Employee handbook, water issues among business in Witt council’s June meeting

WITT (Heartland Newsfeed) — Updates were finally made to the employee handbook among other items of business in the Witt City Council’s meeting on June 26.

Changes were made to the handbook during the special meeting earlier in the month with Mayor Greta Akers noting that the proposed changes were submitted to Chris Sherer for evaluation. Items not discussed in that meeting included the retention of the clothing allowance, as well as revising the full-time eligibility for city-provided benefits to 30 hours per week.

Akers added that the draft submitted was only the first draft and that the final handbook will not be completed anytime soon.

The committee for Envision Witt presented their monthly Speedboy Hometown Spirit Award to Joyce Matthews and Carol Vollentine for their community work involving the summer breakout program at Witt Presbyterian Church.

In other business:

• Police and fire reports were delivered by police chief Scott Woods and fire chief Tom Rogers.
• Minutes, bills and the treasurer report were approved.
• No further business was discussed regarding the hazard mitigation grant provided by the county and has been put on indefinite status under old business until more ideas are discussed.
• A motion to approve a resolution involving street and highway maintenance was approved.
• Motions to approve resolutions involving prevailing wages, the 2018-19 fiscal budget and 2018-19 fiscal spending plan were approved.
• A motion to approve a resolution regarding participation in the state’s Federal Surplus Property Program was approved.
• Revisions to the water ordinance was tabled until the July 24 meeting.
• Final actions regarding a culvert needing attention near the recycling center are pending, awaiting receipt of dimensions and price quotes for review in the July meeting.
• A liquor license was approved for the Witt Lions Club for the Labor Day celebration being held August 31 through September 3.
• Some water issues were presented, including issues related to CTI Fiber noting what has happened in Irving.
• Purchases for the water plant, including a new dehumidifier and chemical pump, were approved under condition that the cost not exceed $1,000.
• A reclaimer was suggested to come in and tear down portions of roadways, but it was noted that it is an expensive process. A suggestion to coordinate with Irving Township was brought up when this work is needed, as the city currently has one employee in the streets department.
• Recommendations by Woods to revise the garbage and debris ordinance were approved.
• The council entered into a 45-minute executive session to discuss employee issues, entering into the session at 8:55 p.m. and returning to regular session at 9:40 p.m.

With no additional business up for discussion, the council adjourned at 9:42 p.m. In addition to Akers and Rogers, city clerk Angel Lynch and aldermen Brandon White, John Bauerle, Robert Mehlberg, Kenny Vallelonga, James VanOstran and Donna Yeske were present.

Jake Leonard, Executive Editor-In-Chief

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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.

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