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City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes May 21, 2024 1 | Page City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting – May 21, 2024 Meeting Minutes Mayor Gretchen Artig-Swomley called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilmembers Len Cacioppo, Jim Lindner, Ben Johnson, and Laurel Amlee were present. Also present: City Attorney Stand-in Martin Norder, White Bear Montessori Head of School Marnie McPherson, Premier Banks White Bear Lake President Doug Schultze, other WBMS representatives Bill Hansen, Kjel Johnson, Bryan Forbes and Dave Wood, Partner Catherine Courtney of Taft Law via phone call, Planning Commission Chair Joshua Patrick, Commission Member Don Cummings, Acting City Clerk Melissa Lawrence, and Gem Lake residents Jon Reigstad, Nick Cress and Betsy Difabio. May 21, 2024, Agenda A motion was introduced by Councilmember Linder to accept the agenda, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Motion carried 5-0. Minutes A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo to approve the April 16, 2024, City Council Meeting Minutes. Motion carried 5-0. A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo to approve the April 16, 2024, Closed Session City Council Meeting Minutes. Motion carried 5-0. A motion was introduced by Councilmember Lindner, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo to accept the May 14, 2024, Planning Commission Meeting Minutes. Motion carried 5-0. Special Presentations/Public Hearings White Bear Montessori School Conduit Debt Agreement Public Hearing Mayor Artig-Swomley shared with those in attendance that Catherine Courtney of Taft Law is joining the meeting via telephone due to the weather to summarize the request from the White Bear Montessori School (WBMS). Ms. Courtney shared that WBMS is expanding their school and requesting the help of the City of Gem Lake’s tax-exempt status to get a better rate on bonds being acquired to complete the expansion. The school has outgrown their space and plans to spend about $3 million dollars on new classrooms, a storm shelter area, additional office space and a Home Economics Kitchen, along with some other features. The city has no obligation to pay back the bond and has no effect on the city’s credit rating. All obligations are put on the WBMS. Mayor Artig-Swomley informed those in attendance that the Council would begin with the Conduit Debt public hearing, and that the public would have a chance to provide input on the topic. Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to open the public hearing at 7:05 p.m. on the conduit debt discussion, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Voice vote taken, all in favor, motion carried. Mayor Artig-Swomley asked the public if they had any questions. The public had no questions. Councilmember Lindner asked what the terms of the loan are. Ms. Courtney stated that the expected term is 21.5 years with an initial rate of approximately 6.20%. There being no further questions, Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to close the public hearing at 7:07 p.m. on the conduit debt discussion, seconded by Mayor Artig-Swomley. Voice vote taken, all in favor, motion carried. Ms. Courtney shared with the Council that Resolution #2024-0010 and the Deed application will need signatures from both the Mayor and City Clerk.