The Turlock City Council will be discussing at their next meeting how exactly to spend over $15 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds the City is expected to receive through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Unlike CARES Act funding, which was intended for local governments to use to respond in the short-term to COVID-19, American Rescue Plan Act funds can be used by the City to assist households, small businesses, nonprofits and industries negatively impacted economically by the pandemic. The City can also use Rescue Plan Act funds to invest in water, sewer or broadband infrastructure.

This expanded usage of federal aid allows for the City to offer rent, mortgage and utility assistance to local residents, as well as financial assistance to businesses that have struggled to stay open during the pandemic.

Another way the funds can be used is to replace City revenue lost due to the public health emergency, such as decreased sales tax because of temporary store closures.

The $15 million cannot be used, however, for any pension fund, put in a reserve fund or to pay expenses related to financing, outstanding debt or settlement agreements.

The City was notified in July that it would soon be receiving a payment in the amount of $7,867,595, with another payment of the same amount in 12 months.

City staff is requesting the Council schedule a workshop to discuss a process to determine use of the funds.

Also on Tuesday, the Council is expected to:

·         Consider authorizing the Interim City Manager to enter an agreement with CPS HR Consulting for recruitment services in the amount not to exceed $100,000 related to the vacant positions of City Manager, Chief of Police, Fire Chief, Municipal Services Director and Development Services Director;

·         Consider awarding a bids and approving agreements for a list of services regarding the ongoing construction of the surface water treatment plant. On Tuesday, the Council will consider the following bids: In the amount of $31,894,398 with Mountain Cascade Inc. of Livermore for construction of surface water treatment plant distribution system improvements; in the amount of $832,985 with Patterson Pump Company for the purchase of pumps, electrical motors and variable frequency drives; in the amount of $1,313,261 with Carollo Engineers of Walnut Creek for engineering services during construction; in the amount of $2,181,055 with West Yost Associates of Davis for construction management services; and a sale agreement with Good Shepherd Lutheran Church for property located at 3500 N. Quincy Rd.;

·         Receive a request from staff for direction on the preparation to bring back a new resolution identifying a revised Contract Change Order procedure;

·         Receive the 2020 annual report from the Carnegie Arts Center; and

·         Receive a roads update from the Interim Development Services Director.

The Turlock City Council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at 156 S. Broadway in the Yosemite Room at City Hall. It will also be livestreamed at www.cityofturlock.org. The public may also participate in the meeting via the following methods:

— Join by clicking on the meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84924629186

— Join by accessing the Zoom website: https://zoom.us/join WEBINAR ID: 849 2462 9186

— Join by telephone: 669-900-6833 WEBINAR ID: 849 2462 9186