Matthew elected mayor; Lambertz sworn in

Mark Matthew was elected mayor and Chuck Lambertz was sworn in for a second term during a short Concordia city commission meeting Wednesday night at City Hall.
Matthew, in the second year of his first term on the commission, began his one-year term as mayor during the reorganizational meeting.
Outgoing mayor Sam Sacco nominated Matthew for the position. His nomination was seconded by commissioner Christy Hasch and approved unanimously.
Matthew was elected to the commission in November, 2017.
Sacco was presented a plaque for his year of service as mayor.
On a motion by Sacco, Keaton Snavely, also in his second year as a commissioner, was elected as mayor pro tem.
“I would like to nominate Keaton and keep things going around because I really found my year you really learn a lot. It keeps you more involved,” Sacco said in nominating Snavely.
Re-elected to a second three-year term in November, Lambertz was sworn in during the meeting.
City Clerk Stacey Smith reported that Lambertz, running unopposed in the November election, received 1,462 votes.
Smith also reported that the official vote count on the question of whether or not to allow liquor sales within the city limits on Sundays was 830 yes and 773 no.
Also during the meeting, Smith presented a key to the city to former CloudCorp executive director Ashley Hutchinson.
“It has been a pleasure to work with you for the last six years, and you will be greatly missed and good luck in what you do,” Smith said.
Hutchinson took over as executive director of CloudCorp in 2013. She submitted her resignation in December to accept at position at Citizens National Bank.
Kim Reynolds has replaced Hutchinson as the CloudCorp executive director.
During the commissioners reports, Sacco said that the city did a great job dealing with the latest snow storm.
“They got out there quick,” Sacco said.
Lambertz brought to the attention of the commission that members of the Concordia Fire Department would be participating in the Fight for Air Climb in Kansas City, which raises funds for the American Lung Association.
The firefighters will be raising funds prior to participating.
“They are out doing some campaigning and fundraising to support their team, and it all goes toward lung cancer,” Concordia Fire Chief Eric Voss said.
Following the regular meeting, the commission met in a study session for annual commissioner training.
The commission will have its regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.