Frequently Asked Questions
*Question*	*Response*
What is an FAQ?	A FAQ is a list of questions that are commonly asked about the City. This area should be used as a first pass when trying to find an answer about the City or Ely, or how it is managed. If you have questions that you would like to submit to this page, and feel that other visitors, residents, or employees might find valuable, please submit them via email to the City Office. top
How often are City Council meetings held?	Once a month. Regular meetings are held the second Monday of every month at 7:00 p.m. When a second meeting is needed, a Special meeting is scheduled. Agendas are published for all meetings and posted at City Hall, Solon State Bank and the Ely Post Office. For more information on Council Meetings, see City Council Page. top
Can I attend a City Council meeting?	Yes. Not only are you able to attend, but encouraged to do so. All meetings are open to the public. On rare occasions, a closed session is required for an item on the agenda, but even then, the rest of the meeting is open to the public. The purpose of Council meetings is to do the work of the City and input from the public helps to successfully serve that purpose. For more information on Council Meetings, see City Council Page. top
How are City Council members chosen?	By election. Local elections are held in November in "odd-numbered" years. The next election is November 6, 2007. The Mayor and three Council seats will be up for election for the November 2007 election. For more information on the City Council, see City Council Page. top
When is the Library open?	The Library is open: Monday & Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday: 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Friday: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Sunday: Closed For more information on the Ely Public Library, see Public Library Page top
When are City Offices open?	Yes. The City offices are open on Monday thru Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office is closed Saturday and Sunday. top
What is the cost for Water and Sewer?	A base rate of $17.25 is charged for the first 1,000 gallons of water used each month, with additional fees for each additional unit. (A unit is 1,000 gallons.) The Sewer base rate is $23.72 for the first 1,000 gallons each month, plus additional fees for each additional unit. Bills are sent out at the end of each month and are due on the 15th of the next month. Any payment received after the 15th will be charged a minimum late fee of $2. top
Can I have more information on Garbage Collection?	Yes. Garbage is picked up each Monday and should be curbside by 7 a.m. There is a $7 fee that is billed with the water and sewer fees each month of the service. Each bag of garbage to go to the landfill needs to have an Ely garbage tag attached to it in the manner stated on the back of the tag. Garbage must be in a standard waterproof trash container or in a plastic bag securely tied or sealed. No container or bag may exceed 33 gallons. (not exceeding 40 pounds). No tires, hazardous substances, needles or syringes, dead animals or lead batteries are allowed for pickup. top
Where can I get garbage tags?	At Caseys’, Cleppe's Station or at the City office. Tags for 33-gallon containers cost $1. top
Does the city have recycling collection?	Yes. There is a wide range of materials that are recyclable and will be picked up at no additional charge. Co-mingle materials in recycling bin, 30 pound limit on each recycling bin. Glass & batteries must be separated. top
Where can I get a recycling bin?	At the City Office. Recycling bins are available for $8.50 each. The first one is free to each new address. Bins belong to the address, not to the owner (unless they have purchased a second one). top
What is considered acceptable paper recycling products?	Newspaper, Magazines/Catalogs, Corrugated Cardboard, Chipboard and Mixed Paper. Please see below for more detail on each of these types of paper recycling products. Newspaper - and any papers that comes with newspapers. Place loose in recycling container. Magazines/Catalogs - 100 percent shiny pages Corrugated Cardboard - Bundle cannot exceed two feet wide, two feet high, five feet long, flatten and bundle with twine or wire, no plastic rope. Cardboard must be recycled. Chipboard - brown or gray when torn, including cereal, cracker and tissue boxes, toilet paper and paper towel cores. Mixed paper - White, colored, NCR, laser printer, fax, photocopy, legal pad, note and computer papers, post-its, call slips, file folders, envelopes (with windows), junk mail including glossies, paper or envelopes with gummed labels. Wrapping paper, paper egg cartons, paper labels, greeting cards, phone books. For security reasons, please remove any items that may contain personal information. top
What is considered unacceptable paper recycling products?	Waxed paper, paper towels, paper coffee cups, carbon paper, Kraft envelopes, disposable diapers, tissue paper, food wrappers, tobacco wrappers, refrigerated packages (frozen food) or any packages that are white when torn. top
What is considered acceptable metal recycling products?	Metal Cans, Aluminum Foil, Pie Plates, all metal food and beverage containers. Please see below for more detail on each of these types of metal recycling products. Metal Cans, Aluminum Foil, Pie Plates - Do not completely remove lid. Fold lid inside of can. All metal food and beverage containers (white-lined cans are okay). Aluminum foil and pie plates are accepted. Rinse very clean. top
What is considered unacceptable metal recycling products?	Larger metals than those listed above. Please use Bluestem Site #3 for drop-off or contact scrap dealers. top
What is considered acceptable plastic recycling products?	All numbers #1-#7, except Styrofoam and plastic bags. #6 plastics are acceptable if placed in the recycling bin, but hauler is unable to find a place that will take it as recyclable, so it is preferred that #6 plastics are not put in the recycling container. Milk, water and juice jugs and detergent, soda and pop bottles are accepted. All plastics must have a recycling number (found on the bottom). Please rinse thoroughly. Plastic lids without a recycling number must be discarded. Flatten when possible to save space. top
What is considered unacceptable plastic recycling products?	Plastic bags, plastic films, Styrofoam, motor oil containers, caps or lids without a recycling number. top
What is considered acceptable glass recycling products?	Clear, brown and green glass - Place on top of items in recycling bin in separate container. Please rinse very clean and remove lids. top
What is considered unacceptable glass recycling products?	Broken glass, drinking glasses, ceramics, light bulbs, mirrors or Pyrex glass. top
What is considered acceptable battery recycling products?	Household batteries - dry cell batteries and button batteries from watches, hearing aids and smoke alarms are accepted. Place in separate container on top of items in recycling bin or in a container next to recycling bin. top
What is considered unacceptable battery recycling products?	Automotive Batteries. top
Is their regularly scheduled Yard Waste Collection?	No. The City of Ely does not have a regular collection schedule for yard waste. Please contact the city office to schedule a pick-up time. The bundle may be no more than four feet long. The charge is $2 per 33-gallon container or bundle. The $2 fee can be assessed to your next utility bill. top

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