City names Topliff to fill unexpired council seat

Christopher Topliff joined the Clarendon City Council last week, taking the seat of the late Tommy Hill.

During a called meeting, the council heard from two additional candidates for Hill’s seat, Ashleigh Sherel-Kidd and Ashlee Wortham, before going into closed session to consider about ten applicants for the job.

After about ten minutes of private deliberations, the council returned to open session and voted unanimously to appoint Topliff to the position.

According to his letter of application, Topliff has made Clarendon his home for about four years and has a background in environmental science and regulatory compliance.

Topliff will serve out Hill’s term, which expires next May.

In other city business last week, the council evaluated the performance of city secretary Machiel Covey in closed session before returning to open session to approve a five percent raise, a monthly cell phone stipend, and a one-year extension of her contract.

The council also approved the $350,000 bid of AAJ Concrete to install new sidewalks and lighting in the 300 block of S. Kearney. The same company is presently working in the 200 block. Left over grants funds from the current project will be applied to the 300 block, and the city will take about $270,000 from reserves to fund the balance.

The city’s hazard mitigation plan was approved as presented, and no action was taken on bids for improvements to City Hall.