Economic Stimulus Bill Follow-Up
President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) into law on February 17, 2009. More commonly known as the Economic Stimulus Bill, it is the largest single infusion of cash into the economy in American history – over $787 billion.
Of this amount, $575 billion is being directed to state and local governments, as well as various agencies, for immediate spending in the following areas:
The primary focus of the Economic Stimulus Bill, in addition to creating jobs and quickly stimulating the economy, is to support green initiatives and environmental sustainability and to promote transparency in government. With this later point in mind, this web page has been created to show the status of Economic Stimulus funds that the City has either applied for, or may directly benefit from.
This page will be updated on a regular basis and will be removed when all projects are completed. This page only serves to provide information to interested parties. The City is still obligated to fulfill all reporting requirements as provided for with each funding application.
Transportation Infrastructure
$27.5 billion has been set aside for highway infrastructure investment across the nation. Sixty-seven percent of this amount has been distributed directly to state governments. Missouri received $510 million for highway projects state-wide.
- Widening of Missouri Highway 150
$17 million has been designated for the widening of M-150 through Lee’s Summit from its western border to M-291. This project is being administered by the Missouri Department of Transportation.
Please see the Missouri Department’s website at www.modot.org/arra/
Thirty percent of the $27.5 billion set aside for highway infrastructure investment was distributed directly to the various metropolitan planning organizations across the nation. The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) received just over $49 million for the Kansas City metropolitan area - $27 million for Missouri and $22 million for Kansas.
- Partial Funding of the Todd George Road Extension
$378,061 has been awarded to the City of Lee’s Summit for the partial funding of the Todd George Road Extension from Colbern Road north to Woods Chapel Road. This project is part of the larger construction of the Strother Road interchange at I-470.
- Funding agreements with the Missouri Department of Transportation have been executed designating stimulus funds for this project. Project documents have been reviewed by MoDOT, final approval is anticipated within the next two months, which will allow the City to proceed with bids for the project. – August 2009.
Three percent of the $27.5 Billion set aside for highway infrastructure investment was designated for transportation.
- Walking Trail Along Todd George Road
$ 210,000 has been awarded for the construction of a walking trail along Todd George Road from Lansford Road to McKee Street.
- Funding agreements with the Missouri Department of Transportation have been executed designating stimulus funds for this project – May 2009.
Transit Funding
The Economic Stimulus Bill designated $5.52 billion in stimulus funding for Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Programs across the nation.
- Lee’s Summit Urbanized Area transit program (UZA) Allocation
$1 million has been allocated to the City of Lee’s Summit’s UZA. This money is to be used for capital purposes only and must be designated by April of 2010.
- The City has been exploring the feasibility of utilizing these funds toward the purchase of the abandoned Rock Island Rail Road line through Lee’s Summit – July 2009.
Energy / Environment
Authorized by the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program was funded for the first time this year through a $3.2 billion allocation from the Economic Stimulus Bill. Modeled after the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, the EECBG is intended to provide funding to states, local governments and Indian tribes for programs that reduce energy use, reduce fossil fuel use, and improve energy efficiency.
- Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program
The City of Lee’s Summit has received $762,000 as a direct allocation for the EECBG program based on population. The City has identified several projects for possible funding through this program and has submitted a grant application to the Department of Energy for funding of these projects. Projects include:
o Development of an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategic Plan - $80,000
o Synchronization of Traffic Signals along Chipman Road from Pryor to M-291 – $400,000.
o Conversion of Remaining Traffic Signals from Incandescent to LED fixtures - $60,000.
o Energy Efficiency Renovations to Harris Park Community Center – $190,000.
o Experimental Solar Powered Parking Lot Light in Downtown Parking Lot - $12,000.
o Support of Development of Regional Strategic Plan and Resource Program - $19,000.
- Application has been submitted and is currently pending review – August 2009.
The Economic Stimulus Bill has allocated $300 million through the Department of Energy to state and local governments for the purchase of alternative fuel cars.
- Hybrid Vehicles
The City has made application to the Department of Energy for partial funding of four hybrid vehicles for the Police Department. These would be non-emergency vehicles.
- Application has been submitted and is currently pending review –June 2009.
The Economic Stimulus Bill has allocated $300 million through the Environmental Protection Agency to state and local governments for the installation of particulate filters in existing diesel engines.
- Particulate Filters
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently issued criteria for this program. Funds are only applicable for vehicles built prior to the 2003 model year. All of Lee’s Summits diesel on road vehicles are low emissions 2004 or newer and would not benefit from the retrofit of these particulate filters, for the three trucks that are pre-2003 these are slated for replacement within the year and will be disposed of before the grant funding is actual available.
Water Infrastructure
$2 billion has been allocated to states through the Environmental Protection Agency for various drinking water infrastructure improvements.
- Relocation of water line along M-150
The City applied for $1.75 million through the State of Missouri Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund to pay for the relocation of an existing water line as part of the Missouri 150 widening project.
- Application was submitted to the Department of Natural Resources, but failed to rank high enough against other projects to receive stimulus funds – May 2009.
$4 billion has been allocated to states through the Environmental Protection Agency for wastewater infrastructure improvements, mitigation of non-point source pollution, and watershed management.
- Various City Wastewater Projects
The City applied for $38.5 million through the State of Missouri Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund to pay for various wastewater projects including construction of a flow holding basin and construction of a sewer system.
- Application was submitted to the Department of Natural Resources, but failed to rank high enough against other projects to receive stimulus funds – May 2009.
Police / Fire
Almost $6 billion has been allocated through the Economic Stimulus Bill to the U.S. Department of Justice for various anti-crime and anti-violence programs. Of this amount $1 billion has been allocated to the COPS Universal Hiring Program.
- Additional Police Officers
The City has made a $2.4 million application to the COPS Universal Hiring program to pay for 21 additional police officers over the next three years. This is an effort that has already been identified in the City’s budget, but by utilizing the COPS program, it would take some pressure off the City’s budget. The City would eventually take over the funding of these police officers, once the grant funds run out.
$2 billion has been awarded to various local government police agencies through the
Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grants based on a formulary process.
- Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Allocation
The City received a direct allocation of $62,699 from the Edward Byrne Justice Grant program for various law enforcement efforts.
$225 million was designated to the Violence Against Women Prevention and Prosecution.
- STOP Violence Against Women Grant
The City applied for $400,000 through the STOP Violence Against Women grant.
Housing
$1 billion has been allocated through the Economic Stimulus Bill to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.
- CDBG –Reinvestment Grant
The City of Lee’s Summit received $84,118 as an additional allocation for its 2008-2009 CDBG Annual Action Plan. This money was designated to fill existing sidewalk gaps along Langsford Road from M-291 to Independence Avenue and along Independence Avenue between Orchard Street and Columbus Street. These missing sections in the current sidewalk system were identified and recommended as future sidewalk improvements in the City’s recently completed sidewalk study. This project was proposed for CDBG funding through the 2009-2010 program year, but did not rank high enough to receive the limited funding. These improvements are located in the City’s low-to-moderate income area and their completion will directly benefit the area residents.
- As required by HUD, a public input period was held on this project from May 28 through June 5, 2009.
- HUD has approved the City’s proposed sidewalk improvements project.
- It is anticipated that these improvements will be completed in the fall of this year.
$3 billion has been allocated for the modernization and development of public housing facilities around the country. These funds are for identifiable projects that can be completed with 120 days of distribution.
- Lee’s Summit Housing Authority
The Lee’s Summit Housing Authority received $173,194.
Health Care / Social Services
The City was not eligible for any of these programs.
Rural Development
The City was not eligible for any of these programs.
|