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City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024 3 Ramsey County recently completed a countywide study to determine if any roadway classifications should be changed from CSAH or County Road (CR) status. The objective of this study was to maximize the needs of Ramsey County’s CSAH system to maximize the funding allocated to Ramsey County’s CSAH roadway network (which is over 85% of Ramsey County’s miles). The study identified several short sections of roadway in Gem Lake that draw higher needs that other CSAH segments elsewhere in the county. The reallocation of Otter Lake Road, Scheuneman Road, and Labore Road from County roads to CSAHs will create more needs, and therefore bring in more annual funding to Ramsey County for roadway construction and maintenance. The roadway classification does not impact how, or when, Ramsey County programs roadway improvements work happen – instead it simply identifies which pot of money is used to fund these improvements. This action is administrative in nature and requires impacted Cities to pass a resolution supporting/acknowledging the modifications. That is the resolution request that was sent to you along with Ramsey County’s board action detailing all of the modifications throughout the county. Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to approve Resolution #2024-0025, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Motion carried 5-0. Gem Lake Road Construction Information City Engineer Justin Gese asked that the mayor share during the meeting that Ramsey County is planning construction along Goose Lake Road in the future. The work is not expected to start for at least three (3) years, and it is safe to say Gem Lake would probably not be subject to a pavement experiment again. Ramsey County also suggested the city install a set of blinking crosswalk signs at one of the crossings for the golf course. Code Enforcement Issues Discussion Mayor Artig-Swomley shared that a meeting was held last night at Heritage Hall regarding code enforcement issues in Gem Lake. City Building Official Mike Johnson and White Bear Lake Police Chief Dale Hager came and heard from several concerned residents. There have been many complaints received and police calls for one property in general in Gem Lake. The general consensus of concerned residents and staff is that this property may be operating a sort of private homeless shelter due to the apparent number of transient individuals who appear to be coming and going on a regular basis, according to neighbors. City Building Official Mike Johnson has visited the property several times this year regarding ordinance violations and complaints from concerned residents and has recently issued a stop work order, abatement order, citation for nuisance violations and with the help of City Attorney Kevin Beck is requesting an administrative search warrant for the property. City Building Official Mike Johnson suggested that Gem Lake make some changes to the nuisance ordinance and housing maintenance and occupancy code to tighten up the language on storage limits. Mayor Artig-Swomley would also like to see language allowing the number of code enforcement and police calls to be considered when renewing a rental license. The mayor asked that the Planning Commission review the Ordinances at their November meeting and see if there are any other suggestions to help tighten up the ordinances, especially having to do with camping and other types of trailers. Laptop/Scanner Quote Metro-INET supplied Acting City Clerk Melissa Lawrence with quotes for a laptop and scanner for the office for contractors and residents to use when applying for permits to help the city move towards going paperless. Two (2) quotes for laptops were received, (1) Dell Latitude 5550, 15”, 10-key, Core ultra 5 125U processor, 16GB RAM, and 256 GB Hard Drive for $980.30, and (2) Dell Latitude 5450, 14”, Core Ultra 5 125U processor, 16 GB RAM, 256 GB Hard Drive for $1,087.11. The scanner quote was for a Canon imageFORMULA DR-C230 Office for $366.10. Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to approve up to $1,500 to be spent on a laptop and scanner to help move the city to going paperless, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Motion carried 5-0.