Clearwater has a new mayor and a new member of the city council.
As the first order of business during Monday’s meeting, Andrea Lawrence was sworn in as mayor. Lawrence was voted in during the November election, giving up her seat as a member of the city council.
Wayne Kruchten was sworn in as the newest member of the city council.
Incumbent Councilman Kris Crandall was also sworn in after being re-elected in November.
The city council is still one member short after Rollie Lange stepped down at the end of the year after the elections were over. But rather than appoint someone to fill the spot at Monday’s meeting, the remaining council members adopted a policy to solicit interested parties for the vacancy.
Anyone interested is required to submit a letter of interest that includes basic information about the individual, their civic, volunteer and professional experience, plus a statement about why they wish to serve. Those letters are due by 4 p.m. on Feb. 6, with the selection made by the council at the Feb. 11 meeting.
During the organizational portion of the meeting, the council voted on appointments for various duties and committees.
Crandall remains in the Acting Mayor position.
Members on the Fire Relief Association are Lawrence, Crandall and Fire Chief Ryan Pridgeon. Check Signers are Lawrence, Crandall and Deputy Clerk Deb Petty. Media Contact is Lawrence. Parks Commission: Lawrence and Councilman Richard Petty. Planning and Zoning: Kruchten. Sewer Authority: Lawrence and Petty. Weed Inspector: Lawrence. Assistant Weed Inspector: Public Works Supervisor John Schmidt. Official Newspaper: Citizen-Tribune. Official Depositories: Lake Central Bank, American Heritage Bank, MidCountry Bank, Lake Central Investments, Multi-Bank Securities, US Bank and 4M Fund. Public Notice Designations: Clearwater City Hall.
Other Business
In other action the council:
* Accepted a donation of $25,000 from the Clearwater Lions to the Clearwater Fire Dept. to purchase equipment;
* Renewed the city’s economic assistance policy that reimburses a portion of WAC & SAC fees for new home builders;
* Set Spring Clean-up Day for April 27.
