The Stockton City Council is set to convene a special session on Wednesday morning, aimed at finalizing adjustments to several projects funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). This gathering signifies a critical step in ensuring that essential community projects receive the necessary financial support to move forward.
The special session is scheduled to take place at the University Plaza Waterfront Hotel, conveniently located at 110 W. Fremont St.. All interested parties are encouraged to attend, as the meeting will commence at 9 a.m. and is open to public participation.
City staff has put forth a proposal recommending that the city council adopt a resolution to approve adjustments for the American Rescue Plan Act projects. The funding adjustments under consideration are as follows:
- Allocate $2,000,000 specifically to enhance the facilities at Banner Island Ballpark, promoting local sports and community events;
- Allocate $2,558,000 for the purchase and installation of four state-of-the-art emergency generators to ensure the new city hall remains operational during power outages;
- Increase the allocation for improvements to the animal shelter facilities by $462,072, thereby enhancing the well-being of homeless and stray animals;
- Allocate $500,000 towards the development of the Northeast Stockton Library and Community Center project, fostering education and community engagement.
The American Rescue Plan Act, enacted by President Joe Biden in 2021, established crucial funding initiatives such as the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund and the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. Together, these funds provide a significant $350 billion in direct financial assistance to state and local governments, aimed at addressing the economic consequences stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stockton was allocated a total of $78,052,072 in urgent federal funding and had initially approved its spending plan on September 14, 2021. To ensure transparency and community engagement, the city has organized three public workshop meetings, allowing residents to voice their opinions on how the allocated funds should be utilized. There are strict deadlines associated with the funds; they must be committed by the end of 2024 and completely spent by the conclusion of 2026, as outlined in the meeting agenda documents.
Record reporter Hannah Workman covers news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @byhannahworkman. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at
