ELY –A three-year extension request from a Korean foundation concerning its six-year Community Center building renovation project agreement was denied Tuesday by Ely City Council, which decided to maintain the pact as it stands.
Citing recent fundraising failures and rising xenophobic attitudes toward people of Asian descent due to the coronavirus pandemic, K America Foundation approached the city of Ely last month seeking an extension to their purchase agreement to renovate the city landmark and develop a Korean cultural center.
The agreement was signed just a year ago, and as K America enters its second of six construction seasons, the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak forced the cancellation of several of their large fundraising events for this year. In addition, according to K America officials, the South Korean government has delayed support for the Ely project as they respond to the pandemic in their country.
“But also, unfortunately, at this time, there is a rise in xenophobia and our partners, supporters and participants have voiced concerns and shared their own experiences of racism and we need to take their safety seriously and cannot have a large gathering of Asians at this time,” said K America Foundation president Byongchan Yoon in a March 16 email to Ely Clerk-Treasurer Harold Langowski.
In a follow-up email to the city of Ely on April 17, Africa Yoon expressed surprise at the current state of fundraising.
“I’ve never faced such a massive hurdle including that so many donors of ours are now financially insecure and not spending now,” she said.
She also cited her disappointment in the increased xenophobia in the United States.
“I’m actually scratching my head on this one,” Africa Yoon said.
She said in the email she was curious to know the local feeling toward Koreans coming into Ely. When K America Foundation first approached the city about acquiring the Community Center, at least one dissenter warned of possible disease being introduced into the community.
“(This) is what all the racist people are saying to all Asians as they pour acid on them, shout at them, or stab them saying ‘go back to China’ which isn’t Korea, but to a racist, they don’t care much about the difference. How has (Ely) reacted to the coronavirus crisis in general?’ she asked.
“I definitely need more time to see how this plays out. Recovering from two years of set up is going to be a steep climb. The milestones we set won’t happen,” she said.
The city’s Heritage Preservation Committee recommended that the council reconsider K America’s purchase agreement extension proposal at a future date after allowing them to make more progress on their project milestones.
In an email to Langowski last Friday, HPC chair Celia Domich wrote, ”It is likely the K America Foundation will lose fundraising ability setting them back at least two years, although more likely three (years) and possibly beyond based on current financial projections of the COVID-19 impact. And, we have no other viable interested parties.”
The council voted 5-0 to allow the original Community Center purchase agreement to continue. City Attorney Kelly Klun affirmed the decision by council member Angela Campbell to recuse herself from voting on the matter. Campbell previously made an offer to purchase the building. Jerome Debeltz was absent from the meeting.
Police chief
Four candidates will be interviewed next week for the city’s police chief position. Chief John Lahtonen is set to step down this spring. Three of the candidates, George Burger, Chad Houde and Adam Borchert, currently serve on the Ely Police Department. John Swenson, of Embarrass, is the fourth candidate.
The council’s law enforcement committee, consisting of Mayor Chuck Novak and council members Heidi Omerza and Ryan Callen, along with City Attorney Klun, selected the four candidates to be interviewed on Friday, May 1.
The entire council will interview the candidates in a special meeting conducted electronically and open to the public, beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Council members will vote on filling the supervisory position following the interviews.
Other business
In other business, the council took the following action:
• Approved a three-year law enforcement labor services contract that calls for a 2.5-percent annual wage increase and the addition of another paid holiday each year.
• Adopted the Santation Rules and Regulation ordinance concerning refuse collection and disposal following a public hearing and approval of the second reading of the proposal.
 • Approved a $17,500 storefront rehab loan for TMC Property LLC/Cunningham Electric for renovation of the existing building at 421 N. Lakeview Ave.
• Approved the first phase of the archeological survey for the Hidden Valley Mountain Bike Trail at a cost of $3,903.