City of Ely legals for January 7, 2023
Regular Meeting Ely City Council – City Hall,
Council Chambers
December 20, 2022 – Minutes
CALL TO ORDER:
The regular meeting of the Ely City Council was called to order by Mayor Skraba at 5:32pm in the Council Chambers.
PRESENT: Council members A.Forsman, Kess, Debeltz, Omerza, Callen, Campbell, and Mayor Skraba
ABSENT: None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Debeltz/Campbell moved to approve the minutes from the December 6, 2022 Public Hearing regarding Ordinance 363, the Public Hearing regarding Ordinance 365 on December 6, 2022, the December 6, 2022 Regular Council Meeting, and the Truth in Taxation Public Hearing on December 6, 2022. Motion Carried Unanimously.
ADDITIONS OR OMISSIONS TO AGENDA:
A. Additions 10. E. iii. Mortgage Satisfaction for Donald Chinander Document No. 01264790 recorded on July 10, 2015.
B. Additions 10. E. iv. Subordination Agreement for the Storefront Loan Mortgage with Dawn and Martin Chinander dated February 23, 2022 Recorded as Document No. 01437966
C. Additions 11. D Invoice #84270 for $11,128.77 to AE2S for the WWTF Improvements Project
D. Additions 11. E Invoice #438739 for $5610.00 to SEH for the Prospector ATV Trails.
Omerza/Kess moved to add the Additions A-D to the agenda. Motion Carried Unanimously
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Skraba indicated that he and other council members attended the RAMS Annual Dinner, the Joint Powers Legislative Meeting and the Joint Powers Ambulance Meeting.
A.Forsman stated that Senator Bakk mentioned a quote at the RAMS dinner that the range delegation is non-partisan. Forsman indicated that this is important for the range. It was also good to see Skraba and Grant Hauschild talking together at the RAMS dinner and already working together.
Kess indicated that at the RAMS dinner a multiple speakers talked about working together, which is what RAMS motto is One Range…One Voice.
Mayor Skraba indicated that tonight is his last meeting as mayor. Skraba thanked and appreciated everyone that worked with him during this time; it has been a fun mayoral run. Congrats to Heidi Omerza on being the next mayor, you’re going to have fun.
CONSENT AGENDA:
A. Motion to waive readings in entirety of all ordinances and resolutions on tonight’s agenda.
B. Council and Staff to attend the Legislative Action Day, January 25, 2023 in St Paul.
Debeltz/Callen moved to approve the Consent Agenda items A and B. Motion Carried Unanimously
REQUESTS TO APPEAR: None
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Standing/Special
Planning and Zoning Commission
Campbell/A.Forsman moved to approve the recommendation from P&Z Commission to re-zone 760 E Miners Drive, PID 030-0067-00095 as Commercial 1 (C-1). Motion Carried Unanimously.
Library Board: Minutes included in the council packet.
Ambulance Joint Powers Board:
Mayor Skraba indicated that the Ambulance Joint Powers Board authorized another $50,000 to the Ambulance Service. They also discussed the need for an audit.
Langowski indicated they will have another meeting on January 10th at 10am at the Winton Community Center. We will need to pick a new Ely Representative and Alternate to be on the Joint Powers Board. A big part of the meeting in January will be on the budget moving forward. The way it is being set up is their will be an operational budget for the facility itself, the heat, utilities, the upkeep of the building which the Ambulance Joint Powers owns collectively. Then the Ambulance Service has their own budget for their staff and operation of the actual service. The Ambulance board is looking into what is required for an audit, and Langowski reached out to Tom Kelly and Patty Sabie with Walker Grioux and Hahne, so we have that in process of what it is going to cost and what is needed, the cost of the audit should be on the ambulance service, but we will have that discussion in January.
Langowski indicated that Senator Klobuchar and Senator Smith’s office contacted him today regarding the appropriations bill is being passed by the senate, a couple of projects of interest in the Ely area were the Ely Area Emergency Facility, we put this request in last April and that is at $1.3 Million. Another one is the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota, which was the childcare piece between a couple communities on the range. These are not 100% yet as this need to be passed by the house as well and then the President will need to sign it into law. It is looking promising for both of these projects.
Housing & Redevelopment Authority: Minutes included in the council packet.
Airport Commission
Kess/A.Forsman moved to approve the recommendation from Airport Commission to approve the sign purchase for new MNDot ROW signs for $2730. Motion Carried Unanimously
Kess/Debeltz moved to approve the recommendation from Airport Commission to approve TKDA for the Airport Consultant Services for a period of 5 years.
Kess stated that they had a robust discussion about the other quotes received, but decided to continue to work with TKDA.
Motion Carried Unanimously
Kess/Omerza moved to approve the recommendation from Airport Commission to approve Change order #1 for $351,125.00 and Pay Application #4 for $412,205.72 to Ulland Brothers, Inc. for the Partial Parallel Taxiway.
Langowski indicated that there was an overage on the rock excavation.
Motion Carried Unanimously
Ely Utilities Commission
A.Forsman/Campbell moved to approve the recommendation from EUC to approve the 2023 EUC Budget. Motion Carried Unanimously
A.Forsman/Omerza moved to approve the recommendation from EUC to participate in a PFAS Cost Recovery Program. Motion Carried Unanimously.
A.Forsman/Callen moved to approve the recommendation from EUC to approve a proposal from Pollard Water for a Hydrant Thaw unit in the amount of $1,605.00. Motion Carried Unanimously
A.Forsman/Callen moved to approve the recommendation from EUC to approve a proposal from Jamar for RPZ valve replacement at the wastewater plant.
A.Forsman indicated that these are reduced pressure zone valves which prevent a water back flow into the sanitary water. These are required to be inspected every year and replaced every 5 years.
Motion Carried Unanimously
A.Forsman/Debeltz moved to approve the recommendation from EUC to approve the EUC November Bills List for $947,455.51. Motion Carried Unanimously.
A.Forsman/Omerza moved to approve the recommendation from EUC to approve the payment to Anthony Gornik for the installation of LCR units for $1025. Motion Carried Unanimously
A.Forsman/Kess moved to approve the recommendation from EUC to approve the payment to Mick Shusta for October and November services at the WWTF in the amount of $1000. Motion Carried Unanimously
A.Forsman/Callen moved to approve the recommendation from EUC to approve payment to ISD 696 in the amount of $13,543.45 for conservation improvements.
Langowski indicated that these are the lighting and power grant rebates for all the new energy efficient fixtures they installed.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
Clerk-Treasurer
Discussion on 2023 Street and Infrastructure projects
Langowski indicated that the projects that we are working on for next year include the Water Treatment facility we are doing the control equipment and SCADA for the process and looking to replace the roof. Street projects for next year we are looking at 9th Avenue between Sheridan and Harvey. The Water Main Replacement Project is along Highway 169 from the Wolf Center to Dorothy Molter Museum/ Cemetery entrance. We will be presenting to CDBG on these projects in January and we are hopeful to get some funding and there was a pre-application submitted to IRRR for public infrastructure. We are also working on a couple of development projects on that east end for both Spirit of the Wilderness and Voyageur North. We are still working with the Federal EDA on the Trailhead finalizing all the details to go out to bid for that project early 2023.
The Skating rink at the Rec Center is up and running, the ice is very good. We will have extended hours over Winter Break. Check out the City website or Facebook for the times it is open with the warming area and bathrooms open.
Fire Chief
Chief Marshall discussed the recent fire calls for the fire department.
2nd Assistant Fire Chief Job Description and Position
Chief Marshall indicated that 2nd Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Gilbert is stepping down from that position but is planning on staying on the department for another couple years. The 2nd Assistant Chief oversees the maintenance of the apparatuses.
Debeltz/Omerza moved to post the 2nd Assistant Chief Position internally and to go through the hiring process and to adopt the job description. Motion Carried Unanimously.
Library Director
Library Director Heinrich indicated that they have some new rules for circulation on some items, to see the full list check out the Library website.
Library Director Heinrich discussed the current programing at the Library which can be found on the Library website.
Police Chief
Chief Houde
City Attorney
A.Forsman/Omerza moved to approve the 2nd Reading Ordinance No. 366, 2nd Series, An Ordinance of the City of Ely, Minnesota, Adding to the Ely City Code, Chapter 20, Section 20.1.30, Entitled Zoning Map Amendment. Roll Called: Council Members A.Forsman – Yes, Kess- Yes, Debeltz – Yes, Omerza – Yes, Callen – Yes, Campbell – Yes and Mayor Skraba – Yes. Motion Carried Unanimously.
Debeltz/Campbell moved to approve the Mortgage Satisfaction for E. Chapman St Properties (29 E Chapman St) Document No. 978139.0 recorded on November 4, 2016. Motion Carried Unanimously.
Campbell/A.Forsman moved to approve the Mortgage Satisfaction for Donald Chinander Document No. 01264790 recorded on July 10, 2015. Motion Carried Unanimously.
Omerza/Campbell moved to approve the Subordination Agreement for the Storefront Loan Mortgage with Dawn and Martin Chinander dated February 23, 2022 Recorded as Document No. 01437966. Motion Carried Unanimously.
City Engineer
COMMUNICATIONS: Matter of Information
Correspondence from St Louis County Fair
CLAIMS FOR PAYMENT:
Callen/Kess moved to approve the City and EUC claims for December 20, 2022 for $1,142,089.47. Motion Carried Unanimously.
Omerza/A.Forsman moved to approve the Greater Minnesota Parks and Trails (GMPT) 2023 Membership Dues for $165.00. Motion Carried Unanimously
Debeltz/Callen moved to approve Invoice #83717 for $26,980.53 to AE2S for the WWTF Improvements Project. Motion Carried Unanimously
A.Forsman/Omerza moved to approve Invoice #84270 for $11,128.77 to AE2S for the WWTF Improvements Project. Motion Carried Unanimously.
Debeltz/Campbell moved to approve Invoice #438739 for $5610.00 to SEH for the Prospector ATV Trails. Motion Carried Unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS:
Kess/Campbell moved to approve Resolution 2022-036 Resolution Approving the City of Ely Budget for the Fiscal Year 2023. Roll Called: Council Members A.Forsman – Yes, Kess- Yes, Debeltz – Yes, Omerza – Yes, Callen – Yes, Campbell – Yes and Mayor Skraba – Yes. Motion Carried Unanimously.
A.Forsman/Campbell moved to approve Resolution 2022-037 Resolution Approving and Adopting Final Tax Levy Collectible in 2023. Roll Called: Council Members A.Forsman – Yes, Kess- Yes, Debeltz – Yes, Omerza – Yes, Callen – Yes, Campbell – Yes and Mayor Skraba – Yes. Motion Carried Unanimously.
Omerza/Debeltz moved to approve the Employment Agreement between the City of Ely and Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc (Local No. 55) January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2025, subject to reasonable language changes.
Langowski went through some of the contract changes. Several language changes on work schedule, and force language for overtime shifts. Field training officer receives an extra wage for training. Wages are 4% increase in 2023, 3% in 2024, and 3% in 2025. The first three steps in longevity went up, there are no officers higher than the first three steps, and we will look at the rest of the steps next contract. Health Insurance will remain the same. Lots of effort was made for officer retention, Chief Houde did a rate schedule and we are comparable to the other communities.
Chief Houde indicated that the contract also included an increase in uniform allowance, and training hours will receive time and half versus straight time.
Roll Called: Council Members A.Forsman – Yes, Kess- Yes, Debeltz – Yes, Omerza – Yes, Callen – Yes, Campbell – Yes and Mayor Skraba – Yes. Motion Carried Unanimously.
Debeltz/Omerza moved to approve the Employment Agreement between the City of Ely and AFSCME Local 1490 Essential Unit January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2025, subject to reasonable language changes.
Langowski indicated that this is the contract for the police administrative assistant. A few language changes were made. Documentation is needed for disability leave. Insurance is staying the same. Clothing reimbursement increased from $300 to $350. Wages will increase by $1.50 in 2023, $1.00 in 2024, and $1.00 in 2025.
Roll Called: Council Members A.Forsman – Yes, Kess- Yes, Debeltz – Yes, Omerza – Yes, Callen – Yes, Campbell – Yes and Mayor Skraba – Yes. Motion Carried Unanimously.
Campbell/Omerza moved to approve the Employment Agreement between the City of Ely and AFSCME Local 1490 Base Unit January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2025, subject to reasonable language changes.
Langowski indicated that some of the positions were reclassified with an increase in wages, and wages will increase by $1.50 in 2023, $1.00 in 2024, and $1.00 in 2025. Insurance will stay the same, for new hires personal time will be prorated as to the quarter they start. Documentation is needed for disability leave.
Roll Called: Council Members A.Forsman – Yes, Kess- Yes, Debeltz – Yes, Omerza – Yes, Callen – Yes, Campbell – Yes and Mayor Skraba – Yes. Motion Carried Unanimously.
Campbell/Kess moved to approve the in kind services for the Wolf Track Classic Sled Dog Race on February 25 and 26, 2023. Motion Carried Unanimously
OPEN FORUM:
Todd Crego stated that another Holiday Concert will be held tomorrow at the State theater with the High School Pop Choir playing at 6:30pm and the video of the Holiday Concert will be shown at 7pm.
Omerza- Presented Mayor Skraba with a key to the city and thanked him for his time as mayor. Omerza told Skraba to not forget about us from the view in St. Paul, we will be bugging you and helping you, and thank you for everything you have done.
ADJOURN:
Debeltz/A.Forsman moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:39pm. Motion Carried Unanimously.
Casey Velcheff
Deputy Clerk
Ely Echo January 7, 2023
|
December 20, 2022
Public Hearing Minutes
City Hall, Council Chambers
Call To Order:
Mayor Skraba called the Public Hearing to order at 5:15pm.
PRESENT: Council members A.Forsman, Kess, Debeltz, Omerza, Callen, Campbell and Mayor Skraba
ABSENT: None
Purpose:
Ely City Council will hold a public hearing regarding Ordinance 366 2nd Series rezoning PID 030-0067-00095 – 760 E Miners Drive from Light Industrial (M) to Commercial 1 (C1)
Mayor Skraba asked if anyone wanted to speak regarding this ordinance.
No one came forward.
Adjourn
Debeltz/Campbell moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:23pm. Motion Carried Unanimously.
Casey Velcheff
Deputy Clerk
Ely Echo January 7, 2023
|
NOTICE FOR LEGAL PRINTING BIDS
Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received by the Council of the City of Ely, St. Louis County, Minnesota, until Wednesday, January 25, 2023, 2:00 P.M. for doing legal printing and display advertising for the City of Ely, Minnesota for the year 2023.
Bids shall be securely sealed and endorsed upon the outside wrapper: “Bids for City of Ely Printing for 2023”.
The City Council reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive any informalities therein.
Specifications, instructions and bid forms for interested bidders are available at the office of the Clerk/Treasurer, 209 E Chapman St, Ely, Minnesota 55731.
BY THE ORDER OF THE ELY CITY COUNCIL
Harold R Langowski, City Clerk/Treasurer
Ely Echo
January 7, 2023
January 14, 2023
|
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
City of Ely ANIMAL LICENSES for 2023 for your dog or cat are now available!
Licenses are required by City Ordinance No. 102, 2nd Series and can be purchased at the Clerk’s Office in City Hall, 209 E Chapman St, Ely MN 55731 or at The Ely License Bureau located at 17 E Chapman St. License fee is $5.00 for spayed or neutered dogs/cats and $9.00 for those who are not. Please bring a certificate of current rabies immunization from your veterinarian.
City of Ely
Harold R Langowski, Clerk/Treasurer
Ely Echo
January 7, 2023
January 14, 2023
