ELY- There are a lot of people keeping their eyes on Ely, according to information presented to the Ely City Council at Tuesday’s regular meeting.
Clerk-Treasurer Harold Langowski reported that the city’s two webcams have been getting lots of online traffic. People appear to be most interested in Whiteside Park – that webcam has had 17,460 views in the last 30 days and 49,543 in the last 90. The Sheridan St. webcam also was quite active, with 14,094 views in the last 30 days and 46,412 views in the last 90 days.
Langowski described some of the inquiries he’s had about the webcams.
Scenes showing preparations for Ely’s 31st annual Ely Winter Festival that gets undeway this week have piqued the interest of many remote viewers.
“I did get a call from a lady from Texas who has never been in Ely but really enjoys looking at our webcams on Sheridan Street and in the park,” Langowski said. “She called and asked what those big wooden boxes were in the park. She said that she had hoped they were for some snow sculptures. I said yes, and she was extremely excited about that. I’ve had a few calls like that.”
In other business, the city council:
• Approved former city council member Paul Kess as the council’s representative on the Ely Lodging Tax Board. Kess lost his seat in the November election. He was the council’s representative on the board last year and was willing to continue. The motion passed 6-1, with Emily Roose voting nay. “I’m opposed to this,” Roose said, “because there are council members that are willing to serve on the board, and I think it’s important to have the council be there.”
• Approved a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission for the city attorney to draft a floodplain management ordinance approved by the Department of Natural Resources. Scott Kochendorfer, Ely’s planning and zoning administrator, explained that having this ordinance will make it possible for residents in Ely’s flood zones to apply for FEMA aid if they are affected by flooding.
• Approved writing off $14,072 in delinquent utility accounts that are no longer eligible for collections under state law and for tax-forfeited properties that have been torn down as blight.
• Voted to renew Mick Shusta’s A Operator services contract at the water treatment plant and the waste water treatment facility, and approved a $500 invoice for services rendered in December.
• Approved a payment of $1,048 to DNR for the city’s water use permit.
• Approved the purchase of a blower and parts for $12,237 from Emery Nelson Inc. for the waste water treatment facility.
• Approved an electrical engineering consulting contract with Widseth Smith Nolting and Associates.
• Approved a $1,038 payment to H&S Electric for a meter base replacement at 1939 W. Shagawa Road.
• Approved the purchase of a desk for the Planning and Zoning Administrator for $2,906 from Innovative Office Solutions.
• Approved an invoice for $675 from Ely Area Television for additional filming in November, December, and January.
• Approved claims for payment totaling $180,780 for the city and Ely Utilities Commission for the period ending on Feb. 4.
• Approved the bid from the Ely Echo to be the city’s official newspaper for legal notices.
• Approved the first reading of an ordinance regarding secondhand goods dealers. This ordinance was sent back to the Planning and Zoning Commission after the Jan. 21 meeting to clarify a concern about its language. The phrase “excepting goods and merchandise” for resale was changed by city attorney Kelly Klun to read “including goods and services.”
• Approved the first reading of two ordinances amending city code sections for Entitled Land Use Regulations and Entitled Subdivision Regulations (Platting). The amendments would allow the city council to approve changes of land use permits and platting by resolution instead of the lengthier readings-and-public hearing process. The council will hold a public hearing on these amendments to the city’s ordinances at 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18
• Approved a third-party purchase agreement for 2117 Sibley Ct. The city had previously sold the parcel but retained rights of reversion to the property if the owners did not build in a timely manner. The new deed issued to the third party will also maintain Ely’s rights of reversion.
• Approved the provision of in-kind services for the WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race. The dog park which is adjacent to the racecourse will be closed during the race.
• Approved the appointment of Roose as the council representative for the Donald G. Gardner Trust.