DUNBAR, W.Va. -- A new sick leave policy to deal with swine flu was approved by Dunbar City Council on Monday.

The plan will allow employees diagnosed with swine flu an additional four days of paid leave.

"The additional days are not to be added to accumulated sick leave, but are bonus days for employees," Councilman Ross Harrison said.

Harrison noted that city money would be moved around to deal with the expense. A number of city employees, including a department administrator, have already been unable to work due to swine flu.

The new policy will cover employees who take sick days for swine flu through March 15, 2010. It also will apply to employees who have had swine flu since Oct. 15.

In other business, Mayor Jack Yeager told council that Dunbar has won the "West Virginia Make It Shine" award. The prize is given to recognize efforts for community cleanup, recycling, public land improvement, and beautification.

"We will have an official recognition ceremony later on," Yeager said, adding that signs would be displayed in the city commemorating the award.

Council also updated the amount budgeted for city street paving. In response to numerous citizen complaints and because of delays by the state, council members announced plans to patch portions of 16th Street and Dunbar Avenue, which are both state roads.

DUNBAR, W.Va. -- A new sick leave policy to deal with swine flu was approved by Dunbar City Council on Monday.

The plan will allow employees diagnosed with swine flu an additional four days of paid leave.

"The additional days are not to be added to accumulated sick leave, but are bonus days for employees," Councilman Ross Harrison said.

Harrison noted that city money would be moved around to deal with the expense. A number of city employees, including a department administrator, have already been unable to work due to swine flu.

The new policy will cover employees who take sick days for swine flu through March 15, 2010. It also will apply to employees who have had swine flu since Oct. 15.

In other business, Mayor Jack Yeager told council that Dunbar has won the "West Virginia Make It Shine" award. The prize is given to recognize efforts for community cleanup, recycling, public land improvement, and beautification.

"We will have an official recognition ceremony later on," Yeager said, adding that signs would be displayed in the city commemorating the award.

Council also updated the amount budgeted for city street paving. In response to numerous citizen complaints and because of delays by the state, council members announced plans to patch portions of 16th Street and Dunbar Avenue, which are both state roads.

Yeager said he didn't think the roads would hold up through the winter months unless remedial action was taken.

Also Monday, council:

| Recognized Betty Gillespie as the citizen of the month. Gillespie came out of retirement to keep the city's finances in order during former treasurer Ron Rowley's leave of absence due to illness, Yeager said.

| Announced that advertisement for bids on two doors and a drive-through accessible window for the renovation of the old A.D. McCormick building are due by Nov. 10.

| Renewed its contract with KRT Fuel, which supplies gas and diesel for city vehicles at a reduced rate.

| Approved the $122,297 purchase of a new garbage truck from WV Tractor Company.

| Changed the speed limit on Steele Street from 25 to 15 mph.

| Announced that the first of a series of ward meetings will be held Thursday at 7 p.m. at city hall.