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Please look at right-hand column to see chronological list of all our posts. If you are looking for something in particular, find the search icon (magnifying glass in upper right-hand corner) and type in a key word or two. Thanks for visiting!

Recent = Planning & Zoning Oct 15 meeting

https://elyminnesota.com/blog/planning-zoning-oct-15-2024/ The push is on to get everything approved before the 2025 Council is seated. Lots of good and also some non-urgent items recommended. The Land Use and Comprehensive Plan are once again not discussed. 
Miners Lake issues are highlighted in blue. There are 14 pages in P&Z Packet.  If all this information had been provided at or even before the October 1st Council meeting, maybe there would have never been a First Reading.  That is assuming there would have been and will be thorough reading of facts and intent to remove land stability requirement.  The ordinance as is written in Code right now should remain. Put November 12th on your schedules for the next regular City Council meeting, where Second Reading is likely – whether posted on agenda or not.   (October 29th City Council will have a Study Session about cannabis.)

Oct 1 City Council meeting

You need to read the post and not just watch the YouTube clip of the meeting https://elyminnesota.com/blog/city-council-oct-1-2024/

If you are concerned about future development around Miners Lake, read the post for City of Ely’s long-term strategy for future development. If you are concerned about the Silver Rapids resort development, read the post . . . Go to the blue highlighted sections re: first reading of ordinance to remove “land stability” requirements along the shoreline of Miners Lake. The end goal is to permit development that the residents and Ely community might not want.

City Hall is pushing for ordinances and developments BEFORE a new City Council is seated in 2025. Artificial emergencies and “easiest ways” will be promoted. Stay vigilant! Your vote counts! Your active civic participation in local government is essential, whether it is attending meetings, watching videos, sharing information, or contacting City Hall and Council Members.

Elections – Posts & Videos

Our Area 2024 Elections – Open Seats – Filing Info – This was posted on our website back in May 2, 2024. If citizens are considering running for office when filings start in May, it is important for government sites to have information posted in April. Several of our website viewers contacted their local officials, asking them to post and update information. Many government of these website links have been updated since May. Again, the purpose of this post was to give a heads up to the public AND local governments. www.elyminnesota.com/blog/our-area-2024-elections-open-seats-filing-info/

Notices Lost in Translation? – This was posted back on December 12, 2024. City Hall and City Council knew months ahead of time there would be seats on commissions, committees and boards open for new appointments or re-appointments. The best way to limit new folks from applying is to post when their minds and families are focused on major events and celebrations in their lives. In this case, winter customs and family celebrations like Christmas and New Years. The title of this post, “Lost in Translation” has 2 meanings: (1) The delay in posting open seats: Do City Hall and Council Members really understand outreach? (2) The chalkboard inscription seen behind the Ely City Clerk Harold Langowski has nothing to do with City business. Nothing against other languages. Why did the message with drawing appear in videos for months (a year or more)? www.elyminnesota.com/blog/lost-in-translation/

Emergency Medical Services videos and issues

• Recording of Ambulance Joint Powers Board meeting on January 29, 2024, in Winton, MN, on Monday Jan. 29, 2024. The assumption seems to be the hospital will take back ambulance services. Read highlights AND note who said what, who didn’t provide input, etc. Patti Banks from EBCH keep asking for input and questions to be sent to SafeTech Solutions before they finalize their study. https://elyminnesota.com/blog/recording-ambulance-jp-board-mtg-jan-29-2024/

• Ely City Council EMS study session on August 27, 2024, open to the public on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. The City invited SafeTech, Ely hospital, and locally involved Joint Powers and EMS to participate. The Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital (EBCH) was invited to present the findings of SafeTech Solutions whom EBCH had contracted with. https://elyminnesota.com/blog/ems-study-session-city-council-aug-27-2024/
• Public Info Hearing on Fire & Ambulance Buildings on January 16, 2024 https://elyminnesota.com/blog/recording-public-info-hearing-on-fire-ambulance-bldgs-jan-16-2024/

Ely Visions aligned (?) with Land Use and Comprehensive Plans

• Reviewing Ely City Visions & Plans posted May 2024. Questioning the current process of review and lack of inclusion of whole community (humans and environment). https://elyminnesota.com/blog/reviewing-ely-city-visions-plans/

• Ignored & Forgotten Paragraphs posted August 2024. 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? https://elyminnesota.com/blog/ignored-forgotten-paragraphs/

• Recordings of Planning & Zoning Commission meetings
  • P&Z meeting Sept. 18, 2024 https://elyminnesota.com/blog/planning-zoning-sept-18-2024/
  • P&Z meeting May 15, 2024 https://elyminnesota.com/blog/planning-zoning-mtg-may-15-2024/
  • P&Z meeting April 17, 2024 https://elyminnesota.com/blog/planning-zoning-mtg-april-17-2024-recording/
  • P&Z meeting Jan. 17, 2024 – senior parking lot https://elyminnesota.com/blog/planning-zoning-mtg-jan-17-2024/

• Recordings of Park & Recreation Board meetings
  • P & R mtg Sept. 16, 2024 at Elr Rec Center – preparing ideas re open space & environment to present to P&Z https://elyminnesota.com/blog/park-rec-sept-16-2024/
  • P & R meeting May 20, 2024 in Whiteside Park – https://elyminnesota.com/blog/park-rec-mtg-may-20-2024/
  • – P & R meeting April 15, 2024 – budget and comp plan ideas; recreational opportunities should be fair, equal and affordable https://elyminnesota.com/blog/park-rec-board-mtg-april-15-2024/

Compare P&Z meetings – Nov and Dec 2023 with current meetings

Notice how Commissioners interact with each other, express feelings about citizen input, etc. This is why Citizens for Transparency started recording and posting the meetings. The City of Ely should broadcast or stream live and allow the community to access previous recordings 24/7 free of charge wherever they live.

P&Z Nov 15 2023 meeting – This Planning & Zoning Commission meeting followed the Open Public Hearing that was suddenly cancelled that night. Parts A and B are each about 30 minutes long. Part C is about 8 minutes long. Commission meetings of citizen-appointed meetings are not recorded, (re)broadcast or streamed. The official minutes are not complete. Agendas and packets are not posted. Citizens deeply concerned about transparency and accountability are now filming and sharing unfiltered recordings of many meetings, especially the most powerful one, P&Z.

P&Z Dec 20 2023 meeting- Some of the Commissioners were unclear or disagreeing as to what City Council, City Attorney, DNR, etc. said or wanted re: re-zoning or Miners Lake https://elyminnesota.com/blog/recording-planning-zoning-dec-20-2023/

Recording P&Z meeting Jan 17, 2024 – opinions – senior parking lot https://elyminnesota.com/blog/planning-zoning-mtg-jan-17-2024/

P&Z Sept 18 2024 meeting. Commissioner has questions and concerns. https://elyminnesota.com/blog/planning-zoning-sept-18-2024/