Laserfiche WebLink
City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes May 21, 2024 2 | Page <br />Mayor Artig-Swomley asked for a motion to approve the Conduit Debt Resolution #2024-0010. <br />Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to approve resolution #2024-0010, seconded by <br />Councilmember Cacioppo. Motion carried 5-0. <br /> <br />Consent Agenda <br /> <br /> Resolution #2024-007 May 2024 Donation to White Bear Lake Area Food Shelf <br /> Resolution #2024-008 May 2024 Dov Nathanson Scholarship <br /> Resolution #2024-009 May 2024 James Marier Scholarship <br /> Garden Overlay Interim Use Permit – Bryan Hansen County Road E Property <br />Claims <br /> <br />All items on the consent agenda were reviewed by the Council. Councilmember Lindner introduced a <br />motion to approve all the items listed on the consent agenda as is, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. <br />Motion carried 5-0. <br /> <br />Committee Reports <br />Commission Chair Joshua Patrick shared that the Commission went over the Tobacco and Charitable Gambling <br />ordinances and is moving them to the Council for approval. The discussion on the liquor ordinance was moved to <br />the June Planning Commission meeting to give the planners more time to combine the existing ordinances. <br /> <br />Old Business <br /> <br /> Newsletter Updates / Topics / Suggestions <br />Mayor Artig-Swomley shared that a current City Newsletter is almost ready to be sent to the printer. She <br />would like the members of the council to review it for any suggested edits before it gets sent to the printers <br />on Thursday, May 23, 2024. <br /> <br />FY25 Water System Funding Update <br />On Monday, May 13, Congresswoman Betty McCollum visited Gem Lake. She and several colleagues <br />stopped by Heritage Hall to tour Gem Lake’s facilities and to learn more about ways she could help the city <br />with major infrastructure goals. The Congresswoman was instrumental in helping the city obtain its first <br />federal grant to help pay for costs of a potential future municipal water system. The city was awarded about <br />$950k in 2023 by the federal government, which is approximately 14% of what is needed to build phase <br />one of a water system. Recently, the city applied for additional funds from the 2024 federal budget. <br />McCollum pledged her support to coordinate federal and state efforts to try to bring funds to the city for a <br />municipal water system, which will cost around $6.5M. On May 15 the city received notification that the <br />water system project had been selected to advance to the next stage of the appropriations process. These <br />nominations are not a guarantee of funding. <br /> <br />Councilmember Johnson stated that he had a state update to share from the legislature. The legislature was <br />unable to pass a bonding bill this year. This didn’t affect Gem Lake because our project didn’t make the <br />initial cut. The city can hope for a bonding bill to pass next year. <br /> <br />Acting City Clerk Performance Review / Pay Discussion Summary (per MN Stat 13D.03; 13D.05) <br />Mayor Artig-Swomley summarized the evaluation and pay discussion. At the April 16 closed session <br />Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to approve the evaluation and pay increase, seconded by <br />Councilmember Johnson. Motion carried 5-0. <br /> <br />Gem Lake Trail Reseeding / Tree Planting Discussion <br />With the help of White Bear Township Public Works Pete Tholen and input from Master Gardener Kim <br />Anderson-Uzpen the city has obtained quotes for reseeding and removal and planting of trees along the <br />Gem Lake train and in the open area located in the southwestern section of the city. Between 14-16 new <br />trees will be planted, primarily to replace older trees that have died in the western and northern sections of <br />the public property. In addition, the Tree Trust intends to visit Gem Lake and remove and replace about a <br />dozen trees they planted several years ago.