By Kellen Olshefski
SLN Staff
The City of Elkhorn Common Council voted March 7 in favor of a motion to send out for quotes for flower arrangements to fulfill the city’s downtown beautification project.
The project, spearheaded by the Elkhorn Area Chamber of Commerce and former Elkhorn Business Alliance, received a go ahead from the council in 2014. The council approved an about $9,000 expenditure to purchase 75 clay pots to help spruce up Elkhorn’s downtown and plants were first planted last year.
While a quote from Little Miss Sweet Pea’s Farm Market was brought before the City of Elkhorn Finance and Judicial Committee earlier Monday night by Alderman Tom Myrin, Committee Chairman Scott McClory said he felt like the city needed to send the project out for quotes like it would with any other city funded project.
“I just think in fairness we should do that,” he said. “I don’t think it’s a good thing just to award the bid without anyone having a chance to bid on it. I just don’t think that’s good practice for the city.”
McClory also noted in the Monday’s committee meeting based on previous votes on the project, he was under the impression after the city’s first expenditure on plants and flowers for last year’s displays the city would no longer have a commitment to the project.
Myrin, who serves on the committee, said the hope is for next year to have half of the project cost be covered by downtown businesses and for the project to be completely covered by businesses in 2018.
The motion to send the project for quotes was approved by the committee 2-1, Myrin casting the dissenting vote. Likewise, the motion was passed by the council 5-1. Quotes must be in by 3 p.m. Monday, with the committee and council making a final decision Monday night.
For full details on Monday’s discussions, visit mywalworthcounty.com.
