City Council Memo - ARPA Update

City Manager’s Office 
10000 North El Mirage Rd.  
El Mirage, AZ 85335 
www.elmirageaz.gov 
 
MEMORANDUM 
TO:  
 
HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL 
FROM:   
CITY MANAGER J. CRYSTAL DYCHES 
SUBJECT: 
STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS (SLFRF) 
DATE:  
MAY 2, 2023 
 
 
BACKGROUND:  
The City of El Mirage received $11,940,792 in State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) from the ARP Act. These funds 
must be obligated by December 2024 and spent by December 2026.   
 
In September 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution R21-09-22 stating the intended uses of the SLFRF allotment.  In 
January 2022, the US Department of Treasury released the Final Rule. Changes were made in many areas of the rule and 
guidance, including broadening the set of eligible uses for public health response; and clarifying that reasonably 
proportional capital expenditure may be allowable.  Most significantly, the final rule presented a simpler option by 
permitting local governments to choose a “standard allowance” for lost revenue of $10 million for the lifetime of their 
grant.  The provisions in this final rule were effective April 1, 2022. Based on the Final Rule, Resolution R22-06-16 replaced 
R21-09-22 in June 2022.  
 
RECOMMENDED CHANGES:   
Resolution R23-05-12 has been drafted for your consideration.  It updates and restates the intended uses of the SLFRF 
allotment.  Staff anticipates all spending of these funds to be complete by the end of FY24. 
The primary changes to the recommended intended uses of SLFRF include the following:  
• 
The inclusion of the Drainage Channel Multi-Use Trail, Community Services personnel costs, and message boards.  
• 
The exclusion of the Home Repair Program, fire truck, second senior bus, and gunshot sensors.  
 
Items identified for funding within this updated memo have adjusted their allocations to reflect actual spending during 
FY22 and future spending throughout the grant. The allocation overage has also been reduced to allow for continued 
flexibility but remaining accountable as the City completes this funding award; all unspent balances will be evaluated for 
reallocation.  
 
Outside of the $10 million standard allowance that the City is able to claim for revenue loss, staff has identified the 
following qualifying projects for the remaining $1,940,792: 
• 
Homelessness Outreach  
• 
Police Neighborhood Enforcement Team 
• 
Senior Meals 
 
• 
Transit  
• 
Utility, Rent and Mortgage Assistance 
 
• 
Senior Bus

2 
 
 
Northern Parkway Corridor 
The Northern Parkway project extends 12.5 miles between Loop 303 and US 60 in northwestern Maricopa County. 
When completed, Northern Parkway will be a high-capacity, limited-access roadway with overpasses at major 
intersections. The project is a partnership between Maricopa County, the Cities of El Mirage, Glendale, and Peoria, and 
the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG). Alternative funding sources for The Northern Parkway project are 
limited; this project would require payment from the general fund if not paid for with the ARPA allocation.  
FY23 Allocation 
FY24 Allocation 
Total 
$500,000 
$5,475,500 
$5,975,500 
 
City Council Chamber Technology Upgrade 
The Council Chambers were built with City Hall in 2016.  Live, remote meetings were not considered in the design. A 
technology update is needed to accommodate Council’s request to video record/live stream City Council Meetings.  The 
upgrade will enhance sound and make the room usable for other types of meetings that do not use the dais.  
FY23 Allocation 
Total 
$70,000 
$70,000 
 
Police Neighborhood Enforcement Team (NET) 
The NET community policing team was hired to directly respond to the ongoing gun violence emergency associated 
with the pandemic and build a safer, healthier El Mirage community. Funding includes one (1) Police Sergeant and three 
(3) Police Officers, along with four (4) police vehicles and equipment. These staff positions were created with the initial 
ARPA award allocation.  When all ARPA funds have been applied, the City will utilize general fund dollars to fund these 
positions.     
FY22 Allocation 
FY23 Allocation 
FY24 Allocation 
Total 
$352,214  
$650,000  
$650,000  
$1,652,214 
 
Senior Meals 
Funding provides approximately twenty-five (25) meals each day to seniors in El Mirage. These meals will be served at 
the El Mirage Senior Center. This meets the funding criteria of responding to the negative economic impacts of the 
public health emergency by assisting with food.  
FY22 Allocation 
FY23 Allocation 
FY24 
Allocation 
FY25 
Allocation 
Total  
$41,104  
$49,000  
$49,000  
$0 
$139,104

3 
 
 
Paramedic/Firefighter 
This includes two (2) Firefighters/Paramedics positions. These firefighters/ paramedics administer vaccines and assist 
with the public health emergency due to the pandemic.  These staff positions were created with the initial ARPA award 
allocation.  When all ARPA funds have been applied, the City will utilize general fund dollars to fund these positions.     
FY22 Allocation 
FY23 Allocation 
FY24 Allocation 
Total 
$48,733  
$185,000  
$185,000 
$418,733  
 
Emergency Operations Center  
This communication project will assist in responding to specific pandemic-related public health needs. This funding will 
change the audiovisual components in the Fire Station community room that also functions as the City’s Emergency 
Operations Center (EOC). This project is a one-time expense.    
FY24 Allocation 
Total 
$65,000 
$65,000 
 
Utility, Rent, and Mortgage Assistance  
The COVID-19 pandemic intensified an already existing housing crisis. ARPA funds have allowed for the funding of 
emergency residential rental, mortgage, and utility assistance, including electric and City utilities for those who do not 
qualify for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). The Community Action Program (CAP) Office will use 
available CAP funding and then turn to CSLFRF funds. The City will use 80 to 100% Area Median Income (AMI) for these 
funds based on qualifications used during the pandemic. The funding allocation includes a half-time staff position with 
the City of Surprise to help administer the funding that will work at the El Mirage CAP office.  
El Mirage residents have demonstrated the need for a part-time staff member through increased walk-ins and requests 
for assistance with applications. CAP staff has successfully utilized other assistance first, so the FY22 funding allocation 
was reduced based on use.  When all ARPA funds have been applied, the Council will need to consider if this program 
will continue and how it will be funded. 
FY22 Allocation 
FY23 Allocation 
FY24 Allocation 
Total 
$6,705 
$45,000 
$45,000 
$96,705 
 
 
 
Police Officer Attrition 
This funding maintains staffing levels at the El Mirage Police Department due to pandemic-related retirements and 
increased gun violence. The budget includes a Police Lieutenant position and three (3) Police Officer positions. These 
staff positions were created with the initial ARPA award allocation.  When all ARPA funds have been applied, the City 
will utilize general fund dollars to fund these positions.     
FY22 Allocation 
 FY23 Allocation 
FY24 Allocation 
Total 
$455,633  
$550,000  
$550,000  
$1,555,663

4 
 
Drainage Channel Multi-use Trail 
The City will use Maricopa County CDBG-CV funding to complete a multi-use trail through the drainage channel from 
Dysart to Cactus Road, contingent on additional funding from Maricopa County. This trail will be wide enough for social 
distancing and increased recreation opportunities during a future pandemic. 
FY23 Allocation 
Total 
195,000 
$195,000 
 
Phoenix Rescue Mission 
Funding addresses the housing or health needs of people experiencing homelessness. The City contracts with Phoenix 
Rescue Mission for homeless outreach, navigation, and wrap-around support services for the City’s homeless 
population, including veterans and those with PTSD. The program will be beneficial for people without housing. It will 
assist our Police Department and Community Services staff in meeting the needs of those in our community 
experiencing homelessness, which has increased due to the pandemic. This program was created with the initial ARPA 
award allocation. When all ARPA funds have been applied, the Council will need to consider if this program will 
continue and how it will be funded. 
FY22 Allocation 
FY23 Allocation 
FY24 Allocation 
Total  
$11,184 
$30,000 
$30,000 
$71,184 
 
Transit  
The City has seen an increase in the use of paratransit and dial-a-ride as residents return from pandemic lifestyles; and 
has used additional services provided with these funds during the pandemic to ensure our disabled and elderly 
residents were able to have access to groceries, medical appointments, and work. As we transition, this has included 
providing access to vaccine appointments. This program has seen increased participation during the pandemic and 
received an ARPA award allocation in addition to its grant funding to meet service needs.  This has also included 
purchasing new buses to maintain social distancing. When all ARPA funds have been applied, Council will need to 
consider how the program will be funded. 
Note: Transportation within the City has increased. Inflation costs have affected the purchase price of buses. 
 
FY22 Allocation 
FY23 Allocation 
FY24 Allocation 
Total  
Dial-A-Ride 
$143,920 
$201,491 
$201,491 
$546,902 
Senior Bus 
 
$87,000 
 
$87,000 
 
Library Expansion for Workforce Development 
Funding was used to add an addition of 1,100 sq. ft. to the El Mirage Library renovation. This addition provides 
broadband and computer access to residents, specifically focusing on those who lost jobs due to the pandemic. The 
employment-focused computer and broadband community room have stations that provide job site search engines, 
resume builders, free email sites, and access to popular online interview and meeting sites such as Zoom, Skype, and 
Microsoft Teams to increase access to these tools for community members.  There is also space for quiet interviews for 
those who need to do online interviews but lack a home computer or privacy.   This was a one-time expense.  
FY22 Allocation 
Total  
$428,192 
$428,192

5 
 
 
Message Board Purchase 
The City has seen an increased need to communicate with the public. Purchasing two boards will allow the City 
additional opportunities to communicate directly with residents along roadways. A three-line message sign can display 
highly legible, ultra-bright LEDs to display our messages. Multiple programming options will provide flexibility for 
numerous applications in a public health emergency. This is a one-time purchase. 
FY23 Allocation 
Total  
$41,000 
$41,000 
 
Community Services Wages 
The Community Services team responds directly to the ongoing pandemic and public health crisis to build a safer, 
healthier El Mirage community. Programming within this division includes homeless services, grant management, 
program development, El Mirage Senior Center, and Special Events. Funding is for the Division’s Manager, Grant Writer, 
Special Events Coordinator, and part-time Program Assistants. When all ARPA funds have been applied, the City will 
utilize general fund dollars to fund these positions.     
FY23 Allocation 
FY24 Allocation 
Total 
$412,000 
$430,000 
$842,000