Public Hearing – Nobody spoke- Who knew what to say or ask?
Nobody showed up to speak at the Public Hearing on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 regarding Ordinance 380. Perfunctory public notices were posted in 3 separate places on the Ely City website (separate notice on City Meetings, City Calendar with link, and Public Notices). Only the Public Hearing agenda was posted, no attachments. Unlike other public notices, there was no detail. Just one vague sentence.
This is the (Notice of) City Council meetings website. The link for Ordinance 380 brings you to the one-page vague agenda. The other Hearing gives location and purpose.
For some strange reason, these two Hearings are combined together on the Public Notices website. Not normal.
These Ordinances are NOT the same. Joint posting downplays the (re)zoning of 14 parcels that were annexed into the City or previously not zoned.
Tonight, April 1st, is the 2nd and final reading of Ordinance 380.
For some strange reason, these two Hearings are combined together on the Public Calendar website. Click the link for one Hearing and both show up. Not normal.
These Ordinances are NOT the same. Joint posting downplays the (re)zoning of 14 parcels that were annexed into the City or previously not zoned.
What is the purpose of a Public Hearing?
There were a lot of people seated in Council Chambers during the Public Hearing. Observers and witnesses. They chose not to speak for whatever reasons. What facts and details was the public provided ahead of time? What were they supposed to comment on?
The Mayor asks, “Is there anybody here to speak to us about those properties?” Silence from public, Council and City Hall.
Watch the 2 minute video. Does the Mayor get frustrated, feel awkward, because there’s no comment? So many silent people.
What would a teacher do if the whole classroom is silent? Maybe explain what “these properties” are? In this case, maybe Harold Langkowski could have talked? He usually shares his wealth of background knowledge. Not tonight at this Hearing. Hmmm.
Watch the video. Only the one-sentence agenda was projected. Copies of the agenda were on the table. No list of the 14 parcels annexed into the City or previously unzoned. What info was the audience provided to comment on?
And nobody explained the (re)zoning codes.
Many of us believe Public Hearings are supposed to be two-way conversations. The Hearing was over in 2 minutes. Observers and witnesses – and those who watched the YouTube posted below – learned the Mayor, Council and City Hall didn’t really didn’t want to inform or explain.
People in Ely are busy. Even retired people here are busy. There are sooooo many things to do with our “free time.” Common knowledge: If you want people to show up to an event, meeting or public hearing, you “advertise” or use wording that draws them in. If you don’t want people to show up, you don’t say anything. If the law requires you to post a notice even if you don’t want people to come in person, you scale down “advertising” to an absolute minimum; use vague, innocuous and boring words. And don’t provide details.
It’s hard to have a two-conversation between groups when only one group holds and doesn’t share pertinent information. City Hall and City Council know these political strategies The strategies work for them, not for the public.
Here’s the one very vague sentence in the posted Public Hearing agenda.
The ONE very vague sentence in the posted Public Hearing agenda tells you almost nothing.
Message to public = no big deal, boring meeting, perfunctory, don’t bother coming
When no details are public, there is a reason.
Per Ordinance 380: “The purpose of this chapter is to establish appropriate zoning designations for properties that were annexed into the City of Ely from St. Louis County or that currently lack zoning designations within the City of Ely.”
To find more detailed information and map for each of the parcels listed, go to the St. Louis County Parcel Tax Lookup website: https://apps.stlouiscountymn.gov/parceltaxlookup/. Enter the Parcel ID from the list. Decide which tax year you want, and then select Search.
14 parcels now on the market? — Who knows?
Follow the money? For example, the last parcel listed is City owned, 38.77 acres and valued at $306,800 per 2024 St. Louis County Parcel Tax Lookup.
Nobody asked or said anything
The Ely City Council approved Ordinance 380 (2nd reading) later that night during their regularly scheduled meeting. Nobody asked what will happen with the 14 parcels. Nobody expressed visions or priorities for development or set-aside for habitat. Nobody asked who has already initiated contact and negotiations with City Hall to purchase or develop these 14 parcels. Nobody asked what the zoning codes meant or why rezoned if rezoned.
Developers and those with money and influence probably started conceiving preliminary plans a LONG time ago, because they knew about the list.
Follow the money
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