While there were 18 items on the agenda for the city meeting held Thursday, Aug. 25, many of the items were tabled until future meetings. Several of the items the aldermen discussed concerned grants. 

Police Chief Jim Helton asked the board for permission to investigate grants to purchase equipment for his department. Helton told the board there are many grants available right now. He also assured the board he had funds available to cover any up front costs or matching funds the grants might require. 

Ward 1 Alderman Angela Koepke asked the board for approval to begin work on an industrial grant. Koepke said the grant could be used to purchase available land and make improvements. The board approved-—with Ward 2 Alderman Corey Novotney abstaining-— asking City Engineer Terris Cates to begin working on the grant.

Koepke also asked that a committee be appointed to work on grants for the proposed Rock Island Trail which will run through Gerald. The suggestion was approved with Novotney and Ward 1 Alderman Rudy Via assigned to the committee.

Cates was unable to attend the rescheduled meeting, but according to the agenda he also had grant news to discuss. An economic development grant, an ARPA grant and a grant for the splash park were all items he was prepared to report on. 

Federal funds to communities in Franklin County are mostly distributed through the East-West Gateway Council in St. Louis. Some of the grants for the Rock Island Trail may come from state sources. 

In some cases, the grants require a 10 to 20 percent of matching funds from the city. After a close scrutiny of city accounts, Koepke said she believes the city has the money set aside to cover these costs. She pointed out that it is a great opportunity for the city to move forward with projects that will be at a fraction of their normal cost to the city.