Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The “Legislature of American Samoa” has “received its full allocation” of federal Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to the tune of more than $2.73 million but “the Fono has not expended any funds due to delays in construction” of its new two-story building and office wings, according to the ASG’s ARPA Oversight Office, 2023 Recovery Plan Performance Report to the U.S Treasury.

The annual report, required by federal law and publicly released early this week, highlights the progress and outcome of the more than $479 million in ARPA-SLFRF money awarded to American Samoa to fund several initiatives.

And according to the report, the Fono’s share comes from the $12 million earmarked for the territory’s “Public Buildings CDC Compliance Program” administered by the Oversight Office, which says the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of social distancing measures as well as ensuring public spaces are well-ventilated and maintained.

American Samoa, like many other jurisdictions, implemented many different policies to ensure that social distancing was effectively practiced, it say.

“In practice, however, it has become clear that many of ASG’s buildings are in need of improvements or new facilities to meet pandemic operational needs,” the Oversight Office explained. “Improvements to the buildings or new construction to replace facilities that are incapable of meeting these needs are necessary for public health and safety. This is particularly true with the updated guidance from the CDC.”

The Fono, which received the highest approved amount, and a number of ASG entities applied and got approval for their specified projects. Last summer the Oversight Office announced 10 applicants approved for this funding program, but without the names of the ASG entities.

The report explains how the Fono plans to use the funds, in response to the impact of the pandemic and to ensure proper COVID safety measures are implemented in the construction and operative services the Legislature provides.

Among the safety measures, is upgrading the Air Conditioning system to enhance filtration with HEPA or MERV 13 or 14 filters; and increase fresh/ outside air intake.

Funds will also be used to upgrade data and telecommunications systems within the buildings to include an improvement in the wiring to support enhanced wireless communications for virtual communications. This will facilitate and support virtual meetings and support working from home in an effort to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

Additionally, renovating the existing Fale Samoa to accommodate the overflow staff space for social distancing. This includes adding more work stations for displaced staff from main building after social distancing measures are implemented.

Furthermore, divider partitions, sneeze guards, to promote social distancing between all of the workers in work areas will be added.

Other use of the funds is to utilize touch-less technology throughout the building, such as door openers, auto  flushing toilets, hand dryers, elevator controls, drinking fountains to lessen the spread of the virus.

“The idea behind the touch-less technology is … the less contact individuals have with various surfaces, the lower the possibility of spreading the virus via surfaces,” according to the project overview explanation in the report.

The Fono also wants to use the money to — among other things:

•           Provide enhanced ventilation for elevators to curb the spread of viruses and bacteria.

•           Install screens in open work areas to minimize virus transmission and facilitate social distancing

•           Install temperature check stations.

•           Install anti-microbial countertop surfaces to prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria.

•           Make adjustments to the current building space plan to enhance social distancing. Spread out workstations and seating in waiting areas; and provide screening.

•           Upgrade the emergency generator, if required, to support the above enhancements.

•           Install security cameras to monitor social distancing: Security cameras will assist us with contact tracing of our employees who may contract COVID-19; Additional surveillance will be required when doors are open for natural ventilation; and Security cameras will also assist us with enforcing social distancing and mask wearing.

And use of the funds, according to the project overview, is to provide laundry facilities on-site to sanitize linens used in the facility.

“The use of cloth linens is more sustainable than disposable paper towels or napkin. Cloth linens is environmentally friendly as it will reduce paper waste,” it says, and noted that the local dependence on paper goods being shipped in is unreliable with the new normal of consistent shipping delays.”

According to the performance report, objectives of the project are to enforce social distancing in the workplace and space, sanitation stations and policies in office and meeting spaces, as well as maintaining these measures in all office operations and procedures.

The latest update cited in the report, as of June 30, 2023 states that the Fono’s main building and office wings are currently under construction. The construction project began in 2018 and since the outbreak of the COVID pandemic the project has experienced numerous delays and modifications.

While these adjustments are costly, the goal of the project is to ensure proper COVID safety measures are implemented in the construction and operative services the Legislature provides, the report says. “In doing so, this project aims to incorporate and implement the safety practices and restrictions as mandated by the government.”

“These practices will be mandated and enforced in all legislative operations and procedures,” the report says and reiterated that due to delays in construction, none of the allocated funds have been expended.

BACKGROUND

Samoa News understands that the construction of the new two-story Fono building currently under construction is slated to be completed before the end of the year, with the month of November tentatively mentioned. The new wing that would house lawmakers’ offices will be completed at a later time.

Of note, the celebration of the Fono’s 75th Anniversary since the establishment of the Legislature of American Samoa has been postponed.

Senate President, Tuaolo Manaia Fruean informed Senators in January of this year that Fono leaders were looking at June 2023 for the celebration, which was to coincide with the official opening of the new building.

A $1 million allocation for the Fono’s celebration is included in the Governor’s FY 2023 $7.4 million+ Supplemental Budget. A planning committee comprising members from both chambers has been established.