2024 05-21 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes April 16, 2024 2 | Page Mr. Krueger suggested the city await the next steps from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) staff assigned to oversee funding. This will allow the city time to find out the results of the Minnesota bonding bill and whether a funding gap remains. Also suggested was that the city apply for another round of earmarks expected to open very soon. Mr. Krueger is seeking permission from the Council to apply for another round when it opens. Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to give SEH permission to apply for all sources of funding available when it becomes available, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Voice vote taken, all in favor, motion carried. White Bear Montessori School Conduit Debt Update A public hearing will be scheduled for the May City Council meeting on May 21. White Bear Montessori Schools attorney is putting together a notice that they will send to the White Bear Press for publication on April 24. City Engineer Justin Gese asked that any future communication regarding the project be shared with the City of Vadnais Heights as the building is on Vadnais Heights city water. Mr. Gese has shared everything he knows about the project with Vadnais Heights to inform them. City Clerk Compensation Study Results The City contracted MRA to complete a compensation study for the Administrative Assistant / City Clerk role, who recently completed one for White Bear Township. The job matches used were Administrative Assistant II (Senior), Secretary/Administrative Assistant – Experienced, Administrative Assistant (Experienced) and Administrative Services – Intermediate (Business Support). While these job matches covered the Administrative Assistant role, the mayor didn’t feel like it captured the City Clerk role, so more information was requested before the meeting from MRA. White Bear Townships market data from last year was used to help develop a table that could be used as an incentive through the clerk certification process. See attached documents that explain the market base salary and incentive table or the Administrative Assistant / City Clerk role. Gem Lake Travel and Reimbursement Policy Review While this topic is considered new business, the mayor wanted to discuss it before the next topic on the agenda as it relates to it. Mayor Artig-Swomley feels that the current policy in place is a good one and no major changes need to be made. The one section that is being revised is on meals. Changes were made to the allowance for meals to now be based on the U.S. General Services Administration Minneapolis / St. Paul rates. The allowance changes for breakfast went from $12.00 to $18.00, lunch remained the same at $20.00, and dinner went from $25.00 to $36.00. Councilmember Johnson shared that this allowance per meal is better than what the state currently allows those working in his department. Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to approve the suggested changes to the meal section of the Travel and Reimbursement Policy, seconded by Councilmember Johnson. Voice vote taken, all in favor, motion carried. 2024 Minnesota Municipal Clerks Institute (MMCI) – Year 1 – May 6 – 10 Acting City Clerk Melissa Lawrence will be attending her first year at the Clerks Academy held in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Mrs. Lawrence has already secured a hotel room for Sunday, May 5, 2024 – Thursday, May 9, 2024. Training will take place at the Holiday Inn & Suites, St. Cloud and training is being delivered through St. Cloud State University. Mrs. Lawrence applied for a grant to be used towards the registration fee for the Institute and was awarded $100.00. The total for registration minus the grant came to $460.00 and the hotel stay for the duration of the event is estimated to be $615.20, which includes tax that the city will be exempt from. New Business Fee Schedule Updates Slight updates were made to the 2024 adopted fee schedule. Peddlers, Solicitors and Transient Merchants license fees were updated as well as removing one (1) contractor’s license and fee of one (1). Administrative offenses were added for Alcohol and Tobacco Sales to follow White Bear Lakes fines.