Committee advances $1.2M ARPA interest allocation for water repairs; larger ARPA reallocation discussed
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Summary
The committee advanced board bill 160 to allocate $1.2 million in ARPA interest to the Water Division for replacement of 2–3 prioritized mains and valve work. Members used the discussion to press for a broader funding strategy; a related reallocation of $6,866,460.48 (board bill 161) was presented but deferred for further departmental detail.
The Housing, Urban Development and Zoning Committee on Tuesday advanced board bill 160, which would allocate $1,200,000 in ARPA interest funds to the St. Louis Water Division for immediate infrastructure repair and replacement projects.
Niraj Patel, director of public utilities for the city, told the committee the Water Division has identified more than 64 critical water-main projects across the city that collectively carry an estimated replacement cost in the tens of millions. "We do intend to put these funds in board bill 160 to use to do a subset of these projects, probably 2 or 3 of them that we've identified," Patel said, identifying examples including a 1,000-foot 12-inch replacement on Weber Road, a Keokuk project, and Sample Avenue work.
Committee members pressed on scale and financing. Officials indicated an internal list of mains is estimated at about $28–32 million to replace the currently identified critical mains and that the water division maintains an internal capital list that exceeds $700 million. Committee members and staff discussed using a mix of funding tools — ARPA reallocated funds, state SRF assistance, bonding and rate adjustments tied to a pending rate-sufficiency study — to address the larger backlog.
A related reallocation measure (board bill 161), presented by the mayor's office, would reallocate $6,866,460.48 in ARPA funds to the Water Division. Caitlin Smith, policy adviser to the mayor, and Nancy Walsh from the City Council office explained the city intends to treat some obligated ARPA money as revenue replacement under U.S. Treasury guidance to move those dollars to the water division; the committee did not vote on board bill 161 and requested more departmental detail and a fact sheet prior to a future vote.
Vice Chair Sonier moved and the committee voted to pass board bill 160 with a due-pass recommendation; the clerk recorded seven aye votes. Committee members requested continued public discussions, a detailed funding plan and participation by comptroller and water financial advisers in upcoming rate and funding conversations.