Handbook review

DUNKIRK — An updated handbook took a step toward approval.

Dunkirk City Council on Monday discussed a few issues with a proposed new handbook and set a goal of voting on approval at its next meeting.

It also discussed possibilities for an ordinance to regulate golf carts in the city.

In May, council hired New Focus of Indianapolis to review the city’s handbook and make updates at a cost of $5,000. Updates were to reflect changes in ordinances and policies that have been implemented since the last update about seven years ago.

The city received a draft of a new handbook in August and has spent the last several months reviewing it, tabling the issue several times before Monday’s discussion.

Council president Jesse Bivens brought up several questions, including regarding licensing and certification tests, comp time and social media policies.

Bivens asked about current policy regarding payment for licensing tests, saying he believed the city pays for the first two and additional tests are paid for by the employee. He asked for clarification and said he’d like the updated handbook to reflect current policy.

On comp time, he asked fellow council members Bryan Jessup, Tom Johnson, Christy Curts and Kevin Hamilton about the possibility of offering overtime to clerk’s office employees instead. Council agreed that since the 2024 budget is already in place it would continue with comp time and consider a switch to overtime as part of the process of writing the 2025 budget.

Bivens also asked about social media policies for replying to criticism, including that employees should “try not to comment with another negative post.” He suggested changing the language to read “do not” rather than “try not to,” but other council members questioned the legality of regulating speech in that way.

Hamilton questioned part of the handbook that indicates police do not get overtime until they have worked 43 hours, as opposed to the usual 40. Mayor Jack Robbins said New Focus has explained that 43 is the standard set for police officers by federal law, but that city policy has always set the threshold at 40 hours. Council members agreed they would prefer to stick with 40 hours as the standard for overtime.

They decided to send the questions of legality to city attorney Wes Schemenaur, who was not at the meeting, for his review and advice with plans to vote on the handbook at their Dec. 11 meeting.

Council also discussed options for an updated golf cart ordinance Curts and Bivens reviewed ordinances from other municipalities. They suggested the basics would be that carts must be registered with the city and checked to make sure they have insurance, working lights and a slow-moving vehicle sign. The city could choose to have a registration fee and fines for those who violate rules.

Bivens and Curts suggested that the need for registration be waived for special events such as rummage sales, Glass Days and Feel the Warmth of Christmas.

Robbins asked that police chief Dane Mumbower be brought into the conversation and council tabled the issue.

In other business, council:

•Presented plaques to outgoing council members Johnson (23 years), Jessup (eight years) and Hamilton (four years).

•Approved the following: payment of claims totaling $59,222.81; a water bill adjustment of $147.53 for 111 Orange Ave.; and a $100 sponsorship for Youth Service Bureau.

•Was reminded that their meeting scheduled for Nov. 27 has been canceled. The city’s Feel the Warmth of Christmas celebration is scheduled for that evening.

•Learned from Robbins that the two new detention basins on the southeast side of the city are complete. They are part of an $835,647 project that also included storm sewer work in the area.

•Was encouraged by Robbins to attend training for city council members Jan. 15 through 18. Three new council members will start in January.

•Heard from Robbins that the city’s Christmas lights are up.

•Were reminded that the city’s annual turkey drop event is scheduled for 10 a.m. Nov. 18 in the parking lot at the intersection of Washington and Main streets.

•Heard a reminder from Robbins that the city was approved for a $132,093.75 Community Crossings grant for the entirety of Hart Drive, Merry Court and Shrack Lane and Washington Street between Indiana Street and the railroad tracks.