Roanoke Rapids City Council Tuesday approved a budget ordinance to account for a $20,000 grant from the American Library Association.

The funds are designated to assist public, school, academic and tribal libraries across the country that have experienced “substantial economic hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic which has impacted their ability to serve their community, especially traditionally underserved populations,” read the description presented by Finance Director Carmen Johnson.

Parks and Recreation John Simeon said the funds will be applied to youth programs and “for the betterment of library services.”

Meanwhile the council gave City Manager Kelly Traynham the authority to extend a contract to the lowest qualified bidder for the restroom facility project at Chaloner Recreation Center.

The council opted to go with a male and female facility with two stalls each. The male room will have one toilet and one urinal while the female room will have two toilets.

Two quotes have already been presented to the city and a third is pending. Smith-Midland presented a bid of $98,686 and Public Restroom Company presented a $205,000 quote.

The city is awaiting a bid from CXT.

The city received $100,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds and $60,000 from the state for the project.