ONTARIO — Ontario City Council voted Wednesday night to use CARES Act money for police cruisers, computer software and providing aid for small businesses.
The city received approximately $219,000 from the third round of CARES Act funding. The city will use $136,428.34 to purchase two new “COVID cruisers” for the police department. The interior of the vehicles can be raised to 133 degrees for 15 minutes to kill any coronavirus. The cruisers are also fully equipped with PPE supplies and a sanitizer fogger.
“If any prisoner has any symptoms at all, they’ll ride in that cruiser and we’ll fog it afterwards,” Mayor Randy Hutchinson said.
Other CARES Act purchases will include refillable hand sanitizer stations for the city’s parks ($1,005.76) and a software program for police computers that will allow for secure digital transfer of files, eliminating trips and face-to-face contact with individual’s in the prosecutor’s office ($3,120.00).
The remaining funds, more than $78,000, will be donated to the Richland Area Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Fund. The fund was created to provide financial aid to local small businesses that suffered losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mayor Randy Hutchinson relayed a statement from chamber president Jodie Perry, who said an additional $79,000 would allow the chamber to provide financial assistance to every Ontario business that applied.
The donation comes just a month after council voted to contribute $25,000 to the fund from its last round of CARES Act funding.
“Obviously in the situation we’re in, we want to do everything we can to help businesses because by helping businesses, we’re helping citizens,” at large councilman Eddie Gallo said. “Anything that hurts our business in our community has a ripple effect on the city and county citizenry at large.
“Anything we can give back to them, to help them out, it’s not just an obligation for us. It’s a pleasure and a joy.”
Hutchinson also told council that the city’s annual tree lighting celebration may be in jeopardy due to COVID-19 regulations. According to Hutchinson, children would not be able to sit on Santa’s lap and the city would not be able to serve hot chocolate.
“We’re still looking at it. I haven’t made a final decision yet but it’s not looking good,” he said.
Hutchinson added that he wasn’t sure whether the school would allow its student groups, who usually provide the entertainment for the evening, to attend.
Councilman at-large Dave Rehfeldt said he’d be in favor of having a tree lighting celebration, even if it’s different than in years past.
“Let’s put our heads together, there’s something that can be done here. There’s ways around this.,” Rehfeldt said. “If you don’t plan it, you don’t have it for sure — so just plan it. If you gotta cancel, you gotta cancel.”
Hutchinson expressed openness to having a ceremony.
“We’ve got a parks committee coming up. Bring ideas,” he told council.
First ward councilman Nathan Sunderland said he’d spoked with representatives at the Richland County Fairgrounds and that the Annual City of Ontario Community Craft Show is set to proceed as scheduled on Dec. 5. Attendees will be required to wear masks and stay socially distanced.
A limited amount of visitors will be allowed into the fairgrounds at a time in order to comply with health and safety guidelines.
Lastly, council gave notice of two public hearings, both set for Dec. 2 at 7 p.m., to discuss the following:
- To rezone 897 and 903 tanglewood drive from R-2 medium density to r-3 high density residential.
- To amend section 1145.10 family swimming pool.
The city planning commission has recommended in favor of these rezones. All persons interested in these issues are invited to attend and express their views.
