The city of Ely is taking initial steps toward revising its comprehensive plan.
During a brief council meeting on Tuesday, members accepted a recommendation from the city’s planning and zoning commission and set up a six-member steering committee charged with updating the plan.
The group will include a council member, a planning and zoning member, three at-large members and the city’s planning and zoning administrator.
“This is just the beginning of the process - the very early stages,” said city council member Emily Roose, who is also part of the planning and zoning commission.
The plan was last updated in 2015, and the commission is taking steps toward making revisions that will first include setting up the committee.
“The intent is to develop a survey and focus group questions,” said Roose.
The committee would also develop a budget for consideration of approval in 2027, and if applicable hire a survey company and contractor that would write the plan.
Council member Adam Bisbee sought assurances that the public would be part of the process, and member Al Forsman, who was part of the planning effort previously, noted that meetings are considered public sessions.
“The public is certainly welcome to come in, and the plan does need to come back to the council as an official document,” said Forsman.
“We have done this before,” added mayor Heidi Omerza.
Forsman also noted that it’s not certain the group will need outside help.
“The last go around, we did it ourselves,” said Forsman. “It’s something we can approach as the committee looks at it. No decision to spend any money will be made before coming to the council.”
The comprehensive plan discussion was part of a roughly half-hour session at City Hall.
In other business, the council:
• Got word from fire chief Dave Marshall that the department had responded to seven fire calls and four medical calls in the last three weeks, with several of the fire calls related to recent smoke testing completed by city crews.
• Approved the rezoning of properties at 15 North Third Avenue West and 25 North Third Avenue West as R2, per planning and zoning recommendation.
• Accepted Jim Burke’s resignation from the planning and zoning commission.
• Approved a letter of understanding with various city labor units related to a change in health insurance coverage for city workers.
• Passed a resolution authorizing the city to apply for Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board public works funding, as well as applying to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development for funds related to the cleanup of the old Depot site.
• Approved a resolution allowing the city make levy assessments against several city properties for delinquent water, sewer and electric accounts.
• Approved payment of $19,010 to Fergus Power for biosolids belt press rental.
• Approved a $10,000 residential rehabilitation loan for Dennis and Rose Wickman for a property on Eighth Avenue East.
• Noted the passing of Mick Shusta, a retired city water/wastewater employee.
“He dedicated most of his life to serving our community” said Forsman. “We’re going to miss him.”
Omerza agreed and added “when he was needed most he helped even more.”
