The Des Moines City Council allocated about $24 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds to water and sewer infrastructure projects, library projects and various uses for the Des Moines Neighborhood Development Corporation.
In all the city was earmarked $94.8 million under the 2021 American Rescue Plan. The city has wide discretion over how to spend the funds.
The council allocated $8 million to stormwater infrastructure projects, $5 million to sewer construction projects, and $7.5 million to the Des Moines Neighborhood Development Corporation for various uses. The Des Moines Botanical Garden and Blank Park Zoo received $1 million each. The Des Moines Public Library got $350,000 for Wi-Fi hotspot programs and an HVAC improvement program.
According to the U.S. Treasury the city can spend funds on:
- Premium pay for essential workers
- Addressing negative economic impacts.
- Water and sewer infrastructure.
- Broadband Internet.
- Supporting the public health response to COVID-19.
- Replacing lost public sector revenues.
ARPA funds cannot be used to reduce taxes, add to rainy day funds, pay for legal settlements or to buttress pension funds.
At its June 27 meeting the council approved a plan to allocate $3.5 million to its parking enterprise fund to recoup revenues lost during the pandemic and $2.5 million toward a northside community center project.
About $60 million in ARPA funds still need to be allocated by the council. The council will approve the third and fourth rounds of ARPA funding at its Aug. 22 and Sept. 12 meetings.
Previously:Des Moines City Council gets recommendations on spending $95 million in pandemic aid
New City Clerk Appointed
The council promoted Laura Baumgartner from deputy city clerk to city clerk Monday night. Former City Clerk Kay Cmelik retired June 3. Baumgartner has served 21 years in the city clerk’s office.
In a news release Mayor Frank Cownie said Baumgartner demonstrated her commitment to the city while working her way up through the clerk’s office.
“I’m grateful for this opportunity and want to thank everyone I have worked with,” Baumgartner said in a news release. “I’m excited to be a part of the great things happening here in the City of Des Moines.”
Philip Joens covers public safety, city government and RAGBRAI for the Des Moines Register. He can be reached at 515-443-3347 at pjoens@registermedia.com or on Twitter @Philip_Joens.
