The Family YMCA of Fayette County formally requested ARPA funds from the City of Vandalia and the City has formed a committee to look into the request further.
Family YMCA of Fayette County CEO Ben Frazier addressed the Vandalia City Council at their meeting on Monday. Frazier read a statement to the council, discussing the Y’s need for more space with their growing numbers. And, that their Phase 2 project will allow for the expansion they need. Then, Frazier made the request for ARPA funds and also read from final ruling on the funds what they believes allows their project to meet the standards needed to receive funds.
ARPA stands for American Rescue Plan Act and is funds given to communities to help with recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic or to deal with other issues that may have been caused from the pandemic and there are hundreds of pages of documents that explain what does or does not qualify for ARPA funds. City of Vandalia Attorney Ryan Conner says he really doesn’t believe this project would fit the criteria.
The City of Vandalia is set to receive $909,589 in ARPA funds in total. It was also pointed out the City Council also already committed to use all of their ARPA funds on two projects–better than $828,000 on the Burtschi Street water lines project and the remaining $81,243 on the Octochem Watermain replacement project. Alderman Andy Lester said that he believed ARPA funds were probably not usable but he did think they should look into other possible funds they could donate to the project, such as from the revolving loan fund. Mayor Rick Gottman formed a committee that will include Aldermen Andy Lester, Ken Hubler, Steve Barker and Bret Brosman to look into the possibility of the City of Vandalia donating funding to the YMCA Phase 2 project.
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