Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget Appropriation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council amends ARPA delegation for Florence Gray Community Learning Center
Summary
Council approved delegating the city manager authority to sign contracts up to $250,000 for ARPA-funded work on the Florence Gray Community Learning Center, but added an amendment requiring the manager to notify the council before signing such contracts. Council discussed the project's $7.5 million award and the 2026 federal spending deadline.
The council voted to delegate to the city manager the authority to sign contracts of up to $250,000 to execute ARPA-funded work converting the Florence Gray Center into a community learning center for the Housing Authority of Newport and the Boys & Girls Club. Council amended the resolution to require the manager to inform the council before signing contracts under that authority so members would be apprised in advance.
A councilor summarized the award: "The city was awarded $7,500,000 to renovate the Florence Grace Center into a community learning center." Several members expressed concern about blanket contracting authority and pressed for notice requirements; the amendment requiring pre-signing notification passed. Staff said the ARPA funds must be spent by 2026 and the manager will send timely updates to the council.
