Lombardo appointed to Hurley City Council

HURLEY — With six applicants to choose from, the Hurley City Council appointed Steve Lombardo to fill a vacant council seat on Tuesday.

Lombardo, a teacher in the Hurley School District, replaces John Aijala, who moved from Hurley.

Council member Jamey Francis nominated Lombardo for the position, indicating he will bring in some youthful enthusiasm. Don Richards seconded the nomination, and Lombardo was elected on a 3-1 vote, with Char Mussatti voting no and Rob Lanctoe abstaining.

Joanne Bruneau joined Richards and Francis in supporting Lombardo.

“I thank all of you for showing interest,” Mayor Joe Pinardi said. “I hope you all take out papers and run (for the election next April).”

The six council seats are at-large and the candidates must complete nomination petitions in early January.

At the beginning of Tuesday’s meeting, Pinardi said the council wasn’t going to “put the names in a hat,” but rather select one of the six candidates, all of whom submitted letters.

Mussatti said she favored Terry Seibel, who has experience in local government and also in operations of sewage treatment plants. The city has representation on the Gogebic-Iron Wastewater Board.

“Terry brings a lot to the table and would offer us input,” Francis acknowledged, but he added, “I think input with youthful ideas is important.”

Lombardo will take Aijala’s place on the public works and parks and recreation committees and will serve as the city’s representative on the Eagle Bluff golf board. He golfs at the course.

After appointing Lombardo, the council acted on cutting some big checks, including $63,710 to the A-1 Excavating company for the County D lift station and $72,985 to MSA Professional Services as an amendment to the County D project.

Pinardi said the city will borrow the $72,985 to pay MSA as the city’s contribution in a $2 million, one-mile County D extension project that’s being funded mostly with federal money.

The council also:

—Agreed to meet in special session to work on next year’s budget on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at 5 p.m. Pinardi said a one-year contract for city union employees might also be on the table at that meeting.

—Set Trick-or-Treating from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31, Halloween Day.

—Adopted an updated hazard mitigation plan.

—Approved an amendment so full city council action won’t be needed to grant special beer and wine licenses that can be handled by city employees.