D.C. Council members are looking to keep the city government running through a federal shutdown by paying employees with funds from the city’s contingency cash reserve fund — a tactic that could avert a showdown with federal officials. A bill circulated to council members Thursday would designate all city employees as “essential personnel,” allow D.C. Council employees to work voluntarily until federal appropriations are approved and pay employees from the city’s contingency cash reserve fund. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson is expected to introduce the bill at a council session Tuesday — the same day the federal government shutdown would take...