Ely officials weigh street project payments, dog boarding permit, and fire briefing in busy two-week stretch
Ely's City Council, Park and Recreation Board, Planning Commission, and Board of Adjustment all met or scheduled meetings between July 7 and July 16. Most agendas are published but minutes are not yet available, so outcomes are not confirmed for several items. The one recorded vote this period came from the Park and Recreation Board, which approved a recommendation for the Friends 50 Bike Ride Event permit.
Street and infrastructure payments
The July 7 City Council agenda included a $73,601.25 partial payment to Mesabi Bituminous for the 2026 Street & Infrastructure Improvements Project. The council was also set to consider a $6,396.83 payment to RESCO for street lighting wire and conduit on Pattison Street, a $400 energy rebate to Jim Robbins at 410 E Sheridan St, and a $10,000 note and mortgage for a residential rehab loan for Larry and Amy Wier at 10 W Shagawa Rd. Claims for payment totaling $366,560.51 were also on the agenda. Minutes have not been published, so final action on these items is not yet confirmed.
Park and Recreation Board
The Ely Park and Recreation Board voted to recommend approval of the Friends 50 Bike Ride Event permit for an August 22 trailhead event. The motion carried.
Board members also discussed a potential swimming area and additional dock near the Miners Lake boat landing. Staff reported that the mountain bike trail project is still awaiting DNR procedures and is not yet out for bids. A new kayak dock and fishing pier have been installed on the east end of Miners Lake, and grills at Whiteside Park are installed and in use, with the board considering adding more.
Board of Adjustment: dog boarding and home occupation
The Board of Adjustment scheduled two public hearings for July 15 at City Hall.
At 5:00 p.m., the board was to consider a Conditional Use Permit from Paige Maystadt for a 25-kennel dog boarding and daycare facility at 401 E Sheridan St. The property is zoned Commercial (C1), and dog boarding is allowed only by Conditional Use Permit under Ordinance 398, 2nd Series, 11.40. The public comment deadline was July 13.
At 4:45 p.m., the board was to consider revoking the Home Occupation Permit for NorthStar Dirt Worx at 422 E James St. The revocation is based on complaints of excess dirt, debris, vehicle traffic, and noise. The Home Occupation permit fee is $25.00. Interested parties may appeal any revocation decision within ten days to the Board of Adjustment.
Planning and Zoning
The Planning and Zoning Commission was scheduled to hold a 4:45 p.m. public hearing on the same 422 E James St property regarding the Home Occupation Permit revocation. The commission also planned to discuss the Special Vehicle Ordinance covering golf carts and mini trucks, and the Storage Container Ordinance for residential zoned areas.
Special Council: fire briefing
A Special Council meeting on July 16 included a briefing on an active fire in the Ely area. Chris Barth of the National Incident Management Organization provided the information. No decisions or votes were scheduled; the session was informational only.
Coming up
The Ely City Council meets July 21. The agenda includes the second reading of Ordinance 404 amending Chapter 6, Section 6.33 on the Lodging Tax, a recommendation to draft an Outdoor Wood Boiler Ordinance, an application to the IRRRB for up to $50,000 for the Outdoor Hockey Rink Project, city and EUC claims totaling $156,096.53, and temporary liquor licenses for the Ely Winton Rod & Gun Club at 401 N Pioneer Rd.