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Staff reports streetscape phasing, ARPA reporting and upcoming budget revision
Summary
Town staff told the council Jan. 27 that the Main Street streetscape work is likely to be phased to avoid construction during the busiest downtown season; the town also reviewed ARPA reporting deadlines, interest treatment, and a forthcoming budget revision to fund maintenance, the gatehouse porch and townhouse repairs.
Town staff updated the Sykesville Mayor and Council on the downtown streetscape schedule, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) reporting and an impending budget revision during the Jan. 27 meeting.
Joe, a member of town staff presenting the item, said engineers and the contractor are developing a construction phasing plan that would delay heavy work on Main Street until the slower season so the town will likely focus initial work on the station parking lot, Baldwin Drive and ancillary areas before returning to Main Street in a later phase. “In all likelihood, it's gonna be the station parking lot Baldwin Drive ... and then we'll press pause and then come back and hit the rest of the improvements, probably this time next year,” Joe said.
Staff told council members that project cost escalation is a possibility and that rebids may be required for delayed work; the town said some additional funding avenues could become available, including strategic demolition monies and highway user revenues, in addition to the ARPA allocation the town already holds. Joe said the ARPA reporting contract was signed in advance of the end of calendar year and that the town’s ARPA report is due March 31; the town has two years to spend the ARPA award and the interest that accumulates in the ARPA account is not itself considered ARPA funds, staff said.
At the meeting Treasurer Jen Livsegg (first treasurer’s report) reviewed the recent income and expenses. She said December is typically expenditure‑heavy due to payroll and state retirement payments, but that January property‑tax receipts — she cited about $600,000 in property taxes received in January — improved the town’s cash position. Livsegg said the town carried capital outlays from the prior year and expects to include a $60,000 gatehouse porch outlay and building‑maintenance items for the townhouse and Way Station in Budget Revision No. 1.
Joe told the council staff will present the formal budget revision at the next meeting; he said the revision will include previously approved items such as the gatehouse porch and station project contributions and additional painting and window repairs for town‑owned historic buildings. He also said mobilization costs for construction are understood and that the town expects to manage phasing to limit disruption to downtown businesses.
Council members asked for and received confirmation that the ARPA funds are in the town accounts and that single‑audit requirements will apply only after certain federal‑spend thresholds are reached; staff said they remain within the ARPA schedule and compliance requirements.
