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Trappe council directs staff to price ARPA projects, approves ARPA-funded council-room AC replacement
Summary
At its July 17 workshop, the Town of Trappe council reviewed options for spending remaining ARPA funds, asked staff to get pricing on several infrastructure and equipment projects, and unanimously approved using ARPA money to replace the council meeting-room air conditioner.
The Town of Trappe council on July 17 reviewed potential uses of its remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and directed staff to obtain pricing and more information on multiple infrastructure and equipment projects.
President Schmidt opened the 2:00 p.m. workshop and noted council members Jeremy Newnam, Michael Sullivan, Rose Potter and Walter Chase were present. Town Administrator Erin Braband told the council the ARPA funds must be allocated by Dec. 31, 2024 and spent by Dec. 31, 2026.
Braband reported that the council should consider a range of projects and asked staff to return with cost estimates and recommendations. The council requested pricing and additional information for: purchasing two new vehicles for the Public Works and Water/Wastewater departments; camera inspection of all sewer mains and a findings report; an RFP to replace all water meters and add radio-read components (excluding Lakeside, which already has radio-read meters); using the water-line inventory being completed by Davis, Bowen and Friedel to prioritize water-main replacements paired with paving; reviewing Phase 2 of the pumping-station project for components that could be completed with ARPA funds; and pricing for a backhoe.
During the following special meeting, Braband reported the council meeting-room air conditioner failed on July 15 and presented three vendor quotes: Comfort Plus to replace the existing-size unit for $7,619.46; Comfort Plus for a mini-split unit (heat and cooling) for $8,719.41; and Conner for a slightly larger replacement for $9,446.00. Commissioner Rose Potter moved to approve the Comfort Plus quote “for replacement of what the Town has now” as recorded in the minutes in the amount of $7,169.46 and to use ARPA funds to pay the expense. Commissioner Walter Chase seconded; the motion was recorded as unanimously approved.
The minutes show both the Comfort Plus same-size quote of $7,619.46 and an approved amount reported in the motion of $7,169.46; the transcript does not explain the difference between those two figures. The council did not indicate alternative funding sources, so the action was recorded as ARPA-funded.
Later the council voted to enter executive session at 3:21 p.m. to discuss a personnel matter; the session was closed at 3:45 p.m., the special meeting was reopened, and the meeting adjourned at 3:46 p.m.
What happens next: Council staff will return with pricing and reports on the items the council identified for potential ARPA funding, including the vendor proposals and any recommended prioritization for capital work.
