T-L File Photo/SHELLEY HANSON BELLAIRE VILLAGE Administrator Mike Wallace talks about spending COVID relief money during a past council meeting. Wallace announced Thursday the village is expected to get another $970,000 over a two-year period.

BELLAIRE — Bellaire Village Council members learned Thursday their village is estimated to receive about $970,000 in federal COVID relief money that is expected to be disbursed over a two-year period.

Village Administrator Mike Wallace said the village is expected to receive half of the total the first year, and the remainder a year later.

“Nothing is set in stone,” Wallace said of the amount.

He noted the spending rules for the American Rescue Plan money have not been finalized. But after talking with the Ohio Municipal League and National League of Cities, he knows it cannot be used for repaving of roads.

Wallace said it was possible that some water and sewer projects could qualify but would have to be justified. Wallace said he hopes to be able to use a large portion of the money as matching funds for grants for infrastructure projects and other needs. He said the money can be assigned to a nonprofit, and the village now has its own nonprofit group — The Community Foundation for Bellaire.

The village last year received about $434,000 in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funding because of COVID-19.

In other matters, council’s ordinance committee is scheduled to meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in council chambers to discuss a possible water rate increase.

Council also discussed increasing its pothole patching now that the weather is starting to warm up. Councilman Mike Doyle said he wanted the village to take a more aggressive approach in its patching program, possibly doing wider areas of streets that are riddled with holes.

Wallace said more equipment, especially another roller, would be needed. He said the village also is limited in its capacity to patch each day, as it typically can only purchase 2-3 tons of hot mix asphalt at one time. He said he was going to look into purchasing a hot box so the village could buy more hot mix at one time, possibly 10 tons.

Wallace said the village would also need to hire a new CDL driver soon. He added it is often difficult to keep such truck drivers on staff because the wage paid by the village is lower than what companies offer to CDL drivers.

Councilwoman Elizabeth Dugmore suggested the village may want to offer better health insurance benefits to make such positions more attractive to potential employees.

In other matters, council approved allowing the First United Methodist Church of Bellaire to use the City Park, gazebo and electric service to hold an Easter Sunrise Service from 6-8 a.m. April 4. Social distancing and mask rules will be observed.

Council also approved allowing Girl Scout Troop 5143 to use the City Park and gazebo for a Scout ceremony from 6-8 p.m. April 7.

Also, it was announced a community group, the Bellaire Planning Committee, is teaming up with the Bellaire Volunteer Fire Department to bring the Easter Bunny to the village. The bunny is slated to visit village neighborhoods by riding atop a fire engine from 1-3 p.m. April 3. The ride will begin at the north end of the village and proceed south. Treat bags and coupons for children will be handed out.