ARPA Funding Request

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provided historic levels of state and local funding intended to help communities recover from the COVID pandemic and “build back better.” The COVID-19 pandemic caused a public health emergency as well as an economic stress.

The City of New Rochelle was awarded a total of nearly $37 million ($36,938,483), split in two equal tranches of approximately $18.45 million. The first tranche has already been received, while the second is anticipated in May 2022. It is in New Rochelle’s interest to identify best practices, procedures, and a strategic plan for ensuring that the city’s government, residents, businesses, and stakeholders realize the maximum relief and benefits available under our ARPA allocation. As such, it will be important for the City to facilitate recovery and promote resilience, equity, and health by addressing the human, economic, and environmental impacts of the pandemic. Assistance to households, business, and non-profits, provided that such assistance addresses and is proportionate to the negative impacts of the pandemic.

The City of New Rochelle recognizes the importance essential workers working during the pandemic and their vital role in keeping essential businesses open and the sacrifices the frontline workers made simply by showing up to work like ringing up groceries, cleaning hospital rooms, driving buses and ambulances, keeping day care/educational centers open, and treating critically ill patients. The Hazard Pay for Business Employees(s) program recognizes essential workers as well as help employers provide hazard pay for their employees to retain current employees.

What is hazard pay? The U.S. Department of Labor defines hazard pay as “additional pay for performing hazardous duties or work involving physical hardship.” Simply put, it’s extra compensation on top of what you already earn in exchange for the danger your job duties pose.

Who qualifies for hazard pay? Businesses, healthcare non-profits, day care/educational facilities, public transportation agencies, and certified economic development organizations located and operating in the City of New Rochelle may apply for funding for their employees. Application must be completed by a company on behalf of their employees. Agencies are collectively referred to as “Employers” for purposes of these guidelines.

How is hazard pay calculated? Hazard Pay is defined as an amount “up to $13 per hour not to exceed $25,000” per eligible worker. Pay must be in addition to a worker’s regular wage and cannot replace a worker’s normal earnings. Hazard pay may be provided retrospectively for work performed any time since the start of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Employees working from home are not eligible for hazard pay (US Department of Treasury, Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, Final Rule-effective April 1, 2022).

Disclaimer. Applicants receiving grant funds under this program must certify compliance under penalty of perjury and fines pursuant to N.Y. Penal Law-Article 175 (offenses involving false written statements) to all of the below requirements:

• Employers pay their employees at least federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour; and
• Employers are paying the employer share of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) for the hazard pay; and
• Employers follow Center for Disease Control guidelines, Department of Health regulations and guidance for reopening under the Governor’s Phased Reopening Plan to protect front-line employees from contracting COVID-19; and
• Employers are in compliance with all relevant laws, orders, and regulations during the period of the COVID-19 disaster emergency under the Governor’s proclamation and any and all subsequent renewals. The foregoing includes, but is not limited to, orders by the Governor, Secretary of Health, or other officials empowered to act during the emergency.

Any noncompliant businesses will be ineligible for funding under this program and may be required to return all, or a portion, of the funds awarded under the program. Applicants must also covenant and agree that they will continue to remain in compliance with all of the Employer requirements above during the grant activity period.

Conflict of Interest. An officer, director, or employee of an applicant who is a party to or has a private interest in a project shall disclose the nature and extent of the interest to the governing body of the applicant, and may not vote on action of the applicant concerning the project, nor participate in the deliberations of the applicant concerning the project.

Nondiscrimination. No assistance shall be awarded to an Employer/Applicant under this program unless the Employer/Applicant certifies that the Employer/Applicant shall not discriminate against any employee or against any person seeking employment by reason of race, gender, creed, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or in violation of the Human Rights Law, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, handicap or disability, or in violation of any applicable federal laws.

Project Records and Compliance Requirements. The Employer/Applicant must maintain full and accurate records with respect to the project and must ensure adequate control over related parties in the project. The program office requires access to such records, as well as the ability to inspect all work, pay records, time statements, invoices, materials, and other relevant records at reasonable times and places. Upon request of the program office, the applicant must furnish all data, reports, contracts, documents, and other information relevant to the project. Fund payments are subject to the following requirements in the Uniform Guidance (2 C.F.R. Part 200): 2 C.F.R. § 200.303 regarding internal controls, 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.330 through 200.332 regarding subrecipient monitoring and management, and subpart F regarding audit requirements.

Certification of Hazard Pay. The grantee shall be required to provide a self-certified spreadsheet from eligible employees, employed from March 2020 to December 2020, listing the employees name, pay date, pay period covered, regular pay, government funded hazard pay, and description of duties related to hazard pay. All Employers receiving grant funds under this grant program are subject to monitoring to confirm payment of hazard pay to employees as listed in the self-certified spreadsheet submitted for reimbursement.

Application Assistance.  The City of New Rochelle will host  information sessions. Please reach out to Rita Azrelyant (razrelya@newrochelleny.com) for more information.