The Niles City Council approved a pay raise for the city administrator and gave the go-ahead on a change order that will allow additional window restoration work on the Chapin Mansion.

The council voted 7 to 1 at Monday’s regular meeting to approve a 3-percent raise and an additional week of vacation time for City Administrator Ric Huff as recommended by the personnel committee following a positive evaluation of Huff’s job performance.

Dan VandenHeede provided the lone dissenting vote, pointing out that other city employees received a 2-percent raise.

“I want to keep things across the board,” said VandenHeede, adding that he thinks Huff is doing an excellent job.

In addition, the council also gave the approval to Mihm Enterprises, of Hamilton, to do an additional $42,000 worth of storm window restoration work on the Chapin Mansion. Mihm Enterprises already had a $113,000 contract to restore all windows at the former City Hall, which is now part of the Niles History Center. Both projects are part of the city’s Community Development Block Grant action plan to restore the historic mansion’s windows.

Also Monday:

• The council approved the purchase of a new bus for the Dial-A-Ride Transit public transportation service. It will replace an old bus at a cost not to exceed $90,000 from Michigan Department of Transportation/Federal Transit Authority program grant funds. It will not impact the general fund.

• The council extended the Christmas holiday for city employees to include Friday, Dec. 26. Huff said it would cost the city $19,000. The motion passed 7 to 1 with Scott Clark dissenting.

• Lisa Croteau, of Niles Main Street, told the council that between 750 and 800 children and 500 adults visited Saturday’s downtown safe trick-or-treat event.

• Approved the closure of Dial-A-Ride Transportation on the day after Thanksgiving and the day after Christmas.