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The Ely City Council’s final meeting of 2024 was also the last for two outgoing council members.
Paul Kess and Ryan Callen will both leave the council at the end of the year, and their colleagues bid farewell, with mayor Heidi Omerza presenting them with both plaques and words of remembrance Tuesday evening at City Hall.
For Kess, it’s a departure after 22 years on the council, split over two long stints with a break in the mid-2000s.
“He’s the person who always says the right thing at the right time,” said Omerza. “What are we going to do without him?”
During his tenure, Kess has represented the city on entities including the Range Association of Municipalities and Schools and the Ely Area Development Association, and has served on numerous city committees.
Particularly during the last decade, Kess carved a niche as a budget hawk of sorts, working on the city’s budget committee and persistently advocating for measures that lowered the burden on Ely property owners.
“There’s probably no one tougher on the budget committee but he always has a gentle grace about him,” said Omerza. “He always has that perfect line to say. He brings up the right questions and brings up things very gracefully. We are going to miss you after 22 years.”
Kess showed emotion while speaking briefly about his tenure on the council.
“I haven’t regretted any of it,” he said. “Although I’m looking forward to the relief from beating myself with a stick. When you come off a job like this one you have a lot of things to consider, including freedom.”
But Kess said, “I’ve always been involved in stuff.”
“Those of you who know me know I’ve been in service to the public my entire career, one way or another,” said Kess. “I don’t think I’m going to magically disappear.”
Council members Angela Campbell and Jerome Debeltz both heaped praise on Kess.
“I’d like to thank you for coming alongside me as a new council member,” said Campbell. “I could always pick up the phone. I could always stop you and ask you and say ‘I need help or I don’t understand this issue’ and you would take the time.”
Debeltz cited a long history with Kess that went back to their days attending the Ely schools together.
“I thank you for all the work you’ve put in,” said Debeltz. “You’ve done really well with the city. The city should be very proud of you.”
Callen, meanwhile, leaves the council after two terms and eight years in office.
“Although quiet, when Ryan has something to say it’s very important to listen,” said Omerza. “We all know it’s powerful.”
Callen represented the council on the city’s projects committee and has served in several other areas as well. He is also a member of the Ely Fire Department.
“We appreciate everything you’ve done and we appreciate your quiet leadership,” said Omerza. “I know I leaned on you quite a bit for things and we will miss you and your wisdom.”
Callen said “it’s been an honor and a privilege to serve in this community for the last eight years.”
He didn’t rule out a future return to city politics but indicated “now I need to take a break. For now I’ve got other things to focus on.”
In January, both Emily Roose and John Lahtonen will take seats on the council, joining holdovers including Campbell, Debeltz, Omerza, Adam Bisbee and Al Forsman.
In other business, the council:
• Accepted the resignation of Morgan Sauls from the parks and recreation committee.
• Agreed to advertise for open seats on city committees, commissions and boards;
• Approved a letter of understanding with the firm Walker, Giroux and Hahne to provide audit services;
• Heard from clerk-treasurer Harold Langowski that the city will proceed to fill an open public works position in January.
• Finalized the budget and levy as earlier presented at hearings including a Truth in Taxation session two weeks earlier. The city levy is set to rise by 7.2 percent.
• Approved, on a 5-1 vote with Kess opposed, a plan to pay roughly $33,000 to Custom Theaters for surveillance, security and access control for the trailhead facility. Kess said he preferred that the city seek price quotations for the project.
