The Manteca City Council has $2.5 million to spend.
It’s the remainder of one-time COVID relief funds of almost $14 million Manteca received that must be committed to a viable project by year’s end. If not, the money is going back to the federal treasury.
The council back in June opted to allocate $450,000 to each of the four council members to decide how it should be spent plus another $700,000 for the mayor.
It was done with the understanding there was a long list of one-time expenses the city could use it on and that elected officials would have a greater sense of how the money should be spent in a manner that was beyond basic city services.
The rest of the nearly $14 million went to plug holes in the city budget revenue caused by mandated COVID lockdowns, to reward employees for working during the lockdown, and to purchase an assortment of replacement equipment including to perform street repair work.
On Tuesday, council members supplied City Manager Toni Lundgren with a list of projects they were interested in spending the cash on to improve the quality of life in Manteca and enhance public safety.
Municipal staff will return in the coming months with cost estimates for each request.
Several meetings ago, Mayor Gary Singh cautioned “that $2.5 million doesn’t go as far as it used to.”
As such, not all of the suggestions are likely to be funded.
On the list were:
*A water play feature at Woodward Park.
It was noted Woodward Park is the largest gathering place in Manteca on a weekly basis in the summer due to soccer leagues and tournaments as well as other activities. Such a feature — designed as a hybrid for adults and youth use — would help provide a respite from the heat.
Lathrop has three such water play parks. Manteca has one at Library Park. But because it was built without the ability to recycle water in a bid to save money at the time, it can no longer be legally used under state laws regarding water conservation and health rules.
*Converting Wilson Park behind the Post Office downtown into the city’s second dog park.
The area is heavily shaded by established trees and gets little use — except as a hangout for the homeless.
The idea is to create additional recreational opportunities for central city residents as well as create a reason for the public to go downtown.
Staff has said they believe fencing could be installed in a manner the park area could still be used for controlled events such as a beer garden during the Pumpkin Fair in October and the Crossroads Street Fair in June.
*Sensory playground for youth with special needs.
A sensory playground is designed for children that have needs created by having autism and other conditions. Such a playground would go in an existing park.
*Alley work in downtown.
Eliminate potholes and deteriorating asphalt and repave the alleys on the east side of the 100 and 200 blocks in downtown Manteca.
*A concession stand at Woodward Park.
Like the water play feature, it was part of the original masterplan for the 52-acre community park. The concession stand would be heavily used by soccer and other activities.
*License plate readers.
A network of 70 license plate reader cameras throughout the city that would dovetail into new license plate readers/cameras that are being placed in Manteca Police vehicles next year.
The small number of license plate readers already in place helped lead to the arrest of a suspect in a recent Manteca murder. Such cameras in Tracy have already led to the arrets of suspects in two different murder investigations.
*A welcome sign for Manteca.
It was suggested such as sign could be a joint project with community service groups.
*A LED display sign at the new Manteca Chamber of Commerce location in the 600 block of East Yosemite Avenue at what is essentially the eastern entrance to downtown.
The proposal would be for the city to partner with the chamber in exchange for being able to use the sign to advertise community events and promote downtown activities.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
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