The Ely city council opened on Tuesday night with an update on the Birch Bay Fire from Adam Cochran of the U.S. Forest Service.
The fire was first reported near North Arm Road on June 1 around 3 p.m., and had grown to 35 acres as of June 3.
Cochran said fire danger is very high for this area, and while campfires are allowed, folks are reminded to properly dowse fires until cold to the touch and stay close to them while they are burning.
“As long as the winds and the weather stay the way they have been, Ely shouldn’t be impacted,” said Cochran.
The area was being prepped for a prescribed burn when the fire started, and a fire investigator is currently seeking the cause.
The Forest Service and St Louis County Sheriff’s Department are in communication with residents and both YMCA Camps located on the North Arm, Widjiwagan and du Nord.
Council member Emily Roose informed the council of the results of the board of adjustment’s recent public hearing.
There was a variance for a fence at 303 East Sheridan Street and a conditional use permit for a boathouse owned by Kelly Klun on Pioneer Road near the boat landing.
The board approved the boathouse as long as it follows all applicable zoning ordinances, building codes and health regulations along with “that it can only be used for non-motorized equipment.”
Council member John Lahtonen objected to the non-motorized language.
Roose said that language came from one of the board members.
“How is that even germane to the conversation?” asked Lahtonen.
“We’re allowed to put any conditions on the permit,” said Roose.
“Every year, we want people to come to Ely…I don’t think that either of these were done correctly, I think it’s an embarrassment to the people that came here,” said Lahtonen.
Roose said the request for a six-foot-high fence on Sheridan Street, Third Avenue, and Camp Street was approved, but it must be back from the property line 18 inches. This is for a black chainlink fence.
Roose also went over the approval of the shoreland excavation permit for the Pioneer Road property.
Council member Jerome Debeltz updated the council on the purchase of three new WiFi antennas for Whiteside Park in the amount of $4,680.
Council member Adam Bisbee asked, “How often will these WiFi antennas need to be updated and are they the newest on the market?”
City Clerk Harold Langowski answered.
“The previous three were returned as a credit towards the new ones...these are the highest quality, up to date, with built-in heaters.”
The council approved the purchase.
Mayor Heidi Omerza asked Langowski to “remind all of us about the dump station.” This was in reference to the city’s RV dump station at the former Chamber site at 1600 East Sheridan Street.
“The dump station is still at the location it has always been. It never was locked, it never was closed…we did return water service to the site about two weeks ago, which is typical, because we wait until the frost threat is gone.”
There is a $10 fee to dump RV sewage, with a pay box on site.
Margaret Egan of the Ely Heritage Preservation Commission presented the council with proposed updates to the city’s new trailhead building.
“This is a major new public building…and as the use of the building evolves… we’re suggesting an advisory board, perhaps the park and rec board, to monitor the trailhead campus and annually make recommendations about its operation to the city council,” said Egan.
Many of the updates proposed would improve visitor experience and enhance the building’s function as the potential Ely visitor’s center.
Adding more seating, signage, vending machines, a covered pavilion and information kiosk, electronic displays and more display storage for brochures were among the changes presented.
Council member Al Forsman said a simple solution would be to have a computer monitor displaying information on a rotating basis.
Mayor Heidi Omerza said she wanted to make sure the Chamber was part of the discussions.
Egan said she does not have an estimated budget as of yet for the improvements.
In other business, the council:
• Approved the Ely Utilities Commission’s down payment of 10% for installation of solar panels on the water treatment plant for $14,851.
• Approved a bid from Miller Roofing for $27,680 for replacement of the water plant roof.
• Approved a $1,000 energy rebate for Jeremy Ojala at 57 North Yukon for a heat pump installation.
• Approved a request from the telecommunication authority board to pay for $700 for additional filming from January to April. Also, to accept the resignation of Sean Clark from the board.
• Approved to post the job description for one equipment operator III position.
• Approved to accept a bid for $39,750 from Mesabi Bituminous for a 1994 grader.
• Accepted a $25,000 bid from Bloomquist Construction for a 1988 grader.
• Approved to accept a bid for the 2026 Street and Infrastructure Project bid to Mesabi Bituminous for $911,637.
• Accepted the resignation of Laurie Kess from Gardner Trust for NLAA and the appointment of Megan Olson as the NLAA representative.
• Approved a special event permit and temporary liquor license for Boundary Waters Connect BBQ on July 2.
• Approved temporary liquor licenses for Ely Fire Department Relief Association for the Rock the Park event on July 3 and for July 24-26.
• Approved an agreement with Max Gray Construction for Ely city hall window replacement.
• Approved two raffle permits for the Ely Arts and Heritage Center.
