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At the April 7th Ely Council meeting, the public will not be able to comment on the ordinances before Council votes. The public input happens at the Public Hearing at 5:15 pm just before Council meets.
City Hall and City Council don’t want or expect the Public to show up, so they allotted only 15 minutes for public input. Three Ordinances in 15 minutes.
The vague Public Notice posted on the City website gives the impression everything is fine and simple. To get details, you have to click several links.
If you click on the date and title of the Public Hearing, you expect more details, so you could do more research. Maybe a map. Maybe an explanation as to why the change is being made.
Sorry! Look at the right column to see what you see after you click.
Note: if you want to see the ordinances, the link will take you to the 1st reading.
No details, documentation or explanation.
More info about Ely’s Business Park – EEDA website
On any of our posts, do a search for “Miners Drive,” and many posts will appear, including YouTubes of City meetings.
Do a word search on Comprehensive Plan, (luxury) hotel, train depot, or ordinances. Our post about city visions and plans points out what is missing as we try to set goals and development for Ely: https://elyminnesota.com/blog/reviewing-ely-city-visions-plans/
What is Ordinance 397 about? What’s the real intent?
Good luck figuring out what’s intended here. There is no other documentation or explanation in the Council packet or attached to the ordinance itself when you click the link to the City website. You’re on your own. City Hall, the Mayor, and Council apparently hope you get frustrated and don’t proceed to the Public Hearing.
Note: Ordinance 397 switches zoning from public to commercial, allowing for private commercial development along Miners Drive.
If you read Ordinance 399, you’ll see many restrictions are deleted for development. The City believes in build, build, build. Quiet green areas for passive activities are not valued. Read some of the excerpts to see what the City’s real intent is.
What is Ordinance 398 about? What’s the real intent?
There is no other documentation or explanation in the Council packet or attached to the ordinance itself when you click the link to the City website.
Ely City Code did not have anything permitting businesses that rescue animals or board cats and dogs. Ordinance 398 indicates where they are permitted.
The ordinance explains what the letters O, X and I mean. But it doesn’t explain C-1, C-2, or M. Good look searching on your own through the Ely City Code! Who would use the words “Zoning District Schedule”? Remember Section 11.41. Page numbers are confusing.
Because Contented Critters and/or other organization wants to set up these services near our current Ely Vet Clinic, Miners Drive seems an idea location. They meet a need in our community.
Zoning Codes Explained
Read the fine print in Ordinance 399 – what’s deleted?
For example, notice Subd. 1 of Ordinance 399
The stipulation for Only low impact . . . businesses has been removed. Notice what else has been deleted. Read the whole proposed ordinance.
Subd. 79 of Ordinance 399 is really confusing, probably intentionally. First, the City seems to want park and recreational spaces. And then it doesn’t.
Read all of Ordinance 399 and then Ordinance 397 again. The City of Ely wants public space turned over to commercial development.
If you have strong feelings about Miners Drive., go to the Public Hearing AND contact all of the Council Members (not just your favorites ones, all of them) directly. Whatever your opinion.
If you moved to Ely, because you appreciated the quiet, safety and nature of/within Ely, then say something at the Public Hearing.
Isn’t it strange that the usually vocal environmentalists are not trying to preserve what’s left of the natural quality of Miners Drive? Somewhere there has to be a reason for their silence. While discussing the Land Use and Comprehensive Plan last year, one active community member said the City of Ely has enough natural spaces: We have the Boundary Waters, Whiteside Park and Lake Shagawa. We don’t have room to create, preserve or expand open or natural environmental areas. Who disagrees?
Tuesday, 5:30 pm — Public Hearing about Miner’s Drive starts at 5:15 pm
There are so many interesting action items in the 4-page Council agenda AND in the minutes from City government groups that met recently. We’re highlighting only a few items from the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee, Budget meeting, Ely Economic Development Authority (EEDA), Airport Commission, and New Business. You’ll find more tidbits when you read the full (draft) minutes. There’s way too much to write about for just these three groups, so you’re on your own to discover surprises in the reports, plans and proposed expenditures from the Police Chief, Joint Powers Lodging Tax Board, and Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. See Council packet for New Business items on the agenda as well as (draft) minutes of the last Council meeting on March 17th (3 weeks ago). Note: Not all those providing reports to Council share a written report in the packet.
Posted here below is the current 4-page agenda that was posted on the City website. You probably don’t have time to read the entire 76-page Ely Council packet for Tuesday’s meeting. The packet is posted online at https://www.ely.mn.us/council-meetings. Check again online just before the meeting for any additions or changes. Additions and changes are not always posted online before the meetings, so check for the Council binder or papers on the table right inside the Chamber doors.
Educate yourselves – read the documents and not just the agenda
Especially for this Council meeting, glance at the (draft) minutes and attachments submitted in time to be included in the Council packet. As pointed out previously, when documents, minutes and action items presented shortly before Council meetings, they are sometimes intentionally submitted last minute so they are NOT to be scrutinized carefully. Many wonder if the Mayor and Council actually study the Council packet before the Council meetings start, especially since they rarely comment or question anything other than an action item they have to vote on. Those few viewers watching from home or in the Council Chambers don’t always see or hear tidbits about expenditures such as
From March 31st Budget meeting (draft) minutes
If EEDA is paying for propane and utilities for the old Chamber building, then why not also for the new Chamber location in the Trailhead Building? Why are lodging tax dollars being diverted to pay for the Chamber’s utilities (and ??) in the Trailhead Building?
Public Hearing on Ordinances at 5:15 pm before Council meeting
Prior to the Council meeting, there is a Public Hearing scheduled for 3 Ordinance changes. The Public Hearing starts at 5:15 pm. Council is apparently expecting nobody to show up, because the hearing is scheduled for a total of 15 minutes. Please refer to our separate post about these Ordinances. They mainly pertain to development along Miners Drive. If you have any comments or concerns, you have to go to the Public Hearing or submit comments prior to that hearing. At the Council meeting, the City Attorney will present the 2nd Reading of these Ordinances. There is no opportunity for the public to present comments at the Council meeting before Council votes. Did you read details above and beyond the public notice in The Ely Echo? Why wasn’t there extensive news reporting about these Ordinances and planned development?
Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee – more info needed
The Council packet only has the (draft) minutes from the Steering Committee’s March 9th meetings. There are no minutes or notes from their subsequent meetings with vendors. Shouldn’t Council and the public have a chance to review those minutes or notes before voting. It is possible minutes and notes for these additional meetings will be posted/available just before Council meets on Tuesday.
Has a Request for Proposals (RFP) already been designed for Council to comment on? Or the public?
Will the Steering Committee let Council and the public know what their Steering Committee vision is for Ely? Is that vision reflective of the whole community? A balanced, healthy community?
Their vision seemed to be all about development (industry). Nature was missing. “Services” was vague. Infrastructure is not the same as mental, health and spiritual needs.
Last item: Babbitt Police Department Contract. Will Council ask for more details, so the public can hear details? Does “part time” mean Ely PD officers are working additional hours beyond their full-time positions in Ely PD? Will they be required to wear Babbitt PD uniforms when working for Babbitt?
The proposed hourly rate for maintenance increase is from $16 to $32. See first item under New Business – Airport Contract. Explanation for increase was attached. Should the wage be $32/hour for mowing grass? Should equipment maintenance only be $32/hour? What is “equipment maintenance”? Some equipment maintenance done by licensed professionals should probably be higher than $32/hour. Will Council question the doubling of hourly rate? Has Council publicly questioned salaries and hourly rates, other then going after the Tourist Bureau?
Are City staff/employees under or overpaid? What are comparable and equitable wages? Are office or white collar jobs (especially those held primarily by women) as “valuable” as blue collar or outdoor maintenance jobs (especially those held primarily by men)? Everyone deserves decent wages and benefits.
We all appreciate our Ely Library staff. They are skilled in customer service. They prepare for and provide additional educational programs for the community, more so than library staff in metropolitan areas. Their required knowledge and skills cannot be easily learned or replaced. Does the City fully reimburse them for trainings? Do they earn the equivalent OR MORE than $32/hour after all their years of service?
EEDA – Development for our booming economy
The Ely Economic Development Authority (EEDA) is supporting more development along Miners Drive (“Commercial Corridor”), including but not limited to the Old Train Depot. These plans are no doubt connected to the Ordinances that City Hall, Mayor and Council are expected to approve on Tuesday.
There are those who believe Ely should build: Build and they will come. They believe Ely – indeed our whole economy – is booming and will continue to boom, so they plan and spend $$ accordingly. Well, if Ely’s economy is booming, why are there so many vacant and neglected commercial properties on Chapman and Sheridan?? For years.
Notice THEY (meaning EEDA = City Hall + Mayor + Council) do NOT say, “Let’s first invest in Chapman Street.” Chapman Street is not even a second thought. Rather than promoting and investing in Chapman by repurposing or replacing current underused buildings on Chapman, THEY want to destroy the quiet, natural areas of Miners Drive. While discussing the Land Use and Comprehensive Plan last year, one active community member said the City of Ely has enough natural spaces. We have the Boundary Waters, Whiteside Park and Lake Shagawa. We don’t have room to create, preserve or expand open natural environmental areas.
It’s like kicking the can down the road: the City eventually needs to do something with Chapman Street. So why not now, first? Spending time, energy, lobbying efforts, and funding on Miners Drive (“Commercial Corridor”) most likely means afterwards there will be very limited lobbying efforts and funding for Chapman Street. Are THEY going to ask Chapman Street businesses to relocate? Figure out first what to do to revitalize historic Chapman Street. Support and fund Chapman projects first.
Isn’t it strange that the usually vocal environmentalists are not trying to preserve what’s left of the natural quality of Miners Drive? Somewhere there has to be a reason for their silence. While discussing the Land Use and Comprehensive Plan last year, one active community member said the City of Ely has enough natural spaces: We have the Boundary Waters, Whiteside Park and Lake Shagawa. We don’t have room to create, preserve or expand open or natural environmental areas. Who disagrees?
There’s a new LLC in town: Bearhead Development
Bearhead Development, LLC is mentioned throughout the EEDA minutes. According to MN Secretary of State website, it has been in business for less than a year. LLC status gives protection to its owners. Very loosely put, owners’ names are not publicly known and their personal assets are shielded. The City of Ely, Mayor and Council seem eager to give everything to Bearhead Development: Ordinance changes, lobbying support, development freedom, and even the kitchen sink without knowing who the owners are. Read the minutes. Notice the votes.
By the way, why haven’t our local newspapers covered Bearhead Development, LLC discussions with City Hall, Council and commissions? Our Google searches yielded no articles. Development this big and this expensive suddenly appears within the last month per minutes?? Is this the first time Bearhead Development is being introduced to Council and they are to approve recommendations to them? Remember, the public cannot publicly comment or ask questions during Request to Appear time before Council votes. Too late. Some of us first saw Bearhead Development mentioned in the April 7th Council packet.
Notice the last point. Is Bearhead Development owned by the Otts? Will Council ask for public clarity?
Developers and real estate investors make LOTS of profit with limited investment on their part. Trump isn’t the only one who knows the profit game and how to manipulate government and agencies to his advantage. Everything’s connected. Follow the money.
Remember the luxury hotel being built in the old Library and Community Center? The original investor/contractor/owner, Matt Stupek, didn’t have funding or investors to complete the luxury hotel. Who were the original investors? How much of his own money did he invest? Construction stopped. There were other problems not dealt with. Suddenly, on October 1, 2024, an hour or so before the Council met, a contract with a new LLC was presented to Council. No questions asked; Council approved. Pillar Company LLC was not listed on the Secretary of State’s website as of October 1st. The address for the company was the same as for Matthew Stupek. See our post with YouTube recording of that Council meeting https://elyminnesota.com/blog/city-council-oct-1-2024/
Here are EEDA minutes included in the April 7th Council packet.
ii
Under Communications, it appears John Fedo & Associates is a business handling the bidding for the workforce housing Wilderness Escape. The minutes are awkwardly written. It is not clear if the subsequent use of “We” refers to John Fedo & Associates or the City of Ely or ??
Under 2026 EEDA Priorities, “Sato space” is mentioned. According to Google AI, this is what was meant
Google search April 5, 2026
New Business items – pages 58-76 Council Packet
Gawboy Mural Trailhead Project: Council has been spending lots of time discussing what should be displayed or used at the Trailhead Building. Why weren’t these discussions held before the Trailhead opened? Who proposed these resolutions? Why weren’t these resolutions submitted via Park & Recreation Board? Who is Ely Area Senior Citizens, Inc.?
Ely Dog Park – Rummage Sale, May 16th. It is sad that The Ely Dog Park volunteers are forced to do so much fundraising instead of the City running the park.
At 1:30 pm on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, the City of Ely is zooming a Landform Comprehensive Review Plan Proposal meeting. This might be the first time any City meeting has been zoomed? This is indeed progress towards transparency, but was proper and/or adequate notice used to inform the public about an open meeting?
What is the zoomed meeting about?
There are no easily accessible details provided. Look at the screen snapshots below. This certainly limits informed public transparency and input. Does this official city meeting follow open meeting laws? Is this zoom meeting sponsored by Planning & Zoning or the newly formed Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee? How is the City of Ely expecting the public to get details? Some people don’t want to call City Hall – and shouldn’t have to in this age of technology – for details. City Hall isn’t accessible 24/7/365.
The City of Ely contracted with Midco to broadcast live only 3 meetings, not all public meetings. The Telecommunications Advisory Board could not – didn’t have the will – to select or negotiate a contract with Midco that would provide free 24/7/365 access to stream all City meetings. City Hall, the Mayor, and City Council did not push for free 24/7/365 streaming access. Someone came up with the idea of Zooming as a potential partial solution. Thank you to whoever came up with this idea, however . . .
The problem with this specific meeting is that there seems to be no official public notice, at least not on these City of Ely websites.
Most/all of us only see “1:30 pm Landfor” on our screens.
Here are the commissions, committees and boards in the City of Ely. Only 3 meetings are (re)broadcast. If you do not subscribe to Midco, you cannot watch. You have to live in Ely and pay for TV access and not just internet to watch these 3 meetings.
The link for details gives the email addresses for those invited to the meeting. The addresses are not posted here, because those individuals might not know the addresses are publicly posted.
Heather Cox Richardson does more than summarize today’s facts that she confirmed. She analyzes them, warns of rumors and misinformation, points out the historical roots of U.S. government’s actions and people behind recent events, and suggests actions we should take. I think this presentation should have a subtitle, “Now Is the Time to Choose,” which she talks about at the end of the 37 minute YouTube.
If you can/wish, please post and share on your usual social media platforms.
FYI: HCR’s YouTube does not show any video clips. Check your own trusted news sources for videos of the shooting. Compare coverage, videos, and spin used by other news outlets.
The New York Times had an excellent string of updates during Saturday, January 24th.
“Minneapolis Live Updates: Man Killed by Federal Agents Was Holding a Phone, Not a Gun.” Videos analyzed by The New York Times appear to contradict federal accounts of the shooting.
When you click the link to that article, look for the red words VIDEO ANALYSIS. You’ll see a photo of Alex Pretti just before the shooting as well as the video clip.
See https://www.ely.mn.us/council-meetings for complete 133-page Council packet For Tuesday, January 6, 2026, meeting. At the bottom of this post is the 3-page agenda posted last Friday. There may be additions and changes just before the Council meeting that may or may not be posted online before the meeting starts. Always check the table inside the Council Chamber doors. The Council meeting will start at 5:30 pm after the Public Hearing (3 day suspensions for selling hemp to underaged buyers) scheduled at 5:15 pm.
Only a few items have been selected here. Please scan through the (draft) minutes and other documents in the 133-page Council Packet. There’s a lot going on in Ely, both on stage (this broadcast meeting) and behind the curtains (minutes and documents) as well as way off stage (in the community).
3 Week Wait for Public to Get Details
The overwhelming majority of us residents, tax-paying citizens, and businesses owners have to wait three (3) weeks since the last Ely Council meeting to find out what officially happened. Read the draft minutes of the December 16th meeting on pages 5-13 in the Council packet. https://www.ely.mn.us/council-meetings Note there is only one entry on the January 6th agenda for both the December 16th Public Hearing and December 16th Council meeting. These are officially separate meetings and deserve separate entries on the agenda.
As we’ve stated before, all open-to-the-public City meetings should be streamed live free of charge 24/7/365 for all residents in Ely and surrounding areas. How else can we easily keep up-to-date on issues and community issues wherever we are and when it’s convenient for us? Technology surrounds us; let’s use it. Nothing can really substitute for viewing and listening with one’s own eyes and ears. We need to witness our community members in action.
For those interested in the lodging tax debate, read what Abby Dare and Paul presented (= what was entered in the minutes) on December 16th.
The Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) presented updates on their projects and recommendations. Maybe the HPC and other commissions should make regular appearances before Council, so the public gets a more in-depth view and appreciation for all their work for the community.
from draft minutes of Dec 16th Ely Council meeting
from draft minutes of Dec 16th Ely Council meeting
$$ spent – priorities
Who has the time to go through all of the City’s expenditures? Are Council Members supposed to question whether or not biddable items were sent out for competitive bidding? Are Council Members supposed to comment and question why so much money is spent on private entertainment and luxury hotel developments vs. ESSENTIAL residential and community business needs? The excuse, “Nobody else except the rich and powerful ask for huge sums of money,” is weak. Is the City or Chamber of Commerce proactively seeking out and lobbying for city-wide improvement projects for smaller business owners, projects they need?
The City should require owners/landlords of neglected, vacant and blighted homes and buildings to clear their sidewalks. Why is the City providing them this service free of charge? Why are residents without sidewalks subsidizing owners of neglected, vacant and blighted homes and businesses? Especially when City taxes are going up?
Note: Thank you, City workers. Your work is appreciated. You do as directly. You don’t decide how $$ are spent. When we can talk to you about your work while you’re working, you’re professional and neighborly. You are not the problem.
Note: There are many wonderful, kind, neighborly and conscientious absentee and non-absentee landlords in Ely and elsewhere.
The referenced email was sent because the City’s small bobcat puts new snow and compacted ice on sidewalks already neatly cleared by residents during subzero temps. The few sidewalks not regularly cleared (if at all) on the block belong to owners/landlords who don’t care about civic responsibilities.
When sidewalks are carefully cleared by owners, landlords and renters, why does the City create extra work for them?
We already have to clear out our driveways and aprons after street plows clear the roads. Most of us understand that and appreciate the NECESSARY service. Why force us do clean up our sidewalks twice because other owners/landlords are allowed to neglect their civic responsibilities?
Harold Langowski said the City has been doing sidewalk removal for decades. Question: How is it that for decades the City is still allowing and paying for (taxpayers pay) owners/landlords to not clear their sidewalks? Something’s wrong in this picture.
These sidewalks and several adjoining neighbors’ were neatly cleared down to the cement, from yard to boulevard. Other sidewalks on the block were shoveled neatly even if compacted ice remained. These photos show new snow from right and left sides pulled onto and compacted down onto previously clean (cement showing) sidewalks.
The City should deal directly with and charge owners/landlords of vacant, neglected and blighted houses and business for sidewalk cleaning. Don’t create extra work for responsible owners/landlords. This is a small town, not an impersonal metropolitan city.
2026 Appointments – Council Members
These are 2025 appointments to various City Committees. Notice that 2 appointments are held by non-City Council Members (Kess and Callen). How many committees in 2026 will have non-Council Members representing or substituting for Council Members?
Actually voting will probably take place at the next Council meeting.
The committee responsible for having City meetings streamed free of charge 24/7/365 is Telecommunications. See below for which meetings are currently broadcast or not.
2026 resident and non-resident committee appointments
The list on the left was printed from the City webpage https://www.ely.mn.us/boards There are several problems when people want to print out this webpage, because it has 3 columns. Not all information shows up for printing. In this case, the details for submission of applications. The deadline is January 12th. Here is what was posted prior to the January 6th City Council meeting (printed same date as on the left).
Want to know more about the committees, boards, and commissions before applying? Go the the City website at https://www.ely.mn.us/boards and look at the middle column. Click on the committee (link) for details (1) Find out if the committee has specific goals or tasks spelled out. (2) Find out who the other members are, how long they served, when terms expire, and if they are residents or non-residents. Note: once appointed, most of if not all committee members are automatically “re-appointed” to serve several terms, maybe up to 9 years. (3) If meeting times are not listed on the committee’s individual wepage, go back to https://www.ely.mn.us/boards and look at the column on the right-hand side.
Want to learn more about what the committees actually do before applying? Go the the City’s Council website https://www.ely.mn.us/council-meetings for 2022-2026 packets to read the (draft) minutes submitted to Council by the individual committees. There is no single website for each committee. Both the Park & Record Board and Planning & Zoning Commission have separate websites, but there can be computer glitches when trying to access to some documents. Some of the (draft) minutes give you a feeling you were there and what members are commenting on. Most meetings are not streamed live or available 24/7/365, so you cannot see your appointed community leadership in action.
This post will spend most of the space addressing current lodging tax issues (the first 2 speakers). Scroll down for the 3rd request to speak (HPC). Then scroll further down to find information about 2025 and 2026 appointments.
Find the 103-page Council Packet at https://www.ely.mn.us/2025councilmeetings . Scroll down to the bottom for the 3-page agenda posted by the City of Ely. Last minute new additions and changes to the agenda might not be posted online prior to the start of the Council meeting at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. Check for documents on the table right inside the door to Council Chambers.
There are 3 Requests to Appear at the meeting. Two will address lodging tax dollars. One will address Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) issues.
Abby Dare from VisitEly will talk about the Ely Area Tourism Bureau 2026 Budget.
Read #2 and #4 recommendations to be presented on Tuesday night. The document in the right column is from page 19 in the Council Packet. The logic stands on its own.
Look at the Stakeholders (last but not least blue box) under Strategic Planning Considerations.
Note: Both local newspapers have printed several articles and letters to the editor about the use of lodging tax dollars and how Paul Kess did not follow Council’s original instructions. For more background info about The Ely Tourism Bureau’s concerns voiced prior to tonight’s Council meeting, read the October 10th issue of The Timberjay, “Ely Tourism Bureau warns city over lodging tax distribution,” https://www.timberjay.com/stories/ely-tourism-bureau-warns-city-over-lodging-tax-distribution,23571.
Paul Kess will be addressing the Council as the Council-appointed member of the Ely Area Lodging Tax Joint Powers Board. No documents were submitted in the Council Packet.
Note: Both local newspapers have printed several articles and letters to the editor about the use of lodging tax dollars and how Paul Kess did not follow Council’s original instructions. For more background info about Council’s discussion at their last December 2nd meeting, read the December 6th issue of The Ely Echo, Kess survives tourism coup,” https://www.elyecho.com/article/3897,kess-survives-tourism-coup
Use of Lodging Tax Dollars – What’s All the Fuss?
Collection and designated/expected use of lodging tax dollars. What businesses are actually paying the lodging taxes, meaning costs added to the customer? Lodging. What were they told on how the lodging taxes would be spent? What is suddenly being funded? Why? When the Trailhead Building was first proposed and then under construction, were owners and managers of lodging businesses told their taxes would be used to fund the Trailhead Building (City utilities and Chamber of Commerce staffing)?
Who decides how those lodging tax dollars are spent? Those who pay it or those who spend it? Have we now entered into a taxation without representation situation? Politicians (Good OId Boys and Allies?) are deciding how they (the politicians and friends) want to spend others’ money without consulting or listening to them.
The only exception was/is newly elected Emily Roose. She had the courage to voice legitimate concerns of underrepresented business and community members. She had the guts and skill to introduce an “unpopular” motion to Council. She had the courage to stick to her truth despite Council’s 6-1 rejection of her motion. She received the most votes from Ely citizens back in November 2024 not just because she was a new fresh idealistic voice but also because she understands businesses, business owners and finances.
Haste makes waste. Council members claimed they didn’t understand what they were voting on when they decided not to drastically cut back funding for the Tourism Bureau. They were “confused.” So what’s new? Really, what’s new? Don’t use that as an excuse. Please. Council pretty much rubber stamps whatever is added to the agenda — especially last minute — without deep questioning or deep discussions. It’s political.
Why do lodging tax dollars have to be used to pay for the utilities at the Trailhead Building, a City-owned building? It’s political. The City, Good Old Boys and Allies, and real estate developers promoted, lobbied for and built an extremely expensive building as if we lived in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We don’t live in Jackson Hole, WY. Most of us taxpayers and business owners in Ely try to get by. We live and spend moderately. City government should do the same. Wasteful spending followed by higher taxes. Wasteful spending on the Trailhead Building, and lodging taxes are being unfairly redirected to fund the City’s excesses. When the Trailhead was originally proposed and during construction, did the City of Ely and/or Council agree privately or publicly to use lodging tax dollars to pay for the utilities at the Trailhead? It’s political.
Why do lodging tax dollars have to be used to fund staffing of the Chamber of Commerce at the Trailhead Building? They don’t. It’s political. Were lodging tax dollars used to staff the Chamber of Commerce before they moved into the Trailhead Building? Are they getting increased funding? Or was this a trade-off to get the Chamber to move into the Trailhead months after the Trailhead sat vacant? An embarrassment indeed. A luxury building opened and sat totally vacant for months. When the Trailhead was originally proposed and during construction, did the City of Ely and/or Council agree privately or publicly to use lodging tax dollars to pay for staffing of the Chamber of Commerce at the City-owned building? It’s political.
Echo sensationalized & thus exposed the political agenda
The Ely Echo sensationalized and thus indirectly exposed the political behind-the-scenes activities of City Council and City Hall. Count all the subjective words used in the title and article,”Kess survives tourism coup.” The Ely is biased against efforts that don’t support their political goals. In their Ely Echo Editorial: Lodging tax funds must be flexible and accountable, the editor(s) stated, “We’re not sure why the focal point of the debate over lodging tax funds is playing out at city hall, but nonetheless, there needs to be oversight of these tax dollars as well as accountability.”
Ely City Hall is precisely the place where this debate should take place! City Council is supposed to represent Ely residents and businesses. We elected them to represent us. Paul Kess was not elected by the citizens. He was not elected by those who pay lodging taxes. We don’t want backroom decisions nor political deals made. We want open public discussion. Paul Kess admitted he voted differently than instructed by Council after he privately consulted with the mayor and an unnamed Council Member. That’s backroom politics. That’s what the Ely Echo wants, quiet backroom political negotiations?
When the Ely Echo editor’s wrote about oversight and accountability, they focused on collection of lodging taxes – not the issues raised raised by Emily Roose (not following Council’s instructions) nor the issues raised by the Tourism Bureau (funding).
Educate yourself – read – talk to those who pay lodging taxes
(d) Back issues of Ely’s Ely Echo and The Timberjay. If you don’t subscribe, go to your public library.
For more information about lodging taxes in Ely, review Section 6.33 of the Ely City Code at https://www.ely.mn.us/ordinances . The first page of Section 6.33 appears here in the column on the right.
There are some interesting loopholes in the definition of “Lodging.”
Luxury Jackson Hole development in Ely – costly mistakes
AI information from Goggle search using 3 words “Jackson Hole WY”
Is the City Vision to turn our Ely into an upscale playground for the rich?
The City and those who wanted to build and have IRRRB finance “upscale amenities” here in Ely envision turning Ely into a Jackson Hole resort town. Look at the luxury hotel being built in the Old Community Center. The developer didn’t have financing, so the City stepped in with lobbying efforts, etc.
If you haven’t checked out the Trailhead Building, go now. Why couldn’t we have built something similar to simple park buildings?
Putting the Chamber into the Trailhead sends a message that the building isn’t really for us regular residents. The furniture and building layout do not give vibes that this is Ely’s building. It does not look or feel like us. It looks like it belongs in Jackson Hole, Wyoming or a ski resort in the Swiss Alps.
Why and for whom did we build this luxury Trailhead building?
The 2-story (one story with high roof) building and furniture speak of luxury, not regular active or rugged use. It should have a simple comfortable style that matches what we see in our current hotels, motels, family resorts, restaurants, and business. The Trailhead appeals to the wealthy, not regular everyday Ely residents and tourists. First thing most of us do when we walk inside is remark how expensive the heating costs are for the tall one-story building.
If you paid attention to all the commission meetings — How could you? They are not broadcast or streamed free of charge 24/7/365 — you would have learned that no organizations wanted to move into the Trailhead. They were happy where they were located and didn’t want to pay $$$ more to be in the Trailhead Building.
Since there were no commitments to occupy or use the Trailhead, the designers and contractors couldn’t design or build based on user needs.
“Build and they will come,” we are told. And our response is, “We are here. Build for those who currently live here.”
Look at the layout of the Trailhead rooms for organizations (?) and public. Is this the layout that we need? Remodeling costs money.
The City of Ely wastes money, especially but not limited to due diligence.
Citizens for transparency has frequently brought up awarding of contracts via “single source” or no bidding. It’s politics as usual and/or just plain laziness.
The City has its favorite contractors, friends, allies and long-term business relationships. The City just likes to award contracts without bidding. Listen to comments about award of contract for crack sealing of City streets: https://elyminnesota.com/blog/city-council-sep-3-2024-mtg/ Unfortunately, it’s not about saving and spending taxpayer money wisely.
Citizens for Transparency pointed out due diligence wasn’t followed on some services and work on the Trailhead Building. Watch Paul Kess speak out for due diligence: https://elyminnesota.com/blog/city-council-dec-17-2024/
The City of Ely can easily find ways to cut wasteful expenses including but not limited to following due diligence guidelines.
The City should not redirect lodging tax $$ to pay for its City-owned building.
3rd Request to Appear = HPC
The Co-Chairs of the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC), Margaret Egan and Pam Turnbull, will give an HPC Project Update.
Pages 23-31 in the Council Packet are dedicated to HPC minutes and documents related to their 3 recommendations for Council to vote on. See recommendations in the right-hand column. See photos below of Trailhead Building and the Carl Gawboy mural.
Trailhead Bldg – photo from HPC in Dec 16th Council Packet
Carl Gawpoy mural – image from HPC in Dec 16th Council Packet
Appointments to Open Commission Seats
The ongoing mystery is how Council is going to vote on appointments when more than one person applies. There is no real established procedure. Will they draw names out of a hat? Will they only vote for those they know? Will they find one sentence they really connected with?
There are no interviews. Applications are supposedly the only way to persuade Council. Completed apps are in the Council Packet: https://www.ely.mn.us/2025councilmeetings
There will be additional commission, board or committee seats opening up in 2026. Look for the new application form; don’t just recycle an old one.
Finally, a new Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee is being created. The revised application questions are “interesting.”
Upcoming 2026 Open Commission Seats
Comp Plan Steering Committe – Revised Application Forms
The application forms proposed by have been updated. Compare the new ones (3 pages below from Council Packet) with those from the last December 2nd Council meeting. See previous comments posted Who’s to represent us on the Comp Plan Steering Committee? https://elyminnesota.com/blog/noise-lodging-tax-demographics/ (look for yellow highlights).
Do all applicants have the same concept or definition of “unique perspectives” when they answer “What unique perspectives do you bring to the Committee?” That needs to be clarified, so they all have a fair chance in answering the question. And clarify means you indicate upfront what you (P&Z Admin, P&Z Rep, and Council Rep) are looking for. Among other things, are you really looking for “unique perspectives”? Does “unique perspectives” relate back to the demographic targets?
The rank scoring system is still confusing. If you answered all questions, whether misguided or not, you get 6 points? Aren’t there more than 6 questions? Why is “Understanding of the Comprehensive Plan” weighed so low? Ignorance is bliss? (attributed to Thomas Gray). What do 2 or 4 points actually mean on a range 0-5 or 0-6?
There are some target demographics to fill. If these demographics are targets to fill, then what is the point system or means to objectively fill that target? There’s no clear, logical and transparent explanation as to how how the P&Z Admin, P&Z Rep, and Council Rep will fill these demographics. None of these 3 other seats (P&Z Admin, P&Z Rep, and Council Rep) need to meet or balance the group’s target demographics of low income, age or gender diversity? Are the at large members supposed to just outwardly represent or actually voice the full range of perspectives (issues, values, hopes, dreams, financial situation, etc.) of the demographic targets.
Many application questions and targets bring concerns about awkwardness, appropriateness and legalities: There are people who do not want to publicly identify themselves as low income. Do they lie, tell the truth, come up with their own definition of low income, or just not apply? Should low income really be public knowledge? What do “Diverse age range” and “Diverse gender make up” mean? I don’t see any questions about age or gender on the application form. Or points. Are P&Z Admin, P&Z Rep, and Council Rep supposed to guess (= assume)?
Finally, what does “Ability to resolve conflict” mean? One of the best ways to approach conflict when discussing the Comprehensive Plan is to refer back to the Ely’s City Vision (which unfortunately does not really encompass all of us, seniors being a major example). Another way to approach conflict is for the City and the pre-selected leadership of the Comp Plan Steering Committee make their agenda, philosophy, and development goals very transparent and upfront from the beginning. For example, if the intent is to scrape all the living flesh off of the Comp Plan and only leave the skeleton, say that. If the intent is to add living flesh to the bones, say that. Is the goal to build buildings or to take care of the people living here? Is the goal to encourage sustainability and balance with our environment or exploit everything? (Extreme examples, yes.)
If the intent is to have like-think, compliant, and obsequious members, say that. If City Hall, Council and the leadership of the Comp Plan Steering Committee want members to feel comfortable voicing “unique perspectives,” then THEY are the ones who need to know how to manage conflict of perspectives AND incorporate those “unique perspectives” into the Comp Plan. Leadership should have conflict resolution skills, attend workshops if they don’t, use them, model them, and do not pass all the burden/responsibility on the shoulders of nonleadership. For example, requiring commissioners, appointees, and staff to have conflict resolution skills and training while not requiring the same of leadership (chairs, Mayor, Council, and City Administration). Bullying is still not banned.
The heading of this post now says “revised,” because additional paragraphs and documents were included after its original posting. People word search this website www.elyminnesota.com/blog/ to find information on specific topics. For example, the Ely Dog Park. Additional items were added last minute to the Council agenda. There will be an upcoming separate post about DEI.
Scroll down to the bottom for the proposed agenda. You can find the Council Packet on the City website at https://www.ely.mn.us/council-meetings. There are often last minute changes and additions that are not always posted online. Check the table inside Council Chambers. The Council meeting is scheduled to start at 5:30 pm. Because a Truth and Taxation meeting is scheduled to start at 6 pm, expect Council to pause for the T&T meeting and then resume after the T&T meeting is over.
The First Reading of the Noise Ordinance is tonight. The public cannot comment until the end of the Council meeting during Open Forum, unless Council chooses to make an exception. Council is NOT expecting public comment. A public hearing has been proposed for December 16th. The City will schedule this for the busiest time of the year, meaning limited public awareness and poor attendance.
1st Reading Noise Ordinance 396
Why does the City want to extend hours of loud noise from 9 pm to 10 pm? (1) For the outdoor concert stage at the Old Train Depot across from Veterans Memorial Park? (2) For the new resorts approved on Pioneer Drive?
Notice that there are no decibels (dB) listed. These 2 businesses are located next to neighborhoods and natural QUIET areas.
Under New Business, Council Member Emily Roose is requesting Paul Kess be replaced by an elected Ely City Council Member. Paul Kess’ appointment to the Joint Powers Lodging Tax Board was controversial, because he was no longer on City Council.
Both local newspapers, the Ely Echo and The Timberjay had published articles and/or Letters to the Editor protesting Paul Kess’ vote on how lodging tax funds should be spent. He did not follow Council’s recommendations.
The City individuals who advised Paul Kess to vote differently, wanted the lodging tax dollars to go towards funding of the operating costs of Ely’s Trailhead Building. The City built an expensive “Jackson Hole” tourist building.
Paul Kess is on the agenda Requests to Appear at the beginning of the December 2nd Council meeting.
Who’s to represent us on the Comp Plan Steering Committee?
Emily Roose, newly elected Council Member and Chair of the Planning & Zoning Committee is presenting the application they would like to use to select at large members for the Steering Committee (Pages 22-24 in the Council Packet).
“At large” means resident or non-resident.
Worrisome: The demographics of the individuals themselves are more important than the desire to have them possess knowledge, skills and experiences to represent portions of or the whole community.
What is DEI? What is the intent? There is superficial DEI and there is meaningful DEI. Come back soon to see post about DEI – intent and impact.
Page 1 of 3 Proposal
Page 2 of 3 Proposal
Page 3 of 3 Proposal
Worrisome: Understanding the Comprehensive Plan is the least important in terms of points: 0-1
“Looking to be involved in the community” means the person is not currently involved in the community. That’s okay? That’s who should be voting on our future?
Worrisome: What’s the Vision for Ely? How does the applicant interpret that AND wish to improve upon that? That question doesn’t seem to be an important factor for selecting applicants. Does the City (behind the Steering Committee) want to continue promoting luxury hotels, luxury recreational and entertainment buildings and businesses — all part of build and they will come philosophy — or take care of us who currently live and work here?
Not all residents and not all businesses want Ely to just focus on being a tourist town.
Worrisome: There are many, many under-represented organizations and groups that should be targeted for appointment to this Steering Committee. Groups that (1) Reflect and Represent the spirit of our community, (2) Support the needs of our community, and (3) Believe in balancing humans, development and nature. For example, The Arts, education, health services, environmentalists and nature lovers, volunteer groups, seniors and other under-represented and underfunded groups. Age, sex and income level shouldn’t be the most important factor.
City funding and lobbying is already too much focused on recreation, entertainment, and supporting those rich real estate investors and developers.
A one-year lease for the Ely Dog Park was also on the agenda. The proposed lease was in original the Council Packet, Pages 87-90.
Last minute additions to the Dec. 2nd Council Packet
On Wednesday, November 19, 2025 the Ely Planning & Zoning Commission will hold 3 meetings, 2 of which reflect the continuing erosion of democratic citizen-based process, full and fair disclosure and full inclusion of the whole community. This post addresses Planning & Zoning Commission meeting that will start at 6 pm.
Planning & Zoning keeps creating new “procedures,” empowering itself to serve its own interests (that reflect City Hall interests and not necessarily those of the people).
Applications for this open seat are due by December 11, 2025. A December 11th deadline means Council would vote on appointments at their next Council meeting, Tuesday, Dec. 16th.
Why is Planning & Zoning revealing the applications of 2 individuals before December 11th? This has never been done before. You don’t reveal applications before the posted deadline. Is this new City policy? Appointment policy changes haven’t appeared on Council’s official agendas https://www.ely.mn.us/2025councilmeetings
Nothing in the Ely Echo posting indicates the City will review applications and appoint or recommend to appoint before December 11th.
How was the P&Z open seat announced to the public?
When you don’t reach out to the whole community, especially the under-served and under-represented, it takes them longer to hear about open seats. Was that the plan?
Not everyone reads the Ely Echo. A large percentage of residents unfortunately refuse to read the Echo because they don’t like the political spin. The Echo is the City’s official newspaper. The City usually refuses to publish open seats in The Timberjay, intentionally rejecting equal outreach to the other half of the Ely community.
For some reason, the City did not want to post the open P&Z seat on its webpages. If you don’t read the Echo and you’re not a political insider, you won’t know about the open seat. This exclusionary practice is not a welcoming practice.
This is the top section of the commissions, committees, and boards webpage https://www.ely.mn.us/boards The P&Z open seat is not listed here. Most people don’t know they should look here for open seats. Anyone looking to see if there’s an open seat on P&Z won’t find one here.
City Council appoints commissioners – Commissions don’t appoint
Why is Planning & Zoning looking over applications? City Council members are to review the applications and appoint. City Council Members were elected by Ely citizens to serve and represent citizens. Planning & Zoning Commissioners are appointed by Council. They are not elected by citizens. With the blessing of City Hall, Planning & Zoning is continuing to empower itself. It continues to take on new ways to control its own seats and expand its standing.
Where are steps for public disclosure before action?
P&Z agenda for November 19th. — Item #2 under New Business is Board Member Appointments. This is where the 2 applications are to be discussed. Both applications wrote they were applying for Planning & Zoning. What “Board” is being discussed by P&Z? Did City Council create a new Board?
Has a new Board been created unbeknownst to the public? Why is P&Z right now revealing, discussing, reviewing, recommending, or ??? these 2 applicants for a new Board? Shouldn’t appointments to a new Board be posted in the Ely Echo and on appropriate City websites?
Note: The 2 applications in the P&Z packet are not being posted here, because they are not the problem. What P&Z is doing (apparently with approval of City Hall?), their public posting and planned discussion about the applications is not normal. It’s not established procedure or fair. Has City Hall and the P&Z Chair, City Council Member Emily Rose, decided upon these 2 candidates to recommend to Council before others apply? Announcing the names of these 2 individuals sends intended or unintended messages out to the community and to others considering applying.
Is P&Z reviewing to recommending these applicants for the 3 open seats on a steering committee that was hastily created by P&Z with City Hall blessing? Where was the public disclosure in The Ely Echo or City webpages? The creation of a 6-person steering committee to write OUR Vision and Comprehensive Plan and subsequent quick approval by Council was an prime and shameful example of “flying by the seat of your pants.” There was no emergency to act quickly without thinking. Is P&Z checking in its brains and commitment to the community when they walk into City Hall? This isn’t Washington, D.C. Or is it?
Don’t exclude the community, dis-invite them from equal representation and fair consideration for open seats.
Power-focused, not community-focused “evolution”
“Evolution” is probably not the correct word. The Planning & Zoning Commission has always been controlled by City Hall and City Hall’s goals. There is a different kind of power-control mutation going on since November 2024. Maybe it’s just our disappointment in many self-proclaimed community-focused individuals on Council and on Commissions losing their community compass, quickly acquiescing to and promoting whatever is placed on the agenda. They choose tangential issues and safe questions. Voices of under-served and under-represented are forgotten. Moderation, alignment of actions with vision/comprehensive plan, and balance come with (facilitated) open deliberation.
“Let’s fly by the seat of our pants” without deliberation has become the modus operandi for the P&Z Commission? “Flying by the seat of your pants” is sloppy. It leads to non-essential and/or extravagant projects that often glorify someone or some group instead of meeting the moderate needs and vision of the community. Examples: (a) Luxury ballroom in Washington, D.C. (b) Luxury (not moderately priced or designed) vacant trailhead building in Ely.
The power-and-control-hungry City government members started their successful self-serving domination strategies back in mid-November 2024 after the elections. See https://elyminnesota.com/blog/city-council-nov-12-not-welcome/ There’s no Green in the GreenTeam AND the GreenTeam was intentionally neutered by (a) being a subcommittee, (b) recommendations could be filtered by those who did not understand sustainability and systemic thinking, and (c) committee seats were stacked with Good Old Boys and Allies. P&Z with City Hall input recommended this.
On Wednesday, November 19, 2025 the Ely Planning & Zoning Commission will hold 3 meetings, 2 of which reflect the continuing erosion of democratic citizen-based process, full and fair disclosure and full inclusion of the whole community. This post addresses the BOA hearing for rezoning 900 E. Miners Drive from Puclic (P1) to Commercial (C1). The BOA hearing starts at 5:30 pm.
There is another post https://elyminnesota.com/blog/pz-erosion-of-process-disclosure-and-community/ about the Wednesday night Planning & Zoning Commission meeting that starts at 6 pm. Why is P&Z posting in their meeting packet and discussing now applications for an open seat on P&Z when the deadline is December 11th? What is this new Board that was suddenly created out of nowhere?
What’s the problem?
The community does not know about the hearing, what this hearing is about ,and won’t be able to provide input nor ask for full disclosure of the City’s intentions.
The public is not really aware of this public hearing, because the City didn’t really want to invite them. They did the absolute least amount of public outreach. In addition to the announcement published in the The Ely Echo, there was a similarly brief posting on the City’s Public Notices webpage. The Ely Echo is the official newspaper for publishing public notices, even though a large portion of the community does not read The Echo and an even greater number do not constantly and consistently log in to the Public Notices webpage (sad if we want an informed public). A little bit more information is in the Board of Adjustment (BOA) packet posted recently (Monday, November 17th?) on the City’s website: https://www.ely.mn.us/pzmeetings. This is the minimum requirement to notify the public.
According to the packet, it appears only 3 notices of the BOA meeting were mailed out to 1 resident and 2 businesses/organizations within 350 feet of 900 E Miners Drive. This is the absolute minimum notification requirement.
This BOA hearing is about rezoning PUBLIC property. BOA decisions are final. Why didn’t P&Z schedule a non-BOA hearing? A community discussion?
Planning & Zoning – read pro-development-no-matter-what City Hall – didn’t want community input. Only 1 resident and 2 businesses/organizations were invited to speak for the whole community. The whole Ely community, including those who live and work outside of the City limits are not worth more than the absolute least minimal notification?
What articles were in the two local newspapers, the Ely Echo and The Timberjay?
City Hall, City staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission (same members of BOA) have decided what the FUTURE vision is for Miners Drive. They don’t need public discussion or public input.
How can the City and P&Z claim this is what the community wants?
City Hall and the Planning & Zoning Commission are quickly pushing through the rezoning from Public (P-1) to Commercial (C1) Zoning of this property before the City revises and adopts a new Vision and Comprehensive Plan.
The City of Ely continues to neglect Chapman Street. Why aren’t the City and P&Z pushing for more targeted efforts to improve and re-development in an already designated commercial area, previously recalled by many as the main retail street of Ely. There are creative legal ways to support and encourage commercial development on Chapman Street. And also favor small family businesses vs. the rich, real estate investors, and developers. Why do we NOW need to turn green areas on Miners Drive into commercial areas?
Is the City of Ely neglecting the “Central Avenue Business Park LLC” properties along Highway 21? The County Land Explorer satellite maps show there are lots of empty areas in the business park, meaning the business park is not filled. Drive by, and your eyeballs will tell you the business park isn’t full. Note: The County maps don’t show whether there is actual business activity inside the buildings. There are creative legal ways to support and encourage commercial development in a designated business park. Why do we NOW need to turn green areas on Miners Drive into commercial areas?
Business Park on west side of Highway 21 (Central Ave.) SLC Land Explorer map
Per the St. Louis County Parcel Tax Lookup there seems to be at least 5 parcels owned by “Central Avenue Business Park LLC,” Reno, Nevada. One seems to overlap into Morse Township.
Why commercialize 900 E Miners Drive?
Tell us! Be transparent! We already have underused designated commerical property in Ely.
Maybe the community would agree with the currently hidden agenda of the City and P&Z: the who and what intended for this piece of land. Maybe not.
The City and P&Z are not being upfront with the community. “City staff” wrote the rezoning proposal “meets the scope of the City Comprehensive Plan,” what does that mean? If you don’t know what the City wants or the community needs, then don’t rezone. Most likely, the City and P&Z know exactly what’s going to be built. Tell us! This BOA hearing is supposedly when the community has input, will be heard. Once the rezoning goes through, the community has no or extremely limited say.
Harold Langowski, City Clerk, is a brilliant and intentional planner, whose focus, unfortunately, is promoting developers/development, bypassing real community discussion and input. Discussion and input BEFORE a Board of Adjustment hearing, the last stage, the final you-cannot-appeal stage.
Having “City staff” base their findings on self-selected paragraphs in the Comp Plan (while ignoring others) is biased. Intentionally biased. When was the community supposed to be heard on what their visions and needs are? Or cite other possibilities in sections in the “City staff” analysis?
The 2016 Vision and Comprehensive mentions all kinds of community needs and potential uses of land. Why are City & P&Z Commissioners intentionally ignoring all of those other needs and uses? Especially green space. Miners Drive has LOTS of green space. Why isn’t green space cherished? Why doesn’t “City staff” cherish green space that already exists as green space? Ah, yes, “City staff” is to promote commercialization and buildings. And P&Z/BOA will comply with an (un)official directive: Build, Baby, Build.
Intentionally ignoring other visions and needs of the larger community for the sake of real estate developers and buildings is misguided. When will Council Members, the Mayor, and Commissioners stand up and say something publicly at their meetings?
Accepting the most minimal attempts to communicate as adequate is really lame and sad. The public cares. The public cares when they know. When will Council Members, the Mayor, and Commissioners stop acting surprised when nobody shows? Or maybe they think this is how democracy should work? Why don’t YOU care about the public?
City Hall, the Mayor and City Council never admit that they are responsible for poor turnout.
If they felt they were responsible, they might then think about undertaking more efforts to reach out to the community, the underserved, the under-represented and those who don’t like or use Midco cable TV or The Ely Echo.
They like it when meetings go quickly with dissent.
14 City Owned Parcels Rezoned – for Sale?
Public Hearing – Nobody spoke- Who knew what to say or ask?
Attached is the agenda for the November 18th Ely City Council meeting which starts at 5:30 pm in City Hall. Check the city website again for last minute updates even though they might not be posted until after the meeting. The additions are usually placed on the table inside Council Chambers.
If something on the agenda or attachments bother you, you cannot expect your request to appear be honored before Council votes on that agenda item, because you should have submitted your request the day BEFORE the agenda and attachments were posted, according to Mayor Omerza. Speak after the fact = no power = waste your breath.
Tidbits in the Council Packet – List of Checks
The list of checks to be approved is only one page for this Council meeting, so it’s easier to look through items. See attached page 33 of 43-page Council Packet. Has Council ever questioned (= asked about) any of the checks listed? They just approve.
Page 33 of Council Packet
8th item from bottom, check # 106974: Notice on the list that all of the items except this one have descriptions. Why is the Prospector ATV Club getting $34,309.03 ? Please list the purpose for public record.
The Ely Senior Center’s new website is www.elycommunitycenter.com. Ely no longer has a Senior Center (even though over 50% of population are seniors). What is the grant for? Will anyone ask Tuesday night? Why was the Senior Center renamed Ely Community Center? Was this a clever way to allow future hotel guest and employees 24-hour access to the parking lot? The parking lot can no longer be considered the seniors’ parking lot. It’s a community parking lot now, so welcome hotel guests and employees. Check the video of January 17, 2024 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting when the appointed Commissioners didn’t seem to care about the seniors: https://elyminnesota.com/blog/planning-zoning-mtg-jan-17-2024/.
Note: The public cannot use the Ely library parking lot after hours. So hotel guests and employees cannot use the library parking lot overnight or on weekends.
Check this out: Wikipedia’s posted information about the old 1938 Art Deco Ely Community Center doesn’t include info about the building being sold for $2 in July 2022 when it was to be turned into a luxury hotel with a cigar room.
Remodeling was extremely slow most likely due to financing problems. Did the owner/developer have to prove they really had financial backing? On October 1, 2024 there was a sudden last minute addition to the City Council agenda, changing the name on development agreement, completion dates, and other details. Check the video of that meeting: https://elyminnesota.com/blog/city-council-oct-1-2024/. Now it’s to been called an “International Hotel”?
St Louis County Property Details Report 030-0010-0260 Luxury Hotel previous Ely Community Center/Library
St Louis County Property Details Report 030-0010-02580 Senior Center
Why is the wording “Senior Center” or “Community Center” important?
If funding goes to the “Ely Senior Center,” the assumption – repeat assumption – is that the money goes to seniors. The building itself is now identified to passerby and public as the Ely Community Center. According to St. Louis County records, the owner of the building is the Ely Area Senior Citizens Inc. So who or what is the “Ely Senior Center”? Is the $7,500 grant going to just seniors, items or services just to seniors? Or is the $7,500 grant for items and services for the community that happens to include seniors? Is this a PR (public relations) spin by City Hall?
If half of our population consists of seniors – who are not mentioned in the City Vision – then how much City funding and support actually reach seniors? By the way, compare the $7,500 grant to the $34,309 going to the Prospector ATV Club. Comparing apples to oranges, yes, but what real percentage of the $7,500 grant is going to seniors?
Page 50 of 2016 Ely Comprehensive Plan
Has anyone heard of proposed or planned construction for senior housing? What are the posted 2022-2025 City goals and steps to obtain more senior housing? And/or other projects and services for 50% of our population?
Tidbits in the Council Packet – Historic Inventory of Buildings
Read draft minutes of Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) Nov. 4th meeting. If you know of more significant sites for the HPC historic inventory, please contact HPC.
Should the “Former Community Center” include “and Library”? The building is not reopening as a community center in 2026, as far as I know. It’s going to be our very, very much needed luxury hotel (sarcastically speaking). Somewhere in the City of Ely’s previous (or future) Vision and Comprehensive Plan there was mention about the Ely community needing a luxury hotel with cigar room? Will it have a fancy ballroom too?
Tidbits in Council Packet – Appreciate active community members
As always, if you have time, check the approved and unapproved minutes of the various commissions, boards and committees to get more details about our active community members who volunteer to not only show up for meetings but also volunteer their time doing additional tasks. When they are appointed by Council to serve, nobody asks them about or requires them to do more than attend the 1-2 hour monthly meetings. Nobody keeps track of their hours, activities or passion about their commitment . . . but their names often show up in those minutes. Glance through those minutes when you can. Thank them if you see them. And consider applying for open seats (Tree Board, Planning & Zoning, and Heritage Preservation).
How money is spent – Council mtg April 7 2026
Tuesday, 5:30 pm — Public Hearing about Miner’s Drive starts at 5:15 pm
There are so many interesting action items in the 4-page Council agenda AND in the minutes from City government groups that met recently. We’re highlighting only a few items from the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee, Budget meeting, Ely Economic Development Authority (EEDA), Airport Commission, and New Business. You’ll find more tidbits when you read the full (draft) minutes. There’s way too much to write about for just these three groups, so you’re on your own to discover surprises in the reports, plans and proposed expenditures from the Police Chief, Joint Powers Lodging Tax Board, and Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. See Council packet for New Business items on the agenda as well as (draft) minutes of the last Council meeting on March 17th (3 weeks ago). Note: Not all those providing reports to Council share a written report in the packet.
Posted here below is the current 4-page agenda that was posted on the City website. You probably don’t have time to read the entire 76-page Ely Council packet for Tuesday’s meeting. The packet is posted online at https://www.ely.mn.us/council-meetings. Check again online just before the meeting for any additions or changes. Additions and changes are not always posted online before the meetings, so check for the Council binder or papers on the table right inside the Chamber doors.
Educate yourselves – read the documents and not just the agenda
Especially for this Council meeting, glance at the (draft) minutes and attachments submitted in time to be included in the Council packet. As pointed out previously, when documents, minutes and action items presented shortly before Council meetings, they are sometimes intentionally submitted last minute so they are NOT to be scrutinized carefully. Many wonder if the Mayor and Council actually study the Council packet before the Council meetings start, especially since they rarely comment or question anything other than an action item they have to vote on. Those few viewers watching from home or in the Council Chambers don’t always see or hear tidbits about expenditures such as
If EEDA is paying for propane and utilities for the old Chamber building, then why not also for the new Chamber location in the Trailhead Building? Why are lodging tax dollars being diverted to pay for the Chamber’s utilities (and ??) in the Trailhead Building?
Public Hearing on Ordinances at 5:15 pm before Council meeting
Prior to the Council meeting, there is a Public Hearing scheduled for 3 Ordinance changes. The Public Hearing starts at 5:15 pm. Council is apparently expecting nobody to show up, because the hearing is scheduled for a total of 15 minutes. Please refer to our separate post about these Ordinances. They mainly pertain to development along Miners Drive. If you have any comments or concerns, you have to go to the Public Hearing or submit comments prior to that hearing. At the Council meeting, the City Attorney will present the 2nd Reading of these Ordinances. There is no opportunity for the public to present comments at the Council meeting before Council votes. Did you read details above and beyond the public notice in The Ely Echo? Why wasn’t there extensive news reporting about these Ordinances and planned development?
Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee – more info needed
The Council packet only has the (draft) minutes from the Steering Committee’s March 9th meetings. There are no minutes or notes from their subsequent meetings with vendors. Shouldn’t Council and the public have a chance to review those minutes or notes before voting. It is possible minutes and notes for these additional meetings will be posted/available just before Council meets on Tuesday.
Has a Request for Proposals (RFP) already been designed for Council to comment on? Or the public?
Will the Steering Committee let Council and the public know what their Steering Committee vision is for Ely? Is that vision reflective of the whole community? A balanced, healthy community?
Their vision seemed to be all about development (industry). Nature was missing. “Services” was vague. Infrastructure is not the same as mental, health and spiritual needs.
Last item: Babbitt Police Department Contract. Will Council ask for more details, so the public can hear details? Does “part time” mean Ely PD officers are working additional hours beyond their full-time positions in Ely PD? Will they be required to wear Babbitt PD uniforms when working for Babbitt?
The proposed hourly rate for maintenance increase is from $16 to $32. See first item under New Business – Airport Contract. Explanation for increase was attached. Should the wage be $32/hour for mowing grass? Should equipment maintenance only be $32/hour? What is “equipment maintenance”? Some equipment maintenance done by licensed professionals should probably be higher than $32/hour. Will Council question the doubling of hourly rate? Has Council publicly questioned salaries and hourly rates, other then going after the Tourist Bureau?
Are City staff/employees under or overpaid? What are comparable and equitable wages? Are office or white collar jobs (especially those held primarily by women) as “valuable” as blue collar or outdoor maintenance jobs (especially those held primarily by men)? Everyone deserves decent wages and benefits.
We all appreciate our Ely Library staff. They are skilled in customer service. They prepare for and provide additional educational programs for the community, more so than library staff in metropolitan areas. Their required knowledge and skills cannot be easily learned or replaced. Does the City fully reimburse them for trainings? Do they earn the equivalent OR MORE than $32/hour after all their years of service?
EEDA – Development for our booming economy
The Ely Economic Development Authority (EEDA) is supporting more development along Miners Drive (“Commercial Corridor”), including but not limited to the Old Train Depot. These plans are no doubt connected to the Ordinances that City Hall, Mayor and Council are expected to approve on Tuesday.
There are those who believe Ely should build: Build and they will come. They believe Ely – indeed our whole economy – is booming and will continue to boom, so they plan and spend $$ accordingly. Well, if Ely’s economy is booming, why are there so many vacant and neglected commercial properties on Chapman and Sheridan?? For years.
Notice THEY (meaning EEDA = City Hall + Mayor + Council) do NOT say, “Let’s first invest in Chapman Street.” Chapman Street is not even a second thought. Rather than promoting and investing in Chapman by repurposing or replacing current underused buildings on Chapman, THEY want to destroy the quiet, natural areas of Miners Drive. While discussing the Land Use and Comprehensive Plan last year, one active community member said the City of Ely has enough natural spaces. We have the Boundary Waters, Whiteside Park and Lake Shagawa. We don’t have room to create, preserve or expand open natural environmental areas.
It’s like kicking the can down the road: the City eventually needs to do something with Chapman Street. So why not now, first? Spending time, energy, lobbying efforts, and funding on Miners Drive (“Commercial Corridor”) most likely means afterwards there will be very limited lobbying efforts and funding for Chapman Street. Are THEY going to ask Chapman Street businesses to relocate? Figure out first what to do to revitalize historic Chapman Street. Support and fund Chapman projects first.
Isn’t it strange that the usually vocal environmentalists are not trying to preserve what’s left of the natural quality of Miners Drive? Somewhere there has to be a reason for their silence. While discussing the Land Use and Comprehensive Plan last year, one active community member said the City of Ely has enough natural spaces: We have the Boundary Waters, Whiteside Park and Lake Shagawa. We don’t have room to create, preserve or expand open or natural environmental areas. Who disagrees?
There’s a new LLC in town: Bearhead Development
Bearhead Development, LLC is mentioned throughout the EEDA minutes. According to MN Secretary of State website, it has been in business for less than a year. LLC status gives protection to its owners. Very loosely put, owners’ names are not publicly known and their personal assets are shielded. The City of Ely, Mayor and Council seem eager to give everything to Bearhead Development: Ordinance changes, lobbying support, development freedom, and even the kitchen sink without knowing who the owners are. Read the minutes. Notice the votes.
By the way, why haven’t our local newspapers covered Bearhead Development, LLC discussions with City Hall, Council and commissions? Our Google searches yielded no articles. Development this big and this expensive suddenly appears within the last month per minutes?? Is this the first time Bearhead Development is being introduced to Council and they are to approve recommendations to them? Remember, the public cannot publicly comment or ask questions during Request to Appear time before Council votes. Too late. Some of us first saw Bearhead Development mentioned in the April 7th Council packet.
Notice the last point. Is Bearhead Development owned by the Otts? Will Council ask for public clarity?
Developers and real estate investors make LOTS of profit with limited investment on their part. Trump isn’t the only one who knows the profit game and how to manipulate government and agencies to his advantage. Everything’s connected. Follow the money.
Remember the luxury hotel being built in the old Library and Community Center? The original investor/contractor/owner, Matt Stupek, didn’t have funding or investors to complete the luxury hotel. Who were the original investors? How much of his own money did he invest? Construction stopped. There were other problems not dealt with. Suddenly, on October 1, 2024, an hour or so before the Council met, a contract with a new LLC was presented to Council. No questions asked; Council approved. Pillar Company LLC was not listed on the Secretary of State’s website as of October 1st. The address for the company was the same as for Matthew Stupek. See our post with YouTube recording of that Council meeting https://elyminnesota.com/blog/city-council-oct-1-2024/
Here are EEDA minutes included in the April 7th Council packet.
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Under Communications, it appears John Fedo & Associates is a business handling the bidding for the workforce housing Wilderness Escape. The minutes are awkwardly written. It is not clear if the subsequent use of “We” refers to John Fedo & Associates or the City of Ely or ??
Under 2026 EEDA Priorities, “Sato space” is mentioned. According to Google AI, this is what was meant
New Business items – pages 58-76 Council Packet
Gawboy Mural Trailhead Project: Council has been spending lots of time discussing what should be displayed or used at the Trailhead Building. Why weren’t these discussions held before the Trailhead opened? Who proposed these resolutions? Why weren’t these resolutions submitted via Park & Recreation Board? Who is Ely Area Senior Citizens, Inc.?
Ely Dog Park – Rummage Sale, May 16th. It is sad that The Ely Dog Park volunteers are forced to do so much fundraising instead of the City running the park.