Funds received were a direct allocation ($39,545.57) from the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and will be utilized to reimburse the city for COVID-19 related emergency responses and transports according to city officials.
“The city recently received a little over $39,000 from the CARES Act to be utilized for COVID-19 related expenses in our fire department, mainly through the transportation of patients,” City Manager Mark Schwieterman told council during its virtual meeting. “This deposit was made to our third party vendor who handles our medical billing for our medical transports.”
The furloughs and layoffs of part-time employees that was scheduled for April 27 happened as planned, according to city officials.
No full-time employees have been impacted so far. Over 90% of the affected part-time employees work in the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department in positions associated with the numerous programs and classes hosted at various city facilities.
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“A number of city facilities have closed during the pandemic resulting in numerous program cancellations, especially in connection with our Recreation and Cultural Arts programs,” Schwieterman explained.. “We have also implemented alternative work schedules and locations to assist in complying with social distancing while, at the same time, delivering core services to our residents and businesses.”
He noted to council that the city’s recently implemented Small Business Loan program, designed to help smaller businesses that are in need during the coronavirus pandemic, is off to a solid start.
The program will provide micro-loans to businesses with 25 or fewer employees, and the funding must be earmarked to pay for normal businesses expenses that have been made more difficult due to declining revenues caused by the pandemic. Businesses may apply for up to $5,000 in funds.
“The loan review committee has reviewed a number of loan applications,” Schwieterman said, adding that the funding award process is underway for 11 businesses.
City officials are also making plans to deal with the ongoing social distancing rules that are in place and will resume its normal workshop schedule for the May 12 council meeting as they will be held virtually.
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Schwieterman said the “new normal” for the city’s operations involves a phase one that will begin on May 4.
“At that point, we will return more employees back to the north and south building at the administrative Government Center,” he explained. “We will continue to use social distancing and adhere to social distancing requirements.”
Staff returning to the Government Center will have limited contact and utilize virtual technology for meetings and will have to wear masks in some situations.
“Frankly, this is the policy that we are using currently with our police and fire departments since they were normal operations throughout the whole process,” Schwieterman explained. “We will be conducting health screenings of our employees as they enter the building using thermometers and answering the appropriate medical questions.”
Each department has also implemented additional recovery plans to help keep workers safe during the pandemic.
“We set a goal to bring in less than 50% of the employees each day,” Schwieterman said. “Most departments will have an every-other-day schedule, while some employees will continue to work from home on a regular basis.”
Regular cleaning and sanitizing in the offices will be in full effect, he said, and the Government Center will remain closed to public, but the plan is to eventually open up again after further review.
Mayor Don Patterson said “the new normal” is a challenge for every city and community Ohio.
“I’d like to thank all of our residents for tolerating everything that is going on,” he said. “I know it has been difficult and I know that it has been hard. We are looking for the end to come soon and at least get back to a new normal.”
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