LIMA — Residents from Lima’s 6th Ward spoke up Tuesday night about how they want to see the city spend more than $26 million from the American Rescue Plan Act.
More than 35 people filed into a meeting room inside the Bradfield Center to take in an informational meeting about the restrictions on how the city may spend its ARPA money and the time frame to spend the funds. It was the first of three public engagement meetings scheduled this month to get input from residents.
Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith was transparent about the realities of what the city would be capable of funding and seemed intent on eliminating any beliefs the COVID-19 funds were some form of magical elixir to solve all that ails the city.
“Our goal tonight is to hear from people, and let us be clear we can’t fund everything,” Smith said.
Much of the focus of the residents centered around infrastructure, housing and providing kids with activities and opportunities to recreate safely. A lot of requests were for better broadband services, facilities for kids with internet to go to and do their virtual school work and a few requests for free transportation for kids and adults who don’t have access to a vehicle.
“I would like to see something to bring people together,” Mary Gause said. “Bring back the ice skating rinks that we grew up with when we were growing. We need to come together as a people; I have never seen the community so divided.”
Sheri Gary piggybacked off Gause’s statement.
“When we were kids we had all kinds of things to do,” Gary said. “We had swimming pools and everything else to hang out with our friends and have fun. We need something that accommodates the children on the north side, the south side and everyone, regardless of their economics.”
Abby Stoll and Precious Grundy, both residents of Lima’s north side, came to the meeting to learn more about ARPA and to hear Smith and Community Development Director Susan Crotty out on what the city may be looking towards doing.
“I like the transparency the mayor and the city are showing by inviting the public out to share their opinions on what they should be spending the money on,” Stoll said. “It was worth the time. I heard a lot of beautiful ideas shared tonight from the residents and the city leaders.
“I love Mayor Smith and what she is doing to include everyone when it comes to making big decisions like these. It creates unity in the city that we haven’t seen before. I think Lima is really starting to turn around, and things are going to be great, and we can thank the new leadership for that.”
Grundy added, “I’m really excited to see what the money will go towards and where the improvements will be made in Lima.”
Communities have until 2026 to spend all of their ARPA funds. They must have their plans fully submitted by 2024, something that isn’t lost on city leaders who are showing an urgency in getting plans together,
“We all know that government moves slowly,” Smith said. “Tonight, I’ve heard people talk about investing in our youth, making transportation improvements, infrastructure improvements, expanded broadband, small business support and technical support,” Smith said. “Our goal is to listen — so, what we’ve heard from you is that we should look at revenue replacement.”
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