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An Ely police officer has been promoted to a higher role with the department.
Bradley Roy was named police sergeant Tuesday night upon vote of the city council, which followed a recommendation from the city’s police commission.
Roy has spent several years with Ely’s department and also leads the city’s emergency preparedness efforts.
He was picked over fellow officer Dan Mooers for the post.
“We had two applicants and both really stood out,” said chief Chad Houde. “Both are very well qualified but our recommendation for promotion is for Bradley Roy.”
Council member Jerome Debeltz is part of the police commission and he saluted the interviews of both candidates.
“Both are great people and I hope some day we can get a second sergeant that will help the citizens of Ely,” said Debeltz.
Houde said he’s working to fill a vacant police post and noted a former officer could return.
“I have been in contact with one of our former officers who left just under a year ago who might be interested in coming back,” said Houde. “At the time he left for personal reasons to be closer to his family, but it’s encouraging to hear there’s interest from him in coming back.”
Houde said he hoped to have an answer “in a few weeks.”
Also Tuesday, during a brief session at City Hall, council members voted to accept a deed of a residence near the water tower.
The property is located at 334 and 350 West Chapman Street and is owned by a family from outside the area. The owners have paid taxes and minimum utility fees for the property and have no interest in retaining the property.
City officials say the city may be able to subdivide the lot and create additional housing units.
In other business, the council:
• Directed City Attorney Kelly Klun to draft a new ordinance related to Sunday on-sale liquor sales, to mesh with current state statutes.
While state law allows for Sunday liquor sales to begin at 8 a.m., the present Ely ordinance does not allow sales to begin until 10 a.m.
• Appointed Mary Groeninger- Helms to the Tree Board
• Agreed to provide city snow plowing services and HVAC support at the Ely Area Community Hub.
Council member Al Forsman noted the Hub’s support of child care services at the facility.
• Scheduled an Oct. 28 public hearing on the Harvey Street Reconstruction Project, which is in the works for 2024.
• Passed resolutions authorizing application for state Department of Employment and Economic Development funds for the cleanup of the Depot site and to investigate contamination at that site.
• Accepted the latest Lodging Tax numbers, which show a 13.2 percent decline in “bed tax” collections from January to July, in comparison to the same time period a year ago.
