Editor’s Note: Other actions by the Ely City Council, including the first reading of a cannabinoid ordinance and a proclamation of the Year of “Frozen” are covered in other stories in this edition.
ELY—If Tuesday’s council meeting had a theme, it would be upcoming projects. Speaking for the Parks and Recreation Committee, council member Adam Bisbee introduced that committee’s recommendation that the city form a three-member panel to study the feasibility of a “multi-use recreation and event facility for the city.” The council approved the recommendation.
The council also voted to award the East End Development Project to Low Impact Excavators, pending the results of the environmental review by St. Louis County. City Clerk and Treasurer Harold Langowski reported that that the funding situation and requests “look favorable.” This project will pave and provide water and sewer improvements for the undeveloped lot next to Zup’s. Multiple businesses will benefit from the work including Zup’s, Spirit of the Wilderness, and Voyageur North Outfitters.
Council member Ryan Callen presented the project committee’s recommendation that the council approve the $4.5 million congressional earmark request to rework Ely’s five-mile long 90-year old water supply line from Burnside Lake. The council did so unanimously.
In other matters on the meeting agenda, the council:
• At Omerza’s prompting, held a moment of silence in memory of John Braun. Braun, aged 62, passed away at his Ely home on March 2. He worked for the city’s public works department from 1999 until 2019.
• Decided to consider the sale of East Spaulding, Block 2, Lot 15 for $12,000 instead of its listed price of $15,000, since the lot is not buildable. The prospective buyers will use it for green space. The council asked Langowski to consult with Jim Burke, the city’s realtor, about the price.
• Approved giving the go-ahead for TKDA to update the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan for the airport.
• Received the report by council member Angela Campbell that the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Ely’s public housing agency, has received the designation of “High Performer” based on its recent inspection by Minnesota. The designation is the highest that a public housing agency can receive.
• Received the report by the city clerk and treasurer that the skating rink is now closed for the year. “This is the first certain sign of spring,” remarked Langowski.
• Approved a purchase agreement for East Spaulding First Addition Lot 7, Block 1 to David Streif and Michelle Beltrand.
• Approved the mortgage satisfaction for the note the city issued to Timothy Leeson and Jessica Leeson in 2017 for a storefront rehabilitation project.
• Approved the appointment of Mauro Caruso to the police commission.
• Approved the payment of city and Ely Utilities Commission claims for March 21, 2023 for $997,007, $272,738 to Rice Lake Construction Group for waste water treatment facility (WWTF) improvements, $29,489 to AE2S for the WWTF improvements Project, $2,524 to SEH for the Prospector EAW Project, and $650 to SEH for the Prospector ATV Phase 2.
• Approved the agreement for professional services between city of Ely and Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc., which was effective October 5, 2021.
Approved a Minnesota Department of Transportation grant agreement for airport improvement, excluding any land acquisition, for the AWOS Phase 1 site selection environmental work.