ARPA funds on City Council agenda

POST FALLS — The City Council meets tonight at 6 to consider whether to accept $7,797,234 in funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

ARPA funding was brought before the council March 15. The city proposes to use the funds to modernize the city's cybersecurity systems (up to $1.5 million), enhance the wastewater contingency plan on current projects ($1 million), support facilities master plan funding ($1.4 million to $5.1 million), build the Montrose Ball Fields ($800,000), complete the Landings development project ($551,000), and for the reconstruction of Seltice Way ($2.45 million).

Public testimony was heard on the issue previously, and no more will be invited, according to city administrator Shelly Enderud. At the March 15 public hearing, eight citizens spoke against accepting the funds. The only support came from Dena Naccarato, Post Falls schools superintendent.

According to meeting minutes from March 15, Idaho Gov. Brad Little was quoted as saying, "Rejecting the funds would mean Idaho gives up our say in how our allocated share gets spent."

Rejecting the ARPA funds will not reduce costs to city taxpayers, the minutes said. City staff recommends accepting the funds for use on high priority projects that are "intended to be paid by taxpayer and rate payer funds."

Accepting the funds "will help to reduce the future tax and rate burdens."

ARPA funds can be used to cover costs from March 3, 2021 forward. Funds must be "obligated by Dec. 31, 2024, and the projects must be completed by December 31, 2026," the meeting minutes said.

The council is expected to vote on accepting the funds at tonight's meeting, Enderud said.

Prior to the regular council meeting, a workshop will take place at 5 p.m., with Sam Wolkenhauer from the Idaho Department of Labor presenting an economic forecast for the city. The workshop is open to the public and will not be televised on YouTube.

Public hearings will be open on several changes to Title 18 municipal codes.

Changes were previously proposed by the planning division, and include: the requirement of special use permits for RV parks in industrial zones; fencing height standard exemptions for sports and recreation facilities; a requirement of street facing building entrance orientation for single-family and duplex buildings adjacent to a public or private streets and amendments to parking stall standards.

The planning division also requests to add an “applicability for town-homes,” allowing for “alternative compliance” when certain conditions are met.

If the changes are accepted by the Council, an ordinance formalizing the amendments will be brought forth at a later council meeting.

Several unfinished business items are on the agenda.

The Angel-Clark Zone Change request was originally presented to council on Feb. 1. Applicant Rob Clark moved to rezone 4.2 acres from single family to community commercial zoning. This change allows the development of a commercial hub and hotel rooms within the Prairie Falls Golf Course community. Previously approved by the city council, no further public hearing is invited.

The decision for approval will be presented. Council may adopt the ordinance or take no action.

Parking Code updates previously presented March 15 may be adopted formally or council may take no action.

The option for council to take action or not allows the council an opportunity to request changes before making final decisions, City Attorney Warren Wilson said in an email Monday.

New business on the agenda includes the Corbin Lift Station project. A contract has been drawn up with Welch Comer Engineers for the design and construction of a new lift station to replace the existing Corbin Lift Station. It will be built adjacent to the existing structure.

The $363,405 contract will add a new control building, odor control improvements and a new overflow storage facility. The original Corbin station was built in 1987 and needs modernization to meet long-term operational needs.

The full 417-page meeting agenda can be viewed online at Postfallsidaho.org. Council meetings are televised in real time, on the City of Post Falls, YouTube channel.