Loading...
The URL can be used to link to this page
Your browser does not support the video tag.
Home
My WebLink
About
weekly Notes- April 9th 2021
CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS—WEEKLY NOTES for: April 9,2021 TO: City Council Members& Staff FROM: Eric Johnson,City Administrator Zoning&Development Items: 1. No new applications have been received. 2. Code enforcement letters have been issued from the Building Official—lack of a building permit at 15174 64'x'Street—see enclosed and Wal Mart has continued exterior lighting and event violations - these seem to arrive every spring and /or with new site managers. 3. The WHITE CASTLE owner has wart NCH r n+ aaT ww cur nra was sought the installation of a new z,s Mµ driveway access to the FRONTAGE — WTks,Z-1,RTH ROAD- The City has commented to a'° °T ER 31a'Tu�N LANE MNDOT that it has no immediate r objections to the proposal and looks OPTION 1 viable as the turn lane into NOVA 1 SCOTIA from eastbound frontage road is rather long,but would need to possibly o through the PUD _ P Y g g � s AMENDMENT process. However, , < += = —� °-• the MNDOT has indicated that they s - —I y r- would NOT allow this connection. It - � s - is possible WHITE CASTLE may appeal this? See enclosed letter from '• 1 T J d f =; - MNDOT. — - - COVID-19 Matters: • This is the Governor's-PORTAL https://mn.gov/covidl9—Many documents/Exec. Orders can be found. Washington County has initiated a County Dashboard containing more localized COVID-19 Impacts and rates LINK-»HERE. • The State has issued a general VACCINATION process for all Minnesotans-Sign up at Vaccine Connector (https://vaccineconnector.mn.gov/). • You can also register for vaccine through Washington County -subject to availability ---at: https://www.co.washington.mn.us/3328/COVID-19-Vaccine-Clinics Other Items: • The City has been issued its COUNTY HAZZ. WASTE License. Copy enclosed. • Due to planned Xcel Energy Vegetation clearance, staff met with Xcel Staff and a homeowner Oldfield Ave. to try to arrange an agreement where Xcel will only remove '/Z of their planned areas, with the City extending its LILAC plantings thereafter... in the next 4 year cycle the remainder would be removed and the lilacs should be well established. See enclosed map—this is just west of Swager Park. • The City has two planned prairie bums coming up this spring—depending on weather....one just west of Swager Park and another in Valley View. Staff has issued a letter to nearby residents informing them of the upcoming project—see enclosed. Mayor McComber provided: 1. Youth Service Bureau—April 2021 newsletter—Virtual -Gala information. 2. Information from Rep. Betty McCollum on the American Rescue Plan. 3. NLC Updates—American Rescue Plan and—April 7'i'Recovery Resources. 4. See the link https://www.vaccinespotter.org/MN/ maybe able to help find a local source for vaccine availability. 5. Watershed MS4 Updates Please let me know if you have any questions-651-253-7837 Call Anytime. 1 of 48 CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 14165 0111 I III POLI Ievartl \0I 011 0 a K Park Heights. ntti 551,1;' ' i'hm4: 1 -4 14 1)574 e+ a ^' April 5, 2021 HAND-DELIVERD Mr. Michael DeMeglio or Current Occupant 15174 64" St. N. Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 Re: Remodeling Inquiry—Work Permits Required—Stop Work Notice Property Address: 15174 64"'St. N. Dear Mr. DeMeglio or Current Occupant: There has been work done at the above-reference property address resulting in a non-conformity to the single-family dwelling, through the removal of its garage parking. It appears that the garage has been converted into a living or space other than that of a garage. Chapter 300 of City Ordinance adopts the Minnesota State Building Code, which includes adoption of the International Codes for heating, mechanical, fuel gas and fire protection as well as the National Electric Code, These Codes and City Ordinance require permits and inspections for work performed in relation to remodeling, etc. Contractors performing work are required to have a MN State License or a local license based upon their trade. I have received no request for a work permit or inquiry as to the suitability of such conversion. This letter serves as my notice to you to immediately: Stop Work; and Cease any use of the space as living area. Contact me no later than Thursday, April 15, 2021 to discuss what is occurring at the property. Creating a non-conformance to as per City Ordinance 401 and working without a permit are violations of City Ordinance and State Law. Sincerely, PLANING & CODE ENFORCEMENT Julie Hultman t- Building Official c:Eric Johnson, City Administrator _ .. 2of48 Tree City U.S.A. City of Oak Park Heights 14168 Oak Park Blvd. N. Phone:651.439.4439 Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 Fax:651.439.0574 April 8, 2021 Mr. Frank Fenton, Manager Wal-Mart Supercenter#1861 5815 Noreli Ave. N. Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 Re: Special Event Signage & Outdoor Garden Center Lights Dear Frank: We have spoken on several occasions regarding special event signage placement and permit requirements. I noticed that there are some temporary advertisement signs in place at the store exterior today. Please be reminded that all exterior special event signs require a no-cost special event permit from the City. I have enclosed Special Events Ordinance 401.15.G.8 for your review and an application for your use. Kindly remove all exterior placed special event signs and displays or obtain a special event permit for their displav Prior to Monday, April 19, 2021 A compliance inspection will be made. We have also spoken with regard to the light fixtures placed at the outdoor garden center and the need for them to be full cut off so that they are compliant to City Ordinance 401.15.6. for outdoor lighting. I am referring to the fixtures that have been installed directly over the display areas. Commercial outdoor lighting fixtures (luminaire) are required to comply with the performance standards outlined in Ordinance Section 401.15.B.7.f.2 as to shielding, intensity, height, location, hours of operation and glare. Ordinance 401.15.13. and Ordinance definitions sections related to lighting and shielding (with diagrams) have been enclosed for your review. It appears that the fixtures or their globes have been replaced in whole. None of light fixtures at the outdoor garden center are compliant with City Ordinance with full cut off shields. These lights are to be turned off and not used until such time the fixtures have been replaced and found fully compliant to City Ordinance. You are directed to leave the outside garden center lights turned off and address the outdoor garden center lighting correction through compliant fixture replacement. 3 of 48 Email:jhultman@cityofoakparkheights.com City of Oak Park Heights 14168 Oak Park Blvd. N. Phone:651.439.4439 Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 Fax:651.439.0574 This non-compliance has been an off and on issue as far back as 2012. The necessary steps to bring them into Compliance with City Ordinance 401.15.B shall be taken prior to and no later than April 30, 2021. If compliance is not found after this date, the matter will be forwarded to the Police Department with a request for citation. Please be advised that such citation shall be to you personally. Your prompt attention is required. Please contact me immediateiy with any questions you may have. Sincerely, PLANNING &CODE ENFORCEMENT JPieA�)�_Lltman a Buildig Official Enclosures c: Eric Johnson, City Administrator Stephen Hansen, Police Chief Frank Fenton, Walmart Manager (via email) 4 of 48 Email:jhultman@cityofoakparkheights.com DEPARTMENT OF Metropolitan District Waters Edge Building TRANSPORTATION 1500 County Road B2 West Roseville, MN 55113 April 8, 2021 Scott Richard City Planner City of Oak Park Heights c/o The Planning Company 3601 Thurston Avenue, Suite 100 Anoka, MN 55303 Angela Popenhagen Stevens Engineering 642 Brakke Drive, Suite 202 Hudson, WI, 54016 SUBJECT: MnDOT Review#S21-020 White Castle Access SE Quad MN 36 & Norell Avenue North Oak Park Heights, Washington County Dear Mr. Richard and Ms. Popenhagen, Thank you for the opportunity to review the White Castle Access. MnDOT's staff has reviewed the documents and has the following comments: Design: Due to safety concerns, confusion with traffic entering the taper to the right turn lane, and the impact to the shared use trail, MnDOT will not approve the proposed new access from 60th Street. If you have any questions regarding this comment please contact Lance Schowalter of MnDOT Metro Design at lance.schowalterkstate.mn.us or 651-234-7647. Multimodal: The proposed driveway would add a conflict point to the sidepath that exists along 60th street which would introduce safety concerns for people walking and biking. Adding this driveway would set a precedent that is not ideal for pedestrian and bicyclist travel. For questions regarding this comment,please contact Jesse Thomsen, Metro Multimodal, at Jesse.Thomsen2state.mn.us or(651) 234-7788. An equal opportunity employer MnDOT Metropolitan District, Waters Edge Building, 1500 County Road B2 West, Roseville, MN 55113 Review Submittal Options MnDOT's goal is to complete reviews within 30 calendar days. Review materials received electronically can be processed more rapidly. Do not submit files via a cloud service or SharePoint link. In order of preference, review materials may be submitted as: 1. Email documents and plans in PDF format to metrodevreviews.dotgstate.mn.us. Attachments may not exceed 20 megabytes per email. Documents can be zipped as well. If multiple emails are necessary, number each message. 2. PDF file(s)uploaded to MnDOT's external shared intemet workspace site at: hgps://mft.dot.state.mn.usmetrodevreviews.dotgstate.mn.us Contact MnDOT Planning development review staff at for uploading instructions, and send an email listing the file name(s) after the document(s) has/have been uploaded. If you have any questions concerning this review, please contact me at(651) 234-7797. Sincerely, 4'__' /k't-4 Cameron Muhic Senior Planner Copy sent via E-Mail: Buck Craig, Permits Lance Schowalter, Design Jason Swenson, Water Resources Michael Lynch, Right-of-Way Ryan Coddington, Area Engineer Adam Josephson, Area Manager Mackenzie Turner Bargen, Multimodal Jesse Thomsen, Multimodal Kaare Festvog, Traffic Russell Owen, Metropolitan Council 6 of 48 � /� 2021-2`022 Hazardous Waste Generator License • �a§' ton Department of Public Health and Environment County , 14949 62nd Street North PO Box 6 Stillwater MN 55082-0006 i Office: 651-430-6655 Facsimile: 651-4306730 Licensee: City of Oak Park Heights Generator: City of Oak Park Heights HWID Number: MNS 000 189 290 Contact: Eric Johnson Telephone: (651)439-4439 Site Address: 14168 Oak Park BLVD N Generator Number: 2062 Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 Generator Size: VSQG Mali Address: 14168 Oak Park BLVD N Stillwater MN 55082 WHEREAS, City of Oak Park Heights has paid the license fee to the County of Washington as required by the Hazardous Waste Management Ordinance and has complied with all the requirements of said Ordinance necessary for obtaining this license. NOW, THEREFORE, by order of the Washington County Board of Commissioners, and by virture hereof, City of Oak Park Heights is hereby licensed and authorized to operate as a Hazardous Waste Generator for the period of May 1, 2021 through April 30, 2022, and is subject to all provisions of said Ordinance, including those found in MN Rules pt. 7045.0243, subp. 3, and any conditions prescribed in the Hazardous Waste License Attachment. Application to renew this license must be made by January 31, 2022. Dated: March 26, 2021 Gary Bruns Environmental Program Supervisor This License is Conditional by attached General and Specific Conditions THIS LICENSE MUST BE POSTED and is NON-TRANSFERABLE If you need assistance due to disability or language barrier,please call 651-430-6655(TTY 651-430-6246) Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action 7 of 48 WaShi"ngton DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT 14949 62nd Street North PO Box 6 "'� o Stillwater MN 55082-0006 Office: 651-430-6655 Facsimile: 651-430-6730 Small/Lar a uanti Hazardons Waste Generator License Attachment Ma 12021 to A ri!30 2022 GENERAL CONDITIONS L Copies of reports submitted to Metropolitan Council Environmental Services must be kept on file for department review upon request. 2. Licensee is prohibited from discharging any material to septic systems except that allowed by the Washington County Subsurface Treatment System Ordinance. gt 3. Licensee must at all times comply with the hazardous waste generator conditions in Minnesota Rule 7045.0243, Subpart 3 items A, B, and D through J, as adopted by the Washington County Hazardous Was Management Ordinance. to 4. The issuance of this license does not release the licensee from any liability, penalty; Minnesota or federal statutes or rules or local ordinances, except the obliga on toobtain he liceenseed by 5.The issuance of this license does not prevent the future adoption by Washington County of pollution control rules, standards, or orders more stringent than those now in existence and does not prevent the enforcement of the Washington County Hazardous Waste Management Ordinance, standards,or orders against the licensee. 6. The issuance of this license does not obligate the Department to enforce local laws, rules, or plans beyond that authorized by Minnesota Statutes and the Washington County Board of Commissioners. 7. The licensee may not knowingly make a false or misleading statement, representation, or certification in a record,report, or other document required to be submitted to the Department. The licensee must immediate) upon discovery report to the Department an error or omission in these records,reports, or other doc y uments. 8. When authorized by Minnesota Statutes, sections 115.04; 115B.17, subdivision 4; and 116.091; and/or Section 1 1 of the Washington County Hazardous Waste Management Ordinance, and upon presentation of pro er credentials, the Department, or an authorized employee or agent of the Department, shall be allowed by the p licensee to enter at reasonable times upon the licensed property of the licensee to examine and copy books, papers,records, or memoranda pertaining to the activity covered by the license. and to conduct surveys and investigations, including sampling or monitoring, pertaining to the activity covered by the license. 9. If the licensee discovers, through any means,including notification by the Department,that noncompliance with a condition of the license has occurred,the licensee shall take alI reasonable steps to minimize the adverse impacts on human health,public drinking water supplies, or the environment resulting from the noncompliance. 8 of 48 W z �a Ji Y oI z.., JAL o� -/+ .9z , m W r� � ntif " 4 K. ten. 4q. d � N �f. R L V 1 4�1� •'� "��� y t� � I a "log I .}kA a" MPREM AW ^ p N I� c 9 r w , vl e � City of Oak. Park Heights 14168 Oak Park Blvd N •Oak Park Heights.iv1N 55082.Phone(65 1)4394439.Fax 439-0574 Thursday, April 8th 2021 RE: 2021 SPRING PRAIRIE RESTORATION AREA PRESCRIBED BURNS Dear Resident, This Spring season, in keeping with the DNR recommended standards for the vegetation maintenance at the City prairie restoration areas; Minnesota Native Landscapes, Inc. will conduct a prescribed burn at the (2) two City prairie restoration areas. These are small, controlled fires that reduce invasive vegetation and enhance the environmental health of prairie areas. The(2) two locations are as follows: 1) Swager Park (west of Oldfield Ave N behind City Hall) 2) Valley View Park A schedule for the prescribed burns has not yet been finalized, however; because of the variables in the weather, the City will only have about 24 hours advance notice of when the burns are to take place. Please consider this letter as an advance notice of the prescribed burns to take place near your neighborhood. Emergency response units such as Police and Fire will be notified of the prescribed burns as well. Please check the City website at www.cityofoakparkheights.com for updates on the schedule, We thank you for your cooperation in advance. Should you have any questions please contact me at 651-439-4439 or via email Ida nielson(o)cityofoakoarkheig.hts corn . Thank you, � e Lisa Danielson City Arborist 11 of 48 From: Mary Mccomber To: Enc Johnson Subject: Fwd:Join us for YSB"s 2021 Virtual Gala! Date: Monday,April 5,2021 1:08:01 PM For weekly notes -----Original Message----- From:Youth Service Bureau,Inc.<info@ysb.net> To:marymccomber@aol.com Sent:Mon,Apr 5,2021 1:00 pm Subject:Join us for YSB's 2021 Virtual Gala! Having trouble viewing this email?View as a web page. 12 of 48 From: Mary Mccomber To: Eric Johnson Subject: Fwd:YSB April 2021 Newsletter Date: Wednesday,April 7,20212:14:01 PM For weekly notes -----Original Message----- From:Youth Service Bureau,Inc.<info@ysb.net, To:marymccomber@aol.com Sent:Wed,Apr 7,2021 11:50 am Subject:YSB April 2021 Newsletter Having trouble viewing this email?View as a web page. Article Image Helping youth and families learn the skills they need to be more successful at home,in school,and throughout the community. YSB Newsletter April 2021 Mission Moment By Mike Huntley, YSB Exectutive Director Spring arrives and with it can come the feeling of,or (J the expectation for,new life,happiness and energy. This can be a wonderful time of year and feeling for some,and for some it may seem to be an added pressure or an unfulfilled dream.Whatever your experience may be,share it with a friend or two for added support.As the saying goes,"a joy shared is doubled;a grief shared is halved." April is the Month of Awareness April is Alcohol Awareness Month.This is an excellent focus and By Meghan Heffner connection to YSB's Chemical Health prevention and education resources. While April signifies a time of renewal and extra sunshine,April is also dedicated to bringing light to the realities of sexually Parents and caregivers,please take time to transmitted infections(STI),sexual assault,and alcohol abuse. learn more about alcohol and how to educate Unfortunately,these three have much more in common than and guide your kids.We know current research just their month of dedication.We must start from the beginning indicates alcohol consumption has increased to fully understand how these three epidemics connect to each during the pandemic.We know that many other and how they particularly affect those in their teen years. LN celebrations may include the presence of alcohol,and celebrations are beginning to open up a bit more.Although experimentation with Research has found that from early adolescence through their alcohol can be common among kids,it's not safe mid-20s,a teen's brain develops somewhat unevenly,from nor legal.It is important to start discussing back to front.The brain region that's responsible for making alcohol use and abuse with your kids at an early complex judgments(the Prefrontal Cortex)isn't fully mature, age and keep talking about it as they grow up. and therefore teens lack the important skills of behavior Take time to learn about the short-term effects,the long-term effects, planning and judgment;this means that they rarely think of and tips for increasing protective factors to help lessen the likelihood negative consequences.Sound familiar?A teen's brain is more of alcohol abuse.Remember too that your own choices and actions prone to be overpowered by the emotional or motivational with alcohol are being closely observed by your kids—and may be regions that are more mature,causing teens to act impulsively more influential than your words.There are many resources available and sometimes dangerously.What all this means is that a to parents to obtain more information on this—one of my overall teen's brain has a preference for high excitement and low effort favorites is www.kidshealth.ora That site provides balanced accurate activities,such as video games,sex,and drugs. information that is practical and useful to parents on many topics, Full article and article resources including alcohol. Enjoy springtime,and help your kids safely enjoy it too! Chemical Health Corner Talking with your Teens about Alcohol and Other Drugs By Kristin Wanhala It is never too late to start talking to your teenager about the 13 of 48 dangers associated with using alcohol and other drugs. Helping your teenager understand the risks will help to reduce problematic substance abuse in the future. As teenagers get older,the pressure they face to use alcohol and other drugs will increase as they begin to make decisions on their own and come face to face with peer pressure. Research has shown that more than 80%of students age 10-18 report that the influence of a parent or loved one factors into their decision to use or not use substances. Having early conversations that show you do not approve of the underage use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs will help your child to build strong foundation to draw upon in the future. Find other tips for talking to your teenager about the dangers of substance abuse here: Teen and Tween Health Make a Difference:Talk to your Child about alcohol How to Address Alcohol and Underage Drinking What Youth Service Bureau is What We Are Readina How to Raise a Drug Free Kid "Nearly every child will be offered drugs or alcohol before graduating high school.The good news is that a child who gets to age twenty-one without smoking,using illegal drugs,or abusing alcohol is virtually certain never to do so...and kids who learn about drugs from their parents are much likelier to resist these temptations." What We Are Watchina Ted Talk:What kids can teach adults about asking for help- Please visit our Event Page at httos://bidpal.net/ysb202l for event details,to "Do you need some help?It's OK to ask,says YeYoon Kim,a donate auction items,or to become a sponsor. former kindergarten teacher who learned from her students how powerful and courageous it can be to reach out for support.Sharing the story of one of the most difficult periods in Through My Eyes her life,Kim explores the happiness and joy that can come from leaning on those you love in times of need--and encourages the rest of us to start asking for help more often." New in 2021,we will have guest articles from youth.These messages will give us a glance at a day or season through a What We Are Listening To young person's eyes. Please email info a&ysb.net for more Dare to Lead Podcast:Brene Brown with Dr.Susan David on information on how you,your child,or students can be a part of the Dangers of Toxic Positivity a feature message. "This is a full-on emotion researcher geek out on how emotional granularity and agility benefit us as individuals and This month's feature is from a local as leaders.It's such a good conversation that we made it into two episodes,and this is part one." elementary school student. Community Partner Events By DJ "How is distance learning going?Ummm,it's been going.]don't know. 19-1 It's mostly miserable.And stressful--the assignments and having to remember to do classes.In real school,there's a teacher there in person to make you do the work.But in distance learning,you're on your own and there's all this work and you think like it'll be fine and then next thing you know,you have 5 missing assignments.And that is stressful.I talk to friends and play video games.That helps a little and makes me be not so miserable.But it has gotten harder as the school year has gone on.I don't know how it could be better.I am not really looking forward to going back to in-person school in the fall,but Noon—https://bit.ly/3bwr4BT it will probably be better than this." 6:30 PM—https://bit.ly/3solwOA 14 of 48 How Can YS13 Help? Contact YSB to find out about confidential services,such as: • General Assessments • Counseling Services • Chemical Awareness Programs • Responsible Social Media Use Program Bring a YSB event to your school,faith group,or community!In- Kevin Hines discusses his process for person and virtual options available.Learn More wellness,resilience and recovery. Monday,April 12,2021 Partner In Parenting Podcast 6:30-8:30pm Register now On-Demand Educational Videos Article Image YSB has been finding new ways to support youth and Follow Us on Social Mediafamilies during the safer-at-home stage. We invite you ® to view and share YSB's Partner in If you haven't already-be sure to follow us @YSBKnowsKids Parenting podcast messages that cover such topics on Facebook,Twitter,YouTube.and Linkedln! as mental health,chemical health,effects of deployment on the family,and racial equity and YSB is working to improve its presence on its social media inclusion.Please consider subscribing to our channel as new platforms.You can help by following us,friending us, messages are uploaded weekly.If a topic you are seeking isn't found FB TW LI retweeting us,and sharing our content on your here,please email:merri.guggisberg(a ysb.net to share your topic own social media accounts.We can be found at suggestions. U @YSBKnowsKids on Facebook,Twitter, YouTube,and Linkedln.Find us,friend us, follow us.You will help more kids and families learn about our services,you will help us Visit:ysb.net/resources connect with more partners to expand our network,and you will for more info on: help us become even more integrated into the communities we serve.Thank you. • Parenting tips&tools • Social Media Leave us a review and share what C • Emotional Health you love most about YSB! • Chemical Health • Healthy Relationships • Partner In Parenting Video Podcast • NEW-Chemical Health newsletter! Cottage Grove Stil Woodbu ii (651)735-9534 Better Choices.Brighter Futures. All (���� (����� (����� (����� YSBKnowsKids Share This Email IPJ IPJ IPJ IPJ Remove my name from all future mass email communications: Address postal inquiries to: Youth Seance Bureau,Inc. 6120 Oren Avenue North Stillwater,MN 55082 15 of 48 t BETTY MCCOLLUM COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS 47H DrSTRICT,MINNESOTA ' CHAIR, 2256 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDINGI SUBGOMMITTEE ON DErLNSE WAWNGTON, D.C.20515 (202)225-6631 _* VICE-CHAIR, FAX;(202)225-1968 SUBCOMMITTEE ON INTERIOR.ENVIRONMENT, 661 LASALLE STREET AND RELATED AGENCIES SUITE 110 UNITED STATES SUBCOMMrTTEE ON AGRICULTURE SAINT PAUL,MN$5114 (651) 224.9191 HouSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON NATURAL FAX: (651)224-3056 RESOURCES mccollum.house.gov CO-CHAIR EMERITUS CONGRESSIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN CAUCUS March 19,2021 SENioR DEMUUHAV G WHIP Dear Mayor McComber: Last week in the U.S.House, I voted to pass the American Rescue flan and President Biden signed this critical emergency relief bill into hm. This historic,life-saving bill will begin deliveriii- Timch-needed help to workers, families,and small businesses in Minnesota's Fourth District and across the country. The American Rescue Plan will: + speed up vaccine distribution,address PPE shortages,and expand testing and tracing; • extend federal unemployment benefits; + provide direct payments of$1,400 per person for millions of Americans; • boost small business relief programs; • help families put food on the table and keep a roof over their head; + allow local government entities to keep essential services available for our communities–meaning critical funding to ensure first responders,firefighters,public transit workers,and front-line health care workers can remain on the job, Here at home,this bill will bring a total of nearly$4.9 billion into our state,and within the Fourth Congressional District: • $172 million for the City of St.Paul and$6 million for the city of Woodbury as part of S224 million for all the cities in the district combined; • $51 million for Washington County and$107 million for Ramsey County; • $284 million in aid for the school districts in MN-04,to help reopen our schools,while being able to prioritize safety for students,teachers,and faculty. Nationally,the plan will cut child poverty in half by expanding the child tax credit and making it fully refundable, while also providing funding for affordable childcare,increasing resources for Head Start,and more. Despite the strong bipartisan support for this critical aid by the American people,every Republican in the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate voted against this emergency relief,choosing to abandon the families,school children,seniors, business owners,and Health care workers who are in such dire need of help from their federal government. I am proud of this historic achievement and be assured help is on the way! Enclosed are estimates of the relief coming for Minnesota and communities and school districts in the Fourth Congressional District,as well as other summaries of this important legislation. It's an honor and a privilege to represent the people we serve together. As always,thank you for your service to our community. Sincerely, Q&Wrox— Betty McCollum Member of Congress 16 of 48 PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER MERICI RESCUE PLAN The American Rescue Plan: Impacts on Minnesota The Need for Action in Minnesota The pandemic and the associated economic crisis have had a severe impact on. Minnesota. The need for action is clear: • Since the pandemic began, more than 490,011 people have been infected with COVID-19 and more than 6,618 people have died. • The unemployment rate is 4.7%, up from 3.3% before the pandemic. • Since February 2020, more than 108,707 fewer people are employed. • 343,000 adults -- 9% of all adults in the state — report not having enough food to eat. This includes 134,000 adults living with children, or 10% of all adults living with children, who report that the children in their household do not have enough to eat. • An estimated 153,000 renters or 16% of renters are not caught up on rent. • An estimated 1,019,000 adults or 25% of all adults statewide report having difficulty covering normal household expenses. The Effect of the American Rescue Plan on Minnesota President Biden's American Rescue Plan frill provide Minnesota with: • $2.965 billion in state fiscal relief • $1.986 billion in local fiscal relief • More than $1.373 billion in relief for K-12 schools • Economic impact payments of up to $1,400 per person (above the $600 per person provided in December) for more than 3,462,000 adults and 1,296,400 children. This is 85% of all adults in the state and 82% of all children in the state. • Additional relief of up to $1,600 per child through the Child Tax Credit to the families of 1,126,000 children, lifting 44,000 children out of poverty • Additional relief of up to nearly $1,000 through the Earned Income Tax Credit to 289,000 childless workers, including many in frontline jobs • Marketplace health insurance premiums that are $773 lower per month for a 60-year old couple earning $75,000 per year 17 of 48 Estimated American Rescue Plan Allocations for Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District TOPLINE TOTALS FOR CD4 CD4 School Districts: $284,574,000 CD4 Cities: $215,997,247 CD4 Counties: $158,000,000 TOTAL: $658,571,247 State and Local Assistance Projections,03.08.21 (all totals in million s) Other States Non- (capital State State Govts Metro Cities Counties Countiesprojects) Total Minnesota 2.577 0.595 0.420 1.109 0.179 4.881 Metro City Allocations Projections,02.25.21 (all totals in billions) Note: Estimates use FY2020 HUD data to identify populations eligible for assistance, and may not include localities that relinquished their CDBG allocation in that year. Funding to localities on this list would be reduced to the extent that such cities apply for and receive funding as o metro city under this proposal. State Name Allocation Minnesota St. Paul 0.172 Minnesota Woodbury 0.006 County Allocation Projections,02.25.21 (all totals in billions) Note: CDBG urban county odjsutments use FY2020 HUD data to identify populations eligible for assistance,and may not include localities that relinquished their CDBG allocation in thatyeon County funding would be slightly altered to the extent that such cities apply for and receive funding as a metro city under this proposal. Name State Allocation Ramsey County Minnesota 0.107 Washington County Minnesota 0.051 TOTALI CD4 Counties $158,000,a0a 18 of 48 Estimated American Rescue Plan Allocations for Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District Nonentitlement Allocation Projections,02.25.21 (all totals in dollars) Note:Estimates use 2019 Census data to identify populations eligible for assistance, and do not include villages or other sublocal entities that may also qualify for funding. Identification of eligible governments and distribution of assistance across units with overlapping populations may reflect decisions made by the Department of Treasury and state governments. Unit County State Allocation Afton city Washington County Minnesota $344,828 Arden Hills city Ramsey County Minnesota $1,170,799 Bayport city Washington County Minnesota $428,758 Baytown township Washington County Minnesota 5226,849 Birchwood Village city Washington County Minnesotall $100,442 Dellwood city Washington County Minnesota $128,229 Falcon Heights city Ramsey County Minnesota $629,528 Gem Lake city Ramsey County Minnesota $56,940 Grant city Washington County Minnesota $468,729 Lake Elmo city Washington County Minnesota $1,048,833 Lake St. Croix Beach city Washington County Minnesota $122,535 Lakeland Shores city Washington County Minnesota $35,531 Lakeland city Washington County Minnesota $207,147 Landfall city Washington County Minnesota $82,905 Lauderdale city Ramsey County Minnesota $287,091 Little Canada city Ramsey County Minnesota $1,195,852 Mahtomedi city Washington County Minnesota $944,519 Maplewood city Ramsey County Minnesota $4,655,978 Mounds View city Ramsey County Minnesota $1,517,335 New Brighton city Ramsey County Minnesota $2,591,108 Newport city Washington County Minnesota $408,601 North Oaks city Ramsey County Minnesota $609,371 North St. Paul city Ramsey County Minnesota $1,424,181 Oak Park Heights city Washington County Minnesota $569,741 Oakdale city Washington County Minnesota $3,181,006 Roseville city Ramsey County Minnesota $4,151,718 Shoreview city Ramsey County Minnesota $3,089,560 St. Marys Point city Washington County Minnesota $44,641 Stillwater city Washington County Minnesota $2,235,120 Stillwater township Washington County Minnesota $230,948 Vadnais Heights city Ramsey County Minnesota $1,549,563 West Lakeland township Washington County Minnesota $480,004 White Bear Lake city Ramsey County Minnesota $2,900,292: White Bear Lake city Washington County Minnesota $46,349 White Bear township Ramsey County Minnesota $1,340,821 Willernie cityl Washingtor) Countyl Minnesotal $57,965 TOTAL Ramsey County $26,603,567 TOTAL Washington County $11,393,680 TOTAL C134 Cities $37,997,247 19 of 48 00 0 m rn .� oo Ln m00 C ro T o m00 N L.(1 m �--� r- m M N E a Ln cn N x o - 'a Lq o v Rw inw a vF - v� co +nv� @ —� +� D LD G U O of -� iIF ih ri al c - � U) c rn al c@ O t E y CD O U) ,C O O a U ]., C li 0 N t� > M @ o N LL Lu Q c71 @ 73 Lr- a "' o o)C 47 'D 0 -j U @ F O ` O N M '(D CDC Q R E v O C p mw C _ Q) O O C L LL N al r m77M E J a+ W G E O N m '� Ry u7 - @ `—� at d7 @ 0 � LLL O COY a Q1 CD a1 @ a W coi al is m o c 'E cd) E u� �D Ln oa M m m m as C i m r` 0 LD in r, � m m 0 w O LL N Y@ y w O v--i N m CT �A .--i cD V m 0 U) E Tide-Br-Title Summary of the Anicrican Rescue Plan The following title-by-title summary outlines the American Rescue Plan.Act as passed by the Senate on March(`h, 2021. The bill will provide urgent and targeted funding to defeat the virus and provide workers and families the resources they need to survive the pandemic while the vaccine is distributed to every American. The bill provides for a total of 51.88 trillion in federal investments. Title I—Committee on Altriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry • Nutrition: The bill will extend the 15% increase in SNAP benefits through September 30, 2021 to address the hunger crisis. As many as 50 million Americans have struggled to feed themselves or their families during the pandemic and need continued support to put food on the table. • The bill will extend the Pandemic EBT program which helps children in need by providing families, who non- nally would receive school meals in person, with the value of those missed school breakfasts and lunches. During this time of historic hunger for American families, it is critical that this program is available through the pandemic, including summer months to keep the 22 million children who use this program fed. • This bill will provide funding for outreach and modernization to make the WIC program more user-friendly and increases the Cash Value Voucher benefit so moms and babies can buy additional fruits and vegetables. Participation in WIC has declined significantly in recent years, barely rising during the pandemic. • Food Supply Chain: The bill will build on the bipartisan approach from the December COVID-19 package, by providing $4 billion to support the food supply chain through the purchase and distribution of food, the purchase of PPE for farmworkers and other frontline food workers, and financial support for farmers, small and medium sized food processing companies, farmers markets, and others to create more resilient and competitive food supply chains. It also provides funding to monitor COVID-19 in animals and reduce overtime inspection fees for small meat and poultry processors. Our food supply chain has shown to be highly vulnerable due to the COVID-19 crisis affecting farmers, families, food businesses, and essential food workers. • Farmers of Color: The bill will provide debt relief and assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers who have faced disproportionate impacts from the pandemic as a result of longstanding discrimination. The Agriculturc Department's lending and financial assistance programs have long discriminated against Black, hidigenous, Hispanic, and other fanners of color. Black farmers in the South alone have lost more than 12 million acres of farmland since the 1950s and many farmers of color who remain in agriculture struggle with burdensome debt that has prevented many from being able to grow and sustain their farms, especially during the pandemic. This is an important step to ensure these farmers benefit from COVID-19 assistance programs. • Rural Health Care: This bill will provide a lifeline for healthcare in rural America by increasing vaccine distribution capacity,providing medical supplies and medical surge capacity, expand access to telehealth, and help to fill the gap for rural healthcare 21 of 48 providers, many of whom were already stretched thin before COVID-19 and have suffered additional lost revenue due to the pandemic. International Food Aid: The bill will provide $800 million to Food for Peace Title II to purchase US grown commodities for distribution to those experiencing hunger in developing countries. COVID-19 has worsened the hunger crisis around the world, with several countries at-risk of famine as a result. Title H—Committee on Health,Education, Labor, and Pensions • Vaccines: In order to ensure vaccines reach every community as quickly as possible, especially communities of color and hard to reach areas, there is $7.5 billion in CDC funding for vaccine distribution—including the vaccine clinics proposed by the Biden administration.. There is also $5.2 billion for BARDA for vaccine and supplies procurement. • Testing: The bill provides $48.3 billion for testing in order to contain the virus and mitigate its effects, hire staff for contact tracing, provide PPE for frontline health workers, and take other steps to combat the virus, such as enabling isolation and quarantine. The bill also provides $1.733 billion for ei-thanced genomic sequencing. • Health Workforce: Public health workers in communities across the country are the key to getting the virus under control. Every clinician that administers the vaccine is supported by a team of public health workers who make the system work. However, local and state health departments have lost 23 percent of their workforce since 2008, and almost a quarter of health department staff are currently eligible for retirement. This bill provides $7.66 billion to bolster the public health workforce and COVID-19 response. • Community Health Centers and Health Disparities: Deeply rooted systemic racism, bias, and discrimination have created health disparities that have been exacerbated by the flawed pandemic response. Significant investments are necessary to repair, and begin to reverse, these disparities—this bill delivers immediate relief to frontline providers who serve communities of color and underserved populations hardest hit by pandemic. This includes $7.6 billion for community health centers, $1.44 billion for Older Americans Act programs, $800 million for the National Health Services Corps and more. • Mental Health: The need for accessible mental health and substance use disorder treatment has skyrocketed during the pandemic,with cash-strapped states and localities struggling to meet the need. The bill includes $3.88 billion to expand on those investments made in the yearend 2020 package to increase availability of treatment. • K-12 Schools: ARP provides over$125 billion for public K-12 schools to safely reopen schools for in-person learning, address learning loss, and support students as they work to recover from the long-term impacts of the pandemic. The bill includes $122.747 billion in funding for the Elementary and Secondary School Education Relief Fund(ESSER). States are required to subgrant at least 90 percent of ESSER funds to school districts to support the implementation of public health protocols to safely reopen schools for in- person learning, address students' learning loss, and meet students' long-term academic, 22 of 48 social, and emotional needs. School districts and States are required to use at least 20 percent and 5 percent, respectively, of ESSER funds to implement evidence-based interventions to address learning loss. States are also required to use an additional I percent of their state-level ESSER funds for evidence-based summer enrichment programs and an additional 1 percent of their state-level ESSER funds for evidence-based comprehensive afterschool programs. Additionally, ARP includes $800 million in dedicated funding for the identification and provision of wraparound services for students experiencing homelessness and over $3 billion in funding for programs authorized under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. ARP also includes $2.75 billion for States to provide services to non-public schools that serve a significant percentage of students from low-income families. A "maintenance of effort"provision will help to protect against K-12 education cuts at the state and local level and a"maintenance of equity" requirement will ensure higher-poverty school districts and schools do not shoulder a disproportionate amount of any state or local education cuts that do occur. Higher Ed: ARPA provides $39.6 billion to colleges and universities and their students. At least half of such funding must be spent on emergency financial aid grants to students to help them with college costs and basic needs like food, housing, and health care, with the other half available to institutions of higher education to defray lost revenue and increased costs from declining enrollment, the transition to online learning, closures of revenue-producing services and facilities, and COVID-19 testing, vaccination, PPE, and classroom retrofits. Institutions have shed over 650,000 jobs since the pandemic began, the fastest in recorded history, often hitting low-wage workers and staff of color hardest. A "maintenance of effort"provision will help to protect against higher education cuts at the state and local level. Child Care and Head Start: ARPA includes $39 billion for child care, including nearly $24 billion for Child Care Stabilization grants and nearly$15 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant(CCDBG)program. States must use Child Care Stabilization funds to award subgrants to qualified child care providers that are either open or temporarily closed to help support their operations during the pandemic. Subgrants can be used for expenses such as personnel expenses, rent and mortgage payments, cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment, mental health services for children and staff, and other goods and services necessary to maintain or resume operations of the child care provider. Subgrant recipients must certify that they will abide by state and local public health guidance, continue to pay their staff full wages, and provide copayment and tuition relief to families, to the extent possible, as a condition of subgrant funding. States may reserve up to 10 percent of grant funds for supply building, administrative, and technical assistance costs. The Child Care Stabilization funding will help sustain an estimated 449,000 child care providers, serving a total of 7.3 million children, for 6 months. The Child Care and Development Block Grant(CCDBG) funds can be used flexibly by states, including for child care subsidies. ARPA gives states the authority to expand eligibility for child care assistance to essential workers, regardless of their income. The CCDBG funds will expand child care assistance to an estimated 23 of 48 875,000 children.. ARPA also includes $1 billion for Head Start, to ensure Head Start programs have the resources they need to continue safely providing services to children and families throughout the pandemic. • Family Violence and Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment: ARPA includes $350 million in funding for programs authorized under CAPTA. Families are facing increased stressors related to financial hardship and isolation during this pandemic. This includes $250 million in funding for community-based child abuse prevention programs to provide services to strengthen and support families throughout the pandemic. The funding will ensure that child welfare agencies have the necessary supports to safely prevent, investigate, and treat child abuse and neglect. The proposal also includes funding for domestic violence and sexual assault service providers. • LIHEAP and Water Utility Bill Assistance: ARPA includes $4.5 billion for the Low- Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and $500 million for low-income water assistance. One of the First bills that low-income individuals stop paying when under financial hardship are utility bills. During the COVID-19 pandemic, and especially this winter, non-payment rates have skyrocketed for electricity, heating, and water utilities, posing a mounting risk of utility shutoffs in the middle of the winter, during a pandemic. Funding for LIHEAP and water utility bill assistance will provide vital support to help low income families meet their utility expenses. • Institute of Museum and Library Services: ARPA includes $200 million in funding for libraries through IMLS. These funds will provide emergency relief to over 17,000 public libraries across the country. This funding will allow libraries to safely reopen and implement public health protocols. This emergency relief will enable libraries to provide residents with accessible Wi-Fi, internet hotspots, education resources, expanded digital resources, and workforce development opportunities, which are heavily relied upon. services for marginalized individuals. • National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities: ARPA includes $135 million apiece for the NEA and NEH. These funds will support arts and cultural organizations to address layoffs,budget cuts, and implementation of public health protocols to safely reopen. • Corporation for National and Community Service (CHCS): ARPA includes $1 billion to support CNCS. Additional funding will position AmeriCorps to increase the number of national service participants while making immediate targeted investments to meet the priorities outlined in the Biden Administration's COVID-19 response strategy, including helping schools safely reopen, tackling the growing hunger crisis, and helping communities across the nation address other challenges brought on by the pandemic. • Department of Labor (DOL): ARPA provides additional fiuiding of$200 million for DOL worker protection enforcement activities. This includes increases to the Wage and Hour Division, the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, the Office of the 24 of 48 Solicitor, the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the Office of Inspector General. Title III - Committee on Bankins,Housing, and Urban Affairs • Emergency Rental Assistance: The $25 billion in emergency rental assistance provided in the December package was a good start, but falls short of the estimated $57 billion in hack rent that renters already owed as of January. The American Rescue Plan includes $21.55 billion in Emergency Rental Assistance to augment funds provided to states, localities, and territories in December to help families pay the rent and utilities and stay in their homes. • Housing Counseling: Millions of homeowners and renters are behind on monthly payments and will need help navigating assistance and modification and workout options. Housing counselors are on the front lines of providing this advice, yet they have not received funding since the pandemic began. The American Rescue Plan provides $100 million for housing counseling, which will be distributed to housing counseling organizations through NeighborWorks_ This funding will allow counselors to help both homeowners and renters remain in their homes and avoid being faced with overwhelming debt burdens. • Assistance for People Experiencing Homelessness: Before the pandemic, there were already an estimated 568,000 individuals and families experiencing homelessness, many of whom have underlying health challenges. The American Rescue Plan includes $5 billion to help communities provide supportive services and safe, socially distant housing solutions, including purchase of properties like motels for use as non-congregate shelter, to protect the health of these families and individuals and help control transmission of coronavirus. • Emergency Housing Vouchers: Emergency housing vouchers will transition high-need homeless and at-risk families, youth, and individuals, including survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, to stable housing. The $5 billion included in the American Rescue Plan will provide a more stable platform to access health care, education, and jobs. Emergency housing vouchers will expire after these assisted families no longer need them. • Rural Rental Assistance: The bill provides $100 million to support households residing in USDA-subsidized rural properties and who are struggling to pay rent during the coronavirus. • Mortgage and Utility Assistance: An estimated 3.3 million homeowners are behind on their payments or in foreclosure, and more homeowners are likely behind on utilities and property taxes. Homeowners of color are disproportionately likely to have fallen behind during the pandemic. There has been no funding dedicated to assist homeowners since the pandemic began, and with millions of forbearance plans set to expire in the months ahead, funding will be critical to help homeowners get back on track. The American Rescue PIan provides $9.961 billion in funding through the Department of Treasury to states,territories, tribes, and tribally designated housing entities to provide direct assistance to homeowners. 25 of 48 • Rural Homeowners: Thousands of low-income households who have become homeowners through the USDA 502 and 504 Direct mortgage programs have fallen behind on their payments during this pandemic. The American Rescue Plan provides $39 million for these mortgage programs to allow USDA to help homeowners who have fallen behind get back on track. • Fair Housing: Fair housing organizations help renters, homeowners, and housing providers identify and combat housing discrimination and need additional resources to address the sudden increase in housing challenges and need for socially-distanced services amid the pandemic. The American Rescue Plan Act provides $20 million to help fair housing organizations meet increased fair housing needs. • Public Transportation: Public transportation agencies estimate they face more than tens of billions of additional costs and revenue losses related to the COVID-19 crisis. The American Rescue Plan Act provides $30.4 billion of additional relief funding to transit agencies to prevent layoffs of transit workers and prevent severe cuts to transit services that essential workers and the general public rely on. Most of the transit relief funding is provided as formula grants based on operating costs, the bipartisan formula established in preceding relief legislation. Funding is also included to ensure that ongoing transit construction projects do not experience costly delays or slowdowns. The legislation also includes $100 million to preserve intercity buses services under the section 5311(f) program. • Small Business Capital: SSBCI provides investment for state governments to set up programs that can leverage billions of dollars in private capital for low-interest loans and other investment to help entrepreneurs and the small business economy rebound from this crisis. The $1.5 billion in SSBCI in 2010 helped states leverage at least 10 times the amount of their SSBCI funds to generate new small business lending,helping to create or retain over 240,000 jobs. The American Rescue Plan provides $10 billion for the SSBCI to help states support small businesses as they recover from the pandemic and reemerge stronger and more resilient than before. • Defense Production Act: In order to combat COVID-19 and address shortfalls in our medical supply chain,the American Rescue Plan provides $10 billion to expand domestic production of personal protective equipment(PPE), vaccines, and other medical supplies. Title IV- Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs • Disaster Relief Fund &Funeral Assistance: Th,2 bill will provide $50 million for the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) at the Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA), which assists states, Tribal Nations, and territories, as well as individuals and qualifying private nonprofits, as they respond to the over 29 million COVID-19 cases across the country that have led to over 525,000 deaths. This funding can pay for personal protective equipment; vaccine distribution; sanitization of schools, public transit, and courthouses; health care overtime costs; and other needs. This money can also be allocated to extending the hard fought funeral assistance program Democrats secured in 26 of 48 the last COVID relief package that will reimburse those who have lost a loved one to COVID for many common funeral expenses. + FEMA Grant Programs: Emergency managers, firefighters, and governmental and non- governmental organizations such as food pantries and shelters have been on the frontlines of COVID-19 response across the country. These organizations have been strained by surges in need and demand for their help. The pandemic has increased operational costs, reduced capacity, and created shortfalls in many municipal budgets. The bill provides grant funding for the FEMA Emergency Food acid Shelter Program; Emergency Management.Performance Grants; Assistance to Firefighter Grants; and, Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants. These resources will ensure that these critical frontline organizations will be able to continue to support COVED-19 response locally, provide vital services, deliver humanitarian relief, and maintain capacity to respond to other emergencies in their communities. • Oversight of COVID Relief Funding: Comprehensive oversight is needed to regain public trust and make sure federal dollars have been and continue to be spent responsibly. The bill supports the Government Accountability Office and the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee, which was created in the CARES Act to provide oversight and keep Congress and the public informed about the unprecedented whole-of- government COVID-19 response and associated spending. Federal Workforce Protections: Included in the bill are provisions to ensure the safety of the federal workforce as they battle on the frontlines of this unprecedented health crisis ---from providing medical care to delivering our mail to safeguarding our national security. The bill creates an emergency fund to allow paid leave for workers who are ill or who have been exposed to COVID-19; this is an essential protection for preventing the spread of COVID-19 to colleagues and members of their communities. The bill also ensures federal employees who are diagnosed with COVID-19 as a result of their service can receive workers' compensation benefits, a measure that will support seriously ill workers with long-term complications, and allow their families to receive survivor benefits if their loved one has passed away. Additionally, the bill provides resources for testing and other measures to keep the President, Vice President, and other White House personnel safe. • Information Technology and Cyber Security. The bill provides $2 billion to equip federal agencies with modern technology and cybersecurity tools to effectively and securely deliver to the American public the services and benefits that Congress has provided to fight COVID-19. These funds will protect vaccine development and distribution, address the technology and security challenges that arose with the rapid shift to remote work, and better enable agencies to meet the high demand for services and accurate information from the American public. 27 of 48 Title V - Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship • Targeted EIDL Grants: The bill will add $15 billion in new funding for Targeted EIDL grants to provide hard-hit,underserved small businesses with increased flexible grant relief. These grants will be particularly helpful for very small businesses and sole proprietors, which include over 90 percent of minority-owned businesses that have been disproportionately devastated by this crisis. • Restaurants: The bill will provide $28.6 billion in direct relief for the restaurant industry through the creation of a grant program as envisioned in the RESTAURANTS Act. The restaurant industry has been among the hardest hit during the pandemic. Over 110,000 restaurants and bars—more than one in six across the country—have closed permanently or long-term, causing the loss of over 2.4 million jobs. It is estimated that independent restaurants—small, mom-and-pop restaurants—lost over$135 billion in sales last year, while the broader industry lost $240 billion. While PPP has offered some vital assistance to the nation's restaurants, a significant need still exists, especially for smaller restaurants. • Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program: This bill provides $1.25 billion in additional funds for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program because last year's end-of-year package did not include sufficient funding to ensure all eligible applicants would be covered based on rough estimates. Eligible applicants can now access both the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant and PPP to address SVOG's delayed start. • Expanded PPP Eligibility: This bill expands PPP eligibility to include additional nonprofits such as 501(c)(5) labor and agricultural organizations and community locations of larger nonprofits and provides $7 billion for that purpose.Nonprofits are a significant sector in the economy and are on the frontlines of providing social services during this crisis. An additional $250 million is also provided to expand PPP eligibility for digital news services that provide local news and lifesaving information about public health guidance during the pandemic. • Community Navigator Technical Assistance and Administrative Funding: The bill provides $1.75 million in new assistance to fund community organizations, SBA resource partners, and community financial institutions with experience working in minority, immigrant, and rural communities to serve as community navigators to help connect small business owners in these communities to critical resources, including small business loans, business licenses, and federal, state, and local business assistance programs. The bill also includes $1.325 billion to support SBA's mission and to administer the new grants and other relief programs. . Title VI- Committee on Environment and Public Works • Economic Development Administration funding provides flexible investment for rebuilding local economies and hard-hit industries, including tourism and travel. The American Rescue Plan provides the Economic Development Administration with$3 28 of 48 billion to aid communities in rebuilding local economies, �\hich includes $750 million for the travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation sectors. Previously, the CARES Act provided $1.5 billion for economic adjustment assistance to help revitalize local communities after the pandemic. The CARES funding is oversubscribed, with the amount of funding requested far outstripping the available arnount, as communities face growing needs in responding to the significant job losses caused by COVID-19. This funding will also help EDA fulfill its role as the lead agency under the National Disaster Response Framework to assist communities with economic recovery following a disaster, including the current health pandemic. Air Quality Monitoring and Pollution Clean-up: COVID-19 has killed more than 500,000 Americans, but these tragic effects haven't been evenly distributed across the country. Communities exposed to higher levels of air and toxic pollution, such as the dirty soot from old diesel engines, are also more likely to have higher COVID-19 morbidity and mortality rates. Multiple scientific studies have found direct links between long term exposure to air pollution and higher risks of dying from COVID-19. This bill provides $100 million to the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) in funding to update our national air quality monitoring system and reduce the air and toxic pollution that is linked with contributing to COVID-19 deaths. $50 million of this funding is targeted to low income communities and communities of color who are significantly more likely to live with poor air quality and to be more susceptible to COVID-19. This funding will be directed to EPA grant programs with a proven track record for cleaning up deadly air and toxic pollution, all the while creating good-paying American jobs. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Funding: COVID-19 is a zoonotic disease. This funding will allow the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to better prevent wildlife trafficking, which can contribute to the spread of zoonotic diseases, as well as to track and study wildlife disease. This bill also provides funding for the care of captive species protected under the Endangered Species Act or rescued, confiscated or other federal trust species in facilities experiencing lost revenues due to COVID-19. Title VII - Committee on Commerce. Science, and Transportation + Broadband for Remote Learning: At least 12 million K-12 public school students live in households without either an internet connection or a device adequate for distance learning at home. And, a disproportionate amount of the children that lack Internet connectivity come from communities of color, low-income households, Tribal lands, and rural areas. This bill will provide $7.172 billion to the Federal Communications Commission to help schools and libraries ensure that our nation's schoolchildren can fully participate in remote learning, even as schools look to reopen safely. Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The $175 million in support for public broadcasting provided by this bill will help public broadcasters around the country weather the economic fallout to their stations from the COVID crisis. This stabilization support is critical for ensuring universal access to public broadcasting and the high- 29 of 48 quality, non-commercial content and telecommunications services they provide that educate, inform, and help protect the public. • Amtrak: This bill provides additional relief to Amtrak to keep rail service running across the nation, to rehire 1,230 workers who have been involuntarily furloughed as a result of COVID, and to restore full long-distance service to remote communities that rely on Amtrak as a link to economic centers. • Airline Jobs: Aviation drives 5 percent of U.S. gross domestic product(GDP) and supports over 10 million U.S.jobs. U.S. airline passenger volumes are at 42 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels. Extension of the airline payroll support program will help airlines and contractors avert mass layoffs and furloughs due to the unprecedented drop in business. Moreover,many of these jobs require intricate educational prerequisites,training requirements, and certifications, which if lost, would take years if not decades to build back. This relief will position the U.S. airline industry to capture the return of air travel demand. • Airports: Airports have been especially hard hit by the pandemic, and without billions in additional aid will be forced to cut the jobs of thousands of employees, reduce or discontinue operations, and be unable to make payments on capital projects. The workforce retention requirements associated with federal relief protect workers at commercial airports across the United States. Airport relief is also designed to help small airport concessionaires, many of which are disadvantage business owners. • Aviation Manufacturing Workforce: The U.S. aerospace industry represents nearly represents 2% of total U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and provides America's leading export by value. However, the drop off in commercial air travel has caused a drop off in orders for new planes which in turn has disrupted the entire aviation manufacturing supply chain. Over 100,000 aerospace manufacturing jobs have been lost and more jobs are at risk. This program is the first federal relief designed to protect these highly-skilled workers, the bedrock of American innovation and global leadership in advanced technology • Research Relief: Researchers whose work was interrupted by COVID-19 are running out of funds to complete their research and there has been no funding to the National Science Foundation("NSF")to fill that gap. Without this research relief, the NSF would have to choose between supplementing existing grantees to allow them to finish their research and funding new research, which will result in either not reaping the benefits of taxpayer's investment into existing grants or creating a research backlog that further reduces the agency's ability to fund highly meritorious research. • Manufacturing: In the CARES Act, the Manufacturing USA program was given$10 million to respond to COVID-19. That funding went to, among other things, rapid research on the efficacy of mask sterilization techniques, developing the next generation of face masks, and helping the workforce reskill to meet the demand for advanced manufacturing workers. The Manufacturing USA program has$150 million in additional COVID-19 related projects that can be rapidly awarded to aid in pandemic response and recovery. 30 of 48 • Consumer Product Safety. The pandemic has exposed weaknesses in the nation's ability to detect and deter unsafe consumer products entering the United States, ranging from a lack of port inspectors to insufficient ability to monitor increases in online sales. This bill provides $50 million in needed funds to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to help the agency protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with consumer products during the COVID-19 pandemic. • Prevention of COVID-19 Scams. In 2020, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission tracked a. record 4.7 million consumer complaints, including over 365,000 reports of fraud, identity theft, and other scams related to the pandemic. The bill appropriates $30.4 million to the FTC to combat the rise in consumer scales during the pandemic. This funding would allow the FTC to employ more personnel and enhance enforcement efforts to root out COVID-19 scams. • Department of Commerce Inspector General: This legislation appropriates $3 million for the Department of Commerce Inspector General in their oversight of spending provided in the bill to root out fraud, waste, and abuse. Title VIII —Committee an Veterans' Affairs • The bill provides funding to waive copays for veterans during the pandemic, and to provide health care services and support to veterans, including COVID-19 vaccine distribution, expanded mental health care, enhanced telehealth capabilities, extended support for veterans who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless, and PPE and supplies for clinical employees. • It also establishes a new program to provide retraining assistance for veterans who have lost their jobs due to COVID, and includes funding for VA to mitigate the pandemic's impacts on the benefits claims and appeals backlog. • As many State Veterans Homes have struggled to protect veterans from COVID, this bill provides funding to support COVID-19 response, staff and veteran safety, and preparedness at these facilities through one-time payments to support operations and additional construction grants to support shovel-ready projects. • Millions of veterans have had their health care appointments delayed during the course of the pandemic, and this bill provides critical funding to ensurc VA is able to provide the highest quality of care to veterans when they need it. Title IX— Committee on Finance • Direct Payments: The bill fulfills the Democrats' commitment to provide a full $2,000 Economic Impact Payment for taxpayers who have been hard hit economically by the pandemic. This package includes a$1,400 payment to supplement the $600 already provided in December. With the economy on weakened footing, another round of rebates is critical to sustaining household spending for the beginning of 2021. • Unemployment Insurance extension: The bill extends the critical financial lifeline of enhanced unemployment insurance for the IS million Americans that are currently 31 of48 relying on these benefits until September 6, 2021. This includes an extension of the federal unemployment insurance bump that is added to all unemployment benefits (Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, or FPUC), at the current law amount of$300. It also includes extensions of the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance(PUA) program,which expands eligibility for the self-employed, gig workers, freelancers and others in non-traditional employment who do not qualify for regular unemployment insurance, as well as the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation(PEUC) program,which makes additional weeks of benefits available to workers who exhaust their state benefits. All other CARES Act and Families First Act unemployment programs are similarly extended until September 6. • Unemployment Insurance Taxation: The bill creates a$10,200 tax exclusion for unemployment compensation income for tax year 2020 for households with incomes under$150,000. • EITC and CTC: The COVID-19 recession has greatly exacerbated income inequality in America. This bill also includes a significant expansion of two of the most powerful and effective anti-poverty tools the U.S. government has: the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit(CTC). It will nearly triple the maximum EITC for childless workers,providing additional relief to more than 17 million of these individuals—most importantly, getting economic help to those working in essential but low-paid jobs on the frontlines of the pandemic. To put more money into the pockets of working families, it will increase the amount of the CTC, from $2,000 to $3,000 (with a more generous $3,600 credit for children under the age of 6). The CTC will also be fully refundable, ensuring this vital resource is available to the lowest-income households. It is estimated that these changes will lift nearly 10 million children across the U.S. above or closer to the poverty line. Additionally, this bill includes an expansion of the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit to help working families afford the cost of child care during this crisis. This includes increasing the credit so households can receive a total of up to $4,000 for one child or 58,000 for two or more children, and making it fully refundable so families who owe little in taxes can still benefit. • State and Local Fiscal Aid: The bill includes needed direct aid to state and local governments. Many states have sustained massive revenue shortfalls and face a host of increased spending needs.Nationwide, state and local employment is down 1.4 million since the pandemic began and job losses increased by 50,000 in December. The need is particularly pronounced at the local level: a National League of Cities survey showed a 21-percent revenue decline among cities with losses and the National Association of Counties projected a 20-percent revenue decline. These figures may grow worse over time as property tax revenue decreases have lagged recessions by two years or more. These budget impacts for localities do not account for increased expenses, which were not recognized for most cities and counties in CARES (where money went to only those with 500,000 persons or more). We provide $350 billion to States, territories, Tribes, and local governments to be used for responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency, to offset revenue losses, bolster economic recovery and to provide premium pay for essential workers. We also provide a new $10 billion Critical Infrastructure Projects 32 of 48 program to help States, territories, and Tribal governments carry out critical capital projects directly enabling work, education, and health monitoring, including remote options, in response to COVID-19. State and local fiscal relief funds can be used for local economic recovery purposes, including assistance to households, small businesses and nonprofits, assistance to hard-hit industries like tourism, travel, and hospitality, and infrastructure investment. Finally, we add a new $2 billion county and Tribal assistance fund to make payments to eligible revenue-sharing counties and Tribes. Eligible counties and Tribes are those for which the Secretary determines there is a negative revenue impact owing to implementation of Federal programs or changes to those programs, The Congressional Budget Office has said that the Number One best "bang for the buck" of all the money Congress has passed so far is aid to state and local governments. • Health Care Support: The bill includes five main provisions to improve health coverage. First, over the next two years, it invests nearly$35 billion in premium subsidy increases for those who buy coverage on the ACA marketplaces. The bill both increases the generosity of the subsidies for those who currently are eligible for subsidies, as well as removes the 400% federal poverty level Limit on subsidy eligibility. Second, given significant income fluctuations in 2020, the bill forgives more than $6 billion in payments that people would need to make if their 2020 advanced premium subsidies did not match their income. Third, the bill provides a major incentive for holdout states to expand Medicaid, offering them a 5% increase on their base FMAP rate for two years if they expand coverage. Fourth, the bill subsidizes 100 percent of COBRA premiums for six months for individuals who lost employment or had reduced hours. Fifth, for one year, the bill provides premium subsidies of ACA marketplace coverage equivalent to a person earning up to 133% FPL for people who receive unemployment compensation. The bill also includes numerous investments to reduce health disparities, including an option for states to provide one-year of postpartum Medicaid coverage, support for state home-and- community based Medicaid services, and resources for COVID-19 response in nursing homes. The bill also increases rebates that pharmaceutical companies owe to Medicaid programs, provides $8.5 billion for rural providers, provides additional funding to safety- net hospitals and more. • Paid Sick Leave Credit: The bill provides an extension and expansion of the paid sick and FMLA leave tax credits created in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020. It provides payroll tax credits for employers who voluntarily provide paid leave through the end of September 2021. It also expands eligibility to state and local governments that provide this benefit. • Employee Retention Tax Credit: The bill extends and expands the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERIC)through December 31, 2021. The ERTC, originally enacted in the CARES Act, helps struggling businesses retain and rehire workers. The bill expands the ERTC to allow certain severely distressed businesses to claim the credit for a greater share of employee wages. It also expands the credit to cover newly formed businesses, to help spur hiring and recovery. 33 of 48 • Repeal of Election to Allocate Interest on Worldwide Basis: The bill repeals the provision permitting taxpayers to elect to allocate and apportion interest expense on a worldwide basis. • Tax Treatment of Certain SSA Programs: The bill provides for the tax-free treatment of Targeted EIDL Advances and Restaurant Revitalization Grants. It also clarifies that any otherwise-allowable deductions continue to be deductible notwithstanding the tax- free treatment of grant proceeds. • Modification of Reporting Requirements for Third Party Network Transactions: The bill lowers and modifies the threshold below which a third party settlement organization is not required to report payments to participants in its network. For any calendar year beginning after December 31, 2021, a third party settlement organization is required to report transactions with any participating payee that exceed a minimum threshold of$600 in aggregate payments, regardless of the aggregate number of such transactions. • Extension of Excess Business Loss Limitation: The bill extends for 1 year, through December 31, 2026,the limitation on excess business losses of non-corporate taxpayers. Title X- Committee on ForeilZn Relations • As long as the virus is spreading and mutating anywhere, it threatens Americans here at home. To protect the United States and the American public, the bill will enhance U.S. efforts to fight against the global spread of COVID-19 and its variants. • The bill provides funding to the State Department and USAID for various global health- related activities, including vaccine development; international disaster relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction; food security; support for COVID-related efforts of the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; and economic recovery. • The bill also provides life-saving assistance for millions of refugees and displaced persons around the world who are facing rampant hunger and medical needs as a result of the pandemic. It also provides urgently needed multilateral assistance, including for the World Health Organization, to demonstrate a U.S. commitment to and leadership in the fight against COVID-19. • Finally, the bill provides operational expenses for the State Department and USAID to combat the disease and support American citizens and diplomats abroad. Both agencies have incurred significant budget shortfalls due to a reallocation of resources, loss in fees, and repatriation efforts caused by COVID, and both agencies require support for ongoing medical services and maintenance of operations and programs. Title X1 - Committee on Indian Affairs • The federal government holds trust and treaty obligations to provide essential safety-net programs that serve Native communities, which were historically underfunded prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. These programs have experienced significant strain as they attempt to respond to and mitigate the impacts of the pandemic on Native communities. 34 of 48 • Health Care: The Indian Health Service (IHS) serves 2.56 million American Indian/Alaska Natives (AIANs)through health care facilities operated by the federal government, Indian Tribes, and Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs). According to the CDC, AIANs are hospitalized for COVID-I9 at four times the rate of Non-Hispanic Whites. This Title authorizes direct funding for the Department of Health and Human Services' Indian Health Service (IHS) to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on operation of essential health and sanitation programs, including increasing mental health and substance use disorder prevention/treatment, improving health IT, addressing Native community sanitation issues, and replacing lost third party medical billing reimbursements (e.g., private insurance, Medicaid, Medicare) to ensure federally- operated IHS facilities, Tribally-operated IHS facilities, and facilities operated by UIOs can continue operations despite estimated budget shortfalls of 30-80%; • Public Safety, Child Welfare, Assistance to Tribal Governments, and Essential Infrastructure: The Bureau of Indian Affairs operates essential programs for the benefit of tribes across Indian Country. Many of these programs continue to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including law enforcement, child welfare. general assistance, housing assistance, and certain water infrastructure and delivery programs, However, despite the importance of keeping these programs running, the Bureau of Indian Affairs has not received additional resources to support these programs since March of last year. This Title authorizes direct funding for the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs (SIA) to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on operation of its essential social welfare and public safety programs. Education: The Department of Education and the Bureau of Indian Education (B1E) provide direct support for Native students in fulfillment of the federal trust responsibility. The majority of schools and donr►itories serving Native students have critical infrastructure and facilities needs that would make returning to in-person education unsafe for staff and students during the ongoing pandemic. Additionally,many Native students live in highly rural areas without adequate broadband connectivity. Some estimates suggest that roughly 69% BEE students do not have access to virtual learning opportunities because of the digital divide, leaving these students to rely on receiving instruction by mail or risk potential COVID-19 exposure to find internet access points in other parts of their communities. This Title authorizes direct funding for the Native education programs and schools. From these funds, it specifies that these funds must be used for BEE-funded schools/dormitories and Tribal colleges and universities; and programs that support Tribal Education Agencies, Native Hawaiian education organizations, and Alaska Native education organizations. • Housing: Native Americans have historically experienced higher rates of substandard and overcrowded housing compared to other demographics, a situation made even more dire by COVID-19, which spreads more readily in crowded, indoor environments. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development(HUD), Native communities experience overcrowding in their homes at seven times the national average. Native Americans also experience high rates of homelessness.Nationwide, they have the second-highest rate of homelessness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 35 of 48 recently published research that linked poor housing conditions to the disproportionately higher Covid-19 infection and death rate among Native Americans. This section authorizes direct funding for the HUD's Office of Native American Programs to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on operation of its Native American housing and community development programs. • Native Languages: There are an estimated 150 Native languages still spoken in the U.S. today. But, more than 80% of these languages have fewer than 1,000 speakers-many have fewer than 100. Because of the limited size and age of speaker populations, the COVID-19 pandemic represents an unprecedented threat to the survival of Native languages. This Title authorizes direct funding for the Department of Health and Human Service's Administration for Native Americans (ANA)to issue emergency Native American language preservation and maintenance grants to Native American language communities to mitigate COVID-19 related disruptions or threats to the survival and continued vitality of their mother tongues. 36 of 48 From: Mary Mccomber To: Eric Johnson Subject: Fwd: NEW-American Rescue Plan Implementation Update Date: Tuesday,April 6,2021 10:29:46 AM For weekly notes -----Original Message----- From: National League Of Cities (NLC)<advocacy@nlc.org> To: marymccomber@aol.com Sent: Tue, Apr 6, 2021 10:29 am Subject: NEW-American Rescue Plan Implementation Update Federal Advocacy Newsletter-Tuesday,April 6 The American Rescue Plan Implementation Update The American Rescue Plan will deliver$65 billion directly to all cities, towns and villages through the local government relief fund, along with other critical funding opportunities. The National League of Cities (NLC) is here to answer questions and support your responsible stewardship with tools and guidance. Here is how you can take action: American Rescue Plan Submit Your American Unpacking the American Implementation Update Call Rescue Plan Questions and Rescue Plan — How State & #4 Feedback Local Partnerships Can :� ... Support Afterschool & Summer Learning Response and Recovery 37 of 48 American Rescue Plan Act Summary of Provisions The American Rescue Plan (ARP)Act of 2021 is a robust$1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill, and NLC has created an extensive, searchable summary of provisions in this legislation relevant to municipalities and local leaders. ARP Local Relief Frequently Asked Questions NLC has identified your frequently asked questions about Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund grants, and we have provided answers based on available information to help you prepare while we all wait for official guidance. These answers will be updated when additional information becomes available. Estimated Local Allocations in the American Rescue Plan Wondering how much your community will receive from the American Rescue Plan Act? The U.S. Department of Treasury is in the process of refining the estimates for allocations from the State and Local Fiscal Relief Funds, but estimations for each municipality have been released. Use NLC's new allocation tracker to find out how much your community is eligible for. Local Recovery: Five Principles for ARP Implementation What do you need to do to prepare to receive funds from the American Rescue Plan Act? NLC's Federal Advocacy team has offered some principles to keep in mind to help guide your plan for recovery. Rebuild President's American Jobs Plan is Critical to Local Economic Recovery President Biden has announced the American Jobs Plan to rebuild our economy and create good-paying jobs for workers in America's cities, towns and villages through investments in infrastructure and workforce development. This legislation hits many of the local government priorities for recovery— learn more. Seven Local Goals for Recovery Legislation Last week, NLC sent a letter to President Biden and Congressional leaders outlining local government priorities for a bipartisan recovery package that invests in the infrastructure, workforce and economic rebuilding our nation needs. Read our seven key goals for Congress and the Administration to consider as they work together with cities, towns and villages to advance this critical legislation. Helpful NLC Links: Articles Upcoming Events 8; 8 38 of 48 From: Mary Mccomber To: Eric Johnson Subject: Fwd: New Resources to Support Your Local Recovery Date: Wednesday,April 7,20218:08:14 AM For weekly notes -----Original Message----- From: Alejandra from NLC<piers-torres@nlc.org> To: marymccomber@aol.com Sent: Wed, Apr 7, 2021 8:05 am Subject: New Resources to Support Your Local Recovery Access your weekly NNL�C member roundup! April 7,2021 • - -• • Local Recovery: Five Principles for ARP Implementation 8 Local Recovery: Five Principles for ARP Implementation You've probably heard the great news: the American Rescue Plan Act became law and with it Congress approved unprecedented direct aid to 19,000 municipal governments. We expect to see guidance come out in the next 60 days, or by the beginning of May, when Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds will be released. What do you need to do to prepare to receive funds? NLC has offered some principles to keep in mind to help guide your plan for recovery. ■ ■ earn Morel Upcoming NLC Update Call #4: American Rescue Plan 39 of 48 Implementation Friday, April 9 - 1:30PM EST Join our weekly call series to receive updates and ask questions on how the Administration will be delivering direct relief. REGISTER HERE > Who Gets to Learn from Failure in the Public Sector? Thursday, April 8 - 1:00PM EST Join CPI and the Aspen Insititute to explore the important role that learning from failure plays in the public sector. REGISTER HERE > Introduction to Nullarbor Security Partnership: Cybersecurity 101, Threats & Solutions Panel Discussion 8 Friday, April 15 -2:00PM EST Join NuHarbor Security along with partners Splunk and Tenable as they discuss the powerful cybersecurity platform. REGISTER HERE > U.S. Mayoral Roundtable — Reshaping Our Future Friday, April 15 -3:00PM EST 8 Hear how mayors are making things work after seeing a decrease in revenues while experiencing increases in expenditures. REGISTER HERE > Early Childhood Municipal Policy 101: Aligning City, County, and State Policies & Practices Thursday, April 22 -2:00PM EST Join us to explore policies and practices that improve collaboration with stakeholders for early childhood success. REGISTER HERE > 40 of 48 ■ American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Summary of Provisions 8 American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Summary of Provisions The American Rescue Plan (ARP)Act of 2021 is a robust$1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill, and NLC has created an extensive, searchable summary of provisions in this legislation relevant to municipalities and local leaders. ■ Forecasting Future Urban Trends ARP Local Relief Frequently Forecasting Future Urban Asked Questions Trends NLC has identified your frequently asked COVID-19 will have long-lasting impacts questions about Coronavirus Local on our communities, with the immediacy Fiscal Recovery Fund grants, and we of the crisis still being felt right now. have provided answers based on Cities throughout time have faced available information to help you prepare challenges, vast changes and civil strife, while we all wait for official guidance. but our future—much like our past—will ■ xLearn Morex be urban. 41 of 48 Thanks for reading the latest articles and events from the NLC, where local leaders and their staff go to learn and grow. 'Til next time! Sincerely, Alejandra Piers-Torres Midwest Member Engagement Manager, NLC piers-torres@nlc.org Helpful NLC Links: Articles Upcoming Events ,® Resources &Training Advocacy COVID-19 Relief Resources If this message is not displaying properly, please view in browser. National League of Cities 8 You may opt out of email communications from NLC at any time. Update your communication preferences. This message was intended for: marymccomber@aol.com 660 North Capitol Street, NW, Suite 450, Washington, DC 20001 Privacy Policy I©2021 NLC, All Rights Reserved Powered by Higher Logic 42 of 48 From: Mary Mccomber To: Eric Johnson Subject: Fwd:April 2021 Watershed and MS4 Education Updates Date: Friday,April 9,2021 12:40:34 PM Attachments: imaoe014.pno For weekly notes -----Original Message----- From: Angie Hong <AHong@mnwcd.org> To: Angie Hong <AHong@mnwcd.org>; algoodri@hotmail.com <algoodri@hotmail.com> Sent: Fri, Apr 9, 2021 12:23 pm Subject: April 2021 Watershed and MS4 Education Updates Hello East Metro Water Resource Education Program partners— I am expanding my education updates to include new partners in Anoka, Chisago, Isanti and Pine Counties. As you are likely aware, we are in the process of hiring a second full-time educator, who will help to implement the new Lower St. Croix Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan, as well as support our EMWREP education program. We received more than 60 applications for the position and hope to have someone on board by early to mid- May. Stay tuned for more updates in the near future. In the meantime, read on for information about upcoming education activities and please share on your websites, newsletters, and social media channels. Thanks! Angie Program Updates: 1. SWEEP Earth Month Passport Event—April 1-30 2. Professional Training Opportunities for local government staff • Maintenance of Permanent Stormwater Treatment Systems (April-May) • MIDS Calculator Trainings (April 12 and 13) • Spring Turf Care (April 15) • Economics of Soil Health on Farms (April 29) • Street Sweeping (May 13) 3. Native Shoreline Buffer Workshop—Thu., April 29, 6-7:15pm 4. Raingarden Workshop— May 11, 6-7:15pm 5. Shoreline Realtor Workshop— May 26, gam — 1pm 6. Resilient Yards and Turf Alternatives Workshops— multiple dates 7. MS4 Education —Adopt-a-Drain 8. East Metro Water— Read the latest articles published in the blog and local newspapers 43 of 48 Earth Month Passport � afCompetition: April 1-30 St-Vas worerlhed t [nuJror,metrpeY EdWretivn Partnershre ... ,:w ��� �4�,y a r{� EMWREP is one of many 202,1 members in the newly formed EARTH MONTH s-=� �. - Y .. � b , St. Croix Watershed Passport Competition 4. Environmental Education Visa AT LEAST 4 locations featured in our St.CTowWarershedpas5port chaMenge "�i �' Partnership (SWEEP). Other during the month of April and take a ' photaawhrreyouare there. '" ;:°. _ partners include county, state, and national parks, nature centers, non-profit Map of paSsportdestinatiOns: organizations, local bit.ly/sweepstcroix - government, and community groups. Together, SWEEP partners work to inspire leadership in environmental education though networking, community engagement and collaborative events within the St. Croix River Watershed. This year's Earth Day Passport Competition is one example. Celebrate Earth Day this spring by visiting parks and trails around the St. Croix River Watershed from April 1-30. YOUR CHALLENGE: Visit AT LEAST four (4) locations featured in our 2021 Earth Day Passport Competition and take a photo while you are there. Upload your photos to www.facebook.com/sweep.stcroix with the hashtag#EarthDay2021 for your chance to win a gift basket with prizes that include park passes and swag. This map shows the locations of 13 parks and trails in the St. Croix Watershed. Click on the pins to learn about each destination then head outside to explore and enjoy our beautiful watershed! Professional Training Opportunities -for local government staff Maintenance of Permanent Stormwater Treatment Systems- online April-May, $250 • A certification course from University of Minnesota — Register here • This course is designed for those who inspect, maintain or direct maintenance on stormwater control measures and practices, such as ponds and infiltration systems. Attendees will learn the fundamentals of BMP processes, mechanics, operations and maintenance needs, and how to create and execute a maintenance work plan. MIDS CalculatorTrainings—April 12 and 13, FREE • Hosted by MPCA • MIDS Calculator introduction: April 12, 1:30-3:30pm — Register here • MIDS Calculator updates (Version 4): April 13, 10-11am - Register here 44 of 48 Spring Turf Care - April 15, 10-11am, FREE • Webinar by University of Minnesota and Met Council • Topics include: Prepping your irrigation system; Turfgrass species for Minnesota lawns; Common weeds; Demo of new education trailer for outdoor events • Email Kristine Moncada monc0003(@umn.edu to attend Economics of Soil Health on Farms-April 29, fpm, FREE • By Soil Health Institute and Cargill — Register here • The Institute interviewed 100 farmers in nine states who have adopted soil health systems and used partial budget analysis to evaluate their economics. Street Sweeping - May 13, 9:30-11am, FREE • Hosted by MPCA with presentations by Randy Neeprash (MCSC), Dr. Sarah Hobbie (U of MN), and Aileen Molloy and Hillary Yonce (Tetra Tech) - Register here • Topics include: Nutrients in urban stormwater, focused on impacts of trees: Street sweeping calculator; Guidance for street sweeping; Additional research needs Native Shoreline Buffer Workshop— Round 2! Thu., April 29, 6-7:15pm (Register here) Our Feb. 25 shoreline buffer workshop had 92 participants! An additional 164 people have watched the recorded workshop on YouTube. In fact, the workshop was so successful that we've decided to offer it again on April 29. Learn how to care for your lake, stream or wetland buffer. Deep-rooted native plants help to prevent shoreline erosion and provide habitat for fish and wildlife. During this webinar speakers will discuss: • Benefits of buffers and native shoreline plantings • Buffer rules & regulations • Establishing native species and improving buffer habitat • Seasonal maintenance and managing invasive species • Resources &funding available to landowners to help protect lakes and wetlands Presenters: Tara Kelly and Cameron Blake (Washington Conservation District), Angie Hong (EMWREP) Raingarden workshop— May 11, 6-7:15pm (Register here) 45 of 48 Learn how to design and care for a raingarden at your home. Raingardens are a beautiful way to add curbside appeal to your property and protect local lakes and rivers from runoff pollution. During this webinar we will discuss: -Benefits of raingardens and native plants -Raingarden design - including where to put your garden -What plants to choose for sunny and shady sites -Raingarden care and maintenance -Resources & funding available for raingardens and other water-friendly planting projects Presenters: Brett Stolpestad and Cameron Blake (Washington Conservation District), Angie Hong (EMWREP) ++ , Shoreline Realtor Workshop— May 26, gam-fpm (Register here) t ` - Sponsored by Saint Paul Area Association of Realtors° (SPAA R). This workshop is for realtors that sell lakeshore and riverfront properties and is intended to provide an overview of shoreline rules and programs: • Lakeshore development and redevelopment rules • St. Croix Riverway special regulations • Building a deck, dock, stairway, or home addition? Learn what permits are required for common building projects. • Planting for Clean Water and assistance for shoreline planting projects Presenters include: Matt Bauman (MN DNR), Monica Zachay (St. Croix River Association), Karen Kill (Brown's Creek Watershed District), Angie Hong (East Metro Water) Registration is free for SPAAR members or$30 for nonmembers. Participants will qualify for 3.7 CEUs through Minnesota Department of Commerce. Resilient yards&turf alternatives workshops— multiple dates https://bluethumb.org/events� 46 of 48 Bee lawns are greener. ir 15 °'�d4;# Etiitl� The Blue Thumb— Planting for Clean Water partnership brings together local government, nonprofits, and landscaping companies to assist community residents '} with native plantings, raingardens, and shoreline projects. The website (www.bluethumb.org) features a plant selector tool to help you find native plants best suited for your yard's conditions; native plant suppliers and contractors; workshops and events; and info on pollinator gardens, raingardens, shoreline plantings and turf alternatives. This spring and summer, Blue Thumb partners are offering a variety of workshops on Resilient Yards, Bee-Lawns, and Turf Alternatives. Because the workshops are hosted online, you can feel free to attend any that fit your schedule, even if the local host is in a different part of the Twin Cities. f Sign up at MS4 Education— Earth Day Adopt-a-Drain adopt-a-drain.oirg Promo ADOPTEarth Day is April 22 and we're encouraging «. D,. . 4. people to adopt storm drains in their communities to help protect lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands. Adopters select a storm drain in their neighborhood at www.Adopt-a- Drain.org and commit to keeping it clean of leaves, litter and other debris throughout the year. To date, Minnesotans have adopted 14,607 storm drains and prevented at least 340,184lbs of debris from flowing into our waterways. Please help us to spread the word by sharing this short video from the Adopt-a-Drain Facebook page: https://fb.watch/4M6SXJJ9_W[ East Metro Water— read the latest articles published in the blog and local newspapers Cleaner water ahead at Carver Lake Park in Woodbury— March 11 "This summer, visitors to Carver Lake Park will discover a newly renovated parking lot, complete with a 5220 sq ft raingarden and 8000 sq ft of native plantings designed to filter and treat polluted runoff, as well as create habitat for birds and pollinators. The raingarden will 47 of 48 capture 0.7 Ib of phosphorus, which is enough to prevent 350 pounds of algae from growing in the lake." Two miles, three raingardens, and 100 feet of native buffer: Charting Perro Creek's journey to cleaner water and better health— March 18 "Local partners including City of Bayport, the Middle St. Croix Watershed Management Organization (MSCWMO), and even area Girl Scouts have worked to reduce erosion and improve water quality in Perro Creek through a series of projects including raingardens and native buffer plantings." Preserving a piece of paradise in the St. Croix Valley— March 25 "Paul Goodwin and his family have established a 49-acre conservation easement on land abutting Silver Creek near Stillwater, MN and are working to convert 14-acres of fallow farmland to prairie and oak savanna." Students help to seed an outdoor laboratory at Crestview Elementary—April 1 "The school is converting 2.5 acres of turf to prairie and rehabbing 7.5 acres of low-quality woodlands." A flower's fleeting charm—April 8 "Of all the flowers that exist, spring ephemerals are the ones that I hold dearest in my heart." Please feel free to call or email if you have any questions. Thank you! Angie Hong Water Education Senior Specialist East Metro Water Resource Education Program Representing Brown's Creek, Carnelian Marine -St. Croix, Comfort Lake- Forest Lake, Middle St. Croix, Ramsey-Washington Metro, Rice Creek, South Washington and Valley Branch Watersheds, Bayport, Cottage Grove, Dellwood, Forest Lake, Grant, Lake Elmo, Hugo, Newport, Oak Park Heights, Oakdale, Stillwater, St. Paul Park, Willernie, West Lakeland, Woodbury, Washington County and the Washington Conservation District Lower St. Croix Watershed Partners Brown's Creek, Carnelian Marine -St. Croix, Comfort Lake - Forest Lake, Middle St. Croix, South Washington, Sunrise River and Valley Branch Watersheds; Chisago Lake Improvement District; Chisago, Isanti, Pine and Washington Counties; Anoka, Chisago, Isanti, Pine and Washington Conservation Districts C/O: Washington Conservation District 455 Hayward Ave. Oakdale, MN 55128 angie.hona a)mnwcd.ora Phone: (952) 261-9599 cell www.mnwcd.ora/emwrep 48 of 48