Regular scheduled City Council meeting held on Tuesday, October 15, 2024. Agenda and Council packet are available on www.ely.mn.us/2024-meetings. Scroll down for YouTube video.
Once again, last minute additions were posted online, not giving public or Council Members time to review and research new items. Informing the public in a timely manner is not important? There are several problems with the Projects Committee minutes, most likely because they were quickly typed up and not reviewed by Members prior to submission to Council. Many of the topics discussed at Projects are of major interest to the public, but Council Members did not comment or ask questions. Examples:
Under Unfinished Business (Projects Committee):
e. Why wasn’t the giver of the $200K grant named? Who gave $200K for hotel project? Why is this a secret or ?
f. A development agreement is being drafted for swap of City property on north side of depot project for the old Ford garage for parking at the hotel. Is this in addition to City owned property on south side of depot – public parking on north side of Miners Drive across from Veterans’ Memorial – that was to become part of depot project?
Under New Business (Projects Committee):
a. What “does not appear”?? Sentence(s)missing.
b. Information about letter from the Chamber of Commerce and staffing at the trailhead facility would have been of public interest tonight. The public would have appreciated an update on planned uses for the trailhead facility. Is the goal of Council meetings to finish in less than an hour or to inform the public?
3:20 minutes – Request to Appear (Tonight’s Council agenda): Ian Lah reported on the impact of arts and culture on our community and economy. City Council Members were invited to attend the Ely for Ely Conference (Monday, November 18th) and the Ely Cultural Alliance on Tuesday, November 19th). See report details in the Council Packet.
13:40 minutes – Committee meetings – Projects Committee recommendations:
- Possible deed transfer of properties at 334 and 350 W Chapman to the City of Ely (letter from owner not included in Council packet).
- Proposal for reconnaissance level survey for construction of ambulance and fire buildings for $7,866.97 (Note future of Ely ambulance services still not determined, if EBCH will house, etc.)
19:54 minutes – Fire Depart: 19 medical and 4 fire calls. Public announcements.
26:57 minutes – Library Report: Upcoming activities at library. The library will be closed Fri, Nov 15th, and Mon, Nov 18th, for installation of new carpet.
30:10 minutes – Police Chief: Public announcements. Council approved recommendation to hire Bradley Roy as sergeant.
33:23 minutes Communications:
A. EBCH Northeast Regional Ambulance Initiative Next Steps meeting on Friday, Oct 18th, 2 pm, at GEL.
B. 34:35 minutes – Lodging Tax Report through July. Paul Kess explained.
C. Oct 28, 6 pm, public meeting about Harvey Street Reconstruction Project.
38:20 minutes – New Business
- Application to DEED for cleanup of depot site.
- Application to DEED for investigation of contamination of depot site.
- Mary Groeninger-Helms appointed to Tree Board.
- 43:48 minutes Council Member Al Forsman requested motion to have City Attorney correct difference between cannabis and liquor sales. Passed
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