VII.5. Resolution Authorizing Spending of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds; BishopApril 5, 2022 Council Report 2022-038 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SPENDING OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) FUNDS Proposed Action
Staff recommends that the Council approve the following motion: Move to approve Resolution 2022-028 Authorizing Spending of American Rescue Plan Act Funds.
Provide feedback on Youth Workforce Development and Equity Action Plan proposals.
Overview
ARPA was signed into law on March 11, 2021, which included $65 billion in recovery funds for cities across the country. The City of Hopkins’ allocation of the federal funds is $2,018,224. One half of the funds were received in 2021 and the remaining half will be delivered in 2022. The City has until the end of 2024 to complete the spending of the ARPA funds. The funds must be used for eligible expenditures consistent with the Department of Treasury’s guidance.
Staff recommends authorizing $1,618,224 of expenditures for the following purposes: 1. Hiring one additional police officer beginning on 1/1/2023 through 12/31/2024. The estimated cost is $260,000. 2. Developing programs centered on mental health and community safety. The City authorizes up to $240,000 to be used for this programming. Mayor Hanlon and Council Member Balan are leading a community group to develop these programs. 3. Hiring one additional planner beginning on 7/1/2022 through 12/31/2024. The estimated cost is $275,000. 4. Developing economic development or grant programs. The City authorizes up to $225,000 for this programming. More information to come. 5. The City will allocate a portion of ARPA funds to address revenue loss for Arts Center Fund ($318,224), Depot Fund ($35,000), Parking Fund ($15,000) and Pavilion Fund ($250,000).
At the March 8th Work Session City Council requested additional information related to proposals for Youth Workforce Development and Equity programming. A proposal for each program is included for discussion.
The remaining ARPA funds (currently $400,000) would be held in the City’s ARPA special revenue fund. This would allow additional flexibility and time to determine the best use of the funds.
Supporting Information
• Youth Workforce Development Proposal
• Equity Action Plan Proposal
• Resolution No. 2022-028 ______________________________ Nick Bishop, Finance Director
Youth Workforce Development Proposal
Over the past year, hiring has been a challenge both internally in City operations and externally in the community; a trend
that is likely to continue to be a challenge for both the City and our small and local businesses. The City also recognizes
youth in the Hopkins Community are comparatively more likely to have lower household incomes in adulthood than many
of our neighboring communities (https://www.opportunityatlas.org/), this is particularly evident for youth of color. By
providing youth focused, workforce development Hopkins can address some of the barriers to employment for youth and
address workforce needs in the future.
A proposed program would have a goal to review and compare best practices and look for the most efficient and effective
manner of developing a pipeline program focused on workforce readiness and career development to address internal and
external hiring challenges and to help provide career connections and mentoring to youth with barriers to employment.
The Cities of Minnetonka and Golden Valley and Hopkins Public Schools are interested in a regional collaboration on a
program similar Brooklynk, a youth workforce development program led by Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center which
trains youth for 10-week summer internships. A collaboration with additional city partners will increase the likelihood of
receiving grants or leveraging additional resources to advance this work, as well as create a program which more closely
matches the Hopkins school district boundaries.
Staff is proposing in part one to review best practices including the BrookLynk (https://www.brooklynk.works/) and/or
Step Up, led by AchieveMpls, (https://www.achievempls.org/stepup) models, and to identify potential partners and
current practices and sustainable resources to devote to the endeavor. After part one is completed, further discussion
would take place around part two.
Part One: Needs Assessment and Modeling- $17,000
Workforce Development Intern - $7,000
The City would hire an intern who would work with Hopkins School District, City Departments, Local Businesses, Youth
Leaders and other community partners (ICA, DEED, Hennepin County, etc.) to understand youth workforce needs in the
community and to help develop program(s), identify and if available, apply for grants for workforce development.
Technical Assistance - $10,000
The city would use these funds to match potential workforce development grants and/or to pay for consulting to work on
developing program and assisting with grant applications. This would likely be contracted with BrookLynk or Step Up
and used to reimburse them for them for staff time, program development, and technical assistance.
Part Two: _Programming - TBD
Following the results of the study done in Part one, subsequent years of a youth workforce development program could be
developed and funds to advance this work could be allocated at a future date. In a similar fashion to the Brooklynk or
StepUP models, the City would become an employer for five interns, as well as offer partnership to the business
community by offering match dollars for them to also host interns. The business internships would be funded from the
Economic Development portion of the ARPA funds.
• Five (5) City Internships - $24,500
• Staff Share with Partners – TBD (possibly offset by grant funding)
• ½ City Funded internships to Local Business – approximately $2,250 per internship or $11,250 recommendation
of funding up to five. These internships would be funded from the Economic Development portion of the ARPA
funds.
Equity Action Plan Proposal
Background
The City of Hopkins has a long history of working to fulfill the City’s vision statement, “Creating a spirit of community
where all people feel safe and respected and where diversity is celebrated.” Working with community partners, Hopkins
has focused on created opportunities to increase awareness and understanding of race, equity, and diversity, and promotes
a sense of community that welcomes and values all residents.
Current and past initiatives include:
• A partnership with the Hopkins School District, the faith community, and the Hopkins School District on the
Hopkins Race and Equity Initiative (HREI)
• Participation in the Joint Community Policing Program (JCPP), a collaborative effort in the west metro to enhance
communication and understanding between law enforcement and multicultural residents.
• Monthly meetings of the Multicultural Advisory Committee (MAC), which provides advice, suggestions, and
assistance to the Hopkins Police Department to aid them in better serving, communicating with, and
understanding the many cultures that reside in, work in, or visit the Hopkins area.
• Participation in the Government Alliance on Racial Equity (GARE)
Despite the success of these efforts, the City of Hopkins recognizes there is still work to be done to fully realize the City’s
vision and goals. In 2021, the City hired a Management Analyst to continue advancing racial equity systems change as an
organization.
In the past year, members of the community have continued to advocate for an equity-based approach to the work done in
City Hall. Staff led an equity-focused review of the City’s zoning code, which only increased some community member’s
desires for this type of work to be more ingrained in other City processes. While Staff agrees that equity must be a pillar
of the work done across departments, in the same way that budget, staff time and capacity and other factors are
considered, there are gaps in education, training, and overall organizational vision for what this work should look like
across departments.
The goal of this work is to first build internal capacity for conversations around diversity and equity in the organization’s
work as a foundation for advancing equitable practices and community collaboration. It is necessary that the organization
first establish common language, education, and make space for ongoing conversation so that deeper work can be
advanced.
Staff recommends that these conversations and strategic planning around racial equity are best advanced by a consultant
firm who specializes in a metrics driven approach to advancing this work internally. Staff has begun interviewing
consultants and would select one if funds were allocated for this work.
Phase One: Assessment, Engagement and Strategic Action Planning -- $40,000
Staff seeks the assistance of a consultant firm to expand capacity to do this important work. This firm would engage
leaders and employees, undergo an equity focused assessment of current policies and processes, and develop a strategic
action plan for improvements. The firm would develop an accountability system which would include evaluation of key
metrics and a system for sustain engagement of leaders and employees in equity work. The firm would also offer
implementation support as this work continues. This process would last 6 months.
Phase Two: Ongoing Implementation - $10,000
Following the work with the consultant firm, Staff would leverage the foundation work done to continue ongoing
development of internal equity practices. This could include setting additional department specific equity goals and
trainings, incorporation of an equity tool or scorecard into council reports, and continued implementation of equity
practices in polices and procedures. Funds allocated in phase two may support community engagement in equity goal
setting, technical assistance from consulting firms or provide for professional development.
CITY OF HOPKINS
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 2022-028
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SPENDING OF
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS
WHEREAS, since the first case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was discovered in the
United States in January 2020, the disease has infected over 32 million and killed over 575,000
Americans. The disease has impacted every part of life: as social distancing became a necessity,
businesses closed, schools transitioned to remote education, travel was sharply reduced, and
millions of Americans lost their jobs;
WHEREAS, as a result of the Pandemic cities have been called on to respond to the needs of
their communities through the prevention, treatment, and vaccination of COVID-19.
WHEREAS, city revenues, businesses and nonprofits in the city have faced economic impacts
due to the Pandemic.
WHEREAS, Congress adopted the American Rescue Plan Act in March 2021 (ARPA) which
included $65 billion in recovery funds for cities across the country.
WHEREAS, ARPA funds are intended to provide support to state, local, and tribal governments
in responding to the impact of COVID-19 and in their efforts to contain COVID-19 in their
communities, residents, and businesses.
WHEREAS, $2,018,224 has been allocated to the City of Hopkins (City) through ARPA.
WHEREAS, the City, in response to the Pandemic, has had expenditures and anticipates future
expenditures consistent with the Department of Treasury’s ARPA guidance.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Hopkins, that:
1. The City will hire one additional police officer beginning on 1/1/2023 through
12/31/2024. The estimated cost is $260,000.
2. The City will develop programs centered on mental health and community safety. The
City authorizes up to $240,000 to be used for this programming.
3. The City will hire one additional planner beginning on 7/1/2022 through 12/31/2024. The
estimated cost is $275,000.
4. The City will develop economic development or grant programs. The City authorizes up
to $225,000 for this programming.
5. The City will allocate a portion of ARPA funds to address revenue loss for Arts Center
Fund ($318,224), Depot Fund ($35,000), Parking Fund ($15,000) and Pavilion Fund
($250,000).
6. The City will hold the remaining $400,000 in its ARPA special revenue fund until its best
use is determined.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Hopkins this 5th day of April, 2022.
By:___________________________
Patrick Hanlon, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Amy Domeier, City Clerk