 6 at 6 p.m.
Whitfield, chairwoman of the Finance Committee, said there have been multiple meetings to discuss the federal funds. Moore has made it clear that he wants councilors involved in the process, she said.
Plante said the downtown buildings had gone through a foreclosure auction process, creating an urgency for the city to act.
Other uses of the American Recovery Plan funds already in motion include giving bonuses to hundreds of city employees who were deemed to have acted above and beyond their normal duties in providing essential services during the pandemic, Plante said.
All of the city’s American Rescue Plan money must be committed for uses by 2024, and must be spent by 2026, Plante said.
The administration is hearing many ideas and strategies for use of the funds and expects that to continue in upcoming meetings, Plante said.
Common themes include job creation and retention, workforce development, neighborhood beautification, sidewalks, neighborhood vibrancy efforts, rental assistance, mortgage assistance, and making the city more walkable, Plante said.
There will be a first round of requests for proposals in October, Plante said. The city will strive to work with bidders and help with revisions when possible, he said.
Sarno has created seven categories for using the funds: job creation/economic development, capital projects, and assistance for businesses, nonprofits, seniors, neighborhoods and housing.
