It was an interesting Fall Lake Township meeting. Cindy Smyka, former executive director of the Ely Area Tourism Bureau attended the meeting to discuss how the lodging tax from Fall Lake Township is used.
Lake County Commissioner Joe Baltich also spoke on this issue.
The board voted to temporarily appoint Smyka as Fall Lake’s representative to the Lodging Tax Joint Powers Board, after Adam Masloski resigned.
This was a long discussion and will be reported on next week.
In other township business, the board addressed the new beaver mitigation contract for 2026. This is for beaver and dam removal. The new agreement was approved for $3000.
County Engineer Jason DiPiazza sent a letter stating that the county would be crushing gravel – Class 1 for surfacing, Class 5 for base aggregate and sand. This crushing will not take place in Fall Lake Township. DiPiazza asked if Fall Lake was interested in participating in this contract. Supervisors Eric Hart, Craig Seliskar and Adam Masloski, all agree it would not be feasible to haul any gravel needed for the township from outside of the area. They passed on accepting the contract.
Hart gave an update on the Sunset Road project. He said the bidding process would be advertised in the North Shore Journal in Two Harbors for three weeks, and in the Ely Echo for two weeks. Lake County will pay for one advertisement in the Ely Echo and Fall Lake Township will pay for the second run of the ad. Local contractors can reach out to Hart or the Township if they have any questions.
There will also be an online site that the contractors will also see the bids on. Bids will be opened on March 4. Supervisors will review all bids and make a recommendation. Lake County will make the final decision.
Jason Chopp sent a proposal for Capital Improvements for Fall Lake Township roads. Seliskar compiled a list of township roads and what needs to be done on each, with his priority what should be done. The township heard from Jeff Goetzman with MSA and he is willing to work with the township on their road issues and come up with a priority list for capital improvements. Seliskar will reach out to Chopp about the cost with SEH.
The board decided to revisit the brushing on the Cloquet Line until next year.
Commissioner Baltich met with IRRR Community Development Director Whitney Ridlon to see what options are available for the community center project. He also talked to the DNR, asking if they were interested in occupying space in the future Fall Lake community center. Further discussions will be had.
Baltich said Two Harbors is looking into a $40 million project for an event center in Two Harbors on the shore area. Baltich is more concerned about having the community center in Fall Lake.
A resolution was passed appointing Election Judges for March 2026 Supervisor Election. Appointed were Nancy McReady, Gary Nevalinen and Cheri DeBeltz. Their pay is set at $20/hour.
In correspondence:
• Received a notice of the Townships at the Capitol event for March 2.
• Received a thank you for support from Ely Community Resource.
• Received WICOLA newsletter.
• Thank you received from Ely High School Knowledge Bowl.
• Received notice of the Spring Short Course with the Duluth location to be now held at Black Bear Casino.
• Received information from MN MPCA for the 2027 Project Priority list.
• Recreation funds were approved to Ely Robotics for $400; All Night Grad Party for $400; Ely Music Boosters for $400; and a donation to Ely-Winton Historical Society for $500.
• The budget meeting will be held on Feb.24 at 6 p.m. with the Board of Audit meeting to follow at 6:30 p.m.
• Morse/Fall Lake Fire meeting will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m.
• Next regular Fall Lake Township meeting will be held on March 4 at 6 p.m.
• Absentee voting will be held on Saturday, March 7 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Township election of supervisors will be held on Tuesday, March 11 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. The annual Township meeting will begin after the ballots have been tallied around 8:15 p.m.
• Lake County Commissioners’ Board of the Whole will be held June 16 at 6 p.m.
