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A resolution appropriating $1,000,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds from Fund #30216 to the Metropolitan Government to provide subsidies for electric bicycles.
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WHEREAS, on June 15, 2021, the Metropolitan Council passed Resolution RS2021-966, a resolution which accepted grant funds for local government support from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds established by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARP Funds”) from the U.S. Department of the Treasury to The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, which was subsequently signed into law by Mayor John Cooper on June 16, 2021; and,
WHEREAS, Resolution RS2021-966 established a COVID-19 Financial Oversight Committee ("the Committee") whose role is to collect, consider, and recommend appropriate uses of the ARP Funds as designated by the Metropolitan Council disbursement plan. The Committee will submit its reports and recommendations to the Mayor, the Director of Finance, and the Metropolitan Council not later than June 30, 2025; and,
WHEREAS, there are federal requirements for use of ARP Funds that require that these funds be expended or obligated on or before December 31, 2024; and,
WHEREAS, the Committee recognizes the importance of alternative and sustainable modes of transportation, such as electric bicycles (“e-bikes”); and,
WHEREAS, the Committee recognizes that e-bikes allow for riders to bike greater distances and across harder terrain than regular bicycles, can save the rider thousands of dollars each year on fuel and vehicle maintenance by replacing car trips, and reduces the carbon footprint of the rider; and,
WHEREAS, the Committee recognizes that e-bikes serve as a low-cost, affordable form of transportation, however, an e-bike subsidy program will help low to moderate income individuals to purchase an e-bike that may otherwise be unavailable; and,
WHEREAS, the Committee recognizes that an e-bike subsidy program, administered through the Metropolitan Government will allow residents of Nashville and Davidson County to purchase and use e-bikes, as further described in Exhibit A; and,
WHEREAS, it is to the benefit of the citizens of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County that this resolution be approved.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. The Metropolitan Council accepts this resolution as a recommendation of the COVID-19 Financial Oversight Committee.
Section 2. That $1,000,000.00 from the Covid-19 American Rescue Plan Fund #30216 is hereby appropriated to the Metropolitan Government to be used as described in Exhibit A. The Metropolitan Government is authorized to contract with a third party to assist in the administration of the program described in Exhibit A.
Section 3. This resolution shall take effect from and after its final passage, the welfare of the public requiring it.
Agenda Analysis
Analysis
This resolution appropriates $1,000,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (“ARP”) funds from Fund #30216 to be allocated for a program to provide subsidies for electric bicycles (“e-bikes”).
This program would provide subsidies for the purchase of e-bikes for residents of Nashville and Davidson County. Through this program, individuals would be able to submit applications for a rebate. The standard rebate is up to $300 for an e-bike or $500 for an e-cargo bike. Income-qualified rebates would be available for individuals with a household income below 80% of the Area Median Income of Nashville and Davidson County or below 200% of the relevant federal poverty level. The income-qualified rebate is up to $1,400 for an e-bike and up to $1,400 for an e-cargo bike. Applicants must provide proof of Davidson County residency and proof of income if seeking an income-qualified rebate. The rebate must be used at a participating bike shop and the Metropolitan Government will partner with brick-and-mortar bike-shops in Nashville and Davidson County for participation in this program.
This proposal was deferred at the March 22, 2023 meeting of the COVID-19 Financial Oversight Committee.