Etiam pulvinar consectetur dolor sed malesuada. Ut convallis
euismod dolor nec pretium. Nunc ut tristique massa.
Nam sodales mi vitae dolor ullamcorper et vulputate enim accumsan.
Morbi orci magna, tincidunt vitae molestie nec, molestie at mi. Nulla nulla lorem,
suscipit in posuere in, interdum non magna.
Noise, Lodging Tax, Demographics, Dog Park – revised
City Council meeting – Dec 2, 2025
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
Noise, Lodging Tax, Demographics, Dog Park – revised
City Council meeting – Dec 2, 2025
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.
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.
For more information about sound common and harmful noise levels, check out https://noiseawareness.org/info-center/common-noise-levels/
Uproar over vote on use of lodging tax funds
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.
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
These 17 pages of additions are posted online at https://www.ely.mn.us/2025councilmeetings