Lombardo appointed Hurley mayor pro-tem

By RALPH ANSAMI

[email protected]

Hurley — As top vote-getter in the April 5 election, Steve Lombardo was named mayor pro-tempore Tuesday by the Hurley City Council.

If Mayor Joe Pinardi is not available, Lombardo will act as mayor.

Pinardi announced reappointments to most committee posts, with few changes.

New council member Stephanie Smith will sit on both the police-fire-license and parks-recreation committees.

Ray O’Dea was reappointed city attorney and Dan Soine will again be assessor and building inspector.

Appointments to the board of appeals appeared to be a formality because Pinardi said that panel has never met in his tenure as mayor.

Lombardo was reappointed to the Eagle Bluff Country Club and Jay Aijala was reappointed to the Hurley Area Chamber of Commerce.

Hurley resident Gary Pelkola will continue to represent the city on the Iron County Snowmobile Council and Pinardi and Joanne Bruneau will again sit on the Hurley Housing Authority.

Council members agreed to advertise for a summer employee for the street department. The worker must be at least 18 years old and possess a driver’s license. The job will pay minimum wage and not include any benefits.

Pinardi said he’ll also attempt to seek a second summer employee through the Northwest Concentrated Employment Program office in Ashland.

Before the meeting, council members clarified a recent payment from the Eagle Bluff Golf Club. Eagle Bluff’s annual lease is $10,000 and the club recently paid a remaining $5,000 toward last year and $2,000 for 2016. That leaves $8,000 on this year’s lease payment.