GLADSTONE — The last of the funds that had been distributed to the City of Gladstone as COVID recovery money has been committed for local government services — specifically, employee wages — in the final resolution of 2024 during the Gladstone City Commission’s meeting on Monday, Dec. 23.

Under the federal Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CLFRF), established as a section of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021, Gladstone had been issued $493,706.80. The majority (about 88%) has already been used on storm sewer upgrades on both major and local streets, water and wastewater meter projects, lead abatement, and some improvements to the City Hall building.

The federal government dictated that all FLFRF monies must be either spent or officially committed by Dec. 31, 2024, or else they would have to be paid back.

Gladstone’s remaining amount is $58,936.21.

There are restrictions to how the funds could be used. Section 9901 of ARPA of 2021 states that they could be used as response to negative impacts of the Covid emergency by providing assistance to households, small businesses, nonprofits or impacted industries; for premium pay to essential workers during the public health crisis; to make necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure; and to provide government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue to the local government due to Covid. Prohibited uses are to reduce or delay the imposition of a tax increase and to contribute to pension funds.

Having already used most of the money on water and sewer upgrades, Gladstone intends to use the remainder for employee wages and benefits, considering that falling under the label “government services.” It will be bookmarked within the general fund for such purpose.

The vote was unanimous of those present — Commissioner Robert Pontius, Commissioner Brad Mantela, and Mayor Joe Thompson. Commissioners Judy Akkala and Steve O’Driscoll were absent and excused.

Aspects of the general fund budget are likely to be discussed at the first meeting in January, which will be held at 6 p.m. on the 13th. The Gladstone City Commission continues to meet the second and fourth Mondays at 6 p.m. in City Hall in 2025, with the exception of Memorial Day.

Also addressed at the Dec. 23 meeting:

– City Clerk Kim Berry spoke about the recent vote recount for the Gladstone City Commission seat, which was requested and paid for by Mike O’Connor out of his own pocket because the race was not close enough to be deemed necessary. Election workers, clerks and the Board of Canvassers worked for six hours on the process Berry called “labor-intensive.”

O’Driscoll still clearly won with 39.2%; the other two were closer, with Steve Viau coming in second with 29.6% and O’Connor just behind with 29.2%.

However, when the roughly 3,000 ballots were counted by hand, the Board of Canvassers decided that O’Connor would be issued just one more vote than the machine had counted, as the circle next to his name bore a mark, though it was not completely filled in. The additional single tally did not change the results.

– Mayor Thompson announced that Saunders Point Brewing, the long-awaited business in the Rialto Center owned by Jake Mills and worked on and donated to by a large community effort, is finally open.