Ely meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Ely boards weigh grants, fees, and fence variance; no decisions yet

Ely city boards and commissions met over the past two weeks to consider a range of proposals, from grant applications and a new Farmers Market fee to a fence height variance. All items were on agendas only; no final votes or decisions were recorded in the available materials.

City Council

The Ely City Council met August 18 and reviewed several recommendations. Members considered applying for a $2,000 Gardner Trust grant for photographic artwork at City Hall and a $15,000 Minnesota Historical Society grant for oral histories. A proposal to set a Farmers Market fee at $40 per day/use plus a $150 annual event permit was also on the agenda. The council discussed accepting a police officer's resignation and posting the position, and reviewed claims for payment totaling $180,266.14.

Planning and Zoning Commission

The Planning and Zoning Commission met August 19 with a full agenda. The commission reviewed a conditional use permit (CUP) for a dog boarding and daycare at 401 E Sheridan St, with capacity for up to 25 dogs, and a CUP at 21 E White St. A lot line adjustment at 326 N 14th Ave E was also considered. The commission revisited the Special Vehicle Ordinance and the Storage Container Ordinance as old business. In addition, the commission discussed a recommendation from the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee to allocate up to $25,000 for community engagement and creation of a new comprehensive plan.

Board of Adjustment

The Board of Adjustment held a public hearing August 19 on a variance request from Nels Pierson, Heidi Brandenburg, and Judy Brandenburg for a 6-foot-high fence along N 11th Ave E at 1102 E Camp St. City code limits street-side fences to 4 feet. Staff recommended approval, citing practical difficulties and consistency with the comprehensive plan. Public comments were accepted through August 17.

Park and Recreation Board

The Park and Recreation Board met August 12 and discussed several items, including concerns about the Farmers Market, potential changes to Whiteside Park rental fees (currently $15 per 4-hour interval, $30 per day per section), and a tree donation offer from Jay Williams, an Arbor Day Foundation member. The board also reviewed a request from the Heritage Preservation Commission to display a Tour Ely brochure in the Trailhead kiosk, and a proposal from the ECR mural crew to paint the bottom half of the Semers Park building.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next two weeks.

Ely Council weighs 6.81% property tax levy increase; Board of Adjustment takes up fence variance

The Ely City Council's July 21 agenda included a proposed 6.81% property tax levy increase for the 2027 budget, raising the levy from $2,429,800 to $2,595,200. Minutes from that meeting have not yet been published, so it is not yet known whether the council voted to approve the increase or any other agenda items.

July 21 City Council (agenda only — minutes not published)

The council was scheduled to act on several budget and ordinance items:

• **2027 property tax levy**: A proposed 6.81% increase to $2,595,200, up from $2,429,800.
• **Ordinance 404 (Lodging Tax)**: Second reading of an amendment to Chapter 6, Section 6.33.
• **Outdoor Hockey Rink Project**: Application to the IRRRB for up to $50,000 for the project at the Rec Center.
• **Ely Lodging Tax Joint Powers Board**: A $20,000 funding assistance request for 2027.
• **Airport Equipment Replacement Plan**: Approval of the 2027-2031 plan.
• **Outdoor Wood Boiler Ordinance**: Recommendation to draft a new ordinance.
• **Claims for payment**: City and EUC claims totaling $156,096.53.
• **Liquor license**: Temporary liquor license for Ely Winton Rod & Gun Club at 401 N Pioneer Rd.

Because minutes are not yet available, the outcomes of these items are not confirmed.

July 29 Board of Adjustment (agenda only — minutes not published)

The Board of Adjustment held a public hearing on a variance request for a property at 115 N 21 Ave E. The applicant seeks to install an 8-foot-high fence, 30 feet long, along N 21st Ave E. City code limits fences along streets and avenues to 4 feet. Staff recommended approval of the variance.

Agenda materials also included correspondence questioning whether the request benefits the city or relates to a legal dispute between a resort and a neighbor. Minutes have not been published, so the board's decision is not yet confirmed.

Coming up

August 4 City Council — The agenda includes several Board of Adjustment actions and Utilities Commission recommendations:

• Board of Adjustment denial of a Conditional Use Permit for a rooming house at 21 E White St.
• Board of Adjustment denial of a dog boarding permit at 401 E Sheridan St.
• Board of Adjustment revocation of a Home Occupation Permit at 422 E James St.
• Utilities Commission recommendation of energy rebates ranging from $25 to $400 for six properties.
• Temporary Liquor License consideration for Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness at Puddle Jumper Park.

Note: The August 4 meeting is upcoming. The items above are listed on the agenda; final council action will be confirmed when minutes are published.

Ely officials weigh street project payments, dog boarding permit, and fire briefing in busy two-week stretch

Ely's City Council, Park and Recreation Board, Planning Commission, and Board of Adjustment all met or scheduled meetings between July 7 and July 16. Most agendas are published but minutes are not yet available, so outcomes are not confirmed for several items. The one recorded vote this period came from the Park and Recreation Board, which approved a recommendation for the Friends 50 Bike Ride Event permit.

Street and infrastructure payments

The July 7 City Council agenda included a $73,601.25 partial payment to Mesabi Bituminous for the 2026 Street & Infrastructure Improvements Project. The council was also set to consider a $6,396.83 payment to RESCO for street lighting wire and conduit on Pattison Street, a $400 energy rebate to Jim Robbins at 410 E Sheridan St, and a $10,000 note and mortgage for a residential rehab loan for Larry and Amy Wier at 10 W Shagawa Rd. Claims for payment totaling $366,560.51 were also on the agenda. Minutes have not been published, so final action on these items is not yet confirmed.

Park and Recreation Board

The Ely Park and Recreation Board voted to recommend approval of the Friends 50 Bike Ride Event permit for an August 22 trailhead event. The motion carried.

Board members also discussed a potential swimming area and additional dock near the Miners Lake boat landing. Staff reported that the mountain bike trail project is still awaiting DNR procedures and is not yet out for bids. A new kayak dock and fishing pier have been installed on the east end of Miners Lake, and grills at Whiteside Park are installed and in use, with the board considering adding more.

Board of Adjustment: dog boarding and home occupation

The Board of Adjustment scheduled two public hearings for July 15 at City Hall.

At 5:00 p.m., the board was to consider a Conditional Use Permit from Paige Maystadt for a 25-kennel dog boarding and daycare facility at 401 E Sheridan St. The property is zoned Commercial (C1), and dog boarding is allowed only by Conditional Use Permit under Ordinance 398, 2nd Series, 11.40. The public comment deadline was July 13.

At 4:45 p.m., the board was to consider revoking the Home Occupation Permit for NorthStar Dirt Worx at 422 E James St. The revocation is based on complaints of excess dirt, debris, vehicle traffic, and noise. The Home Occupation permit fee is $25.00. Interested parties may appeal any revocation decision within ten days to the Board of Adjustment.

Planning and Zoning

The Planning and Zoning Commission was scheduled to hold a 4:45 p.m. public hearing on the same 422 E James St property regarding the Home Occupation Permit revocation. The commission also planned to discuss the Special Vehicle Ordinance covering golf carts and mini trucks, and the Storage Container Ordinance for residential zoned areas.

Special Council: fire briefing

A Special Council meeting on July 16 included a briefing on an active fire in the Ely area. Chris Barth of the National Incident Management Organization provided the information. No decisions or votes were scheduled; the session was informational only.

Coming up

The Ely City Council meets July 21. The agenda includes the second reading of Ordinance 404 amending Chapter 6, Section 6.33 on the Lodging Tax, a recommendation to draft an Outdoor Wood Boiler Ordinance, an application to the IRRRB for up to $50,000 for the Outdoor Hockey Rink Project, city and EUC claims totaling $156,096.53, and temporary liquor licenses for the Ely Winton Rod & Gun Club at 401 N Pioneer Rd.