TAFT, Calif. — As the economy starts to slowly re-open, the City of Taft discusses plans on moving forward through the Covid-19 pandemic.

As the governor starts to speak on the topic of slowly opening dine-in restaurants across the state, business owners are now discussing the possibility of expanding their capacity once they are able to re-open.

City Manager, Craig Jones said: “They are talking about expanding to parking lots, or the possible street with tables and chairs, approved by the county."

Jones went on to say they would like to mirror this idea and have been working with the city’s planning department. “If you’re a restaurant owner and you have an idea on how you can do that go ahead and talk to us, submit a plan and we can start working on it now. That way when we get the order you can go ahead and do it."

And as the economy starts to open back up, NRG-Energy contacted the city with the intent of donating $5k to offer COVID-19 relief for first-responders.

During the meeting, council members expressed their appreciation.