Dunkirk passes pay raises

DUNKIRK — Dunkirk city employees are getting an across-the-board 3-percent pay raise.

City council approved the pay raise at Monday’s meeting by passing a new salary ordinance.

Council also discussed ongoing projects, approved a pair of invoices for supplies and maintenance of city equipment and squashed a rumor about a councilman’s resignation.

Mayor Gene Ritter proposed a 3-percent pay raise for city police officers at the start of discussion on pay increases, but council members Bryan Jessup, Jack Robbins, Jesse Bivens and Tom Johnson, absent Lisa Street, agreed that a raise should be across-the-board for all city employees.

“If you guys feel like we can be under budget, we can do 3 percent,” Ritter said.

Council approved the raises for all city employees, as well as council members and the mayor.

Mitch Hansel of Fleis & Vandenbrink Engineering also updated council on the progress of a number of city projects.

On Barbier Street, work to replace and line the main sewer pipe is complete. Replacement and lining of lateral lines connecting to residences will begin in late August.

Hansel also said he spoke with Shambaugh and Sons of Fort Wayne, which is responsible for replacing street signs. Hansel said he hopes to meet with the contractors and Indiana Department of Transportation officials in August, and for work on the sign replacement to begin later that month.

The city’s Community Crossings grant application was submitted by Jay County director of community development Ami Huffman last week, Hansel said, and the city should hear back about the $384,000 request sometime in late August.

Council also approved a few minor purchases for new pool acid and three new batteries for a fire department truck.

Johnson proposed paying a $762.42 invoice to Brenntag of Indianapolis for the purchase of new pool acid, which council approved. Bivens wondered if the pool is using more acid than usual this year.

“It sounds like we’re going through too much chlorine and acid, we need to take a look at that,” Bivens said.

Jessup proposed a $554.13 purchase for three new batteries for a city firetruck from Shield’s Garage of Dunkirk. Council approved the purchase.

Johnson also addressed a rumor he said he is “sick of hearing” about his health causing him to resign from city council.

“I just wanted to clarify that I’m not going to resign or quit,” Johnson said. “I ain’t going nowhere.”

In other business, council:

•Discussed re-codifying city ordinances through American Legal Publishing. City attorney Wes Schemenaur said he will bring a quote for the work to council.

•Noted that council will be attending a meeting 6 p.m. Aug. 1 at the Jay County Courthouse auditorium to hear the results of a farm tax valuation study from Umbaugh and Associates.

•Heard a request from Al Curts that the public be made aware that dumping grass clippings into the street causes backup of the city’s wastewater system. “People need to take a little bit of pride,” Curts said.

•Thanked police chief Dane Mumbower for his department’s ongoing work to enforce city ordinances.

•Approved claims totaling $427,748.69.