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Council Minutes - March 16, 2020
Emergency Council Meeting – City Hall, Council Chambers

Call to Order
Mayor Novak called the Ely City Council Meeting to order at 2:30pm.

PRESENT: Council Members A.Forsman, Kess, Debeltz, Omerza, Callen, Campbell (Via cellphone), and Mayor Novak
Also Present: Clerk/Treasurer Langowski, Attorney Klun, Deputy Clerk Velcheff, Librarian Heinrich, Sergeant Burger, Sergeant Houde, Fire Chief Erchull, Ambulance Executive Director Glaski

Additions or Omissions - None

Old Business - None

New Business
Preparation for COVID -19
Mayor Novak indicated that the City of Ely is practicing Social Distancing, we have moved the chairs in the council chambers to be 6 feet away from each other, and are only allowing 49 people in the chambers.

Mayor Novak stated that Council will continue to meet until further notice, depending on what circumstances may occur.

CITY OF ELY PROCLAMATION AND DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY

WHEREAS, the virus named COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus that has not previously been identified in humans and can easily spread from person to person; and

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, President Donald Trump declared that the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States constitutes a National Emergency; and

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, Governor Tim Walz declared a Peacetime State of Emergency to authorize all necessary resources to be used in support of the COVID-19 response; and

WHEREAS, COVID-19 has been identified by the World Health Organization as a pandemic, and the Untied States Centers for Disease Control has provided guidance for individuals, healthcare professionals, and businesses to slow the spread of COVID-19; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHUCK NOVAK, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF ELY, HEREBY PROCLAIM:

Council Minutes - March 4, 2020
Regular Meeting Ely City Council – City Hall, Council Chambers

These are an abbreviated version of the minutes – for the full minutes you can go to www.ely.mn.us – City Government-Agendas & Minutes or call 218-226-5449 and we can mail you a copy.

1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Novak called the Ely City Council Meeting to order at 5:30pm.

2. PRESENT: Council members A.Forsman, Kess, Debeltz, Omerza(left at 6:45pm), Callen, and Mayor Novak
ABSENT: Council Member Campbell

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Debeltz/Kess moved to approve the minutes from the EUC Rates Public Hearing on February 18, 2020, the February 18, 2020 Regular Council Meeting, and the Wastewater Treatment Facility Plan Public Hearing on February 26, 2020. Motion Carried 6-0-1 with Campbell Absent.

Richard W. Ivansek,87, of Babbitt, a proud U.S. Navy veteran, passed away on Sunday, March 23, 2020 at the Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Rudolph F. Semeja, 88, died Friday March 6th at Morningside of Chesterfield, Springfield, MO.
He was born on November 11, 1931 in Gilbert, MN and graduated from Gilbert High School in 1949.
Rudy graduated from Gustavus Adolphus in 1953. He started his teaching and coaching career at high schools in Meadowlands and Babbitt for 15 years. He then moved to Vermilion Community College for 22 years. Rudy was also active in sports officiating, the Ely school board, Blandin Leadership Program, Ely Joint Powers Board, Iron Range Resources Partnership for Citizens Board, co-chairman of the Hwy 169 Task Force Committee, Northeast Service Cooperative Board and the St. Louis County Health and Human Services Board. He was elected into the first National Junior College Football Hall of Fame in 1995.

YUZNA (Paddock), Kay Diane passed away comfortably Friday morning, March 20, 2020 at University of MN Hospital. Born, Kay Diane Paddock on November 20, 1944 in South Mpls. She was the second daughter of Thelma Haugen and Earl Paddock. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Ray Yuzna; daughters, Rebecka Yuzna and Kristina Wertheimer (Alex); elder sister, Penelope Krieger (Chuck) and their daughters, Kristin Capurso and Karen Krieger and their families. Kay graduated from Roosevelt H.S. in 1962 and went on to achieve a degree in Nursing from St. Olaf College in 1966. Kay married Ray Yuzna on August 30, 1967 at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church. She worked as a nurse for 22 years at the University of MN hospital then worked several years for Health Risk Management as a consulting nurse and unit manager. Kay also lived for two years in Tembagapura, New Guinea where she volunteered in their nursing program.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has confirmed the second presumptive case of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in St. Louis County. The individual is a woman in her early 60s who is currently recovering at home. Her infection is linked to domestic travel, and not the result of community transmission. The woman was tested on March 19. It is believed she has had contact only with members of her immediate household, and they have been asked to quarantine themselves for 14 days from their exposure date and will be monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms.

St. Louis County Public Health has not been asked to provide essential services.

"We are encouraged to hear that this again is a travel-connected case, and not community transmission," said County Board Chair Mike Jugovich, "But we also recognize it is likely only a matter of time, and that is why we continue to emphasize the preventive recommendations to all."

Spring came today. It was a bit tardy this year, but as they say, better late than never. There is no doubt when the first day of spring arrives. One senses a change that is almost indiscernible. Calendar date has nothing to do with it. Temperature isn’t the only factor – if it was, a January thaw would lead to a lot of heartbreak. A general feeling is in the air. Maybe it’s the angle of the sun, maybe a difference in the song of the chickadee. Possibly it’s the feel of a chinook wind as it catches your face from the west. Whatever the signal, it is unmistakable.

City of Ely Coronavirus Advisory & Cancellations

Posted on 03/17/2020

The City of Ely continues to monitor the outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus, as it does with all situations that could result in emergency situations within the community. The City of Ely remains open for business as it continues to provide essential community services. However, we are practicing social distancing and would prefer if you would call or email rather than coming in to the buildings. A staff directory is available on our website.

VISIT www.ely.mn.us for updates

The following actions are being taken by the City effective Wednesday, March 18:

Building Closings
The following will close to the public and will remain closed effective March 18th, 2020 and until further notice. Essential staff will still report and provide services:
• Library
• Rec Center

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

The City of Ely is calling for interested applicants to fill the following vacancies on the

Cemetery Committee
1- one year term
1- two year term
*resident or non-resident

Park and Recreation Board
1- three year terms
*resident or non-resident

Planning & Zoning Commission
1- two year term
*resident or non-resident

Telecommunications Advisory Board
1- three year term
*subscriber/resident

Tree Board
1- three year term
*resident/non resident