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Ely approves youth-center water connection and waives $7,409.39 in penalties for McGill property
Summary
The council approved a will-serve for the White Pine County Youth Center to connect a temporary safe-housing duplex to an existing water line and unanimously removed up to $7,409.39 in past-due utility penalties for a McGill property; a public commenter urged the city deny piggybacked water service and raised Title VI concerns.
The Ely City Council unanimously approved two Municipal Utilities Board recommendations Oct. 24: a will-serve to allow the White Pine County Youth Center to connect a temporary safe-housing duplex to the existing building at 399 First Street, and removal of past-due utility penalties up to $7,409.39 at 5 North Sixth Street in McGill.
City Engineer B.J. Almberg told the council the will-serve was straightforward and recommended approval. Councilman Kurt Carson moved the will-serve; Councilwoman Jerri Lynn Williams-Harper seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
City Clerk Jennifer Lee explained the Municipal Utilities Board also recommended removing penalties for the McGill property and that the packet showed the fees had been paid Oct. 17, 2024. Councilwoman Samantha Elliott moved to remove penalties up to $7,409.39 as requested by property owner Ralph Jones; Councilman Terrill Trask seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
During public comment earlier, George Chachas objected to the will-serve, arguing the city’s policy requires each structure to have its own connection and warning that allowing a shared connection could raise Title VI federal discrimination issues. Chachas also questioned whether other property owners had received similar write-offs and asked for consistent application of policy.
Councilmembers and staff did not reverse the Municipal Utilities Board recommendations, and both items were adopted as presented.
