ELY- The Ely City Council , on Tuesday, voted to allow half-marathon runners to cross the finish line in Whiteside Park with their dogs, which are not normally permitted at the park.
Wendy Lindsay, race director of the Ely Marathon, made the request, explaining that this was the first year that the half marathon has allowed dogs to run with their owners.
“There are maybe a dozen dogs involved,” Lindsay said, “so it won’t be a circus. Dogs must be on a leash, wearing a bandana, and have their vaccines. The dogs will only be with the runners. Dogs will not be allowed (in the park) with spectators.”
Senior Center
The city council accepted the recommendation from the budget committee to keep the donation at the budgeted amount of $7,500 for the Senior Center in 2024. At the budget committee meeting on Monday, the committee members decided not to recommend funding the entire $24,000 operating expense of the center’s building. According to the meeting notes provided to the city council, committee and city council member Al Forsman proposed that the $7,500 already budgeted would be “sufficient to help with operating costs,” and that a rehabilitation loan could help offset some of the building’s needed capital improvements.
The council passed the motion with limited discussion, although council member Paul Kess noted that many cities support their senior centers. “We can always come back and revisit how much we contribute to the senior center,” said Forsman.
Ely Memorial High School
As Ely’s high school building approaches its 100-year anniversary, the city’s Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) and the Gardner Humanities Trust are both pursuing projects ramping up to celebrate that event.
Margaret Egan addressed the council about the HPC grant application to hire an art conservator to assess the Workman paintings “Education” and “Industry” in the entrance to the high school. The two huge paintings were the gift of the Class of 1920. The council approved the grant application and voted to send a letter of support.
Council member Angela Campbell reported that the HPC is already pursuing another grant, for $10,000, to create a video and oral history of the high school. The HPC is also working to register the Workman paintings with the Smithsonian, to help establish the importance of the works.
The council also approved the recommendation of the HPC that City Attorney Kelly Klun meet with the commission members to gain an understanding of the “public realm” as it relates to the project work of the HPC.
Ely Area Ambulance
The council also approved the recommendation from budget committee to increase the 2024 Ely Area Ambulance Joint Powers budget to $20.20 per capita, or $64,900, and $9,000 for building operations for a total of $73,900.
“This shows that the city of Ely has a commitment to support the ambulance service,” said Forsman, while noting that next year’s ambulance budget will still be in the red. “If there are questions regarding this, we can address it at the Truth in Taxation meeting,” he added.
“We may have to raise the levy in future years to support the ambulance service,” said Kess, should the trend of rising costs continue.
In a related motion, the council voted to make the next Ely Area Ambulance Joint Powers Ambulance meeting a special city council meeting. That meeting is scheduled for Oct. 30 at 4 p.m. at the Winton Community Center. This measure satisfies Minnesota law, allowing council members to attend the meeting if they so choose.
Pet Ordinance
The council also approved the first readings of changes to the kennel ordinance to remove two old portions of the city’s pet ordinances and replace them with the additions discussed over the summer.
The new pet ordinance contains new language that makes it clear that cats and dogs that go outside must be licensed, and wear a collar with tags, but that there is no requirement to wear a collar or tags inside. The new ordinance mainly adds sections on animal cruelty, dangerous dogs, and animals running loose.
When City Attorney Kelly Klun noted that public hearings are only required for land matters, Forsman made a motion that in addition to approving the first reading, the council should hold a public hearing on the proposed changes.
In the discussion, Police Chief Chad Houde said the rationale behind requiring licenses for cats “is to insure they have their rabies vaccines.” He added that the police department gets a lot of calls regarding cats running free.
“We’re struggling with any licenses other than (for) dogs,” Klun said.
Council member Paul Kess commented that with regards to cats, “the ordinance seems like a solution looking for a problem to solve.”
“Licenses don’t seem to stop animals from running free,” commented Forsman.
Forsman dropped his motion for a public meeting after council member Adam Bisbee pointed out that the council had already spent the better part of a study session on the pet ordinance. Bisbee commented that a public hearing seemed unnecessary, especially since the council had already discussed the ordinance in detail and was free to amend the proposed ordinance before the next reading.
Forsman’s vote to approve the first readings was an unenthusiastic “Oh, alright.” After the vote was tallied, Mayor Heidi Omerza remarked on the council’s lack of enthusiasm, “We understand that no one is 100 percent happy (with the new pet ordinance), but these are the saddest yes votes I have ever heard in my life.”
Forsman’s yes vote on the next agenda item was loud and enthusiastic, causing Omerza to remark, “I now have no complaints.”
Other business
In other action, the council:
• Approved the recommendation from budget committee to keep the maximum 2024 city of Ely levy increase at 2.99 percent or lower after adding the additional ambulance funding. The council can lower the proposed levy but it can’t increase it once the proposed levy is set. The budget and the final decision on next year’s levy will be made in December.
• Approved the recommendation from budget committee to allocate the $48,816 petro fund cleanup reimbursement from the Community Center to the capital projects fund when received.
• Approved the recommendation from budget committee to approve the purchase of the sander from Mid-State Truck Service for $20,402.
• Approved the recommendation from budget committee to purchase ArcGIS software from Prowest Associates for $7,955 using the one-time public safety money.
• Approved the recommendation from the parks and recreation board to approve a wood fire oven at Semers Beach near the open-air pavilion. The oven will be built and funded by the Ely Folk School and available for use by the public.
• Approved the recommendation from parks and rec to install dog friendly signs in leashed-dog areas, and waste disposal stations.
• Gave its blessing to a mural on the side of the building at Semers Beach as a community project and to provide “some supplies of paint and brushes for a ‘cool’ mural.”
• Approved the completion of Police Officer Dan Moores’ one-year probation.
• Approved the request to hire two part-time police officers, Troy Bissonette and Scott Kochendorfer pending background check, psychological evaluation and medical.
• Approved advertising for a Police Administrative Assistant Backup Position.
• Approved the first reading of Ordinance 374, 2nd series to bring Ely’s code in compliance with the changes in Minnesota statutes, approved by the Legislature this year, expanding the list of items that can be sold in liquor stores.
• Approved a subordination agreement for the Storefront Loan Mortgage with The Ely Portage LLC, dated Nov. 9, 2021, as Document No. 1429667.
• Approved the following claims for payment: City and EUC claims for Sept. 19 for $234,992; pay estimate No. 1 for the Ninth Avenue East Project to Low Impact Excavators for $234,269; pay estimate No. 2 for the East End Development Project to Low Impact Excavators for $158,259; Ely Community Resource fourth quarter payment of $5,125; Invoice No. 89705 to AE2S for the Wastewater Treatment Project for $33,484.
• Approved the application of Lawrence Reedy, resident of Ely, to fill the open seat on the Police Commission, with a term expiring on Jan. 31, 2024.
• Approved to accept in-kind services for the Northern Lights 5K Color Glow Run Race on Friday, Sept. 22, and the Ely Marathon on Saturday, Sept. 23.
• Approved Resolution 2023-019, authorizing the application by the Ely Blue Line Club for a raffle permit. The Ely Blue Line Club is a nonprofit that supports ice hockey in Ely.
• Approved Resolution 2023-020, “Authorizing to Execute Minnesota Department of Transportation Grant Agreement for Airport Improvement Excluding Land Acquisition.”
• Approved the low bid for the Trailhead Site Rebid project of $549,413 from Mesabi Bituminous. The approval is pending federal approval.
• Approved a Residential Rehab Loan for Michael Dusich Jr. and Alyce Dusich at 129 S. 16th Ave. E., for up to $10,000 for a new furnace pending proper paperwork and fees and directed Klun to work with the applicant and proceed with loan application.
• Approved a Commercial Rehab Loan for Surrey Trail LLC – Abby Dare – of 15 E. Sheridan St. for $17,500 for a new heating system pending proper paperwork and fees and directed Klun to work with the applicant and proceed with loan application.
• Approved Resolution 2023-02, authorizing the city of Ely to apply for and accept funds from the fiscal year 2023 Development Infrastructure Grant Program.
• Approved the request of the Ely Student Council at Ely Memorial High School for a homecoming parade for Friday, Sept. 29 from 1-2 p.m.
• Approved Mayor Heidi Omerza and Clerk Harold Langowski as signers on the city of Ely’s bank accounts at Highland Bank and Frandsen Bank and Trust.
• Approved a quote from Schindler Elevator for a USP blackbox battery backup install for $2,381.