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The Ely City Council will be holding a special study session open to the public on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. The City has invited SafeTech, Ely hospital, and locally involved Joint Powers and EMS to participate. Will they accept SafeTech’s suggestions? Why? Why not? Please come to listen. The 15-page study session packet includes map and powerpoints. It was posted on the City website at https://www.ely.mn.us/2024-meetings
Back in the 1970s, the Minnesota Legislature enacted a law, Minn. Statutes, Chapter 116B, the Minnesota Environmental Rights Act, which is still on the books, that states that “each person is entitled by right to the protection, preservation, and enhancement of air, water, land, and other natural resources located within the state…” Section 116B.01.    That law subsequently defines “natural resources” as “all mineral, animal, botanical, air, water, land, timber, soil, quietude, recreational and historical resources.” Section 116B.02, Subd. 4.  In other words, Minnesotans do have a statutory right to quietude, defined by Oxford as “a state of stillness,calmness, and quiet in a person or place.”  To view agenda, Council packet, and minutes go to the Ely City website https://www.ely.mn.us/2024-meetings Highlights and approximate time markers on video clip (posted at end): 1:48 minutes into video – Mayor’s report 14:00 minutes into Telecommunications Advisory Board (TAB).
 
  18:00 minutes – Employee Relations 22:28 minutes Departmental Reports – 22:57 minutes Fire Chief reported: 25 medical and 3 fire calls. One call was for cat on a garage roof. 37:17 Communications: 8 items in packet, only 2 were commented on. 38:19-39:11 minutes G. Barbara Jones of Ely Climate Group requested Ely be active again with GreenStep City. Heidi Omerza said this is an ongoing process just filling out paperwork. If anyone is interested, let Harold Langowski know. 50:10 minutes Claims for Payment – Adam Bisbee asked about City putting in money for some of these projects. Harold Langowski explained no, all of these big projects are contracted out. 41:53- 44:34 minutes Old Business: 2 applications received for 1 open seat on Park & Recreation Board. Adam Bisbee asked Council to allow him to interview candidates by next Council meeting to determine their intentions to attend meetings. (Note: Park & Rec did not have quorum for last 2 months.) Approved. Discussion about whether 1 applicant completed application correctly. Mailing address is Ely, but address is for Town of Morse. Notes: Residents and non-residents can apply for this particular open seat. The Council apparently does not have an established interview or vetting procedure to follow, including when more than one candidate applies for an open seat. The suggested interview is a step forward. 44:34 minutes New Business Notes: Study Sessions are open for public to observe. Sometimes the general public is allowed to ask questions or comment. Contact Ely City Clerk for details at 218-365-3224. The Ely Economic Development Authority (EEDA) meeting is at 5:30 pm. Open Forum: nobody requested to speak. Meeting adjourned  This is a special post about one topic (added just before) the regular Ely City Council meeting held Tuesday, July 16, 2024. Please check back later at this website for our posted recording of the full meeting with highlights and time markers. In the meantime, if you live in Ely and are a Midco subscriber, you can watch a rebroadcast on Channels 89 and 11. Agendas and Council packets are posted online: https://www.ely.mn.us/2024-meetings  What is this map about? Is the public supposed to figure out things on their own? Is the primary goal of Council meetings — and Council Members — to make meetings as short as possible? Or is the goal to inform the public and also for Council Members to ask questions from the perspective of residents? All too often, committee minutes are reported to Council with a perfunctory, “The minutes are in your packet” and then saying little more. The Midco subscribers in Ely watching the live broadcast don’t have the Project Committee minutes in front of them. Certainly not the documents about removing contaminated soils, because they were not posted until Wednesday. Not everyone has time to read and digest all the details in Council packet, much less the last minute additions to an agenda. There are a lot of awesome projects and future-oriented discussions going on in City Committee meetings. They are not boring or insignificant. You don’t have to be an entertainer to present your reports on meetings. If Council Members don’t present excitement about its City Committee meetings, then don’t be surprised if citizens aren’t excited about applying for open seats. As previously noted, we could use more of Harold Langowski’s style: his genuine enthusiasm for projects and details. The Fire Chief, Library Director and Police Chief don’t present “dry” minutes. See July 8th minutes of the Projects Committee included in Council packet posted on City website last Friday, July 13th. Look at items f and g under V. Unfinished business. There are other interesting projects and topics listed in these minutes, but the focus of this post is on the upcoming contamination removal work at the Old Train Depot site. The redevelopment vision for this block promises to boost Ely’s economy. The amount of $437,000 in application funding from IRRR (f) is not insignificant. Just the opposite. The reason for the recent denial of DEED funding (g) is not unimportant. Just the opposite.  It would have been nice to see 1-2 clarifying comments added to both f and g, for their official record. When minutes are reported to Council, clarifying comments and questions rarely happen. For example, Item f: how much of $437K is for the hotel? How much for the Train Depot? Will any monies be used for contaminated soil removal? Is this for parking lot land exchange? Advance public information about the Bid for Train Depot and Disposal of Contaminated Soils was apparently confined to the revised agenda and attachments (Pages A1-A5)the entrance to the Council Chambers last night. There were no attachments. Note: People usually have the option to pick up just the (revised) agenda or a revised agenda with attachments. Most people don’t pick up the one binder with all the legally required items (originally posted online documents plus any revised agenda with attachments). After the meeting was adjourned, a copy of the documents attached to the agenda (Pages A1-A7) was requested for review (and posting on this website). First response: The City only needs to provide the binder to the public (which stays). The additions would be posted the following day. After insisting, an already copied and stapled set appeared. Upon review, it is surprising how limited the discussion was at the Council meeting about the map showing identified (yellow) hot spots of contamination (lead, arsenic, cadmium, etc.); actual excavation work; temporary storage of excavated contaminated soils; preventive measures for safe temporary storage; and safety of workers and public. Among other things, will it be safe for the public to observe excavation? Who knows how long Council Members had time to read through and really digest the revised agenda with attachments . . . and then to formulate questions from the public perspective? Council Members should assume the public has not been following or remembers all the details from Committee and Council meetings, minutes or broadcasts. Thuesday’s Council meeting would have been the time not only to reassure the public everything’s okay but also how much the City cares about them and the developer. A lot of time, effort and money is being spent on preparing this site before building can begin. Harold Langowski has been leading and coordinating these efforts. For those living near this site or who daily walk by . . .thank you, Harold. Council approved posting bidding requestsread in the Ely Echo for “Train Depot Excavation and Disposal of Contaminated Soils.” (See details on pages A1-A5.) Sealed bids are due July 31st. The Ely Echo won’t publish until this coming Saturday, July 20th. Potential contractors probably won’t until the next business day (Monday, July 22nd). This means less than 2 weeks for contractors to inspect site, gather data, calculate numbers and submit a sealed bid to arrive by 3 pm on Wed, July 31st. Also, nobody mentioned posting in any other regional newspapers for this complicated, specialized and expensive excavation and disposal of hazardous soils.  Notice that the landfill sites on Page A2 are not located within Ely limits. Should the bid request notice be published in other newspapers such as the Mesabi Tribune? This excavation project is not the end of of testing or removal of contaminated soil. More still needs to be done. Listen to Midco rebroadcast of Tuesday’s Council meeting or check this website later for YouTube. Reminders: (1) Please do not assume questioning means opposition to the Ott’s vision for redeveloping the Train Depot site. If there are noise issues and residential concerns: listen to all, follow regulations and compromise as essential. If there are health and contamination issues anywhere, deal with them (issues, not people). Unfortunately, once again, those originally responsible for for generating toxins and “safe storage” reaped profits, left and legally avoided paying for damage and “repairs.” (2) If someone says there are problems with transparency, openness, and timely sharing of information documents, etc., that does not mean there is a governmental in-group conspiracy against the public. Some administrative parts of City government are over-tasked. They are trying their best. They are humans. Being defensive sends back the wrong message and doesn’t solve the key problem. This is “draft” posting of meeting highlights from the May 15, 2024, Planning & Zoning meeting held in Ely Council Chambers on May 15, 2024. Please come back to read a more polished posting. Scroll down to the bottom for the YouTube clip. Time marker 0:50 minutes : Frederica Musgrave spoke at Request to Speak about the Land Use and Comprehensive Plan and her data request to obtain previous P&Z details about Comprehensive Plan discussion of changes. Her main concern is the City’s Plan is very anthropocentric (focused on human entertainment) and doesn’t mention Climate Change . She reference the posting: https://elyminnesota.com/blog/reviewing-ely-city-visions-plans/ 11:00 minutes into clip Scott Kochendorfer, City Planning Administrator presented pages from the City Ordinance regarding platting/subdivisions. Chair Emily Roose asked Scott Kochendirfer to clarify in the future why such ordinances/documents are presented to P&Z and what they should focus on when reading before their meetings. 24:25 minutes into clipbDiscussion of Land Use and Comprehensive Plan. Pages from packet will be posted soon. Suggestions to P&Z members:
Regular meeting of Ely City Council. Agenda and packet are available on City of Ely website https://www.ely.mn.us/2024-meetings Scroll down to watch YouTube recording of 34-minute meeting.  Both local newspapers, The Ely Echo and The Timberjay published several articles about this meeting. 2 major highlights with time markers: 3:40 into the clip: Recognition of Council Member Jerome Debeltz for decades of support of softball. A large sign, “Jerome Debeltz Fields,” was installed. 12:46 into the clip: Council approved Telecommunications Advisory Board (TAB) working with CTC to install “fiber and purchase of equipment not to exceed $20,000 if an agreement can be finalized concerning the use of WIFI with the festival organizers” at Whiteside Park. This is not the first time no documentation was presented to Council regarding best negotiation of prices (open bidding) nor single source awarding of services for large sums of money. If CTC is the only known source and exclusive provider of certain types of equipment and services to the City of Ely, then such should be more clearly and frequently stated. Sometimes exclusive contracts are necessary, sometimes not. Let the public and Midco subscribers know TAB and Ely City Council are and have been fiscally responsible. BTW Who exactly is CTC? A quick Google search brings up Concurrent Technologies Corporation, Children’s Theater Company, Connection Technology Center, and Consolidated Telephone Company. Where is their office in Ely? Who owns CTC? How did CTC end up being possibly the sole source for equipment and installation services? Part of public transparency and accountability is explaining acronyms, full names, group choices, and how decisions and expenses align with purpose (especially legal or contractual) for that group. Anyone submitting minutes should assume those reading the minutes now or 5+ years from now might ask, “Who is Irene?” or “How can I listen or watch her performance without knowing her last name?” Don’t assume everyone understands . . . clarify, especially when you want to promote the greatness of Ely. In addition to costs for this project, 4-year time period for vendors to pay their share, and future replacement costs for equipment, Harold Langowski mentioned increased Midco fees to customers and the City of Ely. For more details, read TAB minutes (pages 29-31) in the Council packet.   Regular scheduled City Council meeting held on May 21, 2024. Agenda and packet are posted on the City website https://www.ely.mn.us/2024-meetings Scroll down for YouTube link Recording started later, beginning with Request to Appear, Item #7: Barbara Jones from the Ely Climate Group. She talked about the Morris (MN) Model for sustainability presentations held in Ely, the 2016 Comprehensive Plan, Grand Marais Community Vision Plan, and development in Tower. She invited Council to meet with Climate Group. Council had questions and comments and invited Climate Group to also work directly with commissions. For Grand Marais Community Vision Plan, look on the left side of their City website https://elyminnesota.com/elyclimate/ Ely Climate Group YouTubes:   Item #8 Committee Reports from Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC), Projects Committee, and Budget Committee (added to Council packet but still not posted online as of 8:15 pm tonight). Listen to Projects discussion about contamination investigation grant for Old Train Depot site. The Budget Committee recommended Item 9 Department Reports included the first reading of Ordinance 377 which changes the classification of parcel from Industrial (M) to Commercial (C1). Good luck figuring out where that parcel is and who owns it. There will be a public hearing on June 4th, 5:15 pm. Disclosure: This post is heavily skewed towards human/City actions to (not) actively protect nature, wildlife and their habitats. Wildlife and Nature have their own value beyond human entertainment. For definitions and explanations of anthropocentrism, see Science Digest, TreeHugger, your dictionaries and other favorite research links. Reviewing and revising city vision statements and comprehensive plans should not be tackled as if you were just doing a connect-the-dots, word find, or crossword puzzle. You don’t just chop up and spice up/down comprehensive plans and vision statements as if you were preparing dinner. Most people (commissioners in this case) need some guidance from those who truly understand alignment, desire true diversity, and practice systemic+holistic thinking. Previous experience is good, but that doesn’t automatically mean you understand alignment, diversity or systemic+holistic thinking. Deleting, adding or revising items can create tremendous and often (un)intentional loopholes for development. In this case, human vs. Nature impacts. Ideally, a city’s vision and its plans should be closely aligned. A vision would be your goal(s), and the plan would be proposed journey(s) towards your goal(s). Ideally, the vision would reflect the uniqueness of YOUR city. Seek skilled guidance – identify your biases and/or ignorance – before for decide There are many organizations and research groups that publish informative planning guidance online. Last year at an Open Communications forum hosted by Adam Bisbee, someone shared a Headwaters Economics report entitled The Amenity Trap. It is available online at https://headwaterseconomics.org/outdoor-recreation/amenity-trap/ The Amenity Trap addresses many issues Ely is facing and some issues that don’t apply. Unfortunately, for those of us who think humans aren’t doing enough to respect, protect, preserve, maintain, restore and expand wildlife habitat areas, especially with Climate Change upon us, The Amenity Trap is too focused on human needs. Otherwise, the report is very informative and easy to read.  Another attendee of Open Communications forums shared an opinion piece published in the Duluth News Tribune: “Corporate wolf clothed in ‘community’ lurks in Minnesota” about biased studies. It is important to keep an open mind but also be skeptical. Or is it be skeptical but always keep an open mind?   How does Ely vision itself?The City of Ely, MN, has three different visions posted online. Which one is the official version? Which ones are and will be used to guide and justify development? About 80% of human communication is non-verbal — facial expressions and body movements. Look at someone’s non-verbals to see what they are really “saying.” The visuals on Ely’s website are also “speaking” to the public. Posted visual visions of Ely on its website: https://www.ely.mn.us/ Click on the website to see spectacular photos of the area. They beckon tourists and visitors to come, savor and entertain themselves in the outdoors. Ely needs tourist and visitor dollars to support local businesses and employment, raise families, and make good profits. Nature can be profitable entertainment. Nothing is wrong with these amazing photos. But something is missing. Vision Statement in 2016 Land Use and Comprehensive Plan to guide all development.   Where aren’t there any animals in the beautiful photos posted on the official City of Ely’s website? Wildlife is missing. If and when wildlife descriptions or photos are found, the focus is on human enjoyment and entertainment. Let’s not show endearing close-ups of animal habitats, not even adult animals raising their offspring. Such photos suggest protecting, maintaining, and restoring areas that need to be free from human-generated noises, toxins, trash, speeding “toys,” pets, roads, buildings, etc. Perhaps the City of Ely does/did not intend to send the message that nature exists only for human entertainment. However, that not so subtle message remains. In its official vision statement, Ely has not obligated itself to be a sustainable or pro-native-habitat city. We’re all about human entertainment (sports), human survival (houses and work), and human activities (play). In the vision statement above, “naturally pure” Ely is not defined but seems to refer to needs of humans to play and work. There are no references to providing, maintaining, protecting or restoring any native wildlife habitats within the City of Ely. The statement about human “neighborhoods that compliment their natural surroundings” is open to interpretation. If nature and natural areas exist for human entertainment, it would be quite logical to put a huge noisy ATV/snowmobile campground in a residential neighborhood on Miners Lake or anywhere else. Adopting a PUD similar to that used in Minneapolis and Babbitt could be used to promote such “complimentary” development. The Ely Planning & Zoning Commission is currently revising Ely’s Land Use and Comprehensive Plan. As of May 13th, 2024, we have not been able to obtain a pdf copy of ALL previously suggested revisions that include deletions of “nature.” The reviewing and revisions have been ongoing since ?? The process and final submission date to City Council are not crystal clear. Allowing going public input is not clear. The same is true for other Ely committees, commissions and boards. https://www.ely.mn.us/mission shows a third “vision statement” for Ely on its official website. The wording is not the same as in the 2016 Land Use and Comprehensive Plan. Nor is there a date when this “vision statement” was approved by City Council. This is confusing, having so many versions.  References to nature are also absent from this version of Ely’s vision and values. This vision is also so generic, it could be used for any industry-controlled, profit-only-motivated, and polluted city in Texas, Louisiana, etc. If current and future Ely development and spending are guided by this vision statement, we humans and Nature are in trouble! The scrapping away of “nature” in this vision and values statement might explain the deletion of “nature” from the Ely Planning & Zoning Commission’s suggested revisions for Ely’s 2016 Land Use and Comprehensive Plan. What else is missing in Ely’s vision statements?Past, current and future writers of Ely’s vision statements (commissioners) don’t represent all the diverse backgrounds, perspectives, philosophies, desires or abilities of Ely residents. This might not have been intentional. For example, if you’ve never had to use a cane or wheelchair, it is hard for you to visualize how awkward or impossible it would be for you to access bathroom stalls, coat racks, sidewalks, entrances, or stairs to second floors. Public accessibility doesn’t cross your mind, so you don’t mention accessibility in the City’s vision . . . nor consider it a priority for project funding. Proactively preparing for and dealing with climate change impacts on humans, national and local economy, land/water/air, habitats, and animals. Setting aside, swapping, developing/preserving appropriate spaces within Ely for wildlife and wildlife viewing, including but not limited to birds, butterflies and frogs. Establishing a city park or garden for people is not the same as creating a safe habitat. The City of Ely ownes a tremendous amount of land. It is difficult to get a comprehensive and accurate list of all City-owned land. The City quickly resolves to swap and rezone/recode City-owned properties to promote developers. Should it choose to do so, the City could “easily” rezone/recode areas to open space for parks — preserves — and recreation. The Board of Adjustments (BOA) and City Council approve variances to City codes. How often is climate change sited to approve or disapprove variances? Is future protection of shorelines or habitats of importance, a higher priority than a human wanting to expand symbols of human ownership? Seek balance for the future and Nature.  Education and promoting city-wide and private landscaping and plantings that encourage pollinators, use non-toxic alternatives, and match expected changes in weather patterns. There are many programs and websites such as Lawns to Legumes that provide some funding in additional to excellent reference materials. Promote sustainability (best practices): packaging, consumption and recycling of materials, energy efficiency, human and environmental health, biodiversity, social equity, fair-trade organizations, low-impact development, low-impact outdoor recreation, public transportation, limiting or eliminating pollution, etc. Expand awareness and funding of diverse demographic needs and interests beyond just housing; Fund accessibility of businesses and public buildings/areas; expand transportation options within and beyond city limits; maintain and expand year-round safe sidewalks for all; support for “non-sports” and low-impact activities and hobbies; Do more tangible outreach to underrepresented populations for tourism, use of public amenities, and inclusion in government; support underfunded and under-the-radar groups such as the Ely Field Naturalists and the Senior Center; actively promote mutual needs of local college, integration and expansion of student population. Actively and equitably reduce the number of vacant (unoccupied) houses and blight properties in the core area of Ely. Actively and equitably reduce the number of vacant (unoccupied) buildings and businesses in Ely’s downtown. Other missing visions – list your own What developments and land use plans were/are desired for Ely?To discover the 2016 Land Use and Comprehensive Plan on the City of Ely website: Click the tab Departments and then the tab Planning & Zoning: As you scan the 83 online pages of the Plan, think about how these paragraphs align with Ely’s stated vision (and those visions not currently included). The Land Use and Comprehensive Plan should closely align up with the City’s visions/goals . . . and vice versa. Everyone can check the documents to see if their issues of concern, their visions, are included in Ely’s visions and plans. The following is a suggested strategy on how to quickly discern what is currently stated in the 2016 Land Use and Comprehensive Plan. Note “stated” or “included” does not mean it was/is a priority, pursued, or equitably funded. Many recommendations and/or legal requirements are in the 2016 Comprehensive Plan but not mentioned in the City’s vision statements. Although “climate change” is not mentioned in the vision statements nor in the Plan, there is one hit for “climate.” In 2016, an altered future was considered a potentiality –not a certainty — by Ely. Concern was focused on human impacts, not wildlife.   The most surprising sentence in the Plan is something the City, the Park & Recreation Board, and the Planning and Zoning Commission have apparently ignored, for lack of a better word. What comprehensive goals, objectives AND actions have been considered and undertaken to protect the environment, including but not limited to wildlife and animal habitats? A one-block garden is not the same as protecting the environment.   Note: We do not have a copy of any proposed Planning & Zoning changes for this page or this paragraph.
“Open space” had 11 hits in the Plan, including Page 27. There is no real description of what “open space” is supposed to look like nor its purpose.  Is “open space” to be used for human recreation activities or set aside as a wildlife habitat/nature preserve. Page 56 in the Plan discusses natural infrastructure. It would be nice to know what the City has done and plans on doing that “protects ecological systems and enhances biological diversity” (2nd paragraph). What role has the Park & Recreation Board played or will play to “Identify where to encourage protection of natural resources” (3rd paragraph). Identification requires the City provide Park & Rec with detailed — easy to view and understand –maps, photos and information. Some City-owned land might not be easily identifiable for these purposes. For such reasons, local naturalists could be solicited for their expertise. Remember: the City can swap land or rezone/recode land when it so desires. Page 57 in the Plan is a continuation of Natural infrastructure. The 2nd paragraph ties these major local “surface water” bodies to human recreation, enjoyment and river views from homes. There is no mention of wildlife habitats, migrating birds, nor of low-impact activities by non-homeowners, such as researchers, naturalists and hobby bird watchers. Page 57 seems to have been written without considering comments on Page 56 . . . or vice versa.      “Accessibility” had 5 hits, 4 relating to handicapped or wheelchair access. “Wheelchair” had 0 hits. “Accessible” had 2 hits but they don’t really refer to handicapped/wheelchair access.     “Sustainability” had 0 hits in the vision statements and 5 hits in the Plan. “Sustain”and variations there of had 17 hits, mainly referring to utilities and facilities. Page 60 probably refers to mining. Many focus on the “promise” of jobs (not the same as in the good ol’e days) vs. the long-lasting (= forever) toxic pollution of habitats, animals and humans. Health is a top priority for sustainability.     “Outreach” is not part of Ely’s vision. There are 2 hits in the Plan. However, both refer to doing surveys without mention of taking extra steps to get the opinions of underrepresented people in the survey. Neither hits mention actively recruiting the underrepresented to become members of established government and decision-making groups such as their Steering Committee.   “Equity” had 0 hits in vision and Plan. “Equitably” had 1 hit in the Plan.  “Dog” and “dog park” had 0 hits in vision and Plan. “Bird” had 0 hits in vision and Plan. Compare the 2016 Land Use and Comprehensive Plan and a few recent(?)/past proposed changes discussed by Ely’s Planning & Zoning Commissioners.   Examine changes to the 3rd from the bottom paragraph. Who suggested the deletion of this paragraph? When? Why? Concerned? Get involved in Ely local government, attend meetings, write or voice in person your concerns.Did you move to Ely to quietly enjoy many aspects of Nature in your city . . . within walking distance? Or did you plan on living in a city filled with housing, businesses and entertainment centers, so you would have to take a trip outside the “gates” to see wildlife and native habitats? What is your definition of “Gateway”? Especially consider attending the committee, board and commission meetings. Please request to speak and present a printed copy of your speech and any documentation. If you can, prepare ahead of time by doing word finds within the Land Use and Comprehensive Plan if you don’t have time to study the 83 pages. What exactly do you want the commissioners to do? Be general and specific. For example, do you want them to do something now, in the near future, or some non-specific time in the future (years from now)? Suggest changes in current documents: Provide each commissioner with a printed copy of the paragraph(s) you’d like revised, one copy unmarked and the other with your suggestions. Have them physically hold a printed copy, so they can see, hear and read while you present. If you are presenting at City Council, put your complete speech (or key points) in writing and attach important documents, so that everything appears online in the Council packet and thus available for the public to access. When Council and/or the public read the minutes — if they read them — your presentation and documents are buried out of sight. Suggest they take action now: As above, provide them each with a printed copy. Write out a motion for them to discuss right then or put on the agenda for their next meeting. Commissions make recommendations to Council or request documents from City Hall. Have them put those recommendations in a motion that they vote on. Discussion among commissioners themselves doesn’t catch the eyes of City Council nor the citizens. They need to make some kind of stance and/or commitment, otherwise the topic and urgency fades. A political game, intentional or not. Apathy wins. Apolitical folks don’t understand the game and usually don’t want to play games. Examples of possible requests:
We have community experts in Nature, systemic+holistic thinking, sustainability, diversity, accessibility, community visions/planning, etc. Many don’t want to get involved in politics. Listen to them. Ask them to speak at committee meetings (but don’t push). Gather facts, learn and stand up. Thanks! The Government tab on the City of Ely website has links to the form you need to complete — Request to Appear. Submit by the Thursday before the next Council meeting (online or drop off). The Council agenda and packet are supposed to be posted online by Friday PM. You can submit later but the Friday posting should be your goal. On this Government link, you can view 2024 upcoming and past Council agendas and packets. Do not assume the Public Meetings Calendar is always 100% accurate for non-Council meetings. The Commissions, Committees, Boards tab lists regularly scheduled meeting times and open seats. The open seat info is frequently outdated. When you click on the links to individual groups, sometimes the list of members is accurate. It is rarely obvious who is a voting member or not. Purpose and tasks of these groups is not always posted. Are their purposes and tasks (posted or not) aligned with what’s in the City Charter, vision statements and Land Use & Comprehensive Plan? The Government tab has links to the City of Ely Charter document and the City Code & Ordinances. The Land Use & Comprehensive Plan is semi-hidden. On the tab Departments, click Planning & Zoning. Then on the P&Z City page, you will find a link to the Land Use & Comprehensive Plan.  Scroll down for info about other cities and townships near Ely, MN Who’s running? Who filed for open seats? Check MN Sec of State hard-to-find website for latest filings: https://candidates.sos.mn.gov/ Scroll down to Search by Office box.   
Primary Election – Tuesday, August 13, 2024 General Election – Tuesday, November 5, 2024 Ely filing period starts this May 2024 The filing period for Mayor (a 2 year term) and City Council (3 each with 4 year terms) begins at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 21, 2024, and ends at 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 4, 2024. The online Calendar for the City of Ely also shows a withdrawal of candidacy period June 5-6 for those who change their minds. More detailed filing info –> Ely City Election Filing Info If three (3) or more candidates file for the Mayor’s term and/or six (6) or more candidates file for a City Council term, the City will hold a Primary Election on August 13, 2024 to determine the candidates that will be on the General Election ballot for Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Note: Ely website does NOT provide direct link to list of candidates who filed on MN SOS site. Ely Mayor & 3 Council seats up for (re)election According to the City of Ely Mayor & Council webpage: Mayor Heidi Omerza’s term expires 12/31/2024.
3 Ely School Board seats are up for (re)election These Board members’ terms expire 12/31/2024: Ray Marsnik, Tom Omerza, Hollee Coombe These Board members’ terms expire 12/31/2026 = not up for (re)election this year: Rochelle Sjorberg, Tony Colarich, Jennifer Westlund To get more detailed information about filing dates, documents, and whether there will be a primary for school board, check ww.ely.k12.mn.us/school-board-election-information Note: As of May 1, updated 2024 school board election information was not yet posted. However, the Superintendent’s Office just emailed that they are currently updating their website and their “filing period runs from July 30 to August 13. The last day for us [District #696] to publish the Notice of Filing is July 16.” Guidance picking the best school board candidates Log on to the Ely School Board webpage to read these documents:  At past AAUW/Rotary school board candidate forum(s), you could listen to the speeches, questions and responses to figure out who (doesn’t) understand the role of school board members; who trusts the expertise of licensed teachers and superintendent; who is pushing personal and/or political agendas. Contact the candidates directly once they declare. Filing dates for County, State and Federal offices   Check back for more info later about ballots, etc. for St. Louis County —-> https://www.stlouiscountymn.gov/departments-a-z/auditor/elections-voting Check back for more info later from the Minnesota Secretary of State, What’s on My Ballot webpage –> https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/whats-on-my-ballot/ Local gov election info, open seats, terms, and filing periods are not always easy to find Town of Morse https://www.townofmorsemn.com/ On the tab “Government,” there is a section entitled “Elections FAQs” which is outdated as of May 1st. For more info, folks are directed to the MN Sec of State website “Register to Vote.” There appears to be no specific details about upcoming open seats, terms, or filing periods. The website also does not appear to offer a direct link to their school district nor school board elections.  Tower https://cityoftower.com/ On the tab “Government” on the menu bar, there is a link to “Elections” which only gives info for March 5th and November 5th. For more info, folks are directed to the MN Sec of State website. As of May 1st, there appears to be no specific details about upcoming open seats, terms, or filing periods. The website also does not appear to offer a direct link to their school district nor school board elections.  Winton https://www.wintonmn.com/. As of May 1st, there appears to be no posted information about voting or elections. Specific details about upcoming open seats, terms, and filing periods are missing. The website also does not appear to offer a direct link to their school district nor school board elections. On the menu bar, the tab “More,” links to another tab “Events.” No upcoming events are planned?  Babbitt https://www.babbitt-mn.com/. As of May 1st, there appears to be no posted information about voting or elections. Specific details about upcoming open seats, terms, and filing periods are missing. The website does not appear to offer a direct link to their school district nor school board elections. Side note: Babbitt says it is “Progressive in Thinking.” Babbitt live streams its meetings AND makes them available 24/7 on YouTube. Why can’t Ely do that? Or other cities and townships?  Eagles Nest Township https://www.eaglesnestmn.com/. As of May 1st, under the menu bar, there is a tab “Announcements.” The information is about voting only. Specific details about upcoming open seats, terms, and filing periods are missing. The website does not appear to offer a direct link to their school district nor school board elections.  Fall Lake Township https://falllaketownship.com/ As of May 1st, on the menu bar, there is a tab “Elections.” Specific details about upcoming open seats, terms, and filing periods are missing. The posting is for March 2024. The website does not appear to offer a direct link to their school district nor school board elections.  |
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Ignored & Forgotten Paragraphs
Certainly, there are many ignored and forgotten paragraphs in Ely’s Land Use and Comprehensive Plan. One can debate whether this has been intentional or not.
Who is served — or not served — when these paragraphs are ignored and forgotten? Follow the money. Who suffers? Who profits?
Find the 2016 Ely Land Use and Comprehensive Plan: On the City of Ely webpage, click Departments, select Planning & Zoning, and then open the document.
For a lengthy and more detailed discussion about Ely’s 2016 Land Use and Comprehensive Plan, go to https://elyminnesota.com/blog/reviewing-ely-city-visions-plans/
At the very bottom of Page 27 in the 2016 Land Use and Comprehensive Plan, the last paragraph rarely (if ever) is included or highlighted in meeting packets distributed to Council, Park & Recreation Board, or the Planning & Zoning Commission.
Ely is the Gateway to the Boundary Waters. On the outside of that gate, individuals and groups are actively trying to preserve, protect, maintain and enhance the environment. Inside the City of Ely is another story. Inside Ely, “open space” usually means “not good enough for building” or “waiting for a developer.”
There seem to be no goals nor objectives written up in the Comp Plan to protect open space and the environment. Nothing since 2016. There seems to be no goals nor objectives from the Park & Recreation Board nor from Planning & Zoning Commission.
Beware the wording “should consider.” Are those two words being interpreted as you can ignore and forget? You don’t need to discuss, promote or initiate any projects?
Pages 27 and 28 both address blight and substandard properties. Our neighborhoods and downtown business area in Ely have many buildings that are substandard and/or vacant. They are not visually appealing and bring down property values. People don’t understand why it takes so long for the City to do something.
Why are some development plans (tear down and build up) seemingly fast tracked in comparison to others? What is the overall plan, guidelines, process and timeline for vacant and substandard structures? What are the priorities? How are priorities ranked?
In the paragraph to the left, the wording “should be” is used instead of “should consider.” Act. Do something.
In this case, “substandard properties and buildings “should be acquired and demolished.”
Funding is, of course, an issue. Why are some projects seemingly fast tracked for funding? What are the established and transparent guidelines, procedures, etc?