County Council reallocates remaining federal ARPA funds

More than $8 million in remaining American Rescue Plan Act funding was earmarked by the Pierce Council at its Oct. 12 meeting in the form of passage of Proposal No. 2021-91.

Senior budget analyst Paul Bocchi explained that there were several changes to the budget, all pertaining to ARPA, and the proposal was to reallocate funds.

The majority of first-round ARPA funding — some $88 million — went to bolstering needs in the county related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including business support and regional public health response.

The current round of funding is going to supporting area schools and youth programs, as well as shelter opportunities for the homeless.
The remaining balance breaks down as follows:

• $5 million for hotel acquisition to offer temporary shelter space.

• $1.4 million for Economic Development’s community navigator program.

• $1.2 million for increased shelter facility space in the form of tents and tiny houses.

• $350,000 to support foreclosure prevention housing counseling services.

• $100,000 to support the First Five FUNdamentals Diaper Bank.

• $50,000 to Child Care Resources for its homeless childcare program.

• $11,000 for the Children’s Home Society youth program.

The legislation now heads to the Pierce County executive for signature.
In other business, the council passed an ordinance authorizing the prosecuting attorney to begin condemnation proceedings to acquire real property for a county road project on 112th Street South, and C Street South to A Street South, and providing a notice to affected property owners.

The council passed an ordinance setting an effective date for ordinance 2021-79, which changed the dates when fireworks can be discharged in unincorporated Pierce County to July 4 and Dec. 31 starting in 2022.

The council passed a resolution authorizing the executive to enter into a mutual aid and assistance agreement between Planning and Public Works and the Washington Water/Wastewater Agency Response Networks.

The council passed a resolution finding the Planning and Public Works Department complied with provisions of the 2020-21 budget and authorizing acquisition of floodplain properties on the upper Puyallup River and Jones levee setback area.

The council passed a resolution authorizing the executive to approve two grant awards from the Commencement Bay Natural Resource Trustees totaling $1.1 million to help improve off-channel habitat along Clear Creek.

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