Town nails down spending plan for nearly $3M in aid

San Anselmo plans to spend $2.92 million in American Rescue Plan Act pandemic relief funds on infrastructure projects.

The Town Council voted 4-0 last week to approve the expenditures. Under the plan, the town allocated $1.27 million toward the planning, design and renovation of Fire Station 20 on Butterfield Road.

Another $600,000 will fund the Town Hall and library roof and heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrade. The roof and HVAC system are nearly 50 years old.

Sean Condry, director of public works, said the new system will include an all-electric heat pump device that is energy efficient.

Another $500,000 is allotted for the remodel of the second floor at Town Hall. Condry said the town has deferred maintenance on the building for years, and during recent storms the staff has placed buckets on the floor to catch leaks. He said staff morale is suffering because of it.

“We're kind of letting our structures fall apart around us,” he said.

Other allocations include $180,000 for painting at the Robson-Harrington House and $375,000 toward project management costs.

“As you can imagine a lot has gone into the staff's recommendations for the use of one time American Rescue

Plan Act funds,” Town Manager Dave Donery said.

“Each of the recommended projects represents facility improvements that if not addressed will continue to deteriorate,” he said. That will lead to more costly repairs, he said.

“I think that the list that was put forth really speaks to our responsibility, towards the operational piece of the town,” Councilmember Alexis Fineman said. “I have to say I don't think that the list is really kind of responsive to more community facing projects, and in that respect I don't think it's quite aligned with the spirit of the funding.”

Condry said officials considered other projects that were community focused, too. However, staff identified other possible funding opportunities for those projects.

Other projects that were considered include electric-vehicle charging stations. Condry said the council just approved one charging project and officials are seeking funds from the Transportation Authority of Marin, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and Pacific Gas & Electric Co. for electric-vehicle charging at the Pine Street, Creek Park and Memorial Park parking lots.

Condry said officials considered using the federal relief funds to support grant programs for parklets, but given that they are private projects, they weren't given high priority.