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Washington City Council authorizes first-responder PTSD policy and greenlights CHIP and EIP grant applications
Summary
At its Dec. 9 meeting, the Washington City Council authorized a GIRMA first-responder PTSD policy required by the Ashley Wilson Act, approved a resolution to seek up to $500,000 in CHIP funding, and authorized conditional signature of an EIP grant application tied to a public hearing Dec. 18; votes on the measures were unanimous.
WASHINGTON — The Washington City Council on Dec. 9 authorized a new first-responder PTSD benefits policy and approved two grant application resolutions as the city prepares infrastructure and housing efforts for 2025.
The council voted unanimously to authorize Mayor Bruce Bailey to sign documents adopting a GIRMA First Responder PTSD policy, insured by MetLife, that the city attorney said is required under the Ashley Wilson Act effective Jan. 1, 2025. Attorney Adam Nelson presented the policy and resolution; the motion was made by Councilman Larry Hill and seconded by Councilman Newton Gunter.
The council also unanimously approved a resolution authorizing Community Development staff to apply for a CHIP grant of up to $500,000. Councilman Maceo Mahoney moved the resolution and Councilman Hill seconded; no public comment or further discussion was recorded at the vote.
On a related funding action, Attorney Nelson asked the council to authorize the mayor to execute an EIP (Economic Impact Potential) resolution after a scheduled public hearing. Nelson said outstanding questions raised in prior meetings had been addressed and that the city needed to move because of grant deadlines; the council authorized the mayor to sign the EIP resolution contingent on the public hearing and inclusion of public comments. Nelson said the EIP request would support a lift station to enable a sewer-line expansion on property tied to a wood-processing facility and noted job-creation aspects and electrical-service possibilities. The public hearing was set for Dec. 18, 2024 and the application deadline was cited as Jan. 2, 2025.
Public comment at the Dec. 9 meeting included Dr. Latasha Johnson asking for clarity on the decision-making and notification plan related to relocation of a burned Fire Department building; she filed an open-records request for materials related to the matter.
Votes at the Dec. 9 meeting were recorded by roll call and the attorney-led action items passed unanimously. The city will include public-hearing materials with the EIP application as required by the council’s authorization.
What happens next: the city will hold a Dec. 18 public hearing to gather comments on the EIP application before finalizing the submission; the CHIP application will be prepared by Community Development staff.
