City Council Work Session Municipal Court and Council Chambers 14455 W. Van Buren St., Suite B101 Goodyear, AZ 85338 |
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CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Lord called the Work Session to order at 5:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
- Present:
- Mayor Georgia Lord; Vice Mayor Brannon Hampton; Councilmember Joe Pizzillo; Councilmember Sheri Lauritano; Councilmember Wally Campbell; Councilmember Bill Stipp; Councilmember Laura Kaino
- Staff Present:
- City Manager Julie Karins; City Attorney Roric Massey; City Clerk Darcie McCracken
| AGENDA ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION |
1.
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT DISCUSSION
City Manager Julie Karins spoke about the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 that was signed into law on March 11, 2021. Ms. Karins explained that it was a $1.9 trillion Stimulus Plan where Arizona was set to receive $4.8 billion in discretionary aid and at least $12.3 billion in total funding across the state.
Ms. Karins stated that the City of Goodyear would be allocated $10.35 million over the next two fiscal years. She went on to review the allowable uses such as offsetting the economic impact of the pandemic, premium payments for essential workers and certain infrastructure projects. All funds had to be used by December 31, 2024.
Ms. Karins provided a brief overview of the proposed activities that included resident support, small business assistance, stormwater projects, COVID-19 expenses, a specialty court pilot program and an employee COVID-19 leave bank.
Assistant to the City Manager Jenna Goad explained that providing support to the residents was one of the City’s primary goals. Ms. Goad reviewed the proposed recommendations beginning with establishing a community navigator program that would help residents access city and other resident support programs. The second proposal included emergency resident assistance split into two distinct programs that would be reevaluated after six months. The third proposal included earmarking $3.9 million for future community needs.
Council asked if residents could apply for funding from Goodyear if they received money from other programs such as a county program and it was not enough to meet their needs. Ms. Goad responded that Goodyear could not duplicate benefits, but they could provide additional funding that would help with the residents' needs.
A discussion followed regarding the unemployment rate and how many people and families were anticipated to be served with this proposal.
The presentation continued with Economic Development Project Manager Darah Mann discussing the two Small Business Assistance proposals. Ms. Mann explained that Goodyear businesses received approximately $122 million from COVID-19 Relief Programs and $1.07 million from the Maricopa County Relief Grant.
Ms. Mann reviewed the needs assessment that was conducted by the Economic Development Department and relayed the details of the Goodyear Small Business Relief Grant that would reimburse eligible businesses for actual expenses up to $20,000. The second proposed program would be a Goodyear Technical Assistance Program that would provide one on one technical assistance up to a maximum of $4,000.
A discussion followed on businesses having difficulty recruiting employees to fill vacant positions.
Deputy Finance Director Jared Askelson continued the discussion by presenting the Stormwater Project proposal. Mr. Askelson explained that the proposals would accelerate planned Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) projects that were currently in the CIP for Fiscal Years 2024, 2025 and 2026.
Council appreciated the strategic approach to this proposal because it would free up General Fund money that could be used projects that were not funded.
Mr. Askelson moved on to discuss direct City expenses related to COVID-19 such as vaccination programs and cleaning supplies. He added that the City was looking for ways to fund oversight, administration and reporting that could arise as regulations have not been finalized.
Council discussed having enough funds available for COVID-19 protective equipment and supplies as well as funding available for public safety training.
Presiding Judge Mayra Galindo presented the Goodyear Problem Solving Community Court Pilot funding proposal. Judge Galindo explained that in collaboration with the Goodyear Police Department, Goodyear City Prosecutor's Office and local health services, the Goodyear Municipal Court wanted to pilot an in-house specialty court program that would allow problem solving for low level offenses and people faced with challenges such as mental health issues. She added that the pilot program would provide a team-based approach regarding treatment and supervision of cases.
City Prosecutor Gina Godbehere spoke in favor of the proposal and provided additional details and benefits about having a specialty court pilot program.
Council thanked Judge Galindo and Ms. Godbehere for bringing the proposal forward as it would be a good program for the community.
Finally, Human Resources Director Lyman Locket presented a proposal for a COVID-19 leave bank for employees. Mr. Locket reviewed the legislation that allowed for premium pay for work performed during the pandemic. He discussed the details of the COVID-19 leave bank adding that the bank would be in appreciation of staff's efforts during the pandemic.
City Manager Julie Karins provided some closing remarks and expressed appreciation for the discussion on the proposals.
Ms. Karins stated that the City of Goodyear would be allocated $10.35 million over the next two fiscal years. She went on to review the allowable uses such as offsetting the economic impact of the pandemic, premium payments for essential workers and certain infrastructure projects. All funds had to be used by December 31, 2024.
Ms. Karins provided a brief overview of the proposed activities that included resident support, small business assistance, stormwater projects, COVID-19 expenses, a specialty court pilot program and an employee COVID-19 leave bank.
Assistant to the City Manager Jenna Goad explained that providing support to the residents was one of the City’s primary goals. Ms. Goad reviewed the proposed recommendations beginning with establishing a community navigator program that would help residents access city and other resident support programs. The second proposal included emergency resident assistance split into two distinct programs that would be reevaluated after six months. The third proposal included earmarking $3.9 million for future community needs.
Council asked if residents could apply for funding from Goodyear if they received money from other programs such as a county program and it was not enough to meet their needs. Ms. Goad responded that Goodyear could not duplicate benefits, but they could provide additional funding that would help with the residents' needs.
A discussion followed regarding the unemployment rate and how many people and families were anticipated to be served with this proposal.
The presentation continued with Economic Development Project Manager Darah Mann discussing the two Small Business Assistance proposals. Ms. Mann explained that Goodyear businesses received approximately $122 million from COVID-19 Relief Programs and $1.07 million from the Maricopa County Relief Grant.
Ms. Mann reviewed the needs assessment that was conducted by the Economic Development Department and relayed the details of the Goodyear Small Business Relief Grant that would reimburse eligible businesses for actual expenses up to $20,000. The second proposed program would be a Goodyear Technical Assistance Program that would provide one on one technical assistance up to a maximum of $4,000.
A discussion followed on businesses having difficulty recruiting employees to fill vacant positions.
Deputy Finance Director Jared Askelson continued the discussion by presenting the Stormwater Project proposal. Mr. Askelson explained that the proposals would accelerate planned Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) projects that were currently in the CIP for Fiscal Years 2024, 2025 and 2026.
Council appreciated the strategic approach to this proposal because it would free up General Fund money that could be used projects that were not funded.
Mr. Askelson moved on to discuss direct City expenses related to COVID-19 such as vaccination programs and cleaning supplies. He added that the City was looking for ways to fund oversight, administration and reporting that could arise as regulations have not been finalized.
Council discussed having enough funds available for COVID-19 protective equipment and supplies as well as funding available for public safety training.
Presiding Judge Mayra Galindo presented the Goodyear Problem Solving Community Court Pilot funding proposal. Judge Galindo explained that in collaboration with the Goodyear Police Department, Goodyear City Prosecutor's Office and local health services, the Goodyear Municipal Court wanted to pilot an in-house specialty court program that would allow problem solving for low level offenses and people faced with challenges such as mental health issues. She added that the pilot program would provide a team-based approach regarding treatment and supervision of cases.
City Prosecutor Gina Godbehere spoke in favor of the proposal and provided additional details and benefits about having a specialty court pilot program.
Council thanked Judge Galindo and Ms. Godbehere for bringing the proposal forward as it would be a good program for the community.
Finally, Human Resources Director Lyman Locket presented a proposal for a COVID-19 leave bank for employees. Mr. Locket reviewed the legislation that allowed for premium pay for work performed during the pandemic. He discussed the details of the COVID-19 leave bank adding that the bank would be in appreciation of staff's efforts during the pandemic.
City Manager Julie Karins provided some closing remarks and expressed appreciation for the discussion on the proposals.
| ADJOURNMENT |
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Lord adjourned the Work Session at 6:17 p.m.
| __________________________ Darcie McCracken, City Clerk |
__________________________ Georgia Lord, Mayor |
Date:___________________ |