City Council Monday gave final approval to a plan to reconstruct sidewalks around the Atrium Mall in downtown Havre.

Without objection, the city agreed to forward a $19,000 grant under the Montana Community Transportation Enhancement Program, or CTEP, program for the project.

Mall owners agreed to match the grant.

When the matter first came up, controversy surrounded the proposal. Councilmen Andrew Brekke and Allen "Woody" Woodwick opposed the idea, believing it was designed to help a single business.

The North Central Senior Center and the Havre school district also got new sidewalks under the proposal.

Brekke said Monday night he considered voting against the final approval, but realized it would make no difference.

In other business Monday night, council approved a plan to limit the amount of compensatory time employees can rack up.

Mayor Tim Solomon said workers can opt to get 90 minutes of comp time for every hour they work over 40 hours a week. The comp time can be accumulated in lieu of overtime.

Municipalities are allowed to use the comp time method of paying overtime, while private employers cannot, he said.

Some city employees were racking up large number of hours, he said, making it difficult for department heads to prepare schedules.

Under the revised plan, employees can accumulate up to two weeks of comp time. After that, they will be paid time-and-a-half for working over 40 hours.