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City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes January 16, 2024 3 | Page 2024 SCORE Agreement Final Each year the City must approve an agreement with Ramsey County for a SCORE funding recycling grant. The term of this agreement shall be from January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024. Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to approve the agreement with Ramsey County, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Voice vote taken, all voted yes, motion carried. MS4 Audit Meeting Results On Friday, January 5, 2024 the City of Gem Lake’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit was audited by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). The audit consisted of a review of the approximately 75 items identified on the permit. Most items concern various “best practices” intended to safeguard against discharging chemicals or other toxins into the public water system. Since storm drains transport storm water directly into rivers and lakes, there is no treatment process involved. The permit emphasizes preventive measures such as construction site inspections, or physical berms or retention ponds that are designed to filter water before it enters the main storm sewer network. Gem Lake’s city engineers, representatives from the firm Short Elliott Hendrickson (SEH), along with councilmember Jim Lindner, the city’s designated MS4 contact, met with two members from MPCA and reviewed several pieces of documentation submitted prior to the audit. While Gem Lake did not have a flawless audit, the deficiencies cited were limited to cases of staff training documentation and the need for a formal snow and ice policy. A draft of a temporary snow and ice policy will be approved at tonight’s meeting as a temporary measure while Gem Lake works to create one more tailored to Gem Lake. MPCA Snow & Ice Policy A temporary snow and ice policy based on a sample ordinance from the MPCA is being presented to the Council for approval while the city works to create one more tailored to Gem Lake. Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to adopt the snow & ice policy being presented, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Voice vote taken, all voted yes, motion carried. Domestic Animal Ordinance Discussion The city’s domestic animal ordinance is in need of an update. The mayor would like the council to look at subjects such as the number of domestic animals that any city household can have, whether cats should be licensed, how commercial kennels might be handled, and related topics. The mayor will put a piece in this upcoming newsletter inviting the public to the February City Council meeting to provide feedback. It is expected that the revision of this ordinance will take place over a number of months. Future Charitable Gambling Donations White Bear Lake Emergency Food Shelf Mayor Artig-Swomley suggested that the Council make a donation in February in the amount of $1500.00 to the White Bear Lake Emergency Food Shelf. Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to request a donation in the amount of $1500.00 for the White Bear Lake Emergency Food Shelf, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Voice vote taken, all voted yes, motion carried. Community Outreach to Other Cities and Government Bodies City Attorney Kevin Beck is continuing to work with the City of Vadnais Heights on the water proposal with the City Attorney. Vadnais Heights has made it clear that no progress will be made until the court preceding’s with the DNR have been settled. Mayor Artig-Swomley has requested that City Attorney Kevin Beck write a letter to the City of White Bear Lake on the city’s behalf informing them that the city will not be making payments towards the debt levy until a meeting has been scheduled to sit down and discuss it in more depth. Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to authorize City Attorney Kevin Beck to send a letter to the City of White Bear Lake requesting a meeting, seconded by Councilmember Amlee. Voice vote taken, all in favor, motion carried. Presentations from the Public, 2 Minutes Maximum None