City hands CARES Act $76,000 to Port District

DAYTON–City gives state grant money over to Port of Columbia to disperse to local businesses in need due to COVID-19.

The City of Dayton was awarded over $76,000 for the CARES Act. The Council has decided to give that money to the Port of Columbia which may disburse it to businesses that did not qualify for other grant funds.

The money would be made available for businesses that did not already receive grant money, including start-up businesses, according to Jennie Dickinson, Executive Director of the Port. Dispersing the money mandates absolute adherence to the CARES Act requirements. The Port Board of Commissioners approved the authorization and the signing of an agreement with the City which will then be approved by the City Council. Dickinson stated the money would be added to funds received from another grant of $20,000 for the businesses.

Levee system project, due to damages from the February flood, assessment totals $3.5 million to be paid by Corps of Engineers. City Administrator Trina Cole stated the levee project is covered completely under the Corps of Engineers for both inside and outside the city limits. The Council approved moving forward with the levee project anticipated to begin this month and completed by the end of the year.

Cole also presented a budget amendment for the City of about $120,000.

Mayor Zac Weatherford spoke of the changes in policy for non-emergency related animal control issues as a result of the recent agreement between the City and County. The public is urged to call the City Shop and leave a message about these types of situations. The staff have been trained how to handle these issues and should respond within a day. Weatherford stated, “Code compliance is still handled in-house, but please call dispatch with any emergency related issues.”