Palmer settles on Ravn hangar

PALMER — The Palmer City Council approved new CARES funding distribution to local Palmer businesses and nonprofits and the opening of Phase 2 of Palmer’s CARES act funding in October. During the first phase of Palmer’s CARES grant process, $567,500 was distributed through small business grants, $97,000 was distributed through noncompetitive nonprofit grants and $100,000 was distributed through competitive nonprofit grants. Ordinance 20-023 approving Phase 2 to open October 12 through October 20 passed unanimously.

“I want to point to the AHFC partnership providing the housing relief for homeowners and renters in the amount of $250,000, this as well as the rest of the resolutions have all been very well and are directly helping individuals within our community that have been impacted adversely by covid 19 and I think the city of Palmer is doing an excellent job of administering them. So definitely housing and food in particular, the last one we just approved those are two of the main things that people need the most and I’m proud to be voting yes on both,” said Deputy Mayor Linda Combs.

City Manager John Moosey and Finance Director Gina Davis provided three ordinances addressing city of Palmer employee probationary periods, administrative leave for COVID-19 and telework which were all considered simultaneously and passed unanimously. Following unanimous votes on Ordinances 20-024 and 20-025 providing $60,000 in day care grants and $50,000 in grants to providers of no cost and low cost food, the Council discussed Resolution 20-026.

With a $250,000 program in available mortgage and rental assistance, City Manager John Moosey argued that all Palmer residents would benefit.

“While this really helps the most vulnerable, it really helps in my belief all of us to keep the value of our homes and really protect all of our investments that we’ve put into this town. Some people will get it, I think we’ll all benefit from it,” said Moosey.

Resolution 20-026 passed 6-1 with only Councilman Richard Best voting in opposition.

Best also served as the only ‘no’ vote on resolution 20-062 approving carpet removal at the Palmer Public Library.

During the consent agenda, the city council passed Action Memorandum 20-061, accepting a $90,000 payout from Ravn Air on their vacant hangar space at the Palmer Airport that had a value of $925,000. Due to bankruptcy, AM 20-061 awarded the services of lease lot 2 block 3 to Hageland Aviation Air Services Inc., and Tatonduk Outfitters Limited.