After continued debate, Plain City Council determined Monday that its most recent allocation of coronavirus aid will go to the Pleasant Valley Fire Department.
Council voted unanimously to expend the complete $40,180.34 of additional CARES Act funding to the local fire department, but not before vetting other suggestions.
Council member Frank Reed motioned that the funds be divided evenly between the fire department, the student meal program at Jonathan Alder Local Schools, Plain City Food Pantry and Daily Needs Assistance (DNA).
However, the motion died on the floor after no member chose to second it.
Council members Shannon Pine and Michael Terry emphasized that they would ideally like to help local nonprofits and the school district, but worry it could cause legal trouble for the village.
“If we had more time to develop a grant program, I would be more interested in what Mr. Reed is trying to do,” Pine said.
During the Dec. 4 council work session, Reed suggested at least $20,000 be allocated to DNA, which would provide grants to residents who utilize its services.
At the time, Village Solicitor Paul Lafayette said he felt it would be a legal risk to give money to one organization without giving other charities or entities an opportunity, as well.
Lafayette said the short period to encumber funds by Dec. 30 made it difficult to establish an internal structure to grade which agencies or individuals deserve funding.
The solicitor also noted that, because the fire department is a public entity with its own audit trail, he did “not have the same legal concern” that he does with giving the funds to charitable organizations.
On Monday, Reed countered Lafayette’s recommendation.
“I totally respect Paul and his ability to do the solicitor’s job but I don’t agree with him,” Reed said.
He asked Pleasant Valley Fire Department Chief Mark Kidd to explain how COVID has impacted his department.
Kidd said the pandemic is having a “huge” effect on the fire department, especially by creating staffing shortages.
“I can spend the money tomorrow on things that would make it safer for my staff, simply put,” Kidd said.
He noted that PVFD was not eligible for CARES Act dollars because it is classified as a “special district,” which were excluded from federal legislation. Instead, Kidd said they must request dollars through their parent entity.
Lafayette previously said the fire department received physical PPE from the local Emergency Management Agency, but has not received financial aid from CARES Act dollars.
Kidd added that Canaan and Darby townships “made the overture” earlier in the pandemic, but “we didn’t push that envelope” because both received small CARES Act allocations to begin with.
Since then, though, Kidd said the fire department’s need for financial assistance has quickly increased.
“We hadn’t been hit with the manpower shortage that really has shot up in the past month and half,” he said.
Kidd said four members of his staff have tested positive in the past two weeks.
Through the beginning of December, he said the department has paid approximately $15,000 in overtime to cover for those missing shifts.
He said “we probably matched that” amount in the last two weeks.
Kidd noted that CARES Act funding is intended to cover unforeseen costs.
Given the current issues surrounding manpower, he said “I think it’s pretty simple to show” that coronavirus assistance will be used appropriately by the fire department.
He added that the fire department is a government entity that has the same audit requirements as the village, so their expenditures will be clear.
Ultimately, Reed also voted in favor of the funds going toward the fire department.
In other business:
– Council discussed board, commission and committee appointments for 2021.
Council members have not yet decided if several additional boards will be added in the new year, but determined who would be members of current groups prior to any changes.
Pine will sit on the Planning and Zoning Commission; Reed will sit on Personnel and Finance Committee; Terry will sit on the Board of Zoning Appeals; John Rucker will sit on Design Review Board and the Fire Committee; and Sherry Heineman will sit on the Parks and Recreation Committee.
If a Rules Board is created and the Capital Improvements Committee is combined with Personnel and Finance Committee, Lauren Giaimo will switch from her current role with CIP to the Rules Board.
– Council scheduled the first work session of the new year for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5.