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City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes November 21, 2023 2 | Page Resolution #2023-0025 Gem Lake Hills Golf Course Liquor Licenses 2024 Tobacco Licenses Resolution #2023-0026 Country Lounge Tobacco License 2024 Monthly Financial Report(s) Quarterly Financial Report Claims All items on the consent agenda were reviewed by the Council. Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to approve all the items listed on the consent agenda as is, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Voice vote taken, all in favor, motion carried. Committee Reports Planning Commission Chairman Joshua Patrick provided a brief report on the commission’s recent project to update the city’s decades old garbage ordinance. He also reviewed the results of the city’s recent garbage hauler survey, which was conducted last month to city residents and businesses. The survey had a fairly high participation rate and generally showed that residents and businesses were satisfied with their current haulers, were paying similar monthly rates, and would consider a city sponsored hauler only if rate reductions could be achieved. The Commission is seeking further guidance from the City Council before proceeding with more work on the garbage ordinance. The December Planning Commission has been canceled and the Commission will begin meeting again in January 2024. Old Business Newsletter Updates / Topics / Suggestions Mayor Artig-Swomley presented ideas for the next edition of the City Newsletter to include pieces such as information on the 2024 City Budget, the presentations from the City of White Bear Lake, and other topics. A current newsletter will be going out next week, and the next edition, including the topics above, would be sent out in early January. Garbage Hauler Survey Final Results The Council reviewed the final results of the Garbage Hauler Survey and will take into consideration the comments from the residents and businesses. The Council will continue to discuss the topic and provide suggestions to the Planning Commission on what they would like to see within the garbage ordinance. New Business Cannabis Interim Ordinance A draft of an interim ordinance involving edible cannabis products was presented. The draft is based on one currently in place at the City of White Bear Lake. Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to approve the ordinance, seconded by Councilmember Amlee. Voice vote taken, all in favor, motion carried. Records Retention Resolution #2023-0027 The City does not have a current records retention policy and the Acting City Clerk would like to begin following one. A sample resolution was supplied by the Municipal Clerks and Finance Officers Association of Minnesota (MCFOA) that the Acting City Clerk is presenting for adoption. This policy is based on the ordinance published by the State of Minnesota. Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to approve the resolution, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Voice vote taken, all in favor, motion carried. Gem Lake Tree Policy Discussion Although the city adopted a tree policy about a decade ago, this policy deals primarily with boulevard trees that overhang streets. Mayor Artig-Swomley feels the policy needs to be expanded to cover things like tree clearing after storms and assignment of responsibilities when trees fall unexpectedly. She asked the Planning Commission to take on this project and to consult with City Attorney Kevin Beck to find sample policies that other cities have adopted. The council expressed agreement with this idea.