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Budget and personnel moves were part of a lengthy city council agenda on Tuesday night.
The council made quick work of the agenda, taking less than an hour to complete the session at City Hall.
Their work included several recommendations from the council’s budget committee as well as a hiring decision City employee Troy Oelke was promoted to the post of Public Works Foreman, while both Neil Lepisto and Eric Mattila took a step up to Equipment Operator II, as recommended by the employee relations committee.
Ely’s 2025 city budget will take shape over the next several weeks, with a preliminary levy likely to be adopted in September, along with a preliminary budget for next year.
The council approved several budget committee recommendations linked to that budget, including a direction to city staff to maintain a $7,500 contribution to the Ely Senior Center, and to increase funding to Ely Community Resource by 10 percent.
Also approved was reclassification of a police officer position to a police sergeant position within the budget, and a move that keeps the status quo of sorts when it comes to support for ambulance operations.
The city, like it did this year, will contribute $15.15 per capita to the Ely Area Ambulance Service.
Funding was also included to purchase a 2010 F-150 truck from St. Louis County, and to classify a planning and zoning administrator position for 32 hours per week, an eight hour per week increase.
In other business, the council:
• A ccepted fi re d epartment summaries for the first two quarters of 2024 from fire chief Dave Marshall, and heard that fire fighters have opted against an invitation to set up a beer garden at Whiteside Park during next month’s Harvest Moon Festival.
• Was briefed on the latest library activities from librarian Rachel Heinrich.
Among the highlights was a kids’ sleepover, to be held the evening of Aug. 9.
• Opted to wait for parks and recreation board members to conduct interviews before deciding to fill a vacant seat on that board.
• Approved temporary liquor licenses for the Ely Rotary (Aug. 16, Miners Dry), Ely Winton Rod and Gun Club (Aug. 31, Miners Dry) and the Dorothy Molter Museum (Sept. 20-21, Whiteside Park).
• Approved a $10,000 residential rehabilitation loan for Morgan Sauls, pending completion of needed paperwork.
• Received a letter of thanks from the Ely Chamber of Commerce related to city support for the recent Blueberry/Art Festival.
• Approved liquor license renewals and cannabinoid dealer licenses, pending completion of needed paperwork, payment of fees and proof of insurance.
