Commission awards lawn care bid to Harma

IRONWOOD — A three year-contract for mowing and trimming at the Riverside Cemetery and city parks was awarded Monday by the city commission to Harma’s Lawn and Property Service, of Hurley.

The commission agreed to pay Paul Harma $65,520 for the cemetery work and $14,250 for the city parks mowing.

City manager Scott Erickson noted Saari Lawn Service, of Montreal, Wis., the only other bidder, was just a few hundred dollars off.

Mayor Kim Corcoran said the service bids have alternated between the two companies for the past several years.

Commissioners agreed to seek bids for construction of the Art Park on Aurora Street. Erickson noted city staff members have put together the specifications for the bids and said the project should “evolve over a number of years.”

The commission heard a snowplowing complaint from Brian Dary, who criticized the department of public works for not plowing during the last 5-inch snowfall.

Commissioner David Sim said he got stuck on a city street Monday because of deep slush.

Public Works Director Bob Richards said workers have been tackling frozen water service lines and catch basins, but they will also attempt to address cleaning up the streets following the sudden snowmelt.

Erickson said city residents should call in problem areas to the Memorial Building.

The commission also:

—Scheduled its next meeting for March 30 because of commissioner conflicts on March 23.

—Agreed to authorize advertising for bids for the old Zamboni ice-making machine.

—Agreed to schedule a public hearing on March 30 at 5:20 p.m. on changing the city’s blight ordinance.