Council moves ahead with trick or treating

     The Monticello City Council held a special meeting on Sept. 14.

     There were just two items of discussion requiring action before the council adjourned and took a tour of various proposed street projects throughout the city.

     Some cities are choosing not to designate a date and time for trick or treating for Halloween due to COVID-19. Some are letting citizens make their own judgment call.

     On a 4-1 vote (Council member Dave Goedken was opposed.), the council approved trick or treat for Saturday, Oct. 31, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

     The council also approved a resolution to request reimbursement from the Iowa COVID-19 Government Relief Fund in the amount of $92,214.27.

     The funding comes to the state from the federal CARES Act. A total of $60 million was allocated to cities as a whole. A certain amount of money was designated to each city based on the population.

     “You have to show that you have COVID-related expenses,” said City Administrator Doug Herman.

     Some of those expenses might include the purchase of PPE, cleaning supplies, or even the hiring of additional employees/staff.

     Herman explained the city is not seeking reimbursement of the above-mentioned items because the city’s expenses in purchasing PPE, for example, are pretty minimal.

     Instead, Monticello is seeking reimbursement for 25 percent of the city’s Public Safety staff time, which includes police and ambulance. The timeframe eligible is from March 1 through July 31.

     “We can show that 25 percent of their time was spent on COVID-related matters,” Herman said. “And that does not include overtime.”