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City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes January 21, 2025 2 The monthly financial report(s) were not included as stated on the consent agenda list. No action will be taken on that line item. All other 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, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Motion carried 5-0. Committee Reports Commission Chair Don Cummings shared with the Council that an application for a home occupation went through the commission for review and a recommendation was made to the Council. Cummings shared that the commission will also begin reviewing Oridnnace No. 131 to ensure the language in it is still clear and up to date. The commission wants to preserve characteristics of Gem Lake and make sure it is reflecting the comp plan. Mayor Artig-Swomley stated that she would like to make sure there is consistency is a big focus when reviewing it. She also wanted to share that two (2) applications have been received for the Planning Commission and she would like the Commission to review them at the February meeting and make a recommendation to the City Council. Old Business Newsletter Updates / Topics / Suggestions Mayor Artig-Swomley stated that she would like to see a newsletter go out by March. Some topics for the next newsletter would include the presentation from the Met Council visit, cannabis ordinance, County Road E corridor project, the swearing in of Councilmembers, and possibly a story on stormwater. White Bear Lake Public Safety Contract Discussion Mayor Artig-Swomley met with the White Bear Lake Mayor and discussed the issue of being charged interest on the new Public Safety building. Mayor Artig-Swomley shared that she made the cities position known. City Treasurer Tom Kelly made sure to subtract the interest calculation from the depreciation line item on the bill. Mayor Artig-Swomley shared that she feels the City of White Bear Lake will not budge and that Gem Lake should pay what the City of White Bear has billed for interest, with the understanding that Gem Lake still feels this is not a reflection of the contract language, and to ask for a discount on the interest for 2025. By paying what is owed it will help to maintain the relationship between White Bear Lake and Gem Lake. City Treasurer Tom Kelly shared that based on the letter from the City of White Bear Lake Gem Lake should expect to start being charged for ambulance services that are not currently being billed separately in 2026. Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion asking City Treasurer Tom Kelly to pay the amount owed to White Bear Lake and request a discount a 25% discount for the remaining owed, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Motion carried 5-0. Code Enforcement Issues Discussion The City Clerk is in the process of trying to schedule a rental inspection for the property on Scheuneman Road, but it has been a challenge. City Attorney Kevin Beck asked the clerk to forward the emails to him so he can pursue it some more. New Business Special Home Occupation Request – 3907 Tessier Road City Planner Evan Monson summarized the request for the special home occupation request through a memo to the council. The applicant is proposing to use their detached garage as part of a home occupation. The plans submitted by the applicant call for utilizing their existing detached garage as a home photo studio for a pet photography business; the applicant currently runs the business out of a commercial space in Minneapolis. The applicant states in their narrative that the driveway serving the detached garage can accommodate at least four cars, while the ‘main’ driveway on the property can accommodate five to six cars. Customers per day on-site vary; the applicant anticipates at most four customers on-site in a day and having an average of two on-site customers per week. Most sessions are scheduled for Saturdays between noon and 5pm, with occasional appointments after 5pm. The subject property is located at the intersection of Goose Lake Road/CSAH 14 and Tessier Road. The site slopes to the north/northwest, with trees and vegetation located throughout. The subject property includes a house with an attached garage and two