AGENDA REQUEST
GENERAL DISCUSSION ITEM
Subject:
title
MOTION to appropriate the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding in the amount of $29,827 to Account 20360101-57300-G0014 (New Equipment - Park & Rec - AARPA)
In addition, authorize the Parks, Recreation & Senior Citizens Center to expend the $29,827 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) specifically designated for Senior Citizens Centers as outlined in their ARPA Senior Center Plan dated October 17, 2023.
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Background:
During the 2022/2023 Legislative Session the Department of Aging and Disability Services (ADS) was awarded $10 million dollars in ARPA funds for senior centers in Connecticut. (Please see ltr dated 2/10/2023)
The State Unit on Aging (SUA) within Aging and Disability Services (ADS) worked develop a Plan and a Calculation Process to distribute these funds to senior centers.
Of the full amount awarded, the majority of $750,000, or 7.5%, was reserved for statewide senior center activities. These activities could potentially include a senior center-focused website, a senior center summit event, and/or a media campaign to encourage engagement at senior centers. There was also $250,000, or 2.5%, reserved for administrative purposes to support this project.
The remaining $9,000,000 of the funds has been set aside for Connecticut senior centers and was broken down by municipality.
All allocations contain two parts:
• Base allocation and a formulaic allocation. All municipalities receive a base allocation of $5,000.
• Other Calculation: was based on the Census data on town demographics, including share of the population aged 60 and older, race/ethnicity status, disability status, poverty status and whether the town is in a rural location.
Ledyard would be receiving $29,827. (See Attached Town Listing)
Spending Plan included: Peloton Bike; Rower; Elliptical; Dumbbell set and Bench, Rubber Flooring; Chairs (88) for the Dining Room; Card Tables (5) , 71” Table; Room Divider, Floor, Carpet, Refrigerator, Railing.
The SUA used the definition of senior center that was used when Connecticut senior centers applied In 2020/2021 for a reimbursement of Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding through the SUA. The definition for senior centers is as follows:
Senior centers include municipal senior centers and 501(c)(3) senior centers. For the purposes of this funding opportunity, senior centers are defined as those that provide multiple services including the core services of information, referral, and assistance. Additional services could include nutrition, wellness, educational, social, and recreational activities.
These ARPA funds may be used for certain purposes or “eligible uses.” These eligible uses fall under two categories of expenditures within “Provision of Government Services.”
• (1) “facility improvements” - which could cover a variety of capital improvements including air & HVAC systems, lighting, accessibility features as well as vehicle acquisition, maintenance, and repurposing; and
• (2) “programming” - which could include the acquisition of program registration software, web design renovation capability, extended senior center hours, special or focused entertainment or programming, while also potentially encompassing expanded staff hours to support those programs, when applicable.
Please see the attached letter dated in which the Ledyard Senior Citizens Center was awarded
Department Comment/Recommendation:
The Parks, Recreation, and Senior Citizens Department recommends the proposed project as it will allow for some much-needed facility upgrades. The addition of a gym will help us target the baby boomers who are all starting to retire. We are on the verge of the largest retirement surge in US history and need to do everything possible to prepare for an increase in participation.