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City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting minutes, June 20, 2017 Page 3
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<br />She received 41 phone calls and of those phone calls, 8 people were in favor of this. Finance Director
<br />Tom Kelly explained the property tax abatement.
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<br />Mayor Uzpen opened the public hearing at 8:43 p.m. Roberta Pientka, 3970 Tessier Road, opposed to
<br />the park and the city as a developer. Richard Pientka, 3970 Tessier Road, asked about the planning
<br />commission results. How were the properties picked for abatement? Tom Kelly response: We have to
<br />pick properties that surround the land, some commercial not necessarily surrounding the land,
<br />properties can only be abated once. Carol Schacht, 1201 Little Fox Land, opposed to the park, property
<br />tax abatement and overall proposal. Connie Kunin, 1270 Goose Lake Road, opposed, if people who are
<br />surrounding the land feel strongly about it, they should purchase it. Brad Naylor, 1430 Goose Lake
<br />Road, in favor, did not appreciate the council being called inappropriate names, citizens need to
<br />recognize the number of hours the council spends volunteering their time. Ken Kirchoff, 3744 Big Fox
<br />Road, opposed, the city should not get involved. Justin Short, 3614 Big Fox Road, opposed to sidewalk
<br />on County Road E, not opposed to the city purchasing the property, noted that he received an
<br />anonymous note from a stranger stating he was operating a business in his accessory building, stating he
<br />is doing personal woodworking for himself and working on his John Deere in his building and invited any
<br />citizen to stop over and see for themselves. Kyle Anderson, 3872 Scheuneman Road, opposed, taxes will
<br />go up, a city doesn’t have to do everything the Met Council says. Craig Rafferty, 3750 Big Fox, nothing
<br />wrong with the concept, supportive of the general concept, city should not purchase. Cal Johnson, 1355
<br />Goose Lake Road, opposed, love a park or even a trail down Goose Lake Road. Kari Fonstad, 1355 Goose
<br />Lake Road, encouraged the council to table the idea and would like more information. Jeff Tschetter,
<br />owns rental property 3930 Scheuneman Road, does not reside there, opposed, asked about the risk
<br />associated with the purchase. Julieann Markiewcz, 7 Hillary Farm Lane, opposed, should slow down the
<br />process, questions about the process. Paul Luecke, 17 Hillary Farm Lane, thanked the council for their
<br />work, talked about vetting, idea of the costs, slow down and look at the numbers, found it unfortunate
<br />and disappointed that the arguments became so personal. Taylor McGuire, 1365 Goose Lake Road,
<br />opposed, you should listen to your CPA, you only have seven months of cash. Commissioner Artig-
<br />Swomley response: The current balance of funds doesn’t reflect the infusion of property tax monies
<br />that we receive semi-annually, that payment has yet to be received. Beth Herzog, 1433 Goose Lake
<br />Road, this isn’t the meeting to discuss a proposal from a developer. A resident of the community
<br />without proof accused the Mayor of working with the Hansen’s for monetary gains. The public hearing
<br />was closed at 10:22 p.m. A motion was made by Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember
<br />Bosak to vote on purchase. A voice vote was taken, Mayor Uzpen, abstained, Councilmember Lindner,
<br />nay, Councilmember Bosak, nay, Councilmember Artig-Swomley, nay, Councilmember Kuny, nay.
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<br />Councilmember Bosak made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Artig-Swomley to drop the
<br />remaining two resolutions, no objections, motion passed.
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<br />Next Meetings
<br />City of Gem Lake Workshop for Monday, July 10, 7:00 p.m. Next City Council meeting, Tuesday, July 18,
<br />7:00 p.m.
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<br />Adjournment
<br />Being there no further business, following a motion by Councilmember Lindner, seconded by
<br />Councilmember Artig-Swomley, the meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
<br />Respectfully submitted, Gloria Tessier
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