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At its November 16 meeting, the Linden City Council approved giving its city workers a one-time $2,000 bonus. The money comes from the Federal American Rescue Act. 

Funding from the act is expected to be $300,000 in federal money, but most of the money can only be used under certain guidelines. Mayor Gwendolyn Rogers said that other mayors in the surrounding area have been using the money to pay their city workers. 

Councilmember Kelly Anthony asked if the Council could give a larger bonus to city workers since the city was receiving such a large sum of funding. City Attorney Woody Dinning said the current guidelines for the funding are vague, but that it appears the Council can use some of the funds to compensate employees for any difficulties that occurred during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dinning warned the Council against spending too much money outside of the Federal guidelines as they are complete at this point in time. However, he saw no reason for why the bonuses would not be okay. The Council agreed to give the $2,000 bonus until the guidelines for the funds are verified.

Other items discussed by the Council:

• Council approved a permit for Ida Price to place a 12 x 24 foot building on her property on 709 Ford Street. Price attended the previous meeting and requested permission to put the building there. The building will be used as a commercial catering kitchen.
• Approved an amendment to the city’s contract with Waste Management after the monthly fee for residential garbage pickup was increased to 19.85.
• Approved a request from an officer with the Linden Police Department to place a travel trailer in Scott Park as the sale of his house will close in December. The placement will be temporary.

The Linden City Council meets on the first and third Tuesdays of every month at 4:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.