City considers ARPA funding

The city of Thompson Falls is in the process of applying for a grant that Mayor Mark Sheets referred to as “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are part of an initiative by the federal government to help communities improve water and sewer infrastructure in the state of Montana. The city plans to use these funds to continue the water project.

The first part, equal to $345,543, is noncompetitive, meaning that as long as a community can provide the application and meet the requirements, it can receive the funds. Sheets explained during the last city hall meeting that the Thompson Falls application was turned in on June 16, and when selected, should allow the city to receive half of the funds this year and the other half next year. The second part is also both noncompetitive and worth around $300,000. Part two is due in the fall.

According to Sheets, a major part of the funding is due July 16 and can be worth up to $25 million, depending on provided match funds. As part of the sewer and water projects the city is currently planning and undergoing, Sheets said that Thompson Falls could submit match funds, as required by the grant application, up to $2 million. These are funds the city has already used on the continuing project, and could allow the city to receive a tidy sum from part three of ARPA.

On Tuesday, the state Department of Commerce awarded more than $25 million in infrastructure grants through the Montana Coal Endowment Program (MCEP). Thompson Falls will receives $750,000 of that for the wastewater project. “The MCEP grant funds are extremely important for projects in our small communities,” said Sheets. “Without this program, many wastewater and water projects would not be possible.”

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is responsible for reviewing and ranking applications. After applications go through the process, communities are selected. Approval, according to Sheets, will be known by late this year.

“A lot of communities are not in the position to apply for this,” said Sheets. He explained that the legislation set this funding with such a tight timeline that many communities may not be able to apply for or receive the funds. “The city is in real good shape for part three,” said Sheets, explaining that Thompson Falls already has the planning in place and has a continuing project to reference for the funds.

In other business, the council lifted the ordinance for fireworks on the Fourth of July at Wild Goose Landing between the hours of 6 and 11:30 p.m.

Council members also discussed including tobacco-free zone signs in the various city parks. Council member Ruth Cheney proposed creating an ordinance that would make the use of any tobacco a misdemeanor within the city limits. Several other council members were opposed, with Earlene Powell voicing concerns about people reporting neighbors for smoking on their own property.

“I just think the enforcement is going to be a nightmare,” said council member Kathrine Maudrone.

Member Roaul Ribeiro also opposed the idea, requesting that the city start with putting signage in the parks to first gauge public reaction on tobacco-free areas. “That’s where my support would be,” he said.

The topic was tabled for future discussion.