Sorensen takes oath of office as new City Attorney

John Sorensen was sworn in as the new City Attorney for the City of Clear Lake Monday night.  Sorensen replaces Charles Biebesheimer, who has represented the city since 2004.

Sorensen’s selection followed a request for proposals sent to Clear Lake and Mason City law firms and interviews of interested parties.  The Sorensen Law Office and Stillman Law Firm, where Biebesheimer practices law, were the only applicants for the position.

City Administrator Scott Flory said the City had not issued an RFP for City Attorney Services since June, 2004, following the retirement of longtime City Attorney Donald Goranson.  In September of 2004, the City Council appointed Biebesheimer to the post.  At that time, the proposed City Attorney contract described the appointment for an initial term of two years, renewable for a maximum of six years.

According to Mayor Nelson Crabb, no formal contract was ever secured for City Attorney services.  The RFP sent out in November 2012 was an effort to formalize the position and bring it under contract.  Interviews with Sorensen and Biebesheimer were conducted in closed session. 

The amount of the contract remains “not to exceed” $28,000 annually.  

Under the terms of the new contract, the position will be reviewed in two years.

Bid awarded to take

down water tower

In other business Monday night, the Council awarded a contract for the removal of the 500,000 gallon water tower located near City Beach.

Iseler Contracting, of Romeo, Mich., submitted the lowest of two bids for the job.  The engineer’s estimate of cost was $64,500. The bid from Iseler was $35,928.50, which is roughly 44 percent below the engineer’s estimate. The next lowest bid was submitted by Koslinski Contracting, Port Austin, MI, in the amount of $50,977.75.

The anticipated start date for the work is Feb. 22, with completion by - Read More Via e-Edition