Nickolaus named city administrator

The Jefferson City Council approved two leadership appointments Monday night.

• Nathan Nickolaus, who has served as interim city administrator since May, has accepted the full-time position effective immediately.

Nickolaus said the decision was made in a closed session of the City Council on Monday night.

Nickolaus has been the city counselor since 2003 and became the interim city administrator in May after Steve Rasmussen was terminated. Earlier this year, the city announced a decision to keep him on as interim city administrator until November 2012.

Assistant City Counselor Drew Hilpert will serve as interim city counselor until the full-time position is filled.

• Former Missouri Department of Transportation employee Roger Schwartze has been appointed the new director of public works, effective Jan. 3, 2012.

Schwartze worked for MoDOT for 23 years before retiring last year as district engineer. His appointment will place the current interim public works director Matt Morasch back to his position as director of engineering.

More details in Wednesday's News Tribune.