NILES — City council has approved a one-time premium pay for police officers and firefighters in an effort to help the city’s safety forces who have worked during the coronavirus pandemic.
Mayor Steve Mientkiewicz said American Rescue Plan funds will be used to pay them $1,000 each as part of the negotiated agreements with police and fire personnel. He said this is permitted following ARP guidelines for premium hazard pay.
“It is a one-time payment of $1,000 per officer and firefighter,” he said.
Mientkiewicz said the 37 police personnel and the 31 fire personnel with the International Association of Firefighters Local 320 each will receive the payment; this includes the fire and police chiefs.
Cost for the payment is $68,000, officials said.
In other business, Mientkiewicz said with the recent heavy rainfall and melting snow, road crews have been monitoring common flooding areas throughout the city, including Brown Street, Trumbull Drive and Dragon Drive.
“These are the three main flood problem areas the city has. We have done preventive maintenance to address any issues,” Mientkiewicz said.
Also, the city will seek qualifications for a firm to aid the city in conducting a professional report, as required by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, for stormwater management.
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