Breaking News

Darell Bartell, 85, of Babbitt, passed away at his residence on Saturday, April 10, 2021. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Lee Tessier, 83, of Winton, MN died in Duluth on April 9, 2021 of complications following vascular surgery.

After missing out on the entire 2020 campaign and the first two-to-three weeks of 2021, Ely’s high school spring sports teams are finally free to practice and play.
Monday, Apr. 12, marks the start of practice for several Ely Timberwolves teams.
A three-week reset at the school sent students into distance learning and put activities on hold, keeping the Wolves’ teams on the sidelines while their counterparts from around the region and state have been able to participate.
Most spring activities began March 29 while others started workouts the week before, putting Ely’s teams behind in early-season preparation.
COVID-19 also doused last year’s spring seasons for all teams across the state.
The delays in Ely have prompted numerous changes to various spring sports schedules, with games set for the week of Apr. 5 postponed first, followed by contests set for the week of Apr. 12 and later early-week contests the week of Apr. 19.

The Vermilion Ironmen are in an unfamiliar but welcome position as Northern Divison community college baseball play begins this weekend.
With 10 wins in their first 16 contests, the Ironmen are the only team in the North with a winning record and they lead the five-team circuit with the best overall record in non-conference play.
Vermilion hopes to continue its string of recent success during the 16-game divison slate, which starts with doubleheaders Saturday and Sunday against defending champion Hibbing.
“Everyone starts 0-0 now,” said head coach Tom Coombe. “I think we’ve shown so far we can contend for a spot in the postseason and compete in our division, but we’ll have to show that on the field. These games so far don’t really mean anything when it comes to advancing.”

Fishing seasons open for walleye, bass, trout in lakes, and northern pike on Saturday, May 15, with this year’s date taking the prize for the latest possible opener under Minnesota statute.
“We know there is some confusion about this year’s opener date,” said Jon Hansen, fisheries program consultant for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Minnesota statute sets the fishing opener as the Saturday two weeks prior to the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. This year, with Memorial Day the latest it can be, on May 31, that puts the fishing opener on Saturday, May 15.
Also related to May fishing, there is an error in the printed version of the Minnesota Fishing Regulations book regarding the dates for the 2021 Take a Mom Fishing Weekend.

Important Information Regarding Property Assessments
This may affect your
2022 property tax payments

Notice is hereby given that the Local Board of Appeal & Equalization for
Morse Township
In St. Louis County, Minnesota
shall meet at the Morse Town Hall on
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Send written appeals to
NICK WOGNUM, TOWN OF MORSE CLERK, PO BOX 660, ELY MN 55731.
Questions? 218-365-2613

The purpose of this meeting is to determine whether property in the jurisdiction has been properly valued and classified by the assessor.

EUC Rates Public Hearing
March 16, 2021
City Hall, Council Chambers

Call To Order:
Mayor Novak called the EUC rates Public Hearing to order at 5:00pm.

PRESENT: Council members A.Forsman, Kess, Debeltz, Omerza, Callen, Campbell via Zoom and Mayor Novak
Also Present: EUC Commissioners Wilmunen, Nikkola, Richards, and Colarich

Purpose:
Ely City Council will hold a public hearing for discussion and to hear public comment on the Ely Utilities Commission’s proposed rate increases.

Clerk Langowski indicated that there are no rate changes in for water and sewer, but the electric rate is going up 7% which is the same increase that MN Power gave to us. Langowski indicated that the rates were approved and recommended by the EUC.

EUC Commissioner Wilmunen thanked Commissioner Richards for keeping track of the expenses monthly; he works with Dan and Harold to try to keep the utilities on budget.

Regular Meeting
Ely City Council – City Hall, Council Chambers
March 16, 2021 - 5:30 p.m.

1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular City Council Meeting on March 16, 2021 was called to order by Mayor Novak at 5:30pm.

2. ROLL CALL: Council members A.Forsman, Kess, Debeltz, Omerza, Callen, Campbell via Zoom, and Mayor Novak

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
A.Forsman/Callen moved to approve the minutes from the March 2, 2021 Regular Council Meeting. Motion Carried Unanimously.

4. ADDITIONS OR OMISSIONS TO AGENDA:
A. Addition 8.A Revised HPC Minutes/Motion March 2, 2021 and March 16, 2021 Minutes
B. Addition 13. E Contract for Construction Services Hidden Valley Mountain Bike Trails Between the City of Ely, Minnesota and Pathfinder Trailbuilding
Additions A and B were added without objection.

5. MAYOR’S REPORT

Special Council Meeting – Council Chambers,
Ely City Hall
March 30, 2021

CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Novak called the Special Council Meeting to order at 5:15pm.

PRESENT: Council members A.Forsman, Kess, Debeltz, Omerza, Callen, Campbell, and Mayor Novak
ABSENT: None

OLD BUSINESS: None

NEW BUSINESS
A. Campbell/Callen moved to approve Resolution 2021-024 Resolution Authorizing Submission of LCCMR Grant Request to complete the Construction Work on Pioneer Wall in the City of Ely. Roll Called: Council Member A.Forsman- Yes, Kess-Yes, Debeltz-Yes, Omerza-Yes, Callen-Yes, Campbell – Yes, and Mayor Novak-Yes. Motion Carried Unanimously.

Study Session Meeting – Council Chambers, Ely City Hall
March 30, 2021

CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Novak called the meeting to order at 6:37pm.

PRESENT: Council members A.Forsman, Kess, Debeltz, Omerza, Callen, Campbell, and Mayor Novak
Absent: None
Also Present: Attorney Klun

ADDITIONS OR OMISSIONS: None

OLD BUSINESS: None

NEW BUSINESS:
A. Department Head Performance Reviews

Attorney Klun indicated that according to MN statute 13D.05 Subd. 3 - A public body may close a meeting to evaluate the performance of and individual who is subject to its authority. The public body shall identify the individual to be evaluated prior to closing a meeting. At its next open meeting, the pubic body shall summarize its conclusion regarding the evaluation. A meeting must be open at the request of the individual who is the subject of the meeting.