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Ely council approves a slate of local permits and projects; KJ’s driveway permit passes 6-1
Summary
At its May 19 meeting Ely City Council approved multiple local actions including a controversial driveway/gate permit for KJ’s (6-1), authorization for environmental testing at the Old Ford Garage ($4,000), a 10% airport hangar-rate increase, Park & Rec projects including a Pickleball phase, event permits, seasonal hires, and two election-related resolutions.
The Ely City Council on May 19 approved multiple local permits, project steps and resolutions affecting city operations and small capital projects.
Driveway/gate permit: The council approved a Projects Committee recommendation to permit two 16-foot driveways and gates into KJ’s equipment rental lot on 3rd Avenue East. Council member A. Forsman objected, citing parking impacts. "How many parking spots would we lose?" Forsman asked. Clerk/Treasurer Langowski replied the layout would remove two spots on the west side and add one on the east side and said alternative gate locations had been considered but were impractical for equipment access. The motion carried 6-1 with A. Forsman voting No.
Old Ford Garage environmental work: The council authorized NTS to complete environmental work totaling $4,000 at the Old Ford Garage as part of a development agreement with the current owner, John Ott. Langowski said prior phase I/limited phase II work had been done when the city previously owned the site and that adjoining-property soil testing raised new concerns related to a leaking fuel oil tank. Motion carried unanimously.
Airport and Park projects: The council approved a 10 percent increase in airport hangar and garage lease rates for 2026–2027 and authorized staff to send a "Voice of the Customer" letter to tenants. Park and Recreation items approved included event permits for the Blueberry Art Festival and Harvest Moon Festival, Phase 1 of the Pickleball project (city to provide in-kind roadway and tree work while outside funds will cover courts), removal of fence and posts around the pillow rock with new signage to follow, and a walking-trail collaboration with the North Country Trail Association.
Personnel, claims and elections: Council approved seasonal hires across departments and set pay for those positions; it approved city and EUC claims totaling $180,726.09. The council denied a request to waive the special event permit fee for the Ely Track Club (motion failed 2-5). Council approved Resolution 2026-018 authorizing a temporary deputy clerk for election purposes and Resolution 2026-019 establishing an absentee ballot board.
Votes at a glance (selected): - KJ's driveway permit: Motion carried 6-1 (A. Forsman No). - NTS environmental work at Old Ford Garage: Carried unanimously. - Airport hangar/garage lease rate increase (10%): Carried unanimously. - Pickleball phase 1: Carried unanimously. - Blueberry Art Festival & Harvest Moon Festival permits: Carried unanimously. - Track Club fee waiver: Failed 2-5. - Claims for May 19, 2026 ($180,726.09): Carried unanimously. - Resolutions 2026-018 and 2026-019 (election staffing/absentee board): Carried unanimously.
Provenance: KJ's permit and Projects Committee items introduced SEG 006; environmental work at Old Ford Garage SEG 009; airport items SEG 013; Park & Rec projects SEG 015–016; seasonal hires SEG 018; claims and resolutions SEG 032–037.
