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Ely council members made some history Tuesday night - albeit in a dubious way.
With only three of seven members present, the regular council meeting was canceled because of the lack of a quorum.
The meeting will instead take place at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 27, just prior to a study session (see related story) to discuss a recommendation that Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital take over ownership and operation of the region’s ambulance service.
A light agenda was on tap this week, but those present - council members Ryan Callen and Jerome Debeltz and mayor Heidi Omerza were unable to officially take action or enter into formal discussion.
The four remaining council members - Paul Kess, Adam Bisbee, Angela Campbell and Albert Forsman -were all absent.
It is believed to be only the second time in 26 years that the council canceled a meeting because of a lack of quorum.
There have been other instances when meetings were postponed in advance, but the failure to produce a council majority on the night of a meeting had only happened one other time since 1998, according to longtime city librarian Rachel Heinrich.
Several city staff members, media representatives and a handful of local citizens were on hand Tuesday at City Hall when Omerza announced that the meeting would not take place.
The session also had its light moments including the reciting of the pledge of allegiance by seven-year-old Chloe Callen, the daughter of city council member Ryan Callen.
