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City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes April 15, 2025 2 Consent Agenda Resolution #2025-011 April 2025 Donation to White Bear Lake Area Food Shelf Monthly Financial Report(s) 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, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Motion carried 5-0. Committee Reports No Planning Commission meeting was held in April. Mayor Artig-Swomley would like to see the Planning Commission assign an alternate to the group in the case that no quorum is able to be met with the main five (5) commissioners assigned or think about expanding the commission from five (5) to seven (7) members. Commission Chair Don Cummings was in attendance at the meeting and shared that it might be best to expand the Commission and will propose something at the next meeting. Old Business Newsletter Updates / Topics / Suggestions Some topics for the next newsletter would include the MPCA presentation, news on the work the golf course and KIA dealership are doing, the MS4 Presentation, City Clean-up Day results, Corridor information, scholarship recipients and the 2nd stormwater article written by Councilmember Jim Lindner. Code Enforcement Issues Discussion The initial rental inspection and reinspection both took place for the rental property located on Scheuneman Road. It all comes down to the non-permitted structure built on the back on the property, all other violations were corrected. That violation is still uncorrected at this time. Potential Water System Funding The City of Gem Lake was awarded close to one million dollars from the federal government in 2024/2025 for the construction of a municipal water system. All earmarked funds the 2024/2025 funding cycle that remain unspent were recently revoked by the federal government from projects throughout the country. With the assistance of congresswoman Betty McCollum’s office, Gem Lake recently re-applied for this money for the current 2025/2026 funding cycle and awaits a decision. With the help of the City’s engineering firm, Gem Lake is also applying for everything available at the state level. The city retains its 2023/2024 federal funding award of $959,757 and is currently working with the Environmental Protection Agency to begin the engineering work necessary to begin a full or partial municipal water system. Comprehensive Plan Hoffman’s Corner is in the City’s Gateway Zoning District with a suggested development of mixed-use commercial/residential development. Mayor Artig-Swomley stated that this does not reflect 100% of the developer’s inquiries that are currently being fielded by the city. These calls are overwhelmingly slated towards commercial ideas. She suggests that the Planning Commission takes a look at this zoning and see if language changes and updates might make development more likely. She also stated that she will be meeting with the Metropolitan Council to discuss this area on April 16 and will report back next month. Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to call for a public hearing on the matter at the appropriate time, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Motion carried 5-0. Barnett KIA Developers Agreement Draft From an engineering standpoint the city is very close to finalizing the developer’s agreement. Road access to Highway 61 is the main concern holding up the agreement.