Ceres approves COVID relief spending. Here’s where $5.2 million will go
The Ceres City Council on Monday approved spending roughly $5.2 million of federal COVID-19 relief funding on various projects, with the largest chunks going toward police, engineering and public works.
Approved by a 3-2 vote, the spending plan represents less than half of the the total $11.6 million allocated for the city from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Councilwoman Linda Ryno and Councilman Jim Casey voted against approving the spending plan, which officials reduced from city’s staff request for $5.5 million. Instead of first reaching council consensus on whether to approve, table or modify each item, Casey said the city should have allowed public comment beforehand.
Of the $5.2 million, police received roughly $1.27 million and engineering and public works combined got $1.41 million. Among the allocations are $300,000 for public safety cameras to deter dumping and vandalism and $500,000 for two additional code enforcement officers. Staff plan to request more money to fund the officers for another two years after receiving the second ARPA installment, Interim City Manager Alex Terrazas said.
“I believe this is the perfect time to add a couple of code enforcement officers and come up with a comprehensive plan between the police chief and the city manager of how to move this forward,” Councilman Bret Silveira said. “It is unfortunate that we could lose them after four years unless we do some creative financing, but as you know, in public safety, grant-funded positions are pretty common.”
Ceres received $5.8 million of the one-time funding in July 2021 and will receive the second half this summer.
Approved public works funding included $650,000 to develop Lions Park by adding curb, gutter and sidewalk. The council also signed off on city tree pruning funding, which it cut from the current budget passed in August.
Under the recreation department funding, officials approved $400,000 to complete Guillermo Ochoa Park with landscaping, grass and irrigation. Kimberly Ochoa, daughter of the park’s late namesake, presented a petition for the city to finish the park in the Eastgate neighborhood with ARPA funds. People have driven all-terrain vehicles in the park’s dirt, Ochoa said.
“Neglecting Guillermo Ochoa Park is an eyesore for your community,” Ochoa said. “It’s ugly; it’s a plot of dirt with a little playground. It’s also a dangerous zone right now.”
Ceres OKs essential worker pay
The council also approved $750,000 in premium pay for the city’s essential workers. Officials previously approved the premium pay in its agreements with Ceres employee unions, Terrazas said.
Agreements cover two rounds of premium pay, staff said, with the city dispersing more after it receives the second half of the ARPA funding. The premium pay was the most expensive item in the $5.2 million spending plan approved Monday.
Reloading $200,000 in match dollars for the Relief Across Downtown program also was part of the approved spending plan. Shoppers will be able to receive up to a $100 match, per the staff report.
Ceres, like other cities, must obligate ARPA funds by the end of 2024. It must expend the funds by Dec. 31, 2026.
This story was originally published March 15, 2022 at 11:01 AM.
