GREEN BAY (WLUK) -- The city of Green Bay has more than $20 million to spend from money allocated through the federal government's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The city is limited in how it can spend it, but is looking for ideas from the public though an online survey.

With a one time payment of $23.7 million coming to Green Bay, the city must create a plan on how this money can help in response and recovery to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"This is a pretty unique situation," said Green Bay alder Randy Scannell. Scannell oversees District 7.

Mayor Eric Genrich's office has put out a survey looking for ideas on how the city should spend the money.

"What we really want to do is solicit as much public input as possible when we're crafting a plan to put in place a plan to spending these dollars," said Genrich.

But the federal aid is limited on how it can be spent. The dollars must focus on improving low to moderate income areas. It also must fit into a number of categories like providing infrastructure investments.

"We want to put in place a reasonable framework here, but we don't feel a tremendous sense of urgency to got through all that funding," said Genrich. "It's a good chunk of money and we want to be smart about how we spend it."

The city has until the end of 2024 to figure out how they'll allocate the money, and then must spend it all by 2026.

"We could also use it as an opportunity to tackle some of the bigger projects that the federal government allows us to," said District 12 alder Jesse Brunette.

While the city is limited, both the mayor and alders Scannell and Brunette believe housing is a high priority. The city currently has a shortage of affordable and market rate housing.

"A deep dive into affordable housing and addressing our homeless needs," said Scannell. "t's a county issue but very much effects Green Bay."

Infrastructure projects are other ideas the city is considering.

"The possible bridge that would have to be replaced, possible parking improvements for downtown for those businesses," said Brunette.

"We have broadband according to federal definition accessible to people, so we can only really spend on storm water and drinking water," said Genrich.

The city's survey will be available until mid-October. Mayor Genrich will then present ideas and continue taking input during two budget town halls at the end of October.

The City of Oshkosh received over $20 million from the same federal funding. Appleton received over $14 million. Both cities have already collected input from their communities through listening sessions or surveys.