ELY- To address past and current disparities in fees charged at the Blueberry/Art and Harvest Moon Festivals, the Ely City Council, at its meeting on Tuesday, raised the fee for food trucks to $300 for a year-long license starting in 2024.
“It’s too late for 2023,” remarked city council member Al Forsman. “We’re looking forward to the future to get in line for next year for other transient merchant fees.”
The issue addressed by the fee increase is the disconnect between the current $25/day for food trucks compared to the $300 peddler’s license required of non-food vendors at the festivals.
City council member Adam Bisbee questioned the new fee recommendation, “Why the ambiguity? … It doesn’t seem equitable.”
The council approved the fee increase for 2024 with a 5-1 vote, with Bisbee casting the only dissenting vote. Mayor Heidi Omerza was absent.

Other business
In other business, the council:
• Heard from council member Angela Campbell, who reported that the city’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority was installing new windows and doors at the Pioneer apartments.
• Heard a presentation by Gerald Tyler of the nonprofit Up North Jobs about the decline in Ely’s population and businesses, the health of the mining industry, and the lobbying efforts to prevent Twin Metals Minnesota from receiving approval for their proposed copper-nickel mine between Ely and Babbitt.
• Heard a brief presentation by Becky Rom, mostly to rebut some of the points presented by Gerald Tyler.
• Approved a recommendation from the Projects Committee to vacate a turnaround on Chandler to David Franks for $6,000 with Franks paying the closing fees and retaining easements for utilities and existing access for the adjourning property.
• Approved a recommendation from the Projects Committee to proceed with the grant application and bid solicitation for the demolition of blighted properties 726 E. Camp and 131 Central Avenue.
• Approved a recommendation from the Projects Committee to authorize Ely’s Clerk-Treasurer to work on the application to the IRRR for the planned renovations to the Community Center, including hazardous material abatement and demolition.
• Approved a recommendation from the Budget Committee for new computers, a receipt printer, and upgraded parts for the City Hall server from Voltz Technologies for up to $7,576.
• Approved sending a letter to Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith and Rep. Peter Stauber asking for “guidance and possible support to determine any options to get funds (for the water main into the Ely schools) released for the work that was completed.” Funding of $245,000 was originally appropriated for this purpose but securing the funds has been complicated by inflationary costs and administrative complexities introduced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Approved the proposal from the engineering firm Bolton & Menk to perform a $3,500 independent fee evaluation required by the Federal Aviation Administration for improvements at the city airport.
• Approved recommendations to appoint Erin Kelly as a probationary firefighter with the Ely Fire Department and hire Adam Borchert and Josh Ojala as new fire department captains.
• Approved sending the library staff to the Association for Rural and Small Libraries Conference in September.
• Approved claims for payments, as follows: City of Ely and Ely Utilities Commission claims for June 20 for $544,288; Ely Community Resource 3rd quarter payment of $5,125; invoice #87713 to AE2S for the Waste Water Treatment Facility Improvements Project for $35,207; pay estimate No. 15 for the Waste Water Treatment Facility Improvements Project to Rice Lake Construction for $167,997.
• Approved change order No. 4 for the Prospectors ATV Phase 6 Beaver River Crossing.
• Approved John Hunn for the open seat on the Heritage Preservation Commission for a term ending Jan. 31, 2024.
• Council Member Angela Campbell reported that there is currently an open seat on the Tree Board, and she has information for any Ely residents who may want to serve on this city committee.
This article was written with assistance from college intern Jen Shuster-Dahlin