Wasilla continues CARES discussion

WASILLA — The Wasilla City Council continued their discussion on how to best utilize CARES funding to the residents of Wasilla at their meeting on Monday. Former councilman Stu Graham addressed the council during public comment to voice his concern about COVID-19.

“For the past several weeks, Mat-Su is a hot spot and it is not just a hot spot it is the hot spot in the state for COVID-19,” said Graham. “I’m not suggesting or requesting, don’t get me wrong, that we introduce a mask mandate or anything like that but I’m just saying we need to be careful. We need to be respectful of our friends and our neighbors and our coworkers and if people want you to wear a mask, wear a mask. If you don’t want to wear a mask you know that’s great but if you’re in somebody’s business and they ask you to wear a mask let’s stay open for business, let’s cut this rate down.”

Wasilla Finance Director Troy Tankersly began presenting to the Council concerning the fifth phase of CARES grant funding available to Wasilla residents, with funding available only for personal protective equipment during the fifth phase.

“As phase 5 goes with the PPE, surprisingly we’ve only had 17 applications and 13 of those are now scheduled for payment,” said Tankersly. “If you know anybody that ‘s in need of that, please feel free to enlighten them like the rest of us have.”

Tankersly said that the payments totaled approximately $65,000, but that the small business grants had not been reopened because a need for funding assistance was not identified.

“I don’t see a whole lot of need but I’m wondering where is the need? Does anybody know an area of need and why is the grant like the phase five grant not providing assistance enough to meet that need to generate more than 17 applications,” said Councilman Jordan Rausa.

Councilman Simon Brown II asked about if CARES funds could be used to educate the public on the dangers of the coronavirus and the funding available to Wasilla residents through the city. Deputy Administrator Lyn Carden listed nearly a half-dozen radio stations running ads about the programs as well as newspaper and website advertisements. Rausa questioned whether the emergency declaration from the Governor that expired would prevent Wasilla from distributing the rest of their CARES act funds.

“I just want to make very clear while we don’t have a lot of answers, it is my legal opinion that by having a local emergency declaration which is how the city of Wasilla has structured their emergency declaration, we may be able to protect some of the funds and some of the implications that Troy is walking you through using that local emergency trigger and so we don’t have a lot of answers right at the moment. We’re looking into that and the administration has asked us to make sure we do that and we will report back as soon as we know more but we are somewhat optimistic that because of the path you followed and by maintaining that declaration of emergency. Your funding may not be at risk like many of the state programs that we’re seeing,” said city attorney Holly Wells with Birch, Horton, Bittner and Cherot.

Councilman James Harvey specifically requested that mailers be sent out to Wasilla residents to inform them of the available CARES funds for PPE grants, and noted that the use of such funds for mailers was permitted by the Federal government.

“The CARES act funding specifically addresses revenue replacement and it cannot replace revenue, it has to be, it can be used for rents or PPE or utilities, things that keep you going but it’s certainly not to replace your revenue,” said Tankersly. “The need aspect of a business revenue is viewed to make sure that we can see and understand the business impact from covid that can certainly substantiate the Federal funds that we then distribute to that business, but it’s not for revenue replacement.”

The council will hold their next regular meeting on March 8 where the discussion around the CARES act funding distribution will continue. On March 16, the Wasilla Police Department will present to the council on policing in the 21st century.