First round of COVID Relief applications reached 27k

POMEROY–Jack Peasley of the Southeast Washington Economic Development Association (SEWEDA) told the council that the Department of Commerce has had 27,000 applications for assistance in dealing with the COVID-19 virus restrictions. Garfield County was given an allotment to help businesses here impacted negatively by the shutdown.

Businesses must meet three criteria before they are eligible to receive this aid, which are: 1) businesses must be up to date on their taxes; 2) businesses must have been in business for at least a year; and 3) businesses must have a current business license. Allotments are not just given to applicants. Those who apply must show a demonstrable need, such as the loss of income by hair salons after being forced to close.

Peasley said Garfield County’s allotment of $61,000 was not released until near Memorial Day and some problems arising from the first round of funding have been corrected. Business name are on file at SEWEDA and are kept confidential. The second round of funding will basically be used for the same purposes and should be available next week.

While this funding is used strictly for businesses and not schools, Peasley indicated some of the money could possibly be used for daycare expenses, but the daycare must have already been in business before the COVID-19 shutdowns occurred. He said paper applications are available for businesses that are not tech-savvy, and he will be going around to businesses in the community to see if they qualify.

According to Peasley, there is a “Save the Gazebo” plan in place. County engineer Grant Morgan estimated the cost of repairing the structure at around $25,000. Partial funding of the project has been pledged by several local entities including the Harold and Helen Shepherd Foundation and Pacific Power. An account at Bank of Eastern Washington has been set up for donations, which are tax-deductible. In addition, tee-shirts with the design “Travel the Forgotten Trail” are available at Pomeroy Pharmacy for $15.00, and all proceeds will go to support the gazebo restoration.

The Columbia Fifth to Sixth Street project change has come in under the requested amount due to less rock needed to complete the change order. According to Luke Antonich of TD&H Engineering, the street should be paved around the middle of August. Nelson Construction was paid $74,055.32.

Antonich said TD&H had received the necessary paperwork for the Sixth Street bridge project, from S&L Underground to submit it to Nelson Construction for installation of the membrane and paving. Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has approved it and “all systems are go.” Paving of the bridge will be done at the same time as Fifth to Sixth Street to reduce costs.

The Department of Health (DOH) recommended the City withdraw the existing water system plan that includes the amendment for the East End development, which has been pushed back to 2024, at the existing plan expiration on January 1, 2021. The City can resubmit a plan for the future which would provide the best pathway for the best results and least cost.

The council authorized Hodges sale agreement regarding the acquisition of the billboard property on the east end of town.

The pool attendance and concession sales have been good. The Council was told that a couple of businessmen want to sponsor a free swim at the end of the season.

The cemetery is quite dry and according to City Superintendent Landkammer, new head replacements for the sprinkler system have been recently received.

City Clerk Martin said the State Auditor wants an additional $3,500 for the audit. No reason was given by the auditor why the audit is taking from March until August to complete. The city will ask for reimbursement from COVID-19 relief funding.

Several voided and re-issued checks reduced the consent agenda from $137,221.35 to a revised total of $133,699.94. Harris moved to approve the revised consent agenda, Fuchs seconded and it passed unanimously.

Harris asked about a transportation plan regarding street improvements. Landkammer said the Sixth Street Bridge and Columbia Fifth to Sixth Street will be removed from the Six-Year Transportation Plan. He also state that available funds for street repair has dried up. Martin said the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) is accepting applications this month.

Sheriff Drew Hyer said there were thirty-six more calls to service in July than in the previous month. Citations were down by four with criminal citations down by one. Verbal warnings were also down while total arrests were up. Domestic calls were up by two and bookings also up by two. Total mileage driven was down 771 miles from last month. Hyer could not comment on the investigation into the attempted burglary at the former PDQ, now called the Pirate Pit, because it is still ongoing. No citations have had to be issued regarding the nuisance letters sent out by the city as the response has been “really good” and property owners have been responding in a timely manner. National Night Out has been canceled.

City Council met for its regular monthly meeting on August 4, 2020, at city hall. Present were Mayor Paul Miller and councilmen Adam Hodges, Susie Bowles, James Fuchs, Mike Cassetto and James Harris, plus City Superintendent Kenny Landkammer and City Clerk Shaun Martin.

The next regular meeting will be September 8, 2020, at city hall at 7:00 p.m.