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Our main focus = Comp Plan Steering Committee & Ely Economic Development Authority
Here’s the 3-page agenda from 91-page Council packet. Find the packet and last minute changes & additions for at https://www.ely.mn.us/council-meetings or at https://www.ely.mn.us/government. Last minute items might not be posted, so check on the table right inside the Council Chambers’ door.
Spring Clean Up Days are May 15th & May 16th.
Park & Rec Board: Another resignation submitted. Appointment for previously open seat.
Pages 36-43 are about household and business hazardous waste collections
CPSC is requesting a Study Session with City Council on May 26th There April 27th unapproved minutes are below. It seems CPSC doesn’t have clear objectives/guidance. Here’s 3 alternate suggestions:
(1) City Council should have previously and now should consider using their monthly Study Sessions to go over the Land Use and Comp Plan. They have cancelled most of their Study Sessions for the last few years. Council Members were elected by citizens in Ely to represent them. Commissioners were not elected.
(2) City Council should have the GreenTeam and/or the Ely Climate Change Group facilitate discussions about Land Use andComprehensive Plan. The Ely Climate Change Group members on the GreenTeam understand a Comprehensive Plan should include more than just dead things like infrastructure and buildings. For example: our diverse humans and their different needs; balanced and sustainable environment, including animals habitats; serving the needs of those living here; recycling and repurposing that includes buildings; preparing for climate change; reviewing ordinances, zoning and codes to preserve and protect natural and open areas AND to designate cultural and historical sites of Indigenous Peoples who settled here first. Ely has/had signage for rocks but nothing for the Ojibwe.
old signage for Ely Pillow Rock
(3) Have the CSPC, Climate Change Group, and City Council all meet together at least once monthly during previously scheduled Study Sessions.
Read the Ely Economic Development Authority (EEDA) minutes from March 31st posted below.The discussion about updating the EEDA’s website is interesting.
Some of us frequently look at the Date (Data?) and Demographics page for personal research without any interest in developing a business or project. Are those visits counted towards the 120 annual visits? By the way, if you’ve never visited the EEDA website – or if you have – time yourself as to how long it takes you to actually find the Data and Demographics page. Then figure out, based on the data, what percent of the Ely population is 50 years or older.
Look over the last item NEW BUSINESS. The way it’s written up, it’s not clear if $14,000 total was “awarded” or $14K x 3 = $42,000. Or is the “award” 3 x 42K = $126,000. Do each and every one of the Council Members know the actual amount? Do they all know how this was calculated? What the project was? Most importantly, does the public know? The minutes were not written to keep the public informed nor show accountability.
City Council May 5, 2026 – Comp Plan & EEDA
Our main focus = Comp Plan Steering Committee & Ely Economic Development Authority
Here’s the 3-page agenda from 91-page Council packet. Find the packet and last minute changes & additions for at https://www.ely.mn.us/council-meetings or at https://www.ely.mn.us/government. Last minute items might not be posted, so check on the table right inside the Council Chambers’ door.
Spring Clean Up Days are May 15th & May 16th.
Park & Rec Board: Another resignation submitted. Appointment for previously open seat.
Pages 36-43 are about household and business hazardous waste collections
The Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee (CPSC)
CPSC is requesting a Study Session with City Council on May 26th There April 27th unapproved minutes are below. It seems CPSC doesn’t have clear objectives/guidance. Here’s 3 alternate suggestions:
(1) City Council should have previously and now should consider using their monthly Study Sessions to go over the Land Use and Comp Plan. They have cancelled most of their Study Sessions for the last few years. Council Members were elected by citizens in Ely to represent them. Commissioners were not elected.
(2) City Council should have the GreenTeam and/or the Ely Climate Change Group facilitate discussions about Land Use andComprehensive Plan. The Ely Climate Change Group members on the GreenTeam understand a Comprehensive Plan should include more than just dead things like infrastructure and buildings. For example: our diverse humans and their different needs; balanced and sustainable environment, including animals habitats; serving the needs of those living here; recycling and repurposing that includes buildings; preparing for climate change; reviewing ordinances, zoning and codes to preserve and protect natural and open areas AND to designate cultural and historical sites of Indigenous Peoples who settled here first. Ely has/had signage for rocks but nothing for the Ojibwe.
(3) Have the CSPC, Climate Change Group, and City Council all meet together at least once monthly during previously scheduled Study Sessions.
Ely Economic Development Authority (EEDA)
Read the Ely Economic Development Authority (EEDA) minutes from March 31st posted below.The discussion about updating the EEDA’s website is interesting.
Some of us frequently look at the Date (Data?) and Demographics page for personal research without any interest in developing a business or project. Are those visits counted towards the 120 annual visits? By the way, if you’ve never visited the EEDA website – or if you have – time yourself as to how long it takes you to actually find the Data and Demographics page. Then figure out, based on the data, what percent of the Ely population is 50 years or older.
Look over the last item NEW BUSINESS. The way it’s written up, it’s not clear if $14,000 total was “awarded” or $14K x 3 = $42,000. Or is the “award” 3 x 42K = $126,000. Do each and every one of the Council Members know the actual amount? Do they all know how this was calculated? What the project was? Most importantly, does the public know? The minutes were not written to keep the public informed nor show accountability.