At their regular meeting last Tuesday, the Ely City Council approved Northeast Technical Services (NTS) proposal to provide professional services for the demolition of the old Ford Garage.
The Ford Garage was once owned by the city before the Ott family purchased it with the intention of renovating it for office space and other use, clerk-treasurer Harold Langowski said.
The city has worked with the Ott family on the depot project throughout the past few years. As the rail yard was developed and cleaned of contaminants, it became apparent additional property would be required to support the project.
To provide that property, the city engaged in a trade with depot developers, providing them another city-owned property along the original rail corridor in exchange for the old Ford Garage.
Ely officials will now tear down the garage and lease the property to Matt Stupnik, who is renovating the former Community Center to transform it into the Hotel Elysium. The property will become an off-street parking lot for the hotel.
The property has not yet been transferred to the city, but Langowski said the city is working to resolve the transfer. They will soon conduct a pre-demolition inspection.
Local resident Lauren Belland spoke during open forum to report antisemitic vandalism on the garage. Belland requested the city cover it up rather than wait until demolition.
“I just want to make sure we’re sending the right message to everybody who drives or walks by,” Belland said. “Please take care of the building while it’s still in your care and custody.”
Deputy clerk Casey Velcheff later reported the Public Works Department painted over the graffiti and it is no longer there.
The recent Ely Area Ambulance Joint Powers meeting was relatively procedural, council member Al Forsman reported. Ambulance meeting attendees discussed the $650,000 IRRRB grant, which will fund renovations at the ambulance garage.
A funding gap of approximately $40,000 each for the ambulance garage and the fire building projects exists between the city’s requested amount and the amount received in IRRRB funds.
“There is still a gap in funding, but it’s enough that we can move forward and set a contract to get that work done,” Forsman said.
Opportunities for project cost reductions exist, Langowski said, including switching to standard gauge steel for the fire building and swapping the foundation from deep footings to a thickened slab edge.
The council approved a $1.065 million quote from Lenci Enterprises for the Ely Fire Hall No. 2 building. Lenci Enterprises held their bids since April for the city, which is uncommon, Langowski said, and the contractor is excited to get started on the project.
“I’m confident we can get it very close to what our budget is,” Langowski said.
Discussions continued on the permitting process for storage containers. Amendments to the Storage Container Ordinance were proposed. The new language would allow storage containers during times of construction with a building permit, or not to exceed 30 days in use without an interim use permit.
Roose said the new language would make it more difficult to place structures on the property.
“If you think it’s going to be used like a garage, it makes it much harder to do than just the simple administrative permit,” Roose said. “We could set more rules as they come through on the interim use permit, on a caseby- case basis.”
Forsman would prefer the city to require administrative agreements rather than issue interim use permits for the containers.
“If a person has a need for this and it is only temporary, I don’t see a reason why it has to go through an interim use procedure,” Forsman said.
The city can include requirements in an administrative permit, specifying setbacks, limiting vision obstructions and more.
“All these things can be put into the permit without having to have a mailing going out to the neighbors asking for their opinion on whether or not you can use your property for what you want,” Forsman said.
Roose said no public-facing hearings would be required for administrative permits, which are drafted by city officials.
The council will send the ordinance to city attorney Kelly Klun to draft options.
Fire chief Dave Marshall reported the local department participated in the procession for the Sgt. James Mondati homecoming and flew a large American flag at the top of the Sheridan Street hill.
“Of all the things I’ve had the opportunity to do as a member of the Ely Fire Department, that will certainly go down as one of the most memorable experiences of my life,” Marshall said.
Three members of the Ely Fire Department attended the chiefs’ conference in Duluth last weekend and showcased the newly-built Engine Three.
Police chief Chad Houde said the Ely Police Department has received five applicants so far for the patrol officer posting, and Houde hopes for more. Interviews will take place later this year. Houde urged drivers to be aware of trick-or-treaters and pedestrians as Halloween celebrations approach, and to be aware of parking regulations.
Kelsey Lee provided the council an overview of the Chapman Street Block Party. The party took place on Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 5 - 7 p.m. Lee said organizers plan to host a party next year, too.
“The planning committee would like to thank the mayor and council for approving the special event permit that allowed us to close part of Chapman Street for the party,” Lee said.
Lee also extended gratitude to Ely PD for coordinating with organizers for the street closure, the fire department for welcoming the party on the same day as Public Safety Night, and the community who stepped in to save the event when strong gusts of wind interfered with the block party.
In other business, the council:
• Approved a projects committee recommendation to start the ordinance process for the land requested by St. Louis County for public works use at the current facility.
• Will consider the note and mortgage for a storefront rehab loan for a new propane furnace at Northwoods Bistro, LLC.
• Accepted Russell Alioth’s application to the planning and zoning commission.
• Will consider the special event permit application for the Chamber of Commerce to host the annual WolfTrack Classic sled dog race at the Regional Trailhead Facility.
• Continue leasing the Regional Trailhead Facility to the Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber will maintain the brochure area. An increase in the lease amount was recommended.
