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This post will spend most of the space addressing current lodging tax issues (the first 2 speakers). Scroll down for the 3rd request to speak (HPC). Then scroll further down to find information about 2025 and 2026 appointments.
Find the 103-page Council Packet at https://www.ely.mn.us/2025councilmeetings . Scroll down to the bottom for the 3-page agenda posted by the City of Ely. Last minute new additions and changes to the agenda might not be posted online prior to the start of the Council meeting at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. Check for documents on the table right inside the door to Council Chambers.
There are 3 Requests to Appear at the meeting. Two will address lodging tax dollars. One will address Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) issues.
Abby Dare from VisitEly will talk about the Ely Area Tourism Bureau 2026 Budget.
Read #2 and #4 recommendations to be presented on Tuesday night. The document in the right column is from page 19 in the Council Packet. The logic stands on its own.
Look at the Stakeholders (last but not least blue box) under Strategic Planning Considerations.
Note: Both local newspapers have printed several articles and letters to the editor about the use of lodging tax dollars and how Paul Kess did not follow Council’s original instructions. For more background info about The Ely Tourism Bureau’s concerns voiced prior to tonight’s Council meeting, read the October 10th issue of The Timberjay, “Ely Tourism Bureau warns city over lodging tax distribution,” https://www.timberjay.com/stories/ely-tourism-bureau-warns-city-over-lodging-tax-distribution,23571.
Paul Kess will be addressing the Council as the Council-appointed member of the Ely Area Lodging Tax Joint Powers Board. No documents were submitted in the Council Packet.
Note: Both local newspapers have printed several articles and letters to the editor about the use of lodging tax dollars and how Paul Kess did not follow Council’s original instructions. For more background info about Council’s discussion at their last December 2nd meeting, read the December 6th issue of The Ely Echo, Kess survives tourism coup,” https://www.elyecho.com/article/3897,kess-survives-tourism-coup
Use of Lodging Tax Dollars – What’s All the Fuss?
Collection and designated/expected use of lodging tax dollars. What businesses are actually paying the lodging taxes, meaning costs added to the customer? Lodging. What were they told on how the lodging taxes would be spent? What is suddenly being funded? Why? When the Trailhead Building was first proposed and then under construction, were owners and managers of lodging businesses told their taxes would be used to fund the Trailhead Building (City utilities and Chamber of Commerce staffing)?
Who decides how those lodging tax dollars are spent? Those who pay it or those who spend it? Have we now entered into a taxation without representation situation? Politicians (Good OId Boys and Allies?) are deciding how they (the politicians and friends) want to spend others’ money without consulting or listening to them.
The only exception was/is newly elected Emily Roose. She had the courage to voice legitimate concerns of underrepresented business and community members. She had the guts and skill to introduce an “unpopular” motion to Council. She had the courage to stick to her truth despite Council’s 6-1 rejection of her motion. She received the most votes from Ely citizens back in November 2024 not just because she was a new fresh idealistic voice but also because she understands businesses, business owners and finances.
Haste makes waste. Council members claimed they didn’t understand what they were voting on when they decided not to drastically cut back funding for the Tourism Bureau. They were “confused.” So what’s new? Really, what’s new? Don’t use that as an excuse. Please. Council pretty much rubber stamps whatever is added to the agenda — especially last minute — without deep questioning or deep discussions. It’s political.
Why do lodging tax dollars have to be used to pay for the utilities at the Trailhead Building, a City-owned building? It’s political. The City, Good Old Boys and Allies, and real estate developers promoted, lobbied for and built an extremely expensive building as if we lived in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We don’t live in Jackson Hole, WY. Most of us taxpayers and business owners in Ely try to get by. We live and spend moderately. City government should do the same. Wasteful spending followed by higher taxes. Wasteful spending on the Trailhead Building, and lodging taxes are being unfairly redirected to fund the City’s excesses. When the Trailhead was originally proposed and during construction, did the City of Ely and/or Council agree privately or publicly to use lodging tax dollars to pay for the utilities at the Trailhead? It’s political.
Why do lodging tax dollars have to be used to fund staffing of the Chamber of Commerce at the Trailhead Building? They don’t. It’s political. Were lodging tax dollars used to staff the Chamber of Commerce before they moved into the Trailhead Building? Are they getting increased funding? Or was this a trade-off to get the Chamber to move into the Trailhead months after the Trailhead sat vacant? An embarrassment indeed. A luxury building opened and sat totally vacant for months. When the Trailhead was originally proposed and during construction, did the City of Ely and/or Council agree privately or publicly to use lodging tax dollars to pay for staffing of the Chamber of Commerce at the City-owned building? It’s political.
Echo sensationalized & thus exposed the political agenda
The Ely Echo sensationalized and thus indirectly exposed the political behind-the-scenes activities of City Council and City Hall. Count all the subjective words used in the title and article,”Kess survives tourism coup.” The Ely is biased against efforts that don’t support their political goals. In their Ely Echo Editorial: Lodging tax funds must be flexible and accountable, the editor(s) stated, “We’re not sure why the focal point of the debate over lodging tax funds is playing out at city hall, but nonetheless, there needs to be oversight of these tax dollars as well as accountability.”
Ely City Hall is precisely the place where this debate should take place! City Council is supposed to represent Ely residents and businesses. We elected them to represent us. Paul Kess was not elected by the citizens. He was not elected by those who pay lodging taxes. We don’t want backroom decisions nor political deals made. We want open public discussion. Paul Kess admitted he voted differently than instructed by Council after he privately consulted with the mayor and an unnamed Council Member. That’s backroom politics. That’s what the Ely Echo wants, quiet backroom political negotiations?
When the Ely Echo editor’s wrote about oversight and accountability, they focused on collection of lodging taxes – not the issues raised raised by Emily Roose (not following Council’s instructions) nor the issues raised by the Tourism Bureau (funding).
Educate yourself – read – talk to those who pay lodging taxes
(d) Back issues of Ely’s Ely Echo and The Timberjay. If you don’t subscribe, go to your public library.
For more information about lodging taxes in Ely, review Section 6.33 of the Ely City Code at https://www.ely.mn.us/ordinances . The first page of Section 6.33 appears here in the column on the right.
There are some interesting loopholes in the definition of “Lodging.”
Luxury Jackson Hole development in Ely – costly mistakes
AI information from Goggle search using 3 words “Jackson Hole WY”
Is the City Vision to turn our Ely into an upscale playground for the rich?
The City and those who wanted to build and have IRRRB finance “upscale amenities” here in Ely envision turning Ely into a Jackson Hole resort town. Look at the luxury hotel being built in the Old Community Center. The developer didn’t have financing, so the City stepped in with lobbying efforts, etc.
If you haven’t checked out the Trailhead Building, go now. Why couldn’t we have built something similar to simple park buildings?
Putting the Chamber into the Trailhead sends a message that the building isn’t really for us regular residents. The furniture and building layout do not give vibes that this is Ely’s building. It does not look or feel like us. It looks like it belongs in Jackson Hole, Wyoming or a ski resort in the Swiss Alps.
Why and for whom did we build this luxury Trailhead building?
The 2-story (one story with high roof) building and furniture speak of luxury, not regular active or rugged use. It should have a simple comfortable style that matches what we see in our current hotels, motels, family resorts, restaurants, and business. The Trailhead appeals to the wealthy, not regular everyday Ely residents and tourists. First thing most of us do when we walk inside is remark how expensive the heating costs are for the tall one-story building.
If you paid attention to all the commission meetings — How could you? They are not broadcast or streamed free of charge 24/7/365 — you would have learned that no organizations wanted to move into the Trailhead. They were happy where they were located and didn’t want to pay $$$ more to be in the Trailhead Building.
Since there were no commitments to occupy or use the Trailhead, the designers and contractors couldn’t design or build based on user needs.
“Build and they will come,” we are told. And our response is, “We are here. Build for those who currently live here.”
Look at the layout of the Trailhead rooms for organizations (?) and public. Is this the layout that we need? Remodeling costs money.
The City of Ely wastes money, especially but not limited to due diligence.
Citizens for transparency has frequently brought up awarding of contracts via “single source” or no bidding. It’s politics as usual and/or just plain laziness.
The City has its favorite contractors, friends, allies and long-term business relationships. The City just likes to award contracts without bidding. Listen to comments about award of contract for crack sealing of City streets: https://elyminnesota.com/blog/city-council-sep-3-2024-mtg/ Unfortunately, it’s not about saving and spending taxpayer money wisely.
Citizens for Transparency pointed out due diligence wasn’t followed on some services and work on the Trailhead Building. Watch Paul Kess speak out for due diligence: https://elyminnesota.com/blog/city-council-dec-17-2024/
The City of Ely can easily find ways to cut wasteful expenses including but not limited to following due diligence guidelines.
The City should not redirect lodging tax $$ to pay for its City-owned building.
3rd Request to Appear = HPC
The Co-Chairs of the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC), Margaret Egan and Pam Turnbull, will give an HPC Project Update.
Pages 23-31 in the Council Packet are dedicated to HPC minutes and documents related to their 3 recommendations for Council to vote on. See recommendations in the right-hand column. See photos below of Trailhead Building and the Carl Gawboy mural.
Trailhead Bldg – photo from HPC in Dec 16th Council Packet
Carl Gawpoy mural – image from HPC in Dec 16th Council Packet
Appointments to Open Commission Seats
The ongoing mystery is how Council is going to vote on appointments when more than one person applies. There is no real established procedure. Will they draw names out of a hat? Will they only vote for those they know? Will they find one sentence they really connected with?
There are no interviews. Applications are supposedly the only way to persuade Council. Completed apps are in the Council Packet: https://www.ely.mn.us/2025councilmeetings
There will be additional commission, board or committee seats opening up in 2026. Look for the new application form; don’t just recycle an old one.
Finally, a new Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee is being created. The revised application questions are “interesting.”
Upcoming 2026 Open Commission Seats
Comp Plan Steering Committe – Revised Application Forms
The application forms proposed by have been updated. Compare the new ones (3 pages below from Council Packet) with those from the last December 2nd Council meeting. See previous comments posted Who’s to represent us on the Comp Plan Steering Committee? https://elyminnesota.com/blog/noise-lodging-tax-demographics/ (look for yellow highlights).
Do all applicants have the same concept or definition of “unique perspectives” when they answer “What unique perspectives do you bring to the Committee?” That needs to be clarified, so they all have a fair chance in answering the question. And clarify means you indicate upfront what you (P&Z Admin, P&Z Rep, and Council Rep) are looking for. Among other things, are you really looking for “unique perspectives”? Does “unique perspectives” relate back to the demographic targets?
The rank scoring system is still confusing. If you answered all questions, whether misguided or not, you get 6 points? Aren’t there more than 6 questions? Why is “Understanding of the Comprehensive Plan” weighed so low? Ignorance is bliss? (attributed to Thomas Gray). What do 2 or 4 points actually mean on a range 0-5 or 0-6?
There are some target demographics to fill. If these demographics are targets to fill, then what is the point system or means to objectively fill that target? There’s no clear, logical and transparent explanation as to how how the P&Z Admin, P&Z Rep, and Council Rep will fill these demographics. None of these 3 other seats (P&Z Admin, P&Z Rep, and Council Rep) need to meet or balance the group’s target demographics of low income, age or gender diversity? Are the at large members supposed to just outwardly represent or actually voice the full range of perspectives (issues, values, hopes, dreams, financial situation, etc.) of the demographic targets.
Many application questions and targets bring concerns about awkwardness, appropriateness and legalities: There are people who do not want to publicly identify themselves as low income. Do they lie, tell the truth, come up with their own definition of low income, or just not apply? Should low income really be public knowledge? What do “Diverse age range” and “Diverse gender make up” mean? I don’t see any questions about age or gender on the application form. Or points. Are P&Z Admin, P&Z Rep, and Council Rep supposed to guess (= assume)?
Finally, what does “Ability to resolve conflict” mean? One of the best ways to approach conflict when discussing the Comprehensive Plan is to refer back to the Ely’s City Vision (which unfortunately does not really encompass all of us, seniors being a major example). Another way to approach conflict is for the City and the pre-selected leadership of the Comp Plan Steering Committee make their agenda, philosophy, and development goals very transparent and upfront from the beginning. For example, if the intent is to scrape all the living flesh off of the Comp Plan and only leave the skeleton, say that. If the intent is to add living flesh to the bones, say that. Is the goal to build buildings or to take care of the people living here? Is the goal to encourage sustainability and balance with our environment or exploit everything? (Extreme examples, yes.)
If the intent is to have like-think, compliant, and obsequious members, say that. If City Hall, Council and the leadership of the Comp Plan Steering Committee want members to feel comfortable voicing “unique perspectives,” then THEY are the ones who need to know how to manage conflict of perspectives AND incorporate those “unique perspectives” into the Comp Plan. Leadership should have conflict resolution skills, attend workshops if they don’t, use them, model them, and do not pass all the burden/responsibility on the shoulders of nonleadership. For example, requiring commissioners, appointees, and staff to have conflict resolution skills and training while not requiring the same of leadership (chairs, Mayor, Council, and City Administration). Bullying is still not banned.
The heading of this post now says “revised,” because additional paragraphs and documents were included after its original posting. People word search this website www.elyminnesota.com/blog/ to find information on specific topics. For example, the Ely Dog Park. Additional items were added last minute to the Council agenda. There will be an upcoming separate post about DEI.
Scroll down to the bottom for the proposed agenda. You can find the Council Packet on the City website at https://www.ely.mn.us/council-meetings. There are often last minute changes and additions that are not always posted online. Check the table inside Council Chambers. The Council meeting is scheduled to start at 5:30 pm. Because a Truth and Taxation meeting is scheduled to start at 6 pm, expect Council to pause for the T&T meeting and then resume after the T&T meeting is over.
The First Reading of the Noise Ordinance is tonight. The public cannot comment until the end of the Council meeting during Open Forum, unless Council chooses to make an exception. Council is NOT expecting public comment. A public hearing has been proposed for December 16th. The City will schedule this for the busiest time of the year, meaning limited public awareness and poor attendance.
1st Reading Noise Ordinance 396
Why does the City want to extend hours of loud noise from 9 pm to 10 pm? (1) For the outdoor concert stage at the Old Train Depot across from Veterans Memorial Park? (2) For the new resorts approved on Pioneer Drive?
Notice that there are no decibels (dB) listed. These 2 businesses are located next to neighborhoods and natural QUIET areas.
Under New Business, Council Member Emily Roose is requesting Paul Kess be replaced by an elected Ely City Council Member. Paul Kess’ appointment to the Joint Powers Lodging Tax Board was controversial, because he was no longer on City Council.
Both local newspapers, the Ely Echo and The Timberjay had published articles and/or Letters to the Editor protesting Paul Kess’ vote on how lodging tax funds should be spent. He did not follow Council’s recommendations.
The City individuals who advised Paul Kess to vote differently, wanted the lodging tax dollars to go towards funding of the operating costs of Ely’s Trailhead Building. The City built an expensive “Jackson Hole” tourist building.
Paul Kess is on the agenda Requests to Appear at the beginning of the December 2nd Council meeting.
Who’s to represent us on the Comp Plan Steering Committee?
Emily Roose, newly elected Council Member and Chair of the Planning & Zoning Committee is presenting the application they would like to use to select at large members for the Steering Committee (Pages 22-24 in the Council Packet).
“At large” means resident or non-resident.
Worrisome: The demographics of the individuals themselves are more important than the desire to have them possess knowledge, skills and experiences to represent portions of or the whole community.
What is DEI? What is the intent? There is superficial DEI and there is meaningful DEI. Come back soon to see post about DEI – intent and impact.
Page 1 of 3 Proposal
Page 2 of 3 Proposal
Page 3 of 3 Proposal
Worrisome: Understanding the Comprehensive Plan is the least important in terms of points: 0-1
“Looking to be involved in the community” means the person is not currently involved in the community. That’s okay? That’s who should be voting on our future?
Worrisome: What’s the Vision for Ely? How does the applicant interpret that AND wish to improve upon that? That question doesn’t seem to be an important factor for selecting applicants. Does the City (behind the Steering Committee) want to continue promoting luxury hotels, luxury recreational and entertainment buildings and businesses — all part of build and they will come philosophy — or take care of us who currently live and work here?
Not all residents and not all businesses want Ely to just focus on being a tourist town.
Worrisome: There are many, many under-represented organizations and groups that should be targeted for appointment to this Steering Committee. Groups that (1) Reflect and Represent the spirit of our community, (2) Support the needs of our community, and (3) Believe in balancing humans, development and nature. For example, The Arts, education, health services, environmentalists and nature lovers, volunteer groups, seniors and other under-represented and underfunded groups. Age, sex and income level shouldn’t be the most important factor.
City funding and lobbying is already too much focused on recreation, entertainment, and supporting those rich real estate investors and developers.
A one-year lease for the Ely Dog Park was also on the agenda. The proposed lease was in original the Council Packet, Pages 87-90.
Last minute additions to the Dec. 2nd Council Packet
On Wednesday, November 19, 2025 the Ely Planning & Zoning Commission will hold 3 meetings, 2 of which reflect the continuing erosion of democratic citizen-based process, full and fair disclosure and full inclusion of the whole community. This post addresses Planning & Zoning Commission meeting that will start at 6 pm.
Planning & Zoning keeps creating new “procedures,” empowering itself to serve its own interests (that reflect City Hall interests and not necessarily those of the people).
Applications for this open seat are due by December 11, 2025. A December 11th deadline means Council would vote on appointments at their next Council meeting, Tuesday, Dec. 16th.
Why is Planning & Zoning revealing the applications of 2 individuals before December 11th? This has never been done before. You don’t reveal applications before the posted deadline. Is this new City policy? Appointment policy changes haven’t appeared on Council’s official agendas https://www.ely.mn.us/2025councilmeetings
Nothing in the Ely Echo posting indicates the City will review applications and appoint or recommend to appoint before December 11th.
How was the P&Z open seat announced to the public?
When you don’t reach out to the whole community, especially the under-served and under-represented, it takes them longer to hear about open seats. Was that the plan?
Not everyone reads the Ely Echo. A large percentage of residents unfortunately refuse to read the Echo because they don’t like the political spin. The Echo is the City’s official newspaper. The City usually refuses to publish open seats in The Timberjay, intentionally rejecting equal outreach to the other half of the Ely community.
For some reason, the City did not want to post the open P&Z seat on its webpages. If you don’t read the Echo and you’re not a political insider, you won’t know about the open seat. This exclusionary practice is not a welcoming practice.
This is the top section of the commissions, committees, and boards webpage https://www.ely.mn.us/boards The P&Z open seat is not listed here. Most people don’t know they should look here for open seats. Anyone looking to see if there’s an open seat on P&Z won’t find one here.
City Council appoints commissioners – Commissions don’t appoint
Why is Planning & Zoning looking over applications? City Council members are to review the applications and appoint. City Council Members were elected by Ely citizens to serve and represent citizens. Planning & Zoning Commissioners are appointed by Council. They are not elected by citizens. With the blessing of City Hall, Planning & Zoning is continuing to empower itself. It continues to take on new ways to control its own seats and expand its standing.
Where are steps for public disclosure before action?
P&Z agenda for November 19th. — Item #2 under New Business is Board Member Appointments. This is where the 2 applications are to be discussed. Both applications wrote they were applying for Planning & Zoning. What “Board” is being discussed by P&Z? Did City Council create a new Board?
Has a new Board been created unbeknownst to the public? Why is P&Z right now revealing, discussing, reviewing, recommending, or ??? these 2 applicants for a new Board? Shouldn’t appointments to a new Board be posted in the Ely Echo and on appropriate City websites?
Note: The 2 applications in the P&Z packet are not being posted here, because they are not the problem. What P&Z is doing (apparently with approval of City Hall?), their public posting and planned discussion about the applications is not normal. It’s not established procedure or fair. Has City Hall and the P&Z Chair, City Council Member Emily Rose, decided upon these 2 candidates to recommend to Council before others apply? Announcing the names of these 2 individuals sends intended or unintended messages out to the community and to others considering applying.
Is P&Z reviewing to recommending these applicants for the 3 open seats on a steering committee that was hastily created by P&Z with City Hall blessing? Where was the public disclosure in The Ely Echo or City webpages? The creation of a 6-person steering committee to write OUR Vision and Comprehensive Plan and subsequent quick approval by Council was an prime and shameful example of “flying by the seat of your pants.” There was no emergency to act quickly without thinking. Is P&Z checking in its brains and commitment to the community when they walk into City Hall? This isn’t Washington, D.C. Or is it?
Don’t exclude the community, dis-invite them from equal representation and fair consideration for open seats.
Power-focused, not community-focused “evolution”
“Evolution” is probably not the correct word. The Planning & Zoning Commission has always been controlled by City Hall and City Hall’s goals. There is a different kind of power-control mutation going on since November 2024. Maybe it’s just our disappointment in many self-proclaimed community-focused individuals on Council and on Commissions losing their community compass, quickly acquiescing to and promoting whatever is placed on the agenda. They choose tangential issues and safe questions. Voices of under-served and under-represented are forgotten. Moderation, alignment of actions with vision/comprehensive plan, and balance come with (facilitated) open deliberation.
“Let’s fly by the seat of our pants” without deliberation has become the modus operandi for the P&Z Commission? “Flying by the seat of your pants” is sloppy. It leads to non-essential and/or extravagant projects that often glorify someone or some group instead of meeting the moderate needs and vision of the community. Examples: (a) Luxury ballroom in Washington, D.C. (b) Luxury (not moderately priced or designed) vacant trailhead building in Ely.
The power-and-control-hungry City government members started their successful self-serving domination strategies back in mid-November 2024 after the elections. See https://elyminnesota.com/blog/city-council-nov-12-not-welcome/ There’s no Green in the GreenTeam AND the GreenTeam was intentionally neutered by (a) being a subcommittee, (b) recommendations could be filtered by those who did not understand sustainability and systemic thinking, and (c) committee seats were stacked with Good Old Boys and Allies. P&Z with City Hall input recommended this.
On Wednesday, November 19, 2025 the Ely Planning & Zoning Commission will hold 3 meetings, 2 of which reflect the continuing erosion of democratic citizen-based process, full and fair disclosure and full inclusion of the whole community. This post addresses the BOA hearing for rezoning 900 E. Miners Drive from Puclic (P1) to Commercial (C1). The BOA hearing starts at 5:30 pm.
There is another post https://elyminnesota.com/blog/pz-erosion-of-process-disclosure-and-community/ about the Wednesday night Planning & Zoning Commission meeting that starts at 6 pm. Why is P&Z posting in their meeting packet and discussing now applications for an open seat on P&Z when the deadline is December 11th? What is this new Board that was suddenly created out of nowhere?
What’s the problem?
The community does not know about the hearing, what this hearing is about ,and won’t be able to provide input nor ask for full disclosure of the City’s intentions.
The public is not really aware of this public hearing, because the City didn’t really want to invite them. They did the absolute least amount of public outreach. In addition to the announcement published in the The Ely Echo, there was a similarly brief posting on the City’s Public Notices webpage. The Ely Echo is the official newspaper for publishing public notices, even though a large portion of the community does not read The Echo and an even greater number do not constantly and consistently log in to the Public Notices webpage (sad if we want an informed public). A little bit more information is in the Board of Adjustment (BOA) packet posted recently (Monday, November 17th?) on the City’s website: https://www.ely.mn.us/pzmeetings. This is the minimum requirement to notify the public.
According to the packet, it appears only 3 notices of the BOA meeting were mailed out to 1 resident and 2 businesses/organizations within 350 feet of 900 E Miners Drive. This is the absolute minimum notification requirement.
This BOA hearing is about rezoning PUBLIC property. BOA decisions are final. Why didn’t P&Z schedule a non-BOA hearing? A community discussion?
Planning & Zoning – read pro-development-no-matter-what City Hall – didn’t want community input. Only 1 resident and 2 businesses/organizations were invited to speak for the whole community. The whole Ely community, including those who live and work outside of the City limits are not worth more than the absolute least minimal notification?
What articles were in the two local newspapers, the Ely Echo and The Timberjay?
City Hall, City staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission (same members of BOA) have decided what the FUTURE vision is for Miners Drive. They don’t need public discussion or public input.
How can the City and P&Z claim this is what the community wants?
City Hall and the Planning & Zoning Commission are quickly pushing through the rezoning from Public (P-1) to Commercial (C1) Zoning of this property before the City revises and adopts a new Vision and Comprehensive Plan.
The City of Ely continues to neglect Chapman Street. Why aren’t the City and P&Z pushing for more targeted efforts to improve and re-development in an already designated commercial area, previously recalled by many as the main retail street of Ely. There are creative legal ways to support and encourage commercial development on Chapman Street. And also favor small family businesses vs. the rich, real estate investors, and developers. Why do we NOW need to turn green areas on Miners Drive into commercial areas?
Is the City of Ely neglecting the “Central Avenue Business Park LLC” properties along Highway 21? The County Land Explorer satellite maps show there are lots of empty areas in the business park, meaning the business park is not filled. Drive by, and your eyeballs will tell you the business park isn’t full. Note: The County maps don’t show whether there is actual business activity inside the buildings. There are creative legal ways to support and encourage commercial development in a designated business park. Why do we NOW need to turn green areas on Miners Drive into commercial areas?
Business Park on west side of Highway 21 (Central Ave.) SLC Land Explorer map
Per the St. Louis County Parcel Tax Lookup there seems to be at least 5 parcels owned by “Central Avenue Business Park LLC,” Reno, Nevada. One seems to overlap into Morse Township.
Why commercialize 900 E Miners Drive?
Tell us! Be transparent! We already have underused designated commerical property in Ely.
Maybe the community would agree with the currently hidden agenda of the City and P&Z: the who and what intended for this piece of land. Maybe not.
The City and P&Z are not being upfront with the community. “City staff” wrote the rezoning proposal “meets the scope of the City Comprehensive Plan,” what does that mean? If you don’t know what the City wants or the community needs, then don’t rezone. Most likely, the City and P&Z know exactly what’s going to be built. Tell us! This BOA hearing is supposedly when the community has input, will be heard. Once the rezoning goes through, the community has no or extremely limited say.
Harold Langowski, City Clerk, is a brilliant and intentional planner, whose focus, unfortunately, is promoting developers/development, bypassing real community discussion and input. Discussion and input BEFORE a Board of Adjustment hearing, the last stage, the final you-cannot-appeal stage.
Having “City staff” base their findings on self-selected paragraphs in the Comp Plan (while ignoring others) is biased. Intentionally biased. When was the community supposed to be heard on what their visions and needs are? Or cite other possibilities in sections in the “City staff” analysis?
The 2016 Vision and Comprehensive mentions all kinds of community needs and potential uses of land. Why are City & P&Z Commissioners intentionally ignoring all of those other needs and uses? Especially green space. Miners Drive has LOTS of green space. Why isn’t green space cherished? Why doesn’t “City staff” cherish green space that already exists as green space? Ah, yes, “City staff” is to promote commercialization and buildings. And P&Z/BOA will comply with an (un)official directive: Build, Baby, Build.
Intentionally ignoring other visions and needs of the larger community for the sake of real estate developers and buildings is misguided. When will Council Members, the Mayor, and Commissioners stand up and say something publicly at their meetings?
Accepting the most minimal attempts to communicate as adequate is really lame and sad. The public cares. The public cares when they know. When will Council Members, the Mayor, and Commissioners stop acting surprised when nobody shows? Or maybe they think this is how democracy should work? Why don’t YOU care about the public?
City Hall, the Mayor and City Council never admit that they are responsible for poor turnout.
If they felt they were responsible, they might then think about undertaking more efforts to reach out to the community, the underserved, the under-represented and those who don’t like or use Midco cable TV or The Ely Echo.
They like it when meetings go quickly with dissent.
14 City Owned Parcels Rezoned – for Sale?
Public Hearing – Nobody spoke- Who knew what to say or ask?
Attached is the agenda for the November 18th Ely City Council meeting which starts at 5:30 pm in City Hall. Check the city website again for last minute updates even though they might not be posted until after the meeting. The additions are usually placed on the table inside Council Chambers.
If something on the agenda or attachments bother you, you cannot expect your request to appear be honored before Council votes on that agenda item, because you should have submitted your request the day BEFORE the agenda and attachments were posted, according to Mayor Omerza. Speak after the fact = no power = waste your breath.
Tidbits in the Council Packet – List of Checks
The list of checks to be approved is only one page for this Council meeting, so it’s easier to look through items. See attached page 33 of 43-page Council Packet. Has Council ever questioned (= asked about) any of the checks listed? They just approve.
Page 33 of Council Packet
8th item from bottom, check # 106974: Notice on the list that all of the items except this one have descriptions. Why is the Prospector ATV Club getting $34,309.03 ? Please list the purpose for public record.
The Ely Senior Center’s new website is www.elycommunitycenter.com. Ely no longer has a Senior Center (even though over 50% of population are seniors). What is the grant for? Will anyone ask Tuesday night? Why was the Senior Center renamed Ely Community Center? Was this a clever way to allow future hotel guest and employees 24-hour access to the parking lot? The parking lot can no longer be considered the seniors’ parking lot. It’s a community parking lot now, so welcome hotel guests and employees. Check the video of January 17, 2024 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting when the appointed Commissioners didn’t seem to care about the seniors: https://elyminnesota.com/blog/planning-zoning-mtg-jan-17-2024/.
Note: The public cannot use the Ely library parking lot after hours. So hotel guests and employees cannot use the library parking lot overnight or on weekends.
Check this out: Wikipedia’s posted information about the old 1938 Art Deco Ely Community Center doesn’t include info about the building being sold for $2 in July 2022 when it was to be turned into a luxury hotel with a cigar room.
Remodeling was extremely slow most likely due to financing problems. Did the owner/developer have to prove they really had financial backing? On October 1, 2024 there was a sudden last minute addition to the City Council agenda, changing the name on development agreement, completion dates, and other details. Check the video of that meeting: https://elyminnesota.com/blog/city-council-oct-1-2024/. Now it’s to been called an “International Hotel”?
St Louis County Property Details Report 030-0010-0260 Luxury Hotel previous Ely Community Center/Library
St Louis County Property Details Report 030-0010-02580 Senior Center
Why is the wording “Senior Center” or “Community Center” important?
If funding goes to the “Ely Senior Center,” the assumption – repeat assumption – is that the money goes to seniors. The building itself is now identified to passerby and public as the Ely Community Center. According to St. Louis County records, the owner of the building is the Ely Area Senior Citizens Inc. So who or what is the “Ely Senior Center”? Is the $7,500 grant going to just seniors, items or services just to seniors? Or is the $7,500 grant for items and services for the community that happens to include seniors? Is this a PR (public relations) spin by City Hall?
If half of our population consists of seniors – who are not mentioned in the City Vision – then how much City funding and support actually reach seniors? By the way, compare the $7,500 grant to the $34,309 going to the Prospector ATV Club. Comparing apples to oranges, yes, but what real percentage of the $7,500 grant is going to seniors?
Page 50 of 2016 Ely Comprehensive Plan
Has anyone heard of proposed or planned construction for senior housing? What are the posted 2022-2025 City goals and steps to obtain more senior housing? And/or other projects and services for 50% of our population?
Tidbits in the Council Packet – Historic Inventory of Buildings
Read draft minutes of Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) Nov. 4th meeting. If you know of more significant sites for the HPC historic inventory, please contact HPC.
Should the “Former Community Center” include “and Library”? The building is not reopening as a community center in 2026, as far as I know. It’s going to be our very, very much needed luxury hotel (sarcastically speaking). Somewhere in the City of Ely’s previous (or future) Vision and Comprehensive Plan there was mention about the Ely community needing a luxury hotel with cigar room? Will it have a fancy ballroom too?
Tidbits in Council Packet – Appreciate active community members
As always, if you have time, check the approved and unapproved minutes of the various commissions, boards and committees to get more details about our active community members who volunteer to not only show up for meetings but also volunteer their time doing additional tasks. When they are appointed by Council to serve, nobody asks them about or requires them to do more than attend the 1-2 hour monthly meetings. Nobody keeps track of their hours, activities or passion about their commitment . . . but their names often show up in those minutes. Glance through those minutes when you can. Thank them if you see them. And consider applying for open seats (Tree Board, Planning & Zoning, and Heritage Preservation).
Valerie Jane Morris-Goodall April 3, 1934 to October 1, 2025
A celebration of Jane Goodall’s life was held at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. on November 12, 2025. There will be another celebration on November 22nd in Toronto, Canada. For details, go to the Jane Goodall Institute Canada Memorial Event Guide at https://janegoodall.ca/rememberingjane-guide/
The entire video is 2 hours 43 minutes. https://janegoodall.org/livestream/. The first 58 minutes are photos and music, including young voices and signing in bottom right corner.
Time markers:
1’00” – The Very Reverend Randolph Marshall Hollerith, Dean, Washington National Cathedral
1’02” – Anna Rathmann, Executive Director, Jane Goodall Institute, USA
1’08” – Francis Collins, MD, PhD (previous Director, National Institute of Health)
1’17” – Ave Maria, D. 838 (Franz Schubert)
1’22” – Leonardo DiCaprio
1’28” – Merlin van Lawick, grandson
1’37” – Nick van Lawick, Jane’s youngest grandchild, reading “Immortality” by Clare Harner
1’38” – All Creatures of Our God and King
1’42” – The Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Washington
1’44” – DeWayne “Dee” Crank from the Navajo Nation
1’50” – Psalm 104:1-5, 24-28
1’52” – 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
1’54” – For the Beauty of the Earth
1’56” – Matthew 5:3-9
1’58” – The Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Washington
2’11” – “Méditation” from Thais (Julies Massenet)
2’17” – The Lord’s Prayer
2’18” – McClellan “Mac” Hall, Cherokee Blessing
2’21” – After each petition, Hear our prayer
2’23” – Give rest, O Christ
2’25” – All Things Bright and Beautiful
2’29” – Prelude from Cello Suite No. 3, BWV 1009 (Johann Sebastian Bach)
What a way to set the tone for Ely’s Comprehensive Plan!
Tonight, Tuesday, November 4, 2025 the Mayor of Ely signaled to the citizens how valued (NOT!) their input is when it comes to the direction of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Two citizens requested to appear before Council voted on Planning & Zoning’s recommendation to create a new steering committee. Their requests to appear were submitted “too late,” the Mayor announced. They should have been submitted by Thursday noon last week to get into the Council packet posted Friday PM.
The Mayor could have easily made an exception. It’s at her discretion.
How do encourage citizen participation, whether speaking at meetings or serving on a commission?
There was no real point speaking after Council voted. Neither Council nor P&Z expressed real interest in hearing citizen comments at the end of the tonight’s meeting. Basically, we’ll let you know when we want to hear from citizens, some time later.
Note: this deadline is not posted anywhere on the 2 different request forms available. (One of the 2 forms – without protocols section at bottom – is apparently no longer available online as of today?) Tonight the Mayor said citizens should look for the submission deadline in Section 2.02 of the City Code. Hopefully it will soon be printed on all the forms as well as clearly mentioned everywhere on City webpages that mention submitting requests to appear.
Blank Request Form
Nov 4th Agenda Additions packet not posted as of 8:30 pm
Section 2.02 City Code – Somehow citizens are supposed to know they are to look here.
How can citizens submit a request to speak a day before the agenda item is posted?? This is not logical. See https://www.ely.mn.us/council-meetings Agenda Additions packets are frequently created after the Friday postings.
The Planning & Zoning agendas and packets are posted on the City Government webpage at https://www.ely.mn.us/government. This was a pro-public transparency decision to post P&Z info before the meetings. It’s a great way to encourage public discussion and attendance at their meetings. But for some reason, the agenda and packet for P&Z meeting are not available to view this evening. Agendas and packets for other meetings are available.
Snapshot 9:59 pm Nov 4th
P&Z Oct 20th agenda & packet not avail – snapshot 9:59 pm Nov 4th
Old printed out copy – Comprehensive Plan not on P&Z Oct 20th agenda
To repeat: There was no reasonable way for concerned citizens outside the inner group to know about – much less request to speak publicly before Council rubberstamped – until after the Council Packet was posted Friday, October 31st. The window to respond was closed the day before we knew. Expect this to continue in the future.
City Hall + P&Z tactic successful: Rush things through P&Z Commission and City Council to limit commissioner input, Council questions, and public awareness or ability to respond quickly. Part of this tactic is to NOT have items clearly identified or announced in the meeting packets. This seems to have intensified after January 2024. Council will not publicly protest the last minute Agenda Additions dropped too late for them to review and do followup research. The faster P&Z + City Hall push pro-developer projects and contracts through, the faster their personal reputations grow.
Here’s an unasked question: Why aren’t all the City Council members directly involved in Comprehensive Plan discussions? Why not during their regularly monthly scheduled Study Sessions? Council Members best know who’s in our community and their needs. What they don’t know, they would be eager to learn. It’s obvious they are passionate about and proud of Ely. According to the Ely City Calendar, Council didn’t hold a single Study Session so far in 2025. They held 2 and cancelled 10 in 2024. They held 3 and cancelled 9 in 2023.
In public, City Council Members seem to be afraid of challenging or revising recommendations from Harold Langowski, whether directly from him or thorough the City Planning & Zoning Administrator. Not a single Council Member questioned why 6 members total was the magic number for steering committee members. Council doesn’t really seem to care about seats and votes for citizens. During and after Council’s August 29, 2023 Study Session on Animal Licensing and Regulations lots time was spent discussing the maximum number dogs and cats a household could have. The Comprehensive Plan is less important?
Look closely at the wording used in the unapproved October 20th minutes from P&Z. Future development and funding will be based on what’s in and what’s not in the Comprehensive Plan. What are P&Z + City Hall pushing?
1) There is no mention about quality of life issues in the minutes. Planning & Zoning isn’t (primarily) focused on quality of life or social services. What is not mentioned in their minutes, is not considered important for the proposed steering committee. Guess how many quality of life professionals are currently seated on all the Ely commissions, boards and committees. Here’s the webpage: https://www.ely.mn.us/boards Click on each commission to see the list of members. Expect no quality of life professionals to be seated with voting power on the steering committee. Therefore, quality of life won’t be addressed throughout the Comprehensive Plan, because nobody will keep bringing up that issue. It was ignored in the 2015 Plan. Note: Quality of life isn’t just about sports and active recreation.
2) There is no mention about the environment and nature as being valuable in their undeveloped state or to be preserved and protected. Spaces used for active parks and recreation use and community gardens have different characteristics than “natural areas” used for quiet contemplation, healing, birding, etc. It is appears the current P&Z + City Hall push (strong, hard, fast) to switch Miner’s Drive quiet green areas into business development is working. Green space isn’t valued. Quote: “It is important for land annexation to further enhance the development opportunities with the city.” For more info about anthropocentrism, read https://elyminnesota.com/blog/reviewing-ely-city-visions-plans/
From old 2015 plan – will goals and objectives be written??
3) There’s no mention about seniors, accessibility, blight, vacant buildings, dog park, or accessibility in the October 20th minutes. Has P&Z already worked on these? What was changed? Seniors and accessibility were ignored in the 2015 plan, aside from handicap parking spaces. No mention means not important, even though 50% of the population are seniors. BTW, we no longer have a designated Ely Senior Center.
4) There’s no mention about Climate Change, the GreenTeam or sustainability issues. P&Z, City Hall and Council surprisingly made no mention of these. Has a seat with voting rights already been designated or rejected for someone who’s been actively involved in these important issues?
5) There’s no mention of neighborhoods. Neighborhoods are not important? Houses are just property?
6) There’s no mention about ATV trails. Trails keep getting build in Ely. As many in Miners Lake neighborhood know, there are empowered Good Old Boys and allies who want to make Ely an ATV mecca. If ATVs are not mentioned in the notes, you might assume a pro-ATV advocate will be seated with voting power.
7) There was no mention about reviewing other Cities’ Visions and Comprehensive Plans. The desire is craft the Comprehensive Plan the same way it was done previously. Do not expect the City to pay for a survey company or contract. Expect P&Z and City to do outreach, data collection and analysis.
Listen closely to the video to see if anyone was lobbying for citizens, local business owners or key representatives from various community organizations to be seated at the steering committee table with voting power. Assume the lobbying will be off camera. The community and local businesses have strong feelings about whether or not Ely should be a tourist town. What criteria will be used to decide selection of the 1 Council Member and 3 “at large” members? Should Council decide that or P&Z?
Here’s the “description” for the short video clipping of Tuesday night’s City Council meeting. It’s not the full Council meeting.
Regular City Council meeting in Ely, MN held on November 4, 2025. Only part of the meeting was recorded to capture discussion about Planning & Zoning forming a steering committee to update the City of Ely Comprehensive Plan. The discussion and vote took 3 minutes total. Time markers 3’20”- 6’20”
During the “No Kings” and Ely Demonstration for compassion, democracy and the rule of law at Whiteside Park in Ely, MN, on Saturday, April 19, 2025, a member of a prominent and very active Ely political family was intentionally recording and/or overhearing private conversations without telling individuals involved. I discovered this when I turned around to find him standing behind me for quite a while with his phone held in front of his chest. It looked like he held a special expensive black microphone recording device in addition to his smartphone.
Intentionally overhearing and recording private conversations is rude and civically inappropriate. This was no innocent accident, especially with that black microphone.
I was told that he had being doing this for awhile, going up and down the sidewalk twice. Since he did not announce his intentions to record or overhear private conversations nor did he first ask for permission, I informed demonstrators what was going on. I told demonstrators this was their chance to voice their opinions and reasons for demonstrating today. He should record what we want to say publicly for his blog, podcast, or whatever his plans were — not our private conversations. Apparently he didn’t really want to hear why we were there, because he left shortly rather than continuing down the sidewalk.
The Ely “No Kings” demonstration today was at a public park in public. We knew we could be photographed or our words recorded when we shouted out. But private conversations should be respected. When families gather along the streets to watch 4th of July parades or go to outdoor concerts, plays and events at Whiteside, they do not expect or want strangers to intentionally come up to record or overhear private conversations. When we go to church, the movies, a restaurant or any public place, we do not expect or want strangers to intentionally stand/sit near us to record or overhear private conversations.
Was this an (un)official Ely-based MAGA response to public demonstrations?
Today we again witnessed the moral decay of adult behavior, a civil society and our democracy. It is so easy to blame addiction to social media to explain teenage behavior. He was not an immature teenager. This was/is an adult, a known member of Ely’s established and currently active political family, who felt he had the right to invade our privacy. I was told another adult member of his family was there whom I believe to be a decent man. I would hope you both have discussions about privacy, invasion of privacy, and how what happened today is a scary reflection of what many of us believe to be the intentional erosion of our constitutional freedoms by Trump, Musk, other (non)appointed individuals, and elected officials. What you do – accept, condone, praise or reject what happened – sets the example for young and old in this community, especially within your political groups.
We are peaceful demonstrators. We believe EVERYONE should be treated with respect whatever their political views. We will not engage in rude, inappropriate, disrespectful or intimidating tactics. We will NOT encourage our teenagers or adult family members to engage in rude, inappropriate, disrespectful or intimidating tactics. We know the difference between right and wrong for our own lives and our own choices. We also know the difference between right and wrong actions taken by government. We stood up for right today. We will stand up tomorrow. We have backbones.
Please do not stand up for intimidation and retaliation by anyone to anyone. “Nonpartisan” is supposed to mean something more than just 11 letters randomly scrambled together. We know what intimidation looks like. We know what retaliation looks like. We don’t want it here in Ely, in Minnesota, nor anywhere else.
Scary but honest news from a Republican, Senator Lisa Murkowski from Alaska
‘We are all afraid’: Murkowski says fear of retaliation from Trump administration is ‘real’
Our elected MN State Senator Grant Hauschild and MN Senate Majority Leader Erin P. Murphy answered questions from the audience on April 15, 2025 at Minnesota North College, Vermillion Campus, Ely, MN.
Scroll to the end for the YouTube recording.
MN State Senator Grant Hauschild (DFL) represents Minnesotans in Senate District 03, the largest MN Senate District on terms of area and travel time. Senator Hauschild is the Assistant Majority Leader in the MN Senate. For info about the District he’s representing, his committees, bills he’s supporting and authored, and details about his accomplishments, go to his website https://www.senate.mn/members/member_bio.html?mem_id=1252
MN State Senator Erin P. Murphy (DFL) represents Minnesotans in Senate District 64. Senator Murphy is the DFL Majority Leader in the MN Senate. For info about the District she’s representing, her committees, bills she’s supporting and authored, and details about her accomplishments, go to her website https://www.senate.mn/members/member_bio.html?mem_id=1248
If the Library Director Rachel Heinrich doesn’t explain the cuts in more detail, the Mayor Heidi Omerza should, as she attended the meeting. Let’s see where they both stand on the Trump/Musk cuts.
Will anyone explain the Trump / Elon Musk cuts to the Public Library?
Hopefully at the Tuesday, April 15th City Council meeting, Council Members will ask for more specific details including dollar and % amounts of cutbacks due to recent federal cuts. Are these DEI (Diversity Equity and Inclusion) cuts? Has our Library been wasting money? Where’s the proof? When did Congress vote to cut funding for public libraries?
There will also be cuts in summer programming.
The Library Board minutes do not include the documents Library Director Rachel Heinrich provided the Board. This is a systemic transparency problem with Ely City government: agendas WITH documents for all city meetings are NOT posted online, nor are the actual meetings available 24/7/365 free of charge to residents and non-residents. (Yes, also non-residents, because they can serve on Ely City government commissions, boards and committees.)
Will Council and Mayor protest cuts or just roll over and play dead?
City Council and the Mayor are supposedly nonpartisan. Maybe they voted for Trump and Congressman Pete Stauber, or not. Maybe they support Elon Musk’s chainsaw approach to funding, or not. This is the opportunity for the Mayor and Council to stand up for Ely and the surrounding community. The majority on City Council and Mayor actively opposed supporting clean water, approving a letter to oppose WICOLA’s request for support. Writing an opposing letter while saying at the same time that these WICOLA waters are not inside Ely’s boundaries. Our Ely Public Library is located inside the City limits. What’s the excuse now? What’s in the best interests of the community? Be nonpartisan on Tuesday.
BTW: Fall Lake Township increased its contribution. Was this in response to federal cuts and/or an acknowledgment of how important public libraries are to the community? The April 2nd minutes indicate this was advocacy from Fall Lake residents. What about the rest of us??
Will anyone from the public stand up Tuesday to complain about Trump/Musk cuts to libraries and/or support the outstanding community services our Public Library provides?
Whether you Request to Appear (Item #7 on agenda) or at the end of meeting (Item #14 on agenda), consider submitting your comments in writing, so your points are printed in the record in more detail. You still might have a chance to speak at the Request to Appear time slot and have your attachments included in the last minute Council additions. Email or submit in person today if possible. Otherwise, you can still sign up to speak during the Open Forum when you walk into Council Chambers this Tuesday evening.
Will the Mayor or City Administrator/Clerk Harold Langowski provide specifics about OTHER expected federal cuts in Ely and surrounding areas that will impact Ely’s economy, infrastructure and safety?
Obviously, commissioners/board members are talking AND have documents. Wouldn’t you think City Hall, the Council, and the Mayor would also be talking AND have documents that they could share with the public ?
City Council Dec 16 2025 lodging tax -Trailhead – commission appointments
This post will spend most of the space addressing current lodging tax issues (the first 2 speakers). Scroll down for the 3rd request to speak (HPC). Then scroll further down to find information about 2025 and 2026 appointments.
Find the 103-page Council Packet at https://www.ely.mn.us/2025councilmeetings . Scroll down to the bottom for the 3-page agenda posted by the City of Ely. Last minute new additions and changes to the agenda might not be posted online prior to the start of the Council meeting at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. Check for documents on the table right inside the door to Council Chambers.
There are 3 Requests to Appear at the meeting. Two will address lodging tax dollars. One will address Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) issues.
Abby Dare from VisitEly will talk about the Ely Area Tourism Bureau 2026 Budget.
Read #2 and #4 recommendations to be presented on Tuesday night. The document in the right column is from page 19 in the Council Packet. The logic stands on its own.
Look at the Stakeholders (last but not least blue box) under Strategic Planning Considerations.
Note: Both local newspapers have printed several articles and letters to the editor about the use of lodging tax dollars and how Paul Kess did not follow Council’s original instructions. For more background info about The Ely Tourism Bureau’s concerns voiced prior to tonight’s Council meeting, read the October 10th issue of The Timberjay, “Ely Tourism Bureau warns city over lodging tax distribution,” https://www.timberjay.com/stories/ely-tourism-bureau-warns-city-over-lodging-tax-distribution,23571.
Paul Kess will be addressing the Council as the Council-appointed member of the Ely Area Lodging Tax Joint Powers Board. No documents were submitted in the Council Packet.
Note: Both local newspapers have printed several articles and letters to the editor about the use of lodging tax dollars and how Paul Kess did not follow Council’s original instructions. For more background info about Council’s discussion at their last December 2nd meeting, read the December 6th issue of The Ely Echo, Kess survives tourism coup,” https://www.elyecho.com/article/3897,kess-survives-tourism-coup
Use of Lodging Tax Dollars – What’s All the Fuss?
Echo sensationalized & thus exposed the political agenda
The Ely Echo sensationalized and thus indirectly exposed the political behind-the-scenes activities of City Council and City Hall. Count all the subjective words used in the title and article,”Kess survives tourism coup.” The Ely is biased against efforts that don’t support their political goals. In their Ely Echo Editorial: Lodging tax funds must be flexible and accountable, the editor(s) stated, “We’re not sure why the focal point of the debate over lodging tax funds is playing out at city hall, but nonetheless, there needs to be oversight of these tax dollars as well as accountability.”
Ely City Hall is precisely the place where this debate should take place! City Council is supposed to represent Ely residents and businesses. We elected them to represent us. Paul Kess was not elected by the citizens. He was not elected by those who pay lodging taxes. We don’t want backroom decisions nor political deals made. We want open public discussion. Paul Kess admitted he voted differently than instructed by Council after he privately consulted with the mayor and an unnamed Council Member. That’s backroom politics. That’s what the Ely Echo wants, quiet backroom political negotiations?
When the Ely Echo editor’s wrote about oversight and accountability, they focused on collection of lodging taxes – not the issues raised raised by Emily Roose (not following Council’s instructions) nor the issues raised by the Tourism Bureau (funding).
Educate yourself – read – talk to those who pay lodging taxes
For more info about Council’s discussions at about lodging taxes, read
(a) The December 2nd draft minutes in tonight’s Council Packet (pages 5-12) https://www.ely.mn.us/2025councilmeetings
(b) The Council Packet of last minute additions and changes to the original December 2nd agenda packet. https://www.ely.mn.us/2025councilmeetings
(c) Our post regarding the Dec 2nd Council meeting: https://elyminnesota.com/blog/noise-lodging-tax-demographics/
(d) Back issues of Ely’s Ely Echo and The Timberjay. If you don’t subscribe, go to your public library.
For more information about lodging taxes in Ely, review Section 6.33 of the Ely City Code at https://www.ely.mn.us/ordinances . The first page of Section 6.33 appears here in the column on the right.
There are some interesting loopholes in the definition of “Lodging.”
For more MN State information on lodging taxes, go to https://www.house.mn.gov/hrd/pubs/lodgetax.pdf for MN House Research, August 2019, “Local Lodging Taxes in MN.”
Luxury Jackson Hole development in Ely – costly mistakes
Is the City Vision to turn our Ely into an upscale playground for the rich?
The City and those who wanted to build and have IRRRB finance “upscale amenities” here in Ely envision turning Ely into a Jackson Hole resort town. Look at the luxury hotel being built in the Old Community Center. The developer didn’t have financing, so the City stepped in with lobbying efforts, etc.
If you haven’t checked out the Trailhead Building, go now. Why couldn’t we have built something similar to simple park buildings?
Putting the Chamber into the Trailhead sends a message that the building isn’t really for us regular residents. The furniture and building layout do not give vibes that this is Ely’s building. It does not look or feel like us. It looks like it belongs in Jackson Hole, Wyoming or a ski resort in the Swiss Alps.
Why and for whom did we build this luxury Trailhead building?
The 2-story (one story with high roof) building and furniture speak of luxury, not regular active or rugged use. It should have a simple comfortable style that matches what we see in our current hotels, motels, family resorts, restaurants, and business. The Trailhead appeals to the wealthy, not regular everyday Ely residents and tourists. First thing most of us do when we walk inside is remark how expensive the heating costs are for the tall one-story building.
If you paid attention to all the commission meetings — How could you? They are not broadcast or streamed free of charge 24/7/365 — you would have learned that no organizations wanted to move into the Trailhead. They were happy where they were located and didn’t want to pay $$$ more to be in the Trailhead Building.
Since there were no commitments to occupy or use the Trailhead, the designers and contractors couldn’t design or build based on user needs.
“Build and they will come,” we are told. And our response is, “We are here. Build for those who currently live here.”
Look at the layout of the Trailhead rooms for organizations (?) and public. Is this the layout that we need? Remodeling costs money.
The City of Ely wastes money, especially but not limited to due diligence.
Citizens for transparency has frequently brought up awarding of contracts via “single source” or no bidding. It’s politics as usual and/or just plain laziness.
The City has its favorite contractors, friends, allies and long-term business relationships. The City just likes to award contracts without bidding. Listen to comments about award of contract for crack sealing of City streets: https://elyminnesota.com/blog/city-council-sep-3-2024-mtg/ Unfortunately, it’s not about saving and spending taxpayer money wisely.
Citizens for Transparency pointed out due diligence wasn’t followed on some services and work on the Trailhead Building. Watch Paul Kess speak out for due diligence: https://elyminnesota.com/blog/city-council-dec-17-2024/
The City of Ely can easily find ways to cut wasteful expenses including but not limited to following due diligence guidelines.
The City should not redirect lodging tax $$ to pay for its City-owned building.
3rd Request to Appear = HPC
The Co-Chairs of the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC), Margaret Egan and Pam Turnbull, will give an HPC Project Update.
Pages 23-31 in the Council Packet are dedicated to HPC minutes and documents related to their 3 recommendations for Council to vote on. See recommendations in the right-hand column. See photos below of Trailhead Building and the Carl Gawboy mural.
FYI: For additional info about Carl Gawboy: PBS The Slice | The Art of Carl Gawboy (youTube). MN Native News (Native Lights podcast) Gallery 5004
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Appointments to Open Commission Seats
The ongoing mystery is how Council is going to vote on appointments when more than one person applies. There is no real established procedure. Will they draw names out of a hat? Will they only vote for those they know? Will they find one sentence they really connected with?
There are no interviews. Applications are supposedly the only way to persuade Council. Completed apps are in the Council Packet: https://www.ely.mn.us/2025councilmeetings
There will be additional commission, board or committee seats opening up in 2026. Look for the new application form; don’t just recycle an old one.
Finally, a new Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee is being created. The revised application questions are “interesting.”
Upcoming 2026 Open Commission Seats
Comp Plan Steering Committe – Revised Application Forms
The application forms proposed by have been updated. Compare the new ones (3 pages below from Council Packet) with those from the last December 2nd Council meeting. See previous comments posted Who’s to represent us on the Comp Plan Steering Committee? https://elyminnesota.com/blog/noise-lodging-tax-demographics/ (look for yellow highlights).
Do all applicants have the same concept or definition of “unique perspectives” when they answer “What unique perspectives do you bring to the Committee?” That needs to be clarified, so they all have a fair chance in answering the question. And clarify means you indicate upfront what you (P&Z Admin, P&Z Rep, and Council Rep) are looking for. Among other things, are you really looking for “unique perspectives”? Does “unique perspectives” relate back to the demographic targets?
The rank scoring system is still confusing. If you answered all questions, whether misguided or not, you get 6 points? Aren’t there more than 6 questions? Why is “Understanding of the Comprehensive Plan” weighed so low? Ignorance is bliss? (attributed to Thomas Gray). What do 2 or 4 points actually mean on a range 0-5 or 0-6?
There are some target demographics to fill. If these demographics are targets to fill, then what is the point system or means to objectively fill that target? There’s no clear, logical and transparent explanation as to how how the P&Z Admin, P&Z Rep, and Council Rep will fill these demographics. None of these 3 other seats (P&Z Admin, P&Z Rep, and Council Rep) need to meet or balance the group’s target demographics of low income, age or gender diversity? Are the at large members supposed to just outwardly represent or actually voice the full range of perspectives (issues, values, hopes, dreams, financial situation, etc.) of the demographic targets.
Many application questions and targets bring concerns about awkwardness, appropriateness and legalities: There are people who do not want to publicly identify themselves as low income. Do they lie, tell the truth, come up with their own definition of low income, or just not apply? Should low income really be public knowledge? What do “Diverse age range” and “Diverse gender make up” mean? I don’t see any questions about age or gender on the application form. Or points. Are P&Z Admin, P&Z Rep, and Council Rep supposed to guess (= assume)?
Finally, what does “Ability to resolve conflict” mean? One of the best ways to approach conflict when discussing the Comprehensive Plan is to refer back to the Ely’s City Vision (which unfortunately does not really encompass all of us, seniors being a major example). Another way to approach conflict is for the City and the pre-selected leadership of the Comp Plan Steering Committee make their agenda, philosophy, and development goals very transparent and upfront from the beginning. For example, if the intent is to scrape all the living flesh off of the Comp Plan and only leave the skeleton, say that. If the intent is to add living flesh to the bones, say that. Is the goal to build buildings or to take care of the people living here? Is the goal to encourage sustainability and balance with our environment or exploit everything? (Extreme examples, yes.)
If the intent is to have like-think, compliant, and obsequious members, say that. If City Hall, Council and the leadership of the Comp Plan Steering Committee want members to feel comfortable voicing “unique perspectives,” then THEY are the ones who need to know how to manage conflict of perspectives AND incorporate those “unique perspectives” into the Comp Plan. Leadership should have conflict resolution skills, attend workshops if they don’t, use them, model them, and do not pass all the burden/responsibility on the shoulders of nonleadership. For example, requiring commissioners, appointees, and staff to have conflict resolution skills and training while not requiring the same of leadership (chairs, Mayor, Council, and City Administration). Bullying is still not banned.