Navigating Local Governance with Harold Langowski

LOOKING BACK:

On Tuesday, April 8 our City Clerk, Harold Langowski, shared insights on how to interact with and navigate city government, committees, and commissions.

Know Where You Live & Who Governs It

Harold, who’s been serving Ely since 1999, opened with a reminder: Ely and Ely Township are not the same. Understanding your local unit of government is key to getting the support and answers you need.

We’re Here to Help

“99 out of 100 times, we can solve your issue right away,” said Langowski. He encouraged business owners to call him directly. Permits, zoning, and navigating departments, commissions, and boards are all easier than most people think—and the city council is approachable and easy to access.

Economic Support for Businesses

The Ely Economic Development Authority (EEDA) is focused on helping businesses grow. Commercial renovation loans, business grants, and home improvement funding are available—much of it listed on the city website. Ely also collaborates with other organizations to strengthen the local economy.

Workforce Housing in Progress

To support a growing workforce, Ely is working to develop a 37-unit apartment complex with garage parking. It’s part of the city’s long-term plan to make Ely a livable, sustainable place for both employers and employees.

Get Involved, Be Seen

Langowski’s top advice for business visibility:

• Show up to community events

• Be a good neighbor

• Attend a city hearing or join a board

Engagement builds trust, and trust builds business. Ely is open for business, and your voice matters.

See Harold's TIPS FOR NAVIGATING CITY GOVERNANCE below!

Photos provided by The Timberjay

LOOKING AHEAD:

The next Ely for Ely gathering will take place @ The Hub (760 Miners Drive East) on MAY 13, 2025: Nonprofit Governance & Board of Directors Onboarding with Patti Banks.

Our May Ely for Ely gathering will address the basics of nonprofit board membership. Our speaker, Patti Banks, will address the responsibilities of board members versus those of staff; best practices for onboarding new board members; as well as make a case for why people should want to join a nonprofit board of directors.

Patti has over twenty years of healthcare experience in various settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities. As the CEO at Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital (EBCH), she leads a diverse team of healthcare professionals to fulfill the EBCH mission of being committed to the health and well-being of the communities it serves. She has led culture change, including physician, employee, and board member engagement.

She has held various careers in healthcare for over 20 years and received her degree in Long-Term Care Administration and Healthcare Administration from the University of Minnesota. Growing up in the Tower/Soudan area, Patti understands the importance of offering quality healthcare to residents in rural Minnesota. She serves on three boards: the Minnesota Hospital Association, the Wilderness Health Coalition, and the Ely Area Community Foundation.

Patti lives in Soudan with her husband and enjoys time with her three grown sons and her fur baby, Remmi.

Basic information about upcoming Ely for Ely programs can be found here.

“Nearly all local living economies include a range of organizations, networks, and funding sources designed to nurture small and “micro” enterprises. Those that begin at home as a way to save a little money, help family or neighbors, or reduce dependence on the bigger economy can sometimes be nurtured into independent businesses serving the broader community.” –Anthony Flaccavento

WHAT DO YOU THINK?  

Our planning committee would love to hear from you! Please take a moment to complete this feedback form pertaining to the Ely for Ely monthly programs. We have a few months under our belt, but many yet to plan and execute! This is an excellent time to share your feedback. We'd gladly take it into consideration in our planning processes. 

**TIPS FOR NAVIGATING CITY GOVERNANCE:

• Start with City of Ely committees and commissions. If you have a grievance, inquiry, or general comment, consider whether or not there is an official committee pertaining to the topic. Contact representatives of that committee, or attend the public meeting.

• The 15-minute requests to appear are meant for local organizations and businesses to provide updates to both the City Council and to the community at large. This is not meant to be a time for individual constituents to air grievances. 

• The open forum at City Council meetings is a better fit for individual remarks and commentary. First email the City Clerk’s office and/or City Councilors with grievances. The open forum should not be the first place to express concerns. 

• Again, do your homework first, then call the city staff with your questions & grievances.  

  
  

WHERE TO FIND KEY INFORMATION:

• Past City Council meeting minutes can be found on the City of Ely’s website under Government > Council meetings. https://www.ely.mn.us/council-meetings 

• City of Ely Ordinances on the City of Ely’s website under Government > Ordinances https://www.ely.mn.us/ordinances 

• Meeting Calendar can be found at https://www.ely.mn.us/meetings-calendar 

• The City of Ely is a Charter City. The Ely City Charter can be found at https://www.ely.mn.us/charter 

  
  

COMMISSIONS:  (Read the full ordinance to see official commission duties)

Airport Commission: 

• Responsible for aspects of the operations, maintenance and development of the Ely Municipal Airport and representing the Airport to all public and private entities.  

• Advise the Council of all matters dealing with the airport, and its operation. Serve as a forum for others to express their views relating to the airport and its operation.

  
  

Cemetery Committee: 

• The mission of the Ely Cemetery Committee is to provide a beautiful and serene final resting place open to all people. 

• Advises the Ely City Council on the administration, maintenance, preservation and protection of the current Ely Cemetery and the Pioneer Cemetery.

  
  

Donald G. Gardner Humanities Trust Board:

• The purpose of the Trust shall be for the enhancement, growth and improvement of the Ely Public Library; the arts and artisans of Ely and surrounding area; and the cultural and aesthetic environment of the City of Ely and its surrounding area. This work shall include support for the performing arts, the visual arts and literature, and the creation and funding of scholarships, educational and artistic grants.

  
  

Ely Economic Development Authority: 

• Encourages economic growth throughout the Ely area by promoting the business opportunities and advantages that Ely offers; identifying needs of the business community and facilitating strategic partnerships to address the needs; and, encouraging investments that create jobs, generate economic opportunities and improve the quality of life in the Greater Ely area.

  
  

Ely Utilities Commission: 

• The purpose of the Ely Utilities Commission is to render the best possible services, under its jurisdiction, to the consuming public at the lowest cost consistent with sound economy, and good management as provided by the laws of the State, the Charter and City Ordinance Code.

• “Utility” means all utility services, whether the same be public City- owned facilities or furnished by public utility companies. “Municipal Utility” means a City-owned utility system such as water, sewerage, and electric.

  
  

Employee Relations Committee: 

• All employee contracts, grievances, and other personnel relations.

  
  

Heritage Preservation Commission: 

• The goal of the commission is to safeguard the heritage of Ely by preserving sites and structures which reflect elements of the city's cultural, social, economic, political, visual or architectural history. 

• The HPC has been active in several projects over the last six years including the listing of the Ely Community Center on the National Register, the Re-Use study of the Community Center, the Downtown Survey and most recently the Condition Assessment of the Pioneer Mine Site. The commission developed and maintains the Historic Downtown Walking Tour.

  
  

Housing Redevelopment Authority: 

• The HRA offers safe, decent, and affordable housing for low and moderate-income persons without discrimination. The HRA is committed to effective management with wise and prudent use of public funds, in providing housing options and opportunities, to enhance the quality of life in our communities. 

Green Team: 

• A subcommittee for the Green Step Initiative. The Creation of the Ely Green Team is to use the city committee to lead, coordinate, report and engage community members on sustainability best practices with regard to economic and community development, to include: Benchmarks and Community Engagement, Green Business Development, Renewable Energy, Local Food, Business Synergies and Eco districts, Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience 

  
  

Parks & Recreation Board: 

• To guide the planning, maintaining, and development of the parks and recreation in Ely. To improve the quality of life for all ages, backgrounds, and physical abilities of the residents of Ely and surrounding area.

  
  

Planning & Zoning Commission: 

• Handles land use planning and zoning issues. 

• The Planning Commission shall prepare and adopt a comprehensive plan for the City. 

• Recommend to the council any amendments it deems desirable to the capital improvements program and any ordinance implementing the plan.

Police Commission: 

• The Commission shall be an advisory authority over the employment, promotion, discharge, and suspension of all employees of the police department except for the Assistant Chief , and Chief of Police. In executing its duties and responsibilities, the Commission shall follow the policies and procedures as established by the City Council.

  
  

Projects (Projects, Streets, & Infrastructure) Committee:

• The Ely City Council established the projects committee by combining the Land Committee, Projects Committee, and the Street and Infrastructure Committee.

• The Committee shall make recommendations to the Council of all matters dealing with community projects, the Ely Business Park, land sales and acquisition, streets and infrastructure. It may recommend an annual operating budget, recommend capital improvements, and serve as a forum for others to express their views on subjects relating to community projects, land, streets and infrastructure.

  
  

Public Library Board: 

• The Ely Public Library Board is the policy making authority for the Ely Public Library.  Board members are appointed by the Ely City Council, and a majority of the board members must reside inside of city limits.

  
  

Sanitation Committee: 

• The City of Ely Sanitation Committee shall establish rules and regulations both as to its procedure and the effective management of the refuse and recycling collection within the City of Ely, but subject to approval by the Council.

• The Committee strives for clean neighborhoods in which our residents, visitors, and children can experience a high quality lifestyle; solid waste services that are collected and disposed in a safe, efficient, environmentally sound, and cost-effective manner; and enforcement of Sanitation Ordinances designed to eliminate illegal dumping and littering.

• The Committee takes inquiries relating to trash, recycling, and the procedures of collection and disposal and reports to the City Council.

  
  

Telecommunications Advisory Board:

• Establishment of facilities and development of a system for the collection, production and presentation of programming for the Public, Education and Government Access System; to develop and implement a Public, Education and Government Access System.

• Management of the property and monies available to the Public, Education and Government Access System 

• To serve as a forum for persons to express their views or complaints on subjects relating to the Cable Television System and the Public, Education and Government Access System.

  
  

Tree Board: 

• The Tree Board shall develop a City Tree Plan for planting, the care, pruning, preservation, removal and disposition of the trees in all public spaces including, but not limited to parks, boulevards, sidewalks, and green spaces.

Organizational chart: