ELY – On a recommendation from the Ely Parks and Rec Committee, the City Council agreed to have the Police Department strictly enforce the ordinance that prohibits vehicles in Whiteside Park.

Beginning at the Tuesday, July 12 Farmers Market event, vehicles will only be allowed access to the park for loading and unloading before and after the event.

All vehicles will be ticketed and towed off the premises during all other times.

Council member and Parks and Rec committee member Heidi Omerza brought the issue before the council this week as part of her committee report. “There have been a lot of issues and complaints of cars driving through the park and staying in the park during the Farmers Market event on Tuesday nights,” she said.

A resolution was passed several years ago prohibiting vehicles in the park, but the rule has largely been ignored.

The Parks and Rec Committee recommended a plan to accommodate the vendors and food sellers to get their merchandise to their designated areas by allowing unloading between 4-4:45 p.m. and loading between 7-7:45 p.m.

Mayor Chuck Novak stressed the safety issues involved in mixing cars with people. “We don’t want some kind of accident down there, and we need to work together to keep it safe,” he said.

Omerza pushed for severe consequences to violating the rules. “After tonight (the rules) should be enforced,” she said. “Ticketing and towing is the answer.”

Clerk-Treasurer Harold Langowski said he witnessed a number a vehicles in the park at 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday. “I didn’t count, but there were many cars parked in the park and driving in the park,” he said. “We’ve had people witness cars driving on the sidewalk through the park east to west and west to east because Chapman Street is blocked off for Little League. The (Police) Chief has been down there and tried to have a discussion and it seems that nobody takes it very seriously.”

As many as five vehicles were in parked on the grass in Whiteside Park at 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday; two were parked by food vendors on the north end of the park and three were parked by the pavilion where the City Band was performing.

Langowski noted the Whiteside Park Rental Agreement Permit allows for unloading and loading. “That was meant for Blueberry Arts and Harvest Moon festivals where the vendors are setting up pretty intricate booths,” he said. “It is understood that those events coordinators have control of the park and schedule and police them.”

No such vehicle control is in place during the Farmers Market, according to Langowski. “I’m afraid something is going to happen,” he said. “These folks, with a wagon, can bring their goods from the street and set up their stuff.”

“From what I saw, I don’t think there is anyone there policing (the vendors),” he said. “At least no one came forward at the committee meeting.” The Parks and Rec Committee meeting minutes from June 27 list Laura Moberly from the Northern Lakes Arts Association and Brian Nyaki from the Farmers Market as apparent contact persons for the Tuesday night event.

City Attorney Kelly Klun said she witnessed the park violations last week. “Laura Moberly was there and she is the spokesperson for the NLAA,” Klun said. “They do carry the liability insurance policy for the event and they are aware of the policy for loading and unloading 45 minutes prior to and after the event. It is our understanding that the NLAA is in charge of enforcing this. It is a liability and we can take away the privilege.”

Omerza stressed that the city is in an “awkward position” every time a rental agreement is signed to use Whiteside Park. “The permit agreement provides for loading and unloading, and everyone just assumes it is allowed,” she said.

The council unanimously passed the motion to only allow for unloading from 4-4:45 p.m. and for loading from 7-7:45 p.m. on the Tuesdays that the Farmers Market event is held.

Omerza added that the NLAA and Farmers Market organizers should be notified “that from this moment forward, there will be ticketing and towing” for any and all violations.

Other business

In other business, the council took the following action:

• On a 6-1 vote, called for a review of a plan to move the Pillow Rock to the North American Bear Center prior to granting authorization;

• Directed the Building Official to send letters allowing 30 days for owners of seven blight properties to mitigate identified problems before calling for enforcement hearings;

• Designated Clerk Treasurer Harold Langowski as the city’s Brownfield delegate;

•Authorized the issuance, sale and delivery of $1,630,000 General Obligation Sewer Revenue Refunding Bonds;

•Passed a resolution designating the Port Authority to implement and administer a clean energy improvement financing program;

•OK’d a resolution authorizing a pool or billiard hall license fee of $100, and approved the application form for a pool or billiard hall license.