Trenton's American Rescue Plan Project

Mayor Gusciora Releases Updated American Rescue Plan Strategy with New Proposals for Youth Recreation, Public Safety and Infrastructure Improvements

New version incorporates City Council and community input and will be presented publicly on Oct. 4, 2021 Webinar

Trenton, N.J. – Mayor W. Reed Gusciora today released the second version of the Trenton American Rescue Plan (ARP) proposal, which incorporates additional City Council and community input in the development of new spending items regarding youth engagement, public safety, and infrastructure.

Trenton is set to receive $72,913,998 in federal ARP funds across two payments, the first $36.5 million of which was already received on May 19, 2021.

“The updated plan incorporates feedback we’ve received from City Council and Trenton residents after we released the first version of the plan in June 2021,” said Mayor Gusciora. “As such, the plan includes increased funding for youth recreation services, library improvements, and TWW infrastructure maintenance without taking on additional debt. The updated plan also includes increased public safety expenditures that require immediate action and fall well within the federal guidelines. I encourage all our residents to review current and upcoming expenditures and continue to provide feedback at www.talktrenton.org.”

The updated plan can be found on the Plans, Presentations, and Guidance section on the right. The Administration will present the plan on a webinar scheduled for Oct. 4, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. The zoom link is here.

Major new items and changes:

• New $1.9 million proposal for sweeping improvements at recreational fields across Trenton - This proposal is based on extensive Administration, City Council and community support to fund more youth programming. The plan allocates ARP funds to seven different fields throughout Trenton, including North Trenton Athletic Fields, West End Athletic Fields, Hetzel Field, Wetzel Field, Chambersburg Field, 611 Field, and Cadwalader Park. The funds will be used for repairs and improvements, including new batting cages and bleachers.

• The $15 million proposal to issue $500 payments to all Trenton households is on hold for now. A related draft resolution was tabled indefinitely due to mixed support from both City Council and the Trenton community. Of the comments the City received, overall sentiments seem to indicate that the funds are either not enough or would be better spent on other projects.

• $4 million to fund the water main replacement project in the Olden Ave business district - While the Administration originally proposed that this project be funded through a bonding ordinance, City Council opted to have this funded by the ARP instead, which is allowable under federal regulations. The resolution passed on Sept. 16, 2021. The project will start in the fall of 2022.

• $4 million to upgrade the Trenton Police Department 911 emergency system - The current system is completely outdated and long overdue for an upgrade. This essential investment in public safety will provide new equipment to help officers respond quickly to emergencies and criminal activity.

• $7 million replacement revenue for government services - One of the major categories of eligible ARP uses is funding government services that would otherwise not be available due to the loss of revenue caused by COVID-19. According to the formula provided by the Department of the Treasury, Trenton experienced a related budget shortfall of $27 million between 2019 and 2020. However, the Administration is opting to use only $7 million as replacement revenue to preserve ARP funds for other projects while still ensuring another zero percent tax increase. This amount is reflected in the transitional budget currently under consideration by City Council.
  
  
• $500,000 in repairs and improvements to the West Trenton Community Center (WTCC) - WTCC is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides youth and community programs as well as food distribution services. Trenton’s Division of Inspections has conducted an examination of the WTCC and concluded that numerous repairs and improvements are necessary for compliance with local building codes and the expanded services that the WTCC seeks to provide in the future.

• $2 million to establish a booster vaccine program for Trenton residents - While Trenton’s current vaccination rate is now more than 70 percent, the emergence of the COVID-19 Delta variant requires continued vigilance and additional resources to combat the virus, including permanent vaccination sites and personnel to administer vaccines.

• $200,000 in repairs to the former Briggs Branch Library - The city-owned property located at 1115 Greenwood Avenue is used by Howard’s Healthy Choices, a non-profit organization that provides meals and childcare to Trenton’s underserved communities in the East Ward. The building requires extensive care, including a new HVAC system, windows and floors.

• $4 million for repairs and improvements to the Trenton Free Public Library - While this item was already included on the first version of the ARP plan, recent inspections have concluded that the original $500,000 proposal would not be sufficient for a new HVAC system, new roof, exterior masonry repairs, and rehabilitation of the library’s interior spaces. Without these renovations, the library will suffer further deterioration and damage to its many resources, including irreplaceable historic artifacts.

• $200,000 for expanding the Trenton Animal Shelter - Improves COVID-19 safety and allows for additional personnel to work at the shelter by funding two new office trailers.

U.S. Treasury ARP guidance offers wide latitude to support public health initiatives and resources, including COVID-19 mitigation and containment, medical expenses, and behavioral and mental health services. Eligible projects also include capital investments in public facilities to meet operational requirements related to the pandemic. Municipalities are also empowered to address negative economic impacts for individuals, households, small businesses, and non-profits, especially in low-income and socially vulnerable communities.

All ARP funds must be appropriated by the City no later than Dec. 31, 2024 and expended by Dec. 31, 2026.

We want to thank everyone who submitted feedback via www.TalkTrenton.org! There has been a high level of engagement on the American Rescue Plan, with more than 80 suggestions from City residents and business owners. Please keep the suggestions coming! As we analyze this feedback, we’re also determining which suggestions fall into the eligible expenditure categories identified by the U.S. Department of Treasury.

Some of the comments suggested Trenton invest in low-cost broadband options, youth recreation and after-school programs, jobs and scholarship programs for all ages, and facilities upgrades for historic properties and community centers. The first draft of the plan already includes several of these elements, but we’ll assess your recent feedback to determine whether the proposed programming meets the needs of the community. Other suggestions, such as additional compensation for first responders, have already been implemented, with those payments received by essential workers on July 8.

Some suggestions, while wonderful proposals for the City, are not expressly eligible spending categories, such as cutting taxes. Other ideas, however, can be adapted to include eligible projects. The City is taking every suggestion and reviewing to see whether it can be modified in order to be an eligible expense.

For example, while we may not be able to use the funds to open and staff additional library branches, those dollars can be used to invest in the main Trenton Free Public Library branch’s current needs, such as HVAC upgrades for COVID compliance, expanded youth and adult programming, jobs training, and technology improvements. Also, while the City can’t build a new community center on a vacant lot, we can invest in existing properties to serve as a site for recreational activity, a health or vaccine clinic, or other services related to COVID-19 needs.

Other suggested programs and initiatives are either already in the works or can be funded through other means. For example, we already have existing business loan programs for COVID-related expenses incurred by City businesses, but we are seeking to convert outstanding loans to grants and expand eligibility under the program. There is also already funding designated for the demolition and renovation of vacant and blighted properties. Other expenses, such as improvements to Trenton Water Works infrastructure, have been bonded out in part and may qualify for funding under a future infrastructure bill which we are eagerly anticipating.

Some residents also suggested partnerships be forged with other entities who receive Rescue Plan funding, such as Trenton Public Schools, Mercer County, and the State of New Jersey itself. We are in ongoing discussions with those and other entities to avoid duplication of programming efforts and ensure cooperation where necessary, such as in job readiness programs geared toward Trenton youth.

Thanks again for your input! We’ll post more updates as soon as we can.

Trenton, N.J. – Mayor W. Reed Gusciora released the first version of the Trenton American Rescue Plan (ARP) proposal, which allocates more than $70.82 million in direct federal aid to combat the lingering economic effects of COVID-19 by building youth and neighborhood resilience, transforming outdated infrastructure and making critical investments in local jobs and businesses.

“This plan incorporates much of the feedback we’ve received from City Council, concerned community stakeholders, and numerous employee organizations that were impacted greatly by the pandemic,” said Mayor Gusciora. “This plan is focused on addressing many of the long-term symptoms of COVID-19, including spikes in violent crime, shrinking job and business opportunities, and a workforce that endured hundreds of COVID-19 cases while continuing to provide critical services. We expect this plan to evolve as we reach out to more residents, receive additional U.S. Treasury guidance and continue our ongoing discussions with City Council.”

The plan outlines 38 spending items across three major themes that highlight U.S. Treasury guidance concerning negative COVID-19 economic impacts, public health support, and replacing lost public sector revenue:

Building youth and neighborhood resilience: $32.47 million to improve the health and wellbeing of Trenton residents, students, and employees, including $15 million in direct support to Trenton households, $8 million in hazard pay for city workers who were active throughout the pandemic, $2 million to expand mental health services, $500,000 in youth neighborhood counseling to combat violent crime, and more than $6 million in arts and recreation programming.

Transforming aging infrastructure: $21.72 million to counter municipal COVID-19 budget shortfalls that have prevented much-needed investments in city infrastructure, including $14.5 million for facility repairs and HVAC improvements at the TWW Filtration Plant, Animal Shelter, Municipal Court, Trenton Free Public Library, Trenton Police Headquarters, and multiple historic sites.

Investing in local jobs and businesses: $16.63 million to improve job training and business support programs, including a $5 million local venture capital fund, $4 million in expanded Urban Enterprise Zone support for local businesses, and more than $6.5 million in new internship and job training programs.

The plan was first introduced on a community Zoom meeting on June 23, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. The plan is available here: Trenton's American Rescue Plan Project | Talk Trenton.

The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan contains $360 billion in state and local aid to help employ essential workers, assist struggling families and small businesses, and make critical infrastructure investments. Trenton will receive $72,913,998 across two payments, the first $36.5 million of which was received on May 19, 2021. City Council voted to adopt a Resolution to accept this first round of funding on May 27, 2021.

The funds received must be appropriated by the City no later than Dec. 31, 2024 and expended by Dec. 31, 2026.

Eligible expenses include supporting public health costs, addressing negative economic impacts related to COVID-19, replacing lost public sector revenue, providing premium pay for essential workers, and investing in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure. Generally, municipalities must assess whether and how the proposed use would respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency and identify the connection between the negative impact and how the assistance alleviates that impact.

The interim U.S. Treasury guidance offers wide latitude to support public health initiatives and resources, including COVID-19 mitigation and containment, medical expenses, and behavioral and mental health services. This also includes capital investments in public facilities to meet operational requirements related to the pandemic. Municipalities are also empowered to address negative economic impacts for individuals, households, small businesses, and non-profits, especially in low-income and socially vulnerable communities.

The Gusciora Administration and City Council are currently considering options based on the updated guidance. Following the passage of the American Rescue Plan, the Office of the Mayor also assembled an advisory committee of city officials, policy experts, and community leaders to help evaluate upcoming projects.

Residents interested in learning more about the American Rescue Plan can visit https://talktrenton.org/trenton-american-rescue-plan-advisory-committee.

Trenton, N.J. – Mayor W. Reed Gusciora today announced that the City of Trenton will host a public webinar on Zoom Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. to give an overview of the American Rescue Plan and discuss eligible expenses related to the federal guidelines.

Those interested in attending the webinar can visit this link Wednesday, June 23 at 6:00 p.m. The presentation will be followed by a brief Q & A to address any comments or concerns. The webinar will be recorded so residents who cannot attend the meeting will still have access to the discussion. No registration is required beforehand.

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The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan contains $360 billion in state and local aid to help employ essential workers, assist struggling families and small businesses, and make critical infrastructure investments. Trenton will receive $72,913,998 across two payments, the first $36.5 million of which was received on May 19, 2021. City Council voted to adopt a Resolution to accept this first round of funding on May 27, 2021.

The funds received must be appropriated by the City no later than Dec. 31, 2024 and expended by Dec. 31, 2026.

On May 10, 2021, sixty days after President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act into law, the U.S. Department of Treasury issued its “Interim Final Rule,” which details eligible uses for funds. The Interim Final Rule is currently open for a 60-day comment period, which will close on July 9, 2021.

Eligible expenses include supporting public health costs, addressing negative economic impacts related to COVID-19, replacing lost public sector revenue, providing premium pay for essential workers, and investing in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure. Generally, municipalities must assess whether and how the proposed use would respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency and identify the connection between the negative impact and how the assistance alleviates that impact.

The guidance offers wide latitude to support public health initiatives and resources, including COVID-19 mitigation and containment, medical expenses, and behavioral and mental health services. This also includes capital investments in public facilities to meet operational requirements related to the pandemic. Municipalities are also empowered to address negative economic impacts for individuals, households, small businesses, and non-profits, especially in low-income and socially vulnerable communities.

The Gusciora Administration and City Council are currently considering options based on the updated guidance. Following the passage of the American Rescue Plan, the Office of the Mayor also assembled an advisory committee of city officials, policy experts, and community leaders to help evaluate upcoming projects.

Residents interested in learning more about the American Rescue Plan can visit https://talktrenton.org/trenton-american-rescue-plan-advisory-committee.

On May 10, 2021, sixty days after President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act into law, the United States Department of Treasury issued its “Interim Final Rule,” which details eligible and ineligible uses for the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. The Interim Final Rule is currently open for a 60-day comment period, which will close on July 9, after which Treasury will issue its Final Rule based on questions and comments from state and local governments. Trenton will receive $72,913,998 across two payments, the first of which was received on May 19.

The categories of eligible uses include supporting public health expenditures, addressing negative economic impacts related to COVID-19, replacing lost public sector revenue, providing premium pay for essential workers, and investing in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure. Generally, municipalities must assess whether and how the use would respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency and identify the connection between the negative impact and how the assistance responds to that impact.

The guidance offers wide latitude to support public health initiatives and resources, including COVID-19 mitigation and containment, medical expenses, and behavioral and mental health services. This also includes capital investments in public facilities to meet operational requirements related to the pandemic. Municipalities are also empowered to address negative economic impacts for individuals, households, small businesses, and non-profits, especially in low-income and socially vulnerable communities. A formula to calculate revenue loss and replacement was also provided, with the base revenue considered the last full fiscal year prior to the public health emergency – for Trenton, this is FY2019. Premium pay for essential workers includes those involved in emergency response, public health work, educational work, government services, sanitation, maintenance, and others. Premium pay allotments should prioritize low- and moderate-income workers and is capped at $13 per hour for work performed during the declared public health emergency. The only programs not directly related to COVID-19 are improvements to water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure. Specific ineligible uses include making deposits into pension funds, offsetting reductions in net tax revenue, replenishing financial reserves, repaying debts, and paying settlement agreements.