YOUNGSTOWN — City council has approved several pieces of legislation to receive funding for the COVID-19 pandemic.

The largest was $3,811,708 awarded from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act with $2,091,689 in additional Community Development Block Grant funds and $1,720,019 in Emergency Solution Grant money. It isn’t known when the money will arrive.

The CDBG money will be used for job training and employment services to people impacted by the pandemic as well as to provide technical and financial assistance to businesses, money for local food banks and assistance to the homeless. The ESG money is

exclusively for the homeless.

There was confusion at Wednesday’s council meeting because the Community Planning and Economic Development Department moved around funding in the ESG part, and council was concerned that approving the legislation without including the change could be problematic.

The plan, which was revised late Monday and given to council Wednesday, added $657,012 for shelter operations to assist Catholic Charities with the operation of a seven-bedroom shelter while reducing funds for homeless prevention, rapid rehousing efforts and administrative costs.

Some council members considered postponing the vote until today’s meeting. But Beverly Hosey, the city’s community development agency director, said that could potentially jeopardize obtaining the money.

Because the changes to the funds weren’t part of the legislation up for a vote, council agreed to support it.

Also, the health department is getting $154,713 from the Ohio Department of Health and the police department was awarded $139,277 from the U.S. Department of Justice for COVID-19-related efforts.

Council voted 6-1 Wednesday on a $75,000 contract to have Hunter Morrison serve as the city’s planning consultant. Councilwoman Lauren McNally, D-5th, was the lone no vote.

Morrison was hired for $75 an hour up to $25,000 for a year in August 2019 with an option for a second year under those same dollar amounts.

Instead, the administration recommended Morrison be hired for $75,000 for 2020, retroactive to Jan. 1.

Councilwoman Anita Davis, D-6th Ward, questioned what would happen if council didn’t approve the contract. Mayor Jamael Tito Brown said the city would have to pay Morrison for the work he’s already done — even though he did so without a contract for more than five months.

dskolnick@tribtoday.com