Ely City Council minutes

Study Session Meeting – Council Chambers,
Ely City Hall
October 25, 2022 at 6:30pm
CALL TO ORDER
Acting Mayor A.Forsman called the study session to order at 6:30pm in the Council Chambers
PRESENT: Council Members Debeltz, Omerza, Callen, Campbell, Acting Mayor A.Forsman
ABSENT: Council member Kess and Mayor Skraba
Also Present: Cemetery Committee Members Bill Erzar, Mike Banovetz, and Jeanie Zaverl
ADDITIONS OR OMISSIONS: None
OLD BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Cemetery Monuments and Stone installation – Discussion with the Cemetery Committee
Bill Erzar – Chair of Ely Cemetery Committee – 1232 E Heather St
Erzar indicated that the reason for calling this meeting is the issues of proper installation of headstones and footstones. Some people and installers are putting in footstones without foundations. Erzar stated that he doesn’t believe the lots are being marked before the stones are being placed. Also some headstones are larger than what is allowed in the cemetery rules are being installed. These are all ongoing issues we have had with our installers. The Cemetery Rules have been posted in the kiosk, and signs have been placed at the beginning of the road going into the cemetery. It is disappointing when stones are not in alignment and exceeding size limitations. Erzar stated he is not sure what we can do, but has suggested at the last cemetery meeting that the city mark the lots and maybe the city contracts with a local concrete mason to install the foundation so they are put in properly.
A.Forsman indicated that it is important that the lots get marked. Forsman stated that usually the foundations are pre poured concrete foundations.
Erzar indicated that they are usually pre poured concrete foundations, but a lot of the time they are not put in flush to the ground so it is easier for the grounds keepers. Erzar indicated that he does not think the rules are that hard to understand, we now have drawings along with the brochure and rules that indicate how the foundations and stones are supposed to be placed and the sizing of the foundations/stones.
Langowski indicated that the foundation under the footstones was added a couple years ago to help with the frost heaving. We could talk to forest concrete to make pads for the foundations. Langowski stated that the city workers locate and gets the spot ready for the cremains and full burials. Sometimes the stones are placed years later and sometimes people do not call to get the lot marked for the stone placement. Some of the pictures that are in the cemetery minutes have been there for a very long time. The cemetery rules have changed overtime, at one point no upright headstones were allowed, but now they are allowed again. Langowski indicated that we need to figure out a way so placement is correct when the stones are placed. Langowski suggested working with Forest Concrete about pouring foundation pads and making those available to those coming to install footstones and markers.
Mike Banovetz from the Cemetery Committee stated that preformed foundations are a good idea. Once the foundation is taken care of properly, everything else flows from there. In the end we just want a cemetery that looks good.
Langowski indicated that we do not want to have to move any monuments.
Banovetz indicated that Jeanie Zaverl and Dave Klaesges did a great job this summer. The rules signs look great and we are working on a book pedestal for in the kiosk to have all the names of the people buried in the Cemetery in it.
Omerza indicated that we don’t always plan on a death and when it does happen the families look toward their funeral director and/or clergy for direction as to what needs to happen. We need to make sure that these people have our cemetery rules also.
Langowski indicated that we have sent out the rules to anyone we think might have something to do with a burial in the Ely Cemetery. We also have a QR Code in the Kiosk to direct people to our website for information. If we have standard sized foundations that will help, they will also be able to be put in easily.
A.Forsman appreciates the work that went into the cemetery rules and regulations, a consistent foundation will help and then we can work out the details from there.
Erzar indicated that we would only have 2 different sized foundations for a single plot and a double plot.
ADJOURN
Acting Mayor A.Forsman adjourned the meeting at 7:04pm without objection.
Casey Velcheff
Deputy Clerk
Ely Echo November 5, 2022
Regular Meeting Ely City Council – City Hall,
Council Chambers
October 18, 2022 – Minutes
CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Ely City Council was called to order by Mayor Skraba at 5:30pm in the Council Chambers
PRESENT: Council members A.Forsman, Kess, Debeltz, Omerza, Callen, Campbell, and Mayor Skraba
ABSENT: None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Debeltz/Kess moved to approve the minutes from the October 4, 2022 Public Hearing on Ordinance 360, Public Hearing on Ordinance 361 and Regular Council Meeting. Motion Carried Unanimously.
ADDITIONS OR OMISSIONS TO AGENDA:
A. Additions 8.A Park and Rec Attachments
B. Additions 8.A Budget Committee
Omerza/Callen moved to add the additions A and B to the agenda. Motion Carried Unanimously.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Police Swearing in Ceremony for Police Officers Daniel Mooers and Ryan Mahoney
CONSENT AGENDA: None
REQUESTS TO APPEAR: None
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Standing/Special
Library Board: Minutes included in the Council Packet
Park and Recreation Board
Omerza/Debeltz moved to approve the recommendation from Park and Rec Board to move forward with gravel parking lot on the Northeast end of Miners Lake and access trail to Miners Lake.
Omerza indicated that this area of Miners Lake gets used quite a bit and people park on Pioneer Drive now.
Langowski stated that this could be the first phase of a couple phased projects for this area. In the winter a lot of trout fishermen use this area to get to the east side of Miners Lake.
Mayor Skraba stated that this parcel is zoned Pubic-1 for future park use like this.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
Heritage Preservation Commission: Minutes included in the Council Packet
Cemetery Committee:
Mike Banovetz from the Ely Cemetery Committee stated that the Cemetery Committee will be meeting with the Council at the October 25th Study Session regarding placement of foundations and footstones/headstones in the Ely Cemetery.
Budget Committee:
A.Forsman/Kess moved to approve the recommendation from Budget Committee to continue to provide services at the MN Department of Revenue building and the City act as Fiscal Agent for the Ely Area Community Foundation (EACF) with Harold working with EACF to get the building fully operating.
A.Forsman stated that the Department of Revenue Building has been empty since 2020, and the state has put the building up for sale. EACF has been looking to host a fitness center amongst other things in the Department of Revenue building, they would like to purchase this building, but they have to buy it through the city. In order for them to buy the building it still needs to be heated so they are asking that our licensed boiler operators continue to serve in the building until they can get things sorted out.
Dave Marshall (member of the EACF) indicated that EACF would purchase the building from the city once the city purchases it from the state. Marshall stated that the plan right now is to renovate that facility and to work with potential tenants which include a fitness center and child care center. The EACF would serve as the landlord and own the building, and then there would be tenants in the building providing different services. The hopeful 2nd phase of the project would be to add a swimming pool to the complex.
Langowski indicated that once the City starts the process to sell the building to EACF there will be an ordinance process and we will have a public hearing for the sale.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
A.Forsman/Omerza moved to approve the recommendation from Budget Committee to purchase the John Deere Blower/Sweeper for $17,625.92 from Northland Lawn and Sports, LLC for the Skating Rink at the Rec Center. Motion Carried Unanimously
A.Forsman/Campbell moved to approve the recommendation from Budget Committee to reduce the current 2023 proposed levy from $2,117,500 (7.06% increase from 2022) to $2,096,574 or a 6.0% increase over 2022.
Kess indicated that this was a difficult decision to make since the city is under the same inflationary pressures as everyone else with cost increases, raises and everything else. Having a healthy levy increase would be a great thing so we can meet those, but it’s difficult to bring that to the public who is under the same pressures of increased costs. The budget committee came to a consensus to bring the levy down to 6% which is a reduction of $20,000 in the budget.
A.Forsman indicated that the budget committee advised city staff to work on the budgets to get them down to 6%, we are not actually setting the levy yet, the levy will be set in December.
Mayor Skraba indicated that the final say is in December, we are also working through the union negotiations, an increase in health insurance costs, fuel costs, etc.
Kess indicated that some street and infrastructure work may be delayed.
A.Forsman indicated that we are not cutting out capital projects completely; we do need to do capital projects each year. It is important to keep our infrastructure up to date.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
Omerza indicated that the Child Care group met yesterday. They are working with the right people and we should see something out of the group very soon.
Langowski stated that the Ely Area Community Foundation (EACF) group has been working on getting child care as a component with the EACF project. There is a federal appropriation request from the United Way and it is for two communities for child care, Chisholm and Ely, which are requesting a half million dollars each. In the meeting we also had Commissioner McDonald and Chris Ismil from the IRRR with community development, who have a lot of resources for this group to use. They are hoping by late spring to have around 40+ spots open for child care infant and above in ages.
A.Forsman asked if Planning & Zoning has looked into this at all regarding the zoning of that area. Langowski stated that we have looked at the zoning in that area, it has become a mixed use, and it is an area we are looking at, it is also the area that has the covenants that need to be looked at for other lot sales. We will make adjustments in this area for these uses. This will be brought up at the Planning and Zoning Meeting tomorrow.
A.Forsman indicated that there was an Ambulance Joint Powers Meeting today at the Winton Community Center. Forsman stated he was pleased with the outcome and it was great to see the five entities working together. The City of Ely has agreed to be the fiscal agent for the Ambulance Joint Powers. Forsman thanked the city staff for taking on this task.
Mayor Skraba stated that the solution was in the room and good progress was made.
A.Forsman indicated that the Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital really stepped up to help the ambulance. The hospital is willing to review where the ambulance is at, evaluate where they are at, and bring professionals in if necessary, and to help out in whatever way to help this process along. As a councilperson he was hoping that someone would step up and help the Ambulance out to get back on their feet, and the hospital has stepped up to do this.
Langowski stated that part of the discussion was how much money does the ambulance need to get through 2022, the ambulance board came up with a request for $50,000 and the ambulance joint powers board agreed to give them $50,000 out of the subsidies that each entity is giving. The City of Ely will function as the fiscal agent on the funds being collected though the joint powers, we will set up a fund for these payments that will be coming in, and we will invoice on behalf of the joint powers. We will invoice Fall Lake, Town of Morse, Hospital, Winton and Ely for their subsidy payments. Any future funding requests will come from the Ambulance Board to the Ambulance Joint Powers Board and then Ambulance Joint Powers will request the funding from their account with the City of Ely, this will help with transparency and control over the funds. The next Ambulance Joint Powers Meeting will be on December 13th, and then monthly meetings will be held. There will be a budget developed for the facility, and for the subsidy payments that each communities are making, we will have more of a process for expending the funds. Nick Wognum the Clerk for Town of Morse is the Secretary for the Ambulance Joint Powers Board; we are doing this as a team. Langowski indicated that he feels confident moving forward and that we will see a positive outcome.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
Clerk-Treasurer
Kess/Callen moved to request for Qualifications Airport Consultant Services Ely Municipal Airport (ELO) Ely, Minnesota and to post per FAA requirements. Motion Carried Unanimously
Langowski stated that the Lookout Ridge Old Dump/Landfill is open for leaves, brush and compost in their separate piles. If everyone polices each other we can keep it open for the extended hours.
Fire Chief
Chief Marshall discussed the recent calls for the fire department. The fire department also went to the Head Start and Kindergarten classes with a fire truck.
Ely Fire Department Quarter 3 Summary and Minutes - Chief Marshall indicated in Quarter 3 they had 64 medical calls, 11 fire calls, and 9 other (meetings, trainings, etc).
Library Director
Library Director Heinrich discussed the current programing at the Library which can be found on the Library website. They also have some free take home Covid tests that they are giving out.
Police Chief
Chief Houde reminded everyone that Calendar Parking starts on November 1st.
City Attorney
Debeltz/Callen moved to approve the Mortgage Satisfaction for E Sheridan Properties, LLC recorded on November 5, 2018 as Document No. 01344138. Motion Carried Unanimously
City Engineer
COMMUNICATIONS: Matter of Information
A. Lodging Tax Information
B. Ely Community Resource, Inc Quarterly Progress Report –Quarter 3
C. Habitat for Humanity – Habitat Highlights Fall 2022
D. RAMS Annual Dinner Save the Date December 15, 2022
E. Thank You from Northern Lights Clubhouse for the 5k Glow Run.
CLAIMS FOR PAYMENT:
A. Debeltz/Omerza moved to approve the City and EUC claims for October 18, 2022 for $1,089,868.92. Motion Carried Unanimously.
B. Campbell/Debeltz moved to approve Pay Estimate #8 for the 2020 Connector Taxiway for $106.55 to TNT Aggregates, LLC. Motion Carried Unanimously.
C. Callen/Omerza moved to approve Partial Pay Estimate #3 for the 2022 Street Improvements/Spaulding Phase III project for $83,386.44 to Utility Systems of America. Motion Carried Unanimously.
D. Debeltz/Kess moved to approve Change Order No 2 for 2021 City Infrastructure Improvements project decreasing the contract amount by $10,193.75, and Final Pay Estimate #7 for the 2021 City Infrastructure Improvements project for $11,833.72 to Utility Systems of America. Motion Carried Unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS:
Campbell/Omerza moved to approve the Residential Rehab Loan for Doug Scheibe for up to $10,000 to install subfloor drainage system and discharge system with backup capacity pending proper paperwork and fees, and to direct Attorney Klun to work with the applicant and to proceed with the loan processing. Motion Carried Unanimously.
Over Population of deer in Ely City Limits
Kess indicated that he has heard from several constituents about the deer overpopulation in Ely. Kess asked what can we do to limit the amount of deer within city limits, some of them have been aggressive. Can we ban feeding of the deer? A lot of the deer have easy feed and stay in town because of this. Maybe by bringing it up we will make people aware and they will stop feeding them.
Houde indicated that city limits is small and there is so much private land and not a lot of public land where a hunt could safely be done. Some communities in Minnesota have limited deer hunts, but Houde wasn’t sure how that could be done in Ely with our small land area. Houde indicated that some of the issues can be attributed to people feeding the deer.
Langowski indicated that several deer have been hit by vehicles on the east end of town. Langowski indicated that the folks that like to feed the deer are what are causing the problem; deer are going to go where it is easiest to find food.
OPEN FORUM:
Mike Banovetz from the Ely Cemetery Committee indicated that Jeanie Zaverl and Dave Klaesges did a great job this summer keeping the cemetery in great shape mowing and fixing grave sites.
ADJOURN:
Mayor Skraba adjourned the meeting at 6:47pm without objection.
Casey Velcheff
Deputy Clerk
Ely Echo November 5, 2022