Skip to main content

Council Minutes - December 5, 2017 Regular Meeting Ely City Council – City Hall, Council Chambers

Council Minutes - December 5, 2017
Regular Meeting Ely City Council – City Hall, Council Chambers
CALL TO ORDER- Mayor Novak called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 5:30pm.
PRESENT: Council members A.Forsman, Kess, Debeltz, Omerza, Callen, D.Forsman and Mayor Novak
ABSENT: None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Debeltz/D.Forsman moved to approve the Minutes from the November 21, 2017 Regular Meeting, November 28, 2017 Study Session, November 28, 2017 Truth in Taxation Public Hearing, and Special Council Meeting November 30, 2017. Motion Carried Unanimously.
ADDITIONS OR OMISSIONS TO AGENDA:
Addition 8. A. c. Telecommunications Advisory Board
Addition 10. C. Correspondence from Mike’s Liquor
Addition 13. J. Resolution 2017-039 Supporting the Maintenance of Local License Bureaus
Addition 13. K. No Parking Sign in front of State Theater
A.Forsman asked to Omit Item D.
Items A-C added without objection.
MAYOR’S REPORT
Kess/Debeltz moved to approve the Proclamation for Finland’s Centenary. Motion Carried Unanimously.
Mayor Novak stated that he hopes to be on the Morning Radio Show for WELY soon, they have not had a morning host.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Debeltz/D.Forsman moved to waive the readings in entirety of all ordinances and resolutions on tonight’s agenda. Motion Carried Unanimously.
REQUESTS TO APPEAR:
Design Nine- Broadband
Andrew Cohill President of Design Nine stated that they received a large response from the Business and Residential Survey on Broadband needs. Cohill went through some of the survey results, the final survey results will be completed later in December. Cohill stated that they spent most of the day touring the Ely area to get a better understanding of the area. They are going to be preparing cost estimates for the downtown area and some of the nearby residential areas. They are also working on some wireless solutions and fiber for the residents in the ISD 696 area around the lake. Cohill stated that the survey is going to be one part of the feasibility study.
Omerza thanked everyone who filled out the survey and who helped get the survey in the people’s hands.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Standing/Special
Park and Recreation Board
Omerza/Kess moved to approve the recommendation from the Park and Recreation Board to request the DNR to revise the Hidden Valley Lease to include 6 miles of Bike Trails. Motion Carried Unanimously.
Omerza stated that the next Park and Recreation will be in January.
Langowski stated that the City hopes to have the Outdoor Skating Rink open within the next 7-10 days. Check the city website for updates.
Joint Powers Lodging Tax Board
Mayor Novak stated that the Tourism Bureau presented its budget and the Lodging Tax Board initiated an initial disbursement of $150,000 to get them started with their advertising budget for the New Year.
Telecommunications Advisory Board (TAB)
D.Forsman/Debeltz moved to approve the recommendation from the TAB Committee to approve the purchase for $956 and $439.25 from Custom Theaters Inc to purchase a handheld camera and a basic laptop to run the audio system from the back of the chambers. Motion Carried Unanimously.
RAMS
Kess stated RAMS discussed their priorities at their last meeting. January 10th is the RAMS annual meeting with Governor Dayton as the key note speaker.
Kess/Debeltz moved to make January 10th at 6pm a Special Meeting for the RAMS Annual Meeting at the Mt. Iron Community Center. Motion Carried Unanimously.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
Clerk-Treasurer
Salt/Sand at Recycling Center –
Langowski stated that in the past the City has put salt/sand at the recycling center for the City of Ely residents, but many non-City of Ely residents have been taking the salt/sand. In the last week the City has taken at least 20 phone calls from out of town residents wanting salt/sand. If anyone in the City limits needs areas sanded please call City Hall, the City has a sander out daily and can come by to sand. Residents that live out of the city limits will need to call a contractor, purchase from a vendor, or call your town supervisor. Langowski discouraged people from going behind the joint maintenance garage to get salt/sand also, it is considered theft to take this salt/sand from the city, county and state, the county does monitor this area.
Chief Erchull discourages people to try to get salt/sand from behind the joint maintenance garage, it is a huge safety issue with the equipment and trucks that are coming and going.
Fire Chief
Library Director
Library Director Heinrich stated that the library has been awarded an American Star Library Status, for the 10th year in a row. This time the library was awarded 4 stars out of 5. There are only 5 libraries in Minnesota that received a star status and only 259 out of over 7400 across the United States that received a Star status.
Library Director Heinrich also gave an update of the upcoming events at the library which can be located on the Library Website.
Debeltz/Omerza moved to write a letter of appreciation to Library Director Heinrich for her file for the great work she does at the library. Motion Carried Unanimously.
Police Chief
City Attorney
Update on Pastika Building, LLC
Attorney Klun stated that this property will be closing tonight when Mayor Novak and Clerk Langowski sign the papers.
Public Hearing Notice Dates on Street Vacations
Debeltz/D.Forsman moved to schedule a Public Hearing for the Vacation of a public right of way on January 9, 2018 at 5pm
A public right of way described as a platted but unbuilt alleyway parallel to Ahola Street and Forest Street bounded by Lots 2-8, Block One Maki Addition on the north and bounded by Lots 9-15 Block One Maki Addition on the south
A public right of way described as a platted but unbuilt roadway identified as the portion of Harvey Street lying between 17th Avenue eastward to 19th Avenue, in the plat of Robins Gardens to Ely.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
City Engineer
COMMUNICATIONS:
Ely Broadband Grant - Ely Digital Marketing Contest for Ely Businesses
Correspondence from Ely Chamber of Commerce on 2017-2018 Membership
Correspondence from Mike’s Liquor
CLAIMS FOR PAYMENT:
Debeltz/D.Forsman moved to accept the City and EUC claims for December 5, 2017 for $283,653.84. Motion Carried Unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS:
Kess/Debeltz moved to support the Burntside Lake Association 2018 Application to St. Louis County for AIS prevention. Motion Carried Unanimously.
Kess/Callen moved to approve authorization to apply to and accept funds from the Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Program for the Pioneer Mine Site Condition Assessment. Motion Carried Unanimously.
Debeltz/D.Forsman moved to approve sending a letter of support for the North Country Trail Association for the “Arrowhead Re-route” legislation. Motion Carried Unanimously.
Omerza/Callen moved to approve Resolution 2017-036 Resolution approving the City of Ely Budget for the Fiscal Year 2018. Roll Called: A.Forsman-Yes, Kess- Yes, Debeltz-Yes, Omerza-Yes, Callen-Yes, D.Forsman-Yes, Mayor Novak- Yes Motion Carried Unanimously.
Omerza/Debeltz moved to approve Resolution 2017-037 Resolution approving and adopting Final Tax Levy Collectible in 2018. Roll Called: A.Forsman-Yes, Kess- Yes, Debeltz-Yes, Omerza-Yes, Callen-Yes, D.Forsman-Yes, Mayor Novak- Yes Motion Carried Unanimously.
Rural Living Environments requesting the City of Ely to provide and contribute the land (as identified on the map), the necessary changes to the zoning map and to install the utilities.
A.Forsman asked if the snowmobile trail will need adjustment through this area.
Langowski stated that the trail will need to be relocated. Langowski passed around a map of the concept drawing; we will have to work together with them to put together a development agreement. Langowski stated that utilities are at the corner of Sibley Apartments. Langowski commented that the City is also looking at some future development sites in that area.
Kess asked if this would be referred to planning and zoning.
Harold stated that planning and zoning is already looking at some of the zoning around the hospital area.
Omerza/Callen moved to approve the concept and to forward to planning and zoning. Motion Carried Unanimously.
Northern Grounds Application for an Off-Sale Combination Liquor License pending proper paperwork and fees
Cindy Beans owner of Northern Grounds stated that she is applying for a Combination On Sale and Off Sale license. She fully understands the restrictions that the state has with the separation of on sale and off sale. She is asking to sell fine wine 750ml or less at Northern Grounds. She would also like to start a Wine Club with tasting and food paring with an option to purchase and take wine home.
Mayor Novak stated that he talked to Beans before the meeting and they discussed the separation of the on sale and off sale according to State Statute and agreed that Beans would come back to the council once she had a plan on how she is going to keep the businesses separate.
Beans stated that since the May 2017 meeting she has acquired the lease for the whole building that Northern Grounds occupies, and she has 3 doors for entry and exit.
Kess asked if the state would have to approve the design for state requirements.
Klun stated that once the city approves the license the license goes to the state for approval. Generally the state does send up an inspector to look at the space.
Beans will come back to the council once she has plans for the separate space for the off sale.
Omerza moved to support Resolution 2017-038 Resolution designating 2018 Polling Precinct Location for the City of Ely – Motion failed for lack of support.
Debeltz/D.Forsman moved to approve all 2018 Tobacco License renewal applications pending the receipt of all required documentation for the term of 1/1/2018-12/31/2018. Motion Carried Unanimously.
A.Forsman/Omerza moved to approve Resolution 2017-039 Supporting the Maintenance of Local License Bureaus Roll Called: A.Forsman-Yes, Kess- Yes, Debeltz-Yes, Omerza-Yes, Callen-Yes, D.Forsman-Yes, Mayor Novak- Yes Motion Carried Unanimously.
Omitted - No Parking Sign in front of State Theater
Callen/Omerza moved to represent the resolution 2017-038.
Kess/A.Forsman moved to amend the resolution 2017-038 to change the Polling Place from Ely City Hall to the Ely Senior Center. Motion Carried 5-2 with Omerza and Novak voting No.
Kess/A.Forsman moved to approve the amended resolution 2017-038. Roll Called: A.Forsman-Yes, Kess- Yes, Debeltz-Yes, Omerza-No, Callen-Yes, D.Forsman-Yes, Mayor Novak- No Motion Carried 5-2.
OPEN FORUM
ADJOURN
Mayor Novak adjourned the meeting without objection at 6:28pm.
Casey Velcheff
Deputy Clerk
Ely Echo 12/23/3017

Sign up for News Alerts

Subscribe to news updates