Clearwater’s new Fire Chief is now in office.

 

At the start of the new year, Ryan Pridgeon took over the position after Doug Nieters decided last year to step down as chief and remain on the department as one of its members.

 

At Monday’s Clearwater City Council meeting, Pridgeon, other members of the fire department and the council recognized Nieters for the work he has done for more than 10 years as chief.

 

“We want to formally thank Doug for his years of service. The department thanks you for your service as chief for 11 years,” said Pridgeon. “You’re going to stay on the department, so we appreciate that.”

 

After a round of applause by his fellow members, Nieters addressed them and the council.

 

“Thanks to the city council. Working with the community has been a tremendous part of my life. It’s hard to step down from a job you’ve really liked, but it’s a good time to transfer this (position),” he said. “Thank you for the support from the city. I think we’ve made great strides through the last decade. It’s gone very well and I think it’s going to be passed on to a very capable new chain of command.”

 

Mayor Pete Edmonson also thanked Nieters for his years of service.

 

“I’ve been able to work with Chief Nieters for a little under four years. It was very apparent that he cared about the department,” he said. “He worked hard to scrap together the proper equipment, the proper uniforms, working with the township, working through some of the communications and growing pains of trying to adjust to different budgets. Chief Nieters put in a lot of time and we’ll miss him.”

 

The council tabled a vote to make the final payment to Mid Minnesota Hot Mix for the trail extension project along Co. Rd. 75.

 

Engineer Kevin Bittner said the $1,860.58 was the amount the city retained until the contract was closed out.

 

But resident Vern Scott asked how the city would get the contractor to fix some sections of the trail that held water. He said there were also holes that have developed where a second layer had been put down.

 

Bittner said there is a two year warranty.

 

“We’d have to have to contractor conform to the contract,” he said. “If not we’d have to go after the bond to get additional work done.”

 

The council asked Bittner to look into the issues before they decide to make the final payment.

 

The council passed a resolution establishing committee appointments and designations for 2016.

 

 

Mayor Edmonson and Councilman Rollie Lange are the city’s  EDA appointments.

 

Kris Crandall is the council representative on the planning and zoning commission.

 

Edmonson and Councilman Mike Ranum are the city’s representatives on the sewer authority Edmonson and Crandall  remain as members of the joint planning board.

 

In other action the council:

 

• Approved a temporary on-Sale Liquor License for St. Luke’s Church for Feb. 6;

 

• Approved and agreement with Midwest Occupational Medicine for consortium services with the city for drug and alcohol testing of employees;

 

• Set spring clean-up day for April 30.