Upper Darby Township wants to pull back $14.4 million in ARPA funds that had been allocated but never acted upon. (DAILY TIMES)
At this week’s Upper Darby Council meeting, officials decided to send the $14.4 million of remaining American Rescue Plan Funds (ARPA) that have not yet been spent to restricted capital reserves.
Chief Administrative Officer Crandall O. Jones said of the $41.7 million allocated to the township, $16 million had been spent, and $10 million is expected to be spent this year.
The remaining $14.4 million must be spent by 2026. Jones said the township could apply for an extension but that would be “sketchy” on being approved.
Money that was allocated by the council in 2023 but not spent will be relocated to a restricted capital reserve fund. Jones’ presentation said this will be accomplished by passing ordinances to repeal the previous ordinances that allocated those funds.
Allocated by council that would be taken back included police initiatives that came in underfunded or the police could not accomplish.
Jones said the administration is looking to move the money to revenue recovery and restrict it.
He said Mayor Ed Brown is interested in a public safety initiative for five new officers, which had been approved in 2023 but never acted upon. He also said the administration supports directing money to the business district and how to service small businesses.
Jones said the $100,000 approved by council for each township fire station should be ready to go with a memorandum of understanding agreed upon this week.
Garrettford Drexel Hill has secured bids for resurfacing the bays, replacing the alarm board and resurfacing the parking lot. The other stations are still obtaining bids.
The $250,000 for the Watkins Center will be targeted for renovations to the gymnasium and upgrading security doors.
Council member Laura Wentz said $13 million had been passed by council in 2023 and this wouldn’t be an issue if the money had been acted on.
She also asked about the $3 million for the planned community center and asked if that will that need to be reallocated if that isn’t built.
“Do we have the funds to build the community center?” Wentz asked.
That project at 7000 Walnut St. long in the making has come in over budget and not moved forward.
Jones said there is $7 million to $9 million set aside but in 2024 dollars that won’t cover the cost and it will come down to the design.
“From what I see, it’s a doable thing,” Jones said.
The township had reapplied for an extension on an approved state grant for the project, which isn’t unusual, Jones said.
In other projects, council approved an application for a $200,000 state grant for a pedestrian bridge for the Naylor Run Trail over to East Marshall Road near Coventry and East Plumstead Avenue.
Council voted to approve Jones as the Right-to-Know Law officer with Crystal Henry as the assistant. He also said the township is automating the Right-to-Know process.
And, Solicitor Sean Kilkenney said demolition of the Sears parking garage on 69th Street will begin next week.
Finally, officials held a presentation on the revised smoke shop ordinance.
They said 61 people took a survey on the proposal to limit smoke shops. Of those, 71% of respondents agreed with the proposals and saying safety, community health and schoolchildren saying were top priorities, according to Joshua Chast, planning and zoning manager.
Council approved a motion to advertise a zoning amendment and will submit it to the Delaware County Planning Department.
