ELY- The Ely Parks and Recreation Board decided it needed to get out of city hall to visit Ely’s parks and facilities and reported the change to its meeting location to the Ely City Council Tuesday evening.
“The board normally meets the third Monday of the month at 5 p.m. here in the council chambers,” reported city council member Adam Bisbee, who is the council’s liaison to the board. “We have been making efforts to meet at some area parks in order to examine them and enlighten ourselves about their status … So, our next meeting will be held at the Ely Recreation Center on the third Monday, Sept. 16, at 5 p.m.”
Another public meeting change is for the Gardner Humanities Trust, which has moved its regular meeting from the second Wednesday to the second Thursday of each month. The next meeting for the trust will be next Thursday, Sept. 12.
The Ely public safety open house will be on Wednesday, Sept. 25, from 3-6 p.m. at the fire hall portion of Ely City Hall.
Bearing with bears
Police Chief Chad Houde reminded residents to avoid the bear family that has been wandering about town for the last two weeks.
“We do have some visitors in town,” Houde said. “Obviously, they’re wild animals. Stay away from them … Bring your garbage in, shut that garage, and try not to leave anything out. If you do have an issue with bears, call us.” The police department is working with Department of Natural Resources conservation officers to manage the current bear nuisance.
In other business at its Sept. 3 meeting, the city council:
• Approved the vacation of the right of way on E. 10th Street S. between S. First Ave. E and S. Third Ave. E. This vacation will allow the owner of lots three, four, five, and six of Tower View Estates to reconfigure the lots to make them more buildable.
• Approved a recommendation from planning and zoning to apply zoning designations to a list of parcels in Ely which currently do not have them. Most of the parcels on the list have been annexed by the city or were undeveloped and never assigned a land use. Because this action requires a change to the city’s ordinances, the council directed the city attorney to draw up a prospective ordinance and arrange for the requisite readings and public hearing.
• Appointed Steven Toddie as a non-resident member of the parks and recreation board, with a term expiring on Jan.31, 2027.
August 27 meeting
The city council did not hold a meeting on its regular meeting date on the third Thursday of August because it lacked a quorum. The council reconvened the Aug. 20 meeting on Aug. 27. In the half hour meeting, the council:
• Approved new signs at the electric vehicle charging stations at the library stating a two-hour limit on parking and charging. Library director Rachel Heinrich researched the usage of the two chargers and found that they currently consume three times more energy than the library’s solar panels produce. She also noted that some electric vehicle users abuse the chargers, parking and charging all day.
• Approved paving of storm washed-out areas including Lakeview Ave., the alley between Central and First Aves. and James and Pattison Sts., the edge of the roadway on Washington St. between Fourth and Fifth Ave., and the Sheridan and Chapman Alley behind Brittons Café.
• Approved Low Impact Excavators to process the spoil material piled behind the Grahek Apartments for reuse. The firm will remove and dispose of any additional trash found in the material and will also grade the area when it is done.
• Discussed a recommendation from the Ely Projects Committee that the Ely Fire Chief review a vacation of the alley between 17th Ave. and N. Savoy Rd. Fire Chief Dave Marshall remarked, “I appreciate the the projects committee welcoming the fire department’s comments.” He stated he has no objections to the vacation. Langowski assured the council that the vacation would not go forward without the consultation and acquiescence of all three affected property owners on the alley.
• Approved $5,000 to repair the sprinkler system in the Miners Dry Building.
• Approved the appointment of Kristen Anthony as an Ely resident member to the Park and Recreation Board with a term expiring Jan. 31, 2027.
• Accepted Todd Crego’s resignation from the parks and recreation and tree boards.