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City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes July 18, 2023 1 | Page City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting – September 19, 2023 Meeting Minutes Mayor Gretchen Artig-Swomley called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilmembers Jim Lindner, Len Cacioppo, Laurel Amlee and Ben Johnson were present. Also present: City Attorney Kevin Beck, City Treasurer Tom Kelly, City Engineer Justin Gese, Acting City Clerk Melissa Lawrence, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) representatives, Michael Ginsbach, Tim Grape, Planning Commission Member Don Cummings, and Gem Lake residents Daniel Epelboim, Jim Wilson, Paul Emeott, Tom Bolfing, Betsy DiFabio, Sharon Roland, Pat and Melissa Rottach, Steve Varley, Rick Bosak, Jean and Roys Andrews, Richard and Roberta Pientka, Sherrie O’Malley, Andre Yadeau, Carl Wallin, Pat Igo, and Kevin Cullen. September 19, 2023 Agenda A motion was introduced by Councilmember Linder to accept the agenda, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Voice vote taken, all voted yes, motion passes, agenda accepted. Minutes A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo to approve the August 15, 2023, City Council Meeting Minutes. Voice vote taken, all in favor, motion carried, agenda accepted. Special Presentations Minnesota Legislative Session Update – Minnesota Senator Heather Gustafson, District 36, DFL Senator Gustafson had a last minute emergency caucus and had to reschedule her visit to the City of Gem Lake. Acting City Clerk Melissa Lawrence will work on rescheduling the visit. MPCA Water Report – Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Representatives Tim Grape and Michael Ginsbach Since the last visit to the City the MPCA has taken samples again from the areas in Gem Lake affected by or near the affected areas of the 1,4 Dioxane pollution. Earlier readings taken had many of the affected properties above the Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) 1 ppb guidance value. These properties have been supplied bottled water since those results. The last set of recent samples taken in 2023 have showed signs that the concentrations of 1,4 Dioxane are either staying the same or decreasing. Many affected areas have dropped below the 1 ppb guidance value. These properties will still be supplied bottled water while the investigation continues. There have been no new impacted wells and the contamination was most likely from a one-time event. The MPCA is still investigating Cortec and is requiring the company to put together an evaluation stating how much contamination has been released. Many of the residents in attendance asked questions along the lines of: • Is the reduction in pollution expected to continue? • What is Cortec and has the pipe been repaired? • Will more well testing be conducted and will the testing be expanded to cover more homes or areas within Gem Lake? • How long will it take the MPCA to come to a resolution? A summary from Michael Ginsbach was the testing will continue until a resolution has been made. The MPCA hopes to come to a resolution sooner than later. This is an ongoing investigation and the MPCA will continue to look at other possible sources of contamination. Tim Grape shared that the MPCA has a current proposal for the 2024 session for $170 million to help Minnesota cities come up with solutions to get wells taken care of. Mayor Artig-Swomley with the help of our City Engineer has applied for federal funding. The House Capital Investment Committee has a tour scheduled for Thursday, September 28 to get some more information on the City’s request for funding.