HomeMy WebLinkAboutPR 21548: AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 20-188 AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO APPLY TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION FOR GRANT FUNDING P.R. No. 21548
08/31/2020 fb
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 20-188 WHICH
AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO APPLY TO THE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION (EDA) FOR GRANT FUNDING
FOR THE INSTALLATION OF CONDUIT PIPES AND SWITCH BOXES
TO INSTALL UTILITIES INCLUDING ELECTRICITY AND HIGH
SPEED INTERNET, TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF RESIDENTIAL AND
COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS IN THE TARGETED AREA AS DEFINED
IN THE CITY'S 2015 DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION PLAN
WHEREAS, per Resolution No. 20-188, the City Council authorized the City
Manager to apply for a communication system infrastructure grant in the amount
of $3.0 million with the Economic Development Administration (EDA)with a local
$750,000 match; and
WHEREAS, as social distancing and telework rules tighten across the
country because of the COVID-19 pandemic, our daily lives are increasingly
moving online. Everything from telework, remote learning for K-12 and college,
meetings at the office, to happy hours with friends are all now occurring in digital
space; and
WHEREAS, while the crisis has taught us many important lessons about
how we communicate and their coverage, it would be a waste not to reexamine
how we can improve our economy, our society, and critical public goods by better
planning on utilizing our future communication systems while once again
preparing for future business growth that will require more online citywide and
regional; and
WHEREAS, after completion of the preliminary engineering report for the
project, the total cost of the project increased to $3,884,570 of which 20% local
match is required. The total local match for the project is $776,914, which is an
increase of $26,914; and
WHEREAS, the City of Port Arthur is requesting $3,884,570 in federal
investment from the Economic Development Administration (EDA), which will be
matched with $776,914 locally; and
WHEREAS, it is believed that this investment will generate approximately
$100 million in additional utility companies and private sector investment; and
WHEREAS, this Grant project will be a perfect example of a Public-Private
Partnership and the benefits envisioned by it being in an Opportunity Zone
created by the tax cuts and Jobs Act to help communities like us in economically
disadvantaged areas receive a needed boost.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS:
Section 1. That the facts and opinions in the preamble are true and correct.
Section 2. That Resolution No. 20-188 be amended to authorize the City
Manager to apply for grant funding to the Economic Development Administration
for the installation of conduit pipes and installation of switch boxes to install
utilities, including electricity and high-speed internet.
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Section 3. That the City Manager is herein authorized to contribute the
increase in the local match of $26,914, increasing the local match to $776,914.
Section 4. That a copy of the caption be spread upon the minutes of the
City Council.
READ, ADOPTED AND APPROVED on this day of A.D.,
2020, at a meeting of the City Council of the City of Port Arthur, Texas, by the
following vote: AYES:
Mayor:
Councilmembers:
•
NOES:
Thurman Bartle, Mayor
ATTEST:
Sherri Bellard, City Secretary
APPROVED:
Floyd Batiste, PAEDC CEO
lPa_e
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Guy N. Goodson, PAEDC Attorney
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
alecia Rzeno, City Attorney
APPROVED AS TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS:
Kandy Daniel, Interim Finance Director
(contingent on FY2020-2021 budget passing)
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