Mattawa City Council extends COVID-19 emergency provisions

MATTAWA — The Mattawa City Council voted Thursday to extend COVID-19 emergency provisions put into place in spring 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, to Dec. 31, 2021.

One of the emergency provisions extended is the freezing of all hiring by the city with the exception of positions presented to the council in writing. Currently, the city of Mattawa has three vacant positions: one in public works and two in the police department. Prior to passing the resolution, council member Brian Berghout made sure provisions to hire for these positions were included.

“We don’t want to hamstring ourselves,” Berghout said.

In an update for the CARES Act Subcommittee, responsible for allocating money received for COVID-19 purposes, council member Wendy Lopez said the city wouldn’t be able to use any of the remaining balance until the city receives word from the Department of Commerce. The subcommittee discussed setting aside part of the $17,000 to $18,000 remaining to cover sick leave for city employees.

They have also discussed getting three tablet computers for the Civil Service commissioners, for virtual meetings instead of in-person meetings.

The city has until Dec. 31 to use the remainder of the money.