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Second Round Applications

The City of Monroe accepted applications for American Rescue Plan Act ("APR") through April 15, 2022. Awards issued in this second round will support projects that will address community needs. Review of applications will begin on April 25, 2022. A timeline for this second round is available lower on this page.

Applicant Workshops

On Wednesday, March 2, the City hosted a virtual workshop for prospective applicants for American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) funds. Management Analyst Rich Huebner and Finance Manager Greg Piland reviewed the City's ARP application, and the federal requirements for accepting funds and reporting expenses. A recording of the workshop is available here, and the slides Mr. Huebner and Mr. Piland presented are available here.

Attendance at this workshop, or viewing the recording, is a requirement for an eligible application for funds.

On Monday, March 28, the City hosted a virtual workshop for prospective applicants for American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) funds detailing the contracting process. Management Analyst Rich Huebner and Finance Manager Greg Piland reviewed the City's contract templates, and the terms and conditions of each contract type. A recording of the workshop is available here, and the slides Mr. Huebner and Mr. Piland presented are available here.

Attendance at this workshop, or viewing the recording, is a requirement for an eligible application for funds.

Introduction

On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act ("ARP") was signed into law. ARP is a $1.9 trillion package that includes direct relief to states, counties, cities, and towns, as well as public utilities, libraries, and transit agencies.

The City of Monroe expects to receive approximately $5.5 million in two distributions. The City received the first distribution of $2.76 million on June 25, 2021. The second distribution is expected in June 2022.

Fund Distribution Process

On June 17, 2021, the City Council approved a plan to distribute ARP funding based on community input. Under the approved plan, the City will form three committees consisting of board and commission members to review applications.

Mayor Geoffrey Thomas proposed, and the City Council approved, three priorities into which ARP projects will categorized:

1. Supporting Recovery
2. Reconnecting Community
3. Building Resiliency

In addition to these Project Categories, projects must align with an expenditure category as set forth by the United States Department of the Treasury.

Descriptions of each category is included in the ARP Funds Application. $1,312,500 is available in this second round. Future funding rounds will be announced later this year.

Evaluation Criteria

Prior to the opening of the first application round, a committee was assembled consisting of representatives of the Planning Commission, Park Board, Economic Development Advisory Board, and Community Human Services Advisory Board. This committee met to review the recommended evaluation criteria prepared by City staff recommended criteria based on samples of criteria used by local agencies for evaluating a range of applications. Feedback and recommendations from the subcommittee were incorporated and presented to the City Council for review and approval. 

The subcommittee recommended adopting a set of criteria that includes both qualitative and quantitative measures for a total of 100 points.

The qualitative measures are designed to give the review committees latitude to determine project priorities based on a project narrative rather than a set of defined criteria as required under the CARES Act. There are three qualitative criteria for a total of 50 points:

• Project evaluation - applicant is qualified, meets city goals, included in adopted plan (20 points)
• Demonstration of need (20 points)

Quantitative measures will help applicants understand the need for a clear, well-defined budget, community partnerships, and matching funds. This also gives City staff a way to clearly articulate project rankings, especially for projects that may not receive funding. There are three quantitative criteria for a total of 50 points:

• Funding/Budget (30 points)
• Community support and partnerships (15 points)
• Financial support (15 points)

Application Process

The intent is to make the application as short as possible while gathering enough information to help reviewers make informed recommendations for funding. The City also has to ensure applicants meet the minimum federal requirements. The application is divided into six sections: 

1. Project and Expenditure Categories (1 page)
2. Certification - to determine the applicant meets the City's priorities and federal requirements (1 page) 
3. Checklist - to assist the applicant with submitting a complete application (1 page) 
4. Applicant Information - applicant information for contracting purposes; separate pages for a Business/Nonprofit Applicant and an Individual/Household Applicant (1 page) 
5. Questions - to help review committee score applications using evaluation criteria (5 pages)
6. Project budget - budget spreadsheet, narrative, and sample budget (3 pages)

Timeline

First Round Awardees

Review committees submitted their award recommendations to the City Council, which were approved by the City Council in late 2021. The following organizations and projects were awarded funds:

Related Documents

ARP Evaluation Criteria
ARP Funds Application
ARP 2nd Round Contract Workshop (03/28/2022) Recording
ARP 2nd Round Contract Workshop (03/28/2022) Slide Presentation
ARP 2nd Round Applicant Workshop (03/02/2022) Recording
ARP 2nd Round Applicant Workshop (03/02/2022) Slide Presentation
City Procurement Policies & Procedures
Federal Expenditure Categories
Federal Procurement Guidelines
Fillable W-9