Amid frustration over delays to a renovation project at Ely’s ambulance garage, county commissioner Joe Baltich ruffled feathers in local government circles this week and later apologized for an email circulated among them.
At least for now, plans to renovate the garage on Central Avenue are on hold until a review by the State Historic Preservation Office is complete.
That process has taken several months, and Baltich, who also chairs the Ely Area Ambulance Service, criticized Ely clerk-treasurer Harold Langowski for the slow movement and charged that city officials were unprofessional in an email that went to several local leaders. While Baltich would apologize two days later, in a letter that also appears in this week’s Echo, the stinging email dominated discussion at Monday’s meeting of the ambulance joint powers board.
Langowski has taken on management of the project for the joint powers group and questioned whether Baltich spoke on their behalf.
“I believe he owes me an apology and the city council and especially your joint powers, or if that’s the sentiment of the whole group you need to figure out how move this forward without my help,” said Langowski.
Langowski outlined correspondence that dated back to September, and SHPO’s review, which centers on what impact - if any - the renovations to the garage might have on historic properties across the avenue - the old Depot and Roundhouse buildings.
“This isn’t something I made up,” said Langowski. “It’s pretty disappointing. I know the city agreed to task me to be the building manager at essence. It is additional time that I have little of.”
Ely Area Ambulance Joint Powers Board members were caught by surprise by Baltich’s email and said they did not share his sentiments. “I had no clue,” said Fall Lake’s Rod Gruba.
Gruba added that he was aware of the delays and had previously talked to Langowski and “we would talk about all it would take to get this done.”
Council member Al Forsman, who represents the city of Ely on the board, was upset with the criticism of the city’s top administrator.
“This is uncalled for,” said Forsman. “As a councilor I can say Harold works hard on behalf of the joint powers board and ambulance. I think somehow you guys need to let him know that this is completely uncalled for.”
Langowski added “I think we have a good relationship. He came from left field after the 11th hour, and we’re still struggling to get through the historic preservation office. I don’t call people names. I don’t question their integrity. This was just bizarre. It does us no good to have that confrontational attitude.”
The email went to joint powers board members and Langowski also was copied on it.
“Sure enough I was copied on it, it’s probably fortunate for him that he’s not here,” said Langowski.
At issue is the historic preservation review, which is required to obtain federal funds granted for the improvements both to the garage as well the construction of a fire apparatus building near the hospital.
Duluth Archaeology Center has proposed to do additional work for $9,700 to help advance the study.
“Federal funds come with a lot of strings,” said Langowski.
The review began several months ago, with the joint powers and SHPO trading correspondence, and Langowski submitting documentation as requested.
“In April we submitted revised comments, and on May 30 is when we received correspondence back from them,” said Langowski. “They are saying that with the impact area of the project it required additional review.”
Local officials say the review essentially amounts to additional “hoops to jump through” to obtain the money.
“We all know that what gets built at the ambulance garage will not affect the buildings across the road,” said Langowski. “It’s how do we show that and certify that to (SHPO) and that is where Duluth Archaeological Center comes in... We know the remodeling of this facility doesn’t impact the historical significance of those properties.”
