Coppell to Designate $10 Million in ARP Funding

Coppell—The city of Coppell is receiving $10,263,541 in funding through the Federal Government’s American Relief Plan (ARP) funding formula. On Aug. 23, 2021 the city received $5,131,770 (half of the funding). The remaining balance is scheduled to be sent to the city about this same time next year.

Funds may not be used to service debt, satisfy a judgment or settlement, or contribute to a “rainy day” fund. There are general guidelines on what the funds can be used for. A set of these uses as they apply to local governments are among other things include the following categories: 1) Negative economic impact resulting from Covid-19, 2) Premium Pay for public safety/first responders, 3) Extent of Revenue Loss on Government Services, and 4) Infrastructure Investments including water, sewer and broadband.

The Federal Government is constantly updating the guidelines as the funds are being used by other governmental entities throughout the country and questions arise. Entities are given a wide berth to expend the funds.

Proposed expenses under the Negative Economic Impact of Covid-19 category include fitness equipment replacement in the CORE, enhanced trail amenities, renovations to restrooms throughout the city, resurfacing of Pickleball/Tennis courts, drainage work in the Town Hall Community Garden, soft trail enhancements, and refurbishing practice fields which will include adding necessary components to incorporate a recreation-oriented cricket field combined with a soccer practice field at Wagon Wheel Park.

Planned expenditures include infrastructure maintenance and pay-as-you-go capital cost. One of the primary recommendations is to make a one-time payment to employees who were on the payroll and not on probation as of March 31, 2020, equal to 3.5 percent for Public Safety employees, consistent with the adopted step plan, and 3 percent for the balance of city employees. In the current 20/21 Fiscal Year budget, there were no step plan increases for public safety or pay increases for any employees. This one-time payment would occur this fiscal year, prior to Sept. 30, 2021.
Planned expenditures for the Infrastructure Investment category at the present time include funds to complete the Sandy Lake Lift Station project. All in all, the above listed projects total approximately $4 million out of the $10.2 million the city will be receiving. Time is on our side with the eventual expense of these funds. We have until Dec. 31, 2026 to expend them. Keep in mind that these additional dollars should be spent on one-time expenditures and not used to offset or supplement any ongoing expenses.

ARPA Proposed Expenditures:
Fitness equipment replacement
Due to blocked machines, machines that were available had more use than usual. Also, the amount of cleaning that took place on the weight machines has caused several of them to start to rust.
Trail Amenities Package
Increased trail patron usage as a result of COVID. Project would add amenities such as trail striping, shaded benches and exercise equipment.
Renovate Wagon Wheel Park 4‐plex Restrooms
Increased park patron usage as a result of COVID. Would like to add touchless toilets, sinks, and soap dispensers.
Renovate Wagon Wheel Park Field‐6 Restrooms
Increased park patron usage as a result of COVID. Would like to add touchless toilets, sinks, and soap dispensers.
Renovate MacArthur Park Restrooms
Increased park patron usage as a result of COVID. Would like to add touchless toilets, sinks, and soap dispensers.
Renovate Andy Brown Central Park Restrooms
Increased park patron usage as a result of COVID. Would like to add touchless toilets, sinks, and soap dispensers.
Renovate Tennis Center Restrooms
The restrooms proved too often not be able to support proper social distancing guidelines.
Resurfacing of Pickleball /Tennis Courts (4 PB & 5 Tennis)
Due to the increased and consistent level of usage in programs/services, the courts experienced greater than usual wear and tear….especially the PB courts, this was the last of the courts to be resurfaced
Shade/Patio Restroom addition to TC Courtyard Area
The PB area desperately needed shade for participants this summer. Participants were without adequate shading and convenient nearby water, provided some safety concerns regarding cooling and rest.
Addition of Tennis and Pickleball courts
COVID Impact has made Tennis and Pickleball more popular than ever. We often ran out of space to accommodate the demand from folks.
HH Community Garden Drainage
Community Garden volunteers worked through the pandemic to address the needs of the Metrocrest food pantry. The Town Hall location experienced some setbacks due to the area flooding in seasons of heavy rains. Addressing this drainage issue would encourage continued community involvement that addresses pandemic related community needs.
Main Pavilion Restroom Renovation
Heavy traffic due to uptick in services during and after COVID. Would like to add touchless toilets, sinks, and soap dispensers.
Columbarium Restroom Renovation
Heavy traffic due to uptick in services during and after COVID. Would like to add touchless toilets, sinks, and soap dispensers.
Office Restrooms Renovation
Heavy traffic due to uptick in services during and after COVID. Would like to add touchless toilets, sinks, and soap dispensers.
Office Building
Touchless hand sanitizers in offices and common areas.
Contracted repairs and soft trail maintenance of CNP and GPVS Park
Heavy pandemic use, there are some areas that are a bit to tricky for the Friends/staff to access
Refurbish 5 Grass practice areas and adding recreation amenities
Refurbish practice areas due to high traffic use on them. Aerate, top‐dress and apply organic materials, adding a pitch and turf for cricket on a shared practice field
Behavioral Healthcare Needs
Mental Health/Substance Abuse Treatment ‐ Crisis Intervention/Hotlines ‐ Services to promote access to Social Services
Payroll/Benefits
Public Health/Safety ‐ Human Services ‐ Similar Employees
Impacted Industries
COVID mitigation/prevention measures to enable safe resumption of tourism, travel and hospitality services
Rebuilding Public Sector Capacity
Staff Accountant (3 1/2 Years)
Rehire Staff
Infrastructure Investments in Water, Sewer, and Broadband
Sandy Lake Lift Station

SOURCE City of Coppell