CLARA CITY -- Dwight Mulder has filed for a seat on the city council of Clara City and will get to try it out before the election is held.
At their meeting on Tuesday, City Council members appointed Mulder to fill the remaining term of Malana Niemeyer. Niemeyer recently moved to a home just outside of the city limits and resigned her position, said Sara Folsted, city administrator.
Niemeyer's term expires at the end of this year.
Also Tuesday, council members gave their approval to the Clara City Volunteer Fire Department to pursue the purchase of a truck that could be outfitted to battle grassfires. Chad Forkrud told council members that townships served by the department have also given their approval and have agreed to contribute half of the cost. The city would be responsible for the other half.
In other matters, Police Chief Ralph Bradley presented the city with a "Heart Healthy Community'' award on behalf of the American Heart Association. Representatives of the Lions Club, which provided funding for a defibrillator, and First Responders were present for the award.
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The Lions Club helped with the purchase of two portable defibrillators. One is kept in the police squad car and was credited with saving a man's life recently. The man was suffering a heart attack when the Clara City ambulance was out of town transporting a patient to a medical facility.
The responding volunteers used the defibrillator in the squad car and are credited with possibly saving the man's life as a result.
A defibrillator was also put to use recently at a high school athletic event when a member of the audience experienced a cardiac event. The defibrillator was hooked up and charged but not activated.
Council members also instructed the city administrator to investigate how other city councils offer opportunities for citizens to speak at City Council meetings. Council members indicated they are interested in offering time at the end of each meeting for those who wish to address the council on non-agenda items.
Some city councils require that citizens sign in and state the topic they wish to address.
Council members are looking at adopting a similar format.
