The City of California Board of Aldermen handled business as usual Monday evening at its regular monthly meeting.
Much of the work of the evening centered around approving a number of quotes and project bids. A pair of CD bids were approved through Hawthorn Bank for one year.
A quote from Tyler Technologies for the CASS/Pre-Sort option for the city's utility billing was also approved for an $810 recurring fee annually.
In city departments, the council approved both moving forward with soliciting bids for the wastewater treatment plant's clarifier project and for beginning the process of putting together a bidding packet for its biosolids contract. Both projects would target inclusion in the wastewater department's 2021 budget items.
The council also approved work on the cul-de-sac on Howard Street.
Other department business for the evening included discussion of issues surrounding the materials being placed in the recycling drop-off provided by Boonslick Industries Recycling Center in California.
For the police department, the council plans to look into different options for the department's provider for mental evaluations for new hires. Currently, the department requires that each new hire passes a mental evaluation, along with their other mandatory training.
In other business, the council approved its fiscal year 2020 audit summary, as well as a pair of ordinances related to the annexation of property previously owned by Village Green Shopping Center to the city of California.
The city is also in the final stages of its applicant window for its open accountant position. As of Monday's meeting, five individuals had submitted applications for the position; the application window closes Oct. 14.
Finally, the council approved some plans for its annual recognition of city employees around the Christmas holiday. Usually, city employees receive both a gift and a meal provided by the city as thanks for their work. Given the circumstances of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the council decided a meal gathering all of the city's employees in one place would not be a good idea and will instead provide a more generous gift. Along with the customary Burgers' Smokehouse gift box, city employees will receive an additional $25 in Chamber bucks, for a total of $75.
The City Council's next regular meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Nov. 2.