Patrice LeBlanc, Central City. Central City council meeting convened at 2:01 p.m. on April 21, 2020. In attendance were Mayor Jeremy Fey, Mayor Pro-Tem Judy Laratta, Alderman Jeff Aiken, Alderman Jackie Johnson and Alderman Jack Hidahl. The council immediately went into Executive Session and the regular meeting reconvened at 3:15 p.m.

Ordinance No. 20-08 (second reading) declaring an emergency and establishing rules and procedures for calling and holding emergency meetings of the City Council was approved 5-0.

Resolution No. 20-15 extending the City of Central’s Local Emergency Disaster. Declaration was approved 5-0.

Staff updates: Waive devise and billboard fees for casinos was debated with the council. A discussion on meeting in person for the next council meeting was debated as well. A work session is set up for Tuesday April 28, 2020, at 2 p.m. with the casino stakeholders and managers to determine fee structures. A water tap waiver for residents will also be discussed. City Manager Daniel Miera layed out the proposed budget for the city due to the economic downfall of income. Miera explained the city could lose up to one million dollars by July 1, 2020, if the casinos don’t open. The public meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m. 

(Originally published in the April 30, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)