Fund for federal virus aid OK d
Council members discuss how to allocate $50 million
DEVAN FILCHAK | The Journal Gazette
The city has started to lay the groundwork of a plan for how to use more than $50 million in incoming federal funding, half of which is expected to arrive this week.
City Controller Garry Morr went to City Council on Tuesday with a simple request – to establish a fund for the federal funding as required. What followed was a 75-minute discussion on how the funds should eventually be used.
Part of the discussion stemmed from an amendment sponsored by council members Sharon Tucker, D-6th, and Russ Jehl, R-2nd, which puts minimum requirements on how much of the funding needs to be spent in the four areas identified by the federal government.
City Council to welcome public back for comments
Devan Filchak | The Journal Gazette
Citizens will soon be able to address Fort Wayne City Council members face to face for the first time in over a year.
City Clerk Lana Keesling announced during Tuesday s council meeting that May 11 will be the first meeting the public will able to address the council in person. Public comment will then be taken every other week.
People will have to call in advance and give their names, addresses and phone numbers to reserve their spots on the public comment list. The list is limited to 24 people due to the room s capacity, and those will be the only people from the public permitted to enter the Council Courtroom at Citizens Square downtown.
Neighbors fighting the proposed Cottages at St. Joe Center Road were handed a defeat Tuesday when Fort Wayne City Council voted to rezone the land to .
Council nixes food-drink tax plan
Henry wanted control to be taken out of state s hands
DAVE GONG | The Journal Gazette
A resolution by the Fort Wayne City Council opposing an effort to increase local control over food and beverage taxes was approved Tuesday, even though state lawmakers have already said the proposal will not be given a hearing this session.
“It s not that I m not for the (Capital Improvement Board) and wanting to make the city of Fort Wayne a better place to live and have the economic growth and development that we ve had over the years,” said Councilman Tom Didier, R-3rd. “This is just a precaution from the standpoint of what has happened with COVID-19. It s hit the restaurant industry so hard.”