City forms a plan to utilize $42,000 CARES funding

POMEROY–During the City Council continuance meeting on Tuesday evening, September 15, they discussed how to use $42,000 of the CARES Act funding.

Jack Peasley of the Southeast Washington Economic Development Association (SEWEDA), elaborated on a subrecipient agreement proposal he had made to the City regarding having SEWEDA manage the COVID/CARES Act grant funds.

Peasley recommended the utilization $10,000 of the CARES Act money for local businesses in need. He also identified certain protocols and requirements put in place to determine if items and entity were eligible to receive funding. He said the City can have input on how the remaining grant funds are to be spent and can approve or veto items concerning their portion of the funding. He also urged members of the Council to come up with ideas for things the City may need that would be eligible for funding.

The determined amount of $42,000 was under scrutiny because $21,000 in grant money was later added. Peasley pledged to look into the matter. The Council voted to award $42,000 to the subrecipient agreement with SEWEDA. It was suggested to do the agreement for $42,000. The City will add an addendum to the contract if the amount of Cares funding is greater the $42,000.

“I would like to explore having a contingency plan in place in case City employees come down with COVID,” said Councilman James Fuchs, and Councilwoman Susie Bowles agreed. “I really think it’s important the City put together a written plan of action with the county,” Bowles said.

Peasley replied that any costs associated with doing that, such as attorney’s costs, would certainly be eligible.

“I really think we need to address this sooner rather than later,” Bowles said.

Clerk Martin stated that the City will pay for 80 hours of COVID-19 leave time, with any additional hours reported as sick or vacation time.

Peasley said he would research the possibility of using CARES funds in the event staff sick leave exceeds the 80 hours provided by the city.

The Council inquired why the school district was requesting funding from the City. Peasley said he had contacted Rachel Gwinn and Amy Miller for any unmet needs. They had asked for approximately $3,000 to pay for already-purchased Chromebooks, which he could place in an “Already Spent” category. If that did not meet funding requirements, the school is looking to install supplemental cameras in classrooms so students could view assemblies without being together in the gym.

Rachel Anderson of Garfield County Aging & Disablility Resource Center (GCADRC) inquired if they were considered as an entity to receive Cares funding, but it was clarified that the GCADRC money was coming from a different grant.

In attendance were Mayor Paul Miller and council members Adam Hodges, Susie Bowles, James Fuchs, Mike Cassetto and James Harris, plus City Clerk Shaun Martin.

The next regular meeting will be on October 6, 2020, at 7 p.m.