Legals for March 16, 2024

STATE OF MINNESOTA

COUNTY OF ST. LOUIS SIXTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT

DISTRICT COURT PROBATE DIVISION

ESTATE OF TERRY ALLEN ANDERSON, A/K/A TERRY A. ANDERSON,

Decedent.

Court File N0. 69VI-PR-24-40

NOTICE AND ORDER FOR HEARING ON PETITION FOR PROBATE OF WILL APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

It is Ordered and Notice is given that on April 8, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. a hearing will be held in this Court at 300 5th Ave. S. Virginia, Minnesota, for the formal probate of an instrument purporting to be the Will of Decedent, dated January 24, 2022, under Minn. Stat. 524.2-513 (“Will”), and for the appointment of Cheryl Groth whose address is 96 220th Street, Baldwin, WI 54002, as personal representative of the Estate of the Decedent in an unsupervised administration. Any objections to the petition must be filed with the Court prior to or raised at the hearing. If proper and if no objections are filed or raised, the personal representative will be appointed with full power to administer the Estate, including the power to collect all assets, pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, to sell real and personal property, and do all necessary acts for the Estate.

* This hearing will be held remotely via Zoom Technology.

Notice is also given that (subject to Minn. Stat. 524.3-801) all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims to the personal representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this Notice or the claims will be barred.

February 29, 2024.

Robert Friday

Judge of District Court

Sara McDonald

Interim Court Administrator

Chelsea Opdahl

Deputy Court Administrator

Attorney for Petitioner

Kelly M. Klun (#389369)

Klun Law Firm, P.A.

1 E. Chapman St.

P.O. Box 240

Ely, MN 55731

Phone: 218-365-3221

5001-264011

Ely Echo Publication Date(s):

Mar. 16, 23, 2024

STATE OF MINNESOTA

COUNTY OF ST. LOUIS SIXTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT

DISTRICT COURT PROBATE DIVISION

ESTATE OF GERALD C. FUHRMANN, A/K/A GERALD FUHRMANN,

Decedent.

Court File N0. 69VI-PR-24-53

NOTICE AND ORDER FOR HEARING ON PETITION FOR PROBATE OF WILL APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

It is Ordered and Notice is given that on April 22, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. a hearing will be held in this Court at 300 5th Ave. S. Virginia, Minnesota, for the formal probate of an instrument purporting to be the Will of Decedent, dated October 20, 1992, under Minn. Stat. 524.2-513 (“Will”), and for the appointment of Theresa A. Fuhrmann whose address is 519 Voyager Road, Ely, MN 55731, as personal representative of the Estate of the Decedent in an unsupervised administration. Any objections to the petition must be filed with the Court prior to or raised at the hearing. If proper and if no objections are filed or raised, the personal representative will be appointed with full power to administer the Estate, including the power to collect all assets, pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, to sell real and personal property, and do all necessary acts for the Estate.

* This hearing will be held remotely via Zoom Technology.

Dated: March 13, 2024.

Andrew R. Peterson

Judge of District Court

Jennifer Miller

Court Administrator

Chelsea Opdahl

Deputy Court Administrator

Attorney for Petitioner

Kelly M. Klun (#389369)

Klun Law Firm, P.A.

1 E. Chapman St.

P.O. Box 240

Ely, MN 55731

Phone: 218-365-3221

5001-265026

Ely Echo Publication Date(s):

Mar. 16, 23, 2024

Lake County Board of Adjustment Minutes

Two Harbors Law Enforcement Center

March 11, 2024

The Lake County Board of Adjustment sat in session at 1:00 p.m. on this date and conducted hearings and other business.

V-24-004– Motion by Hoops supported by Fogelberg to deny the request for relief from a bluff and shoreline setback for an addition of a deck. Motion by Fogelberg supported by Hoops to approve the request, with conditions, for an addition of a sunroom to a legally nonconforming cabin that is located on a bluff and within the shoreline setback and to allow an existing deck to remain (Lake County Land Use Ordinance #12, Article 7, Section 7.03-part A) at 426 Buck View Rd., Ely MN 55731. The property is legally described as: 0.16 acres out of Gov Lot 1 and 6.44 acres out of NW ¼ of NE ¼ as desc. in BK 138 of Deeds PG 49, Section 29, Township 63, Range 11, 6.6 acres, zoned shoreland R-R/Residential-Recreational District, one-acre minimum, Fall Lake Township. PID: 28-6311-29015. Motion carried Hoops, Fogelberg and Hippert voting in favor; none opposed.

Motion by Fogelberg supported by Hippert to approve the February 12, 2024 minutes as submitted. Motion carried, Hoops, Fogelberg and Hippert voting in favor; none opposed.

Motion by Fogelberg supported by Hoops to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried, Hoops, Fogelberg and Hippert voting in favor; none opposed. Meeting adjourned at 3:37 p.m.

5001-264933

Ely Echo Publication Date(s):

Mar. 16, 2024

School Board Meeting Minutes

February 12, 2024 (Board Approved March 11, 2024)

1.0 The regular meeting of the School Board of Independent School District No. 696 was called to order in the Board Meeting Room at 6:00 p.m. by Chairman Marsnik.

2.0 On roll call the following directors were present: Westlund, Coombe, Colarich, Sjoberg, Marsnik. Absent: Omerza. Also in attendance: Anne Oelke, Superintendent/PreK-5 Principal; Jeff Carey, 6-12 Principal; Tim Leeson, Transportation and Facilities Director; Tom Coombe, The Ely Echo; Catie Clark, Timberjay.

3.0 Pledge of Allegiance

4.0 Approval of Agenda:

4.a. Moved by Colarich, seconded by Sjoberg, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried. (Vote: 5,0)

5.0 Open Forum: None at this meeting

6.0 Correspondence/informational items:

6.a. Widseth presentation on bids for Ely Public School Window Replacement

6.b. FY 2023 Audit presentation by Walker, Giroux & Hahne

6.c. Memorial Student Council Report

6.d. Ely Community Resources, Inc. Quarterly Progress Report - 4th Quarter,

October 1 - December 31, 2023

7.0 Consent Agenda:

7.a. Moved by Coombe, seconded by Colarich, to approve the following Program Consent Agenda:

7.a.1. Approved the minutes of the regular meeting of January 8, 2024.

7.a.2. Approved the minutes of the study session of January 22, 2024.

7.a.3. Approved January 2024 receipts in the amount of $851,272.85 and disbursements in the amount of $493,573.63.

7.a.4. Approved January 2024 Financial Report. Motion carried (Vote: 5,0)

7.b. Moved by Sjoberg, seconded by Coombe, to approve the Personnel Consent Agenda:

7.b.1. Accepted the resignation of Eliza Vistica as head girls track coach.

7.b.2. (Added) Hired Jill Ellerbroek for the head girls track position as recommended by 6-12 Principal, Jeff Carey and Athletic Director, Tom Coombe.

Motion carried. (Vote: 5,0)

7.c. Policy Consent Agenda: None at this meeting

8.0 Old Business:

8.a. Phase II Completion Project update given by Superintendent Oelke

8.b. Discussion on Northland Learning Center building project

9.0 New Business:

9.a. Moved by Colarich, seconded by Westlund, to authorize and direct

the Superintendent of Independent School District No. 696 to initiate discussions with the Lake Superior School District regarding school district boundaries and possible future adjustments to district boundaries. Motion carried. (Vote: 5,0)

9.b. Moved by Sjoberg, seconded by Coombe, to adopt the

Resolution Authorizing Independent School District No. 696 to Make

Application to and Accept Revenue Bond Grant Funds from the IRRRB.

Motion carried. (Vote: 5,0)

9.c. Moved by Sjoberg, seconded by Coombe, to approve the 2024-2025 school year calendar as presented. Motion carried. (Vote: 5,0)

9.d. Moved by Colarich, seconded by Coombe to approve Base Bid No. 1 in the amount of $1,684,000.00 submitted by Lenci Enterprises Inc. for Ely Public School Window Replacement. (Widseth Project# 2023-11758). Motion carried. (Vote: 5,0) (Eliminated Add Alternate Bid No. 1 in the amount of $200,000.00)

9.e. Moved by Sjoberg, seconded by Coombe, to approve Resolution Accepting Donations. Motion carried. (Vote: 5,0)

9.f. Discussion on Althing District AIRs

10.0 Reports:

10.a. Athletic Director – Tom Coombe

11.a.1. State meet participants in both girls and boys Nordic skiing

11.a.2. Other winter sports are heading into the playoff season

10.b. Director of Facilities Report – Tim Leeson: None at this meeting

10.c. PreK-12 Principals’ Report - Anne Oelke and Jeff Carey

10.c.1. 7th Grade PE class goes dogsledding

10.c.2. Early release meeting, teachers teaching teachers

10.c.3. School wide pajama day

10.c.4. Knowledge Bowl Team competes for the 1st time in twenty years

10.c.5. PTO Book Swap

10.c.6. Ely Dance team takes 2nd place at the Monticello Invitational

10.c.7. Winter Frolic Week

10.c.8. Student Council, Students of the Month for 6-12 graders

10.c.9. Current Enrollment: Washington-200, Memorial-330

10.d. Superintendent – Anne Oelke

10.d.1. Meetings attended and attending

10.d.2. Upcoming Study Sessions; budget discussions and planning, procedure for state tournaments, MSBA Strategic Planning presentation

10.d.3. February Early Release meetings

11.0 Board members comments and concerns: None at this meeting

12.0 CLOSED SESSION

12.a. Moved by Colarich, seconded by Coombe, to go into a closed session to discuss EEA negotiation strategies at 6:59 p.m. Motion carried. (Vote: 5,0)

Board Members Present: Westlund, Coombe, Colarich, Sjoberg, Marsnik. Absent: Omerza

Marsnik adjourned closed session at 7:35 p.m.

13.0 Moved by Colarich, seconded by Westlund, to adjourn at 7:36 p.m. Motion carried. (Vote: 5,0)

Rochelle Sjoberg, Clerk

5001-264949

Ely Echo Publication Date(s):

Mar. 16, 2024

Study Session

February 26, 2024 (Board Approved March 11, 2024)

1.0 The study session of the School Board of Independent School District No. 696 was called to order in the Board Meeting Room by Chair Marsnik at 6:00 p.m.

2.0 On roll call the following directors were present: Westlund, Colarich, Omerza, Sjoberg, Marsnik. Absent: Coombe. Also in attendance: Anne Oelke, Superintendent/PreK-5 Principal; Tim Leeson, Transportation and Facilities Director; Tom Coombe, The Ely Echo

3.0 Discussed state tournament dismissal procedures

4.0 Community Education update was given by Chris Hartman, Community Education Coordinator

5.0 Phase II Completion Project update was given by Superintendent Oelke

6.0 First reading of revised MSBA Policy 209 Code of Ethics

7.0 First reading of revised MSBA Policy 214 Out-of-State Travel by School Board Members

8.0 First reading of revised MSBA Policy 404 Employment Background Checks

9.0 First reading of MSBA Policy 535 Service Animals in Schools (new district policy)

10.0 Moved by Colarich, seconded by Westlund, to adjourn at 6:21p.m. Motion carried. (Vote: 5,0)

Rochelle Sjoberg, Clerk

5001-264950

Ely Echo Publication Date(s):

Mar. 16, 2024

Regular Meeting Ely City Council – City Hall, Council Chambers

February 20, 2024 – Minutes

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Omerza called the council meeting to order at 5:30pm.

PRESENT: Council members Debeltz, Campbell, Bisbee, and Mayor Omerza

ABSENT: Council members A.Forsman, Kess, and Callen

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Debeltz/Campbell moved to approve the minutes from the February 6th, 2024 Regular Council Meeting. Motion Carried 4-0-3 with A.Forsman, Kess, and Callen Absent.

ADDITIONS OR OMISSIONS TO AGENDA:

A. Additions 6.B. Reschedule the March 5, 2024 Council Meeting to Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 5:30pm since the Presidential Nomination Primary is on March 5, 2024 and no public meetings can be scheduled.

B. Addition 9.E. Memorandum of Understanding between City of Ely and AFSCME Local #1490 Essential and Base Units, Supervisor of Essential Employees and LELS, Local #55 regarding Health Insurance Savings.

Bisbee/Debeltz moved to approve the additions A and B. Motion Carried 4-0-3 with A.Forsman, Kess, and Callen Absent.

MAYOR’S REPORT:

Mayor Omerza indicated that Ely was named Airport of the Month in Minnesota Flyer magazine.

Mayor Omerza stated that she went to the Elected Leaders Institute put on by the League of Minnesota Cities and stated that it was one of the best ones she has attended.

Mayor Omerza stated that a sad incident happened in Burnsville with two police officers and a firefighter/EMS person being shot and killed. Please take a moment and thank Police Officers, Firefighters, and EMS workers for putting their lives in danger. Mayor Omerza took a moment of silence.

CONSENT AGENDA:

A.Motion to waive readings in entirety of all ordinances and resolutions on tonight’s agenda.

B.Reschedule the March 5, 2024 Council Meeting to Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 5:30pm since the Presidential Nomination Primary is on March 5, 2024 and no public meetings can be scheduled.

Debeltz/Campbell moved to approve the Consent Agenda items A and B. Motion Carried 4-0-3 with A.Forsman, Kess, and Callen Absent.

Langowski reminded everyone that the EEDA meeting for next Tuesday is canceled because of the caucuses.

REQUESTS TO APPEAR: None

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Standing/Special

Projects Committee: Minutes included in the Council Packet

Langowski discussed the current projects the city is working on. The east end project has the paving of Zups lot remaining. Additional grant funds were received for the housing project at Voyageur North Outfitters for water and sewer services to the cabins. The trailhead project preconstruction meeting was held and construction is anticipated in the spring. The stage II application to USDA RD for the Ambulance and Fire Garage will be completed this week. The renovation of the community center was discussed. The proposed solution to provide parking at the old Ford garage site will be further explored. The Ott’s currently own the property and would be interested in selling back to the City. With the current planning of the depot rehabilitation there may be a way to structure a development agreement to include a land swap for property the City owns adjacent to the depot property in exchange. John Fedo and Langowski will continue to work on the details. Discussion on the concepts of a 32-unit apartment building that DW Jones has built in another community. A conference call was held last week with Minnesota Housing to go over the feasibility of a housing project in Ely and it appears that with the current high cost of construction a market rate apartment complex is feasible. The townhouse concept will be shelved for the time being. Joe Hiller will be bringing this concept to the HRA board for discussion. The IRRRB was also involved in the conference call and should be able to provide grant and possible loan money for the project. The MN Housing workforce program is highly competitive and the $39 million currently available will be given out in one grant cycle this April. There is also Northland Foundation funds that may be available. The City has an ordinance being drafted to establish a trust fund in the HRA that would make $150,000 in matching dollars available from the state to match the $350k that the HRA currently has in reserve for such projects.

Airport Commission: Minutes included in the Council Packet

Library Board: Minutes included in the Council Packet

HRA:

Langowski discussed the Housing project. The city plans on going to the IRRR for some of the infrastructure for the water and sewer to the project. The land the project will be built on is city land, we will need to put a value on the land and possibly get an appraisal. j

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:

Clerk-Treasurer

The Rec Center Ice Rink is currently open, but it will depend on the weather on how long we will be able to keep it open.

Fire Chief

Chief Marshall discussed the current fire and medical calls for the Fire Department.

Chief Marshall thanked Mayor Omerza for mentioning what can happen when we go on calls. We always think we will come home to our families when we go on a call, but you never know what can happen.

Library Director

Library Director Heinrich discussed the current programming for the Ely Library which can be found on the Library website.

Police Chief: Not Present

City Attorney

Debeltz/Campbell moved to accept the Memorandum of Understanding between City of Ely and AFSCME Local #1490 Essential and Base Units, Supervisor of Essential Employees and LELS, Local #55 regarding Health Insurance Savings. Motion Carried 4-0-3 with A.Forsman, Kess, and Callen Absent.

Debeltz/Campbell moved to approve the First Reading of Ordinance 375 2nd Series- An Ordinance of the City of Ely, Minnesota adding to the Ely City Code, Chapter 2, section 2.66, Ely Housing Fund.

Langowski indicated that the MN Housing Partnership brought this to the HRA Board and it requires the municipality to approve this ordinance. This is to maximize the effort for funds for the housing project.

Roll Called: Council members A.Forsman-Absent, Kess- Absent, Debeltz - yes, Callen-Absent, Campbell- yes, Bisbee-yes, and Mayor Omerza- yes. Motion Carried 4-0-3 with A.Forsman, Kess, and Callen Absent.

City Engineer

COMMUNICATIONS: None

CLAIMS FOR PAYMENT:

A.City and EUC Claims for February 20, 2024 for $411,811.30.

B.Invoice #461208 to SEH for $8,013.19 for the Prospector ATV Trail.

Debeltz/Bisbee moved to approve the the claims for payment items A and B. Motion Carried 4-0-3 with A.Forsman, Kess, and Callen Absent.

OLD BUSINESS:

Debeltz/Campbell moved to approve the agreement between the City of Ely and Ely Supervisors of Other than Essential Employees effective Jan. 1st 2024-December 31st 2026. Motion Carried 4-0-3 with A.Forsman, Kess, and Callen Absent.

NEW BUSINESS:

Bisbee/Campbell moved to approve the Residential Rehab loan application for Charlotte Ackerley for up to $10,000 at 226 E Conan St. to upgrade to a propane furnace pending proper paperwork and fees and to direct Attorney Klun to work with the applicant and proceed with the loan application. Motion Carried 4-0-3 with A.Forsman, Kess, and Callen Absent.

Bisbee/Debeltz moved to approve Resolution 2024-010 Supporting Grant Application to the MN DNR Federal Recreational Trail Program to Purchase Trail Maintenance Equipment for the Maintenance of the Prospectors Loop Trail. Roll Called: Council members A.Forsman-Absent, Kess- Absent, Debeltz - yes, Callen-Absent, Campbell- yes, Bisbee-yes, and Mayor Omerza- yes. Motion Carried 4-0-3 with A.Forsman, Kess, and Callen Absent.

OPEN FORUM: None

ADJOURN:

Mayor Omerza adjourned the meeting at 5:57pm without objection.

Casey Velcheff

Deputy Clerk

5001-264952

Ely Echo Publication Date(s):

Mar. 16, 2024

Boards and Committee Openings

The City of Ely is calling for interested applicants to fill the following vacancies on the

Gardner Trust

1 – 3 year term

*At Large Resident

Planning & Zoning Commission

1-Mid Term

* resident or non-resident

Tree Board

1 - 3 year terms

*resident or non-resident

For more information on the committees go to https://www.ely.mn.us/boards If you are interested in serving on a committee please remit a letter of interest or fill out the “Application to serve on city commission” and remit to the Ely City Clerk’s Office, 209 E. Chapman Street, Ely, MN or email deputyclerk@ely.mn.us by March 27, 2024 at 4:30pm. Questions, please contact the Clerk-Treasurer’s Office at 218-365-3224.

Harold R Langowski

Clerk/Treasurer

5001-264953

Ely Echo Publication Date(s):

March 16, 2024

March 23, 2024