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City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes May 20, 2025 2 <br />Old Business <br /> <br /> Newsletter Updates / Topics / Suggestions <br />A newsletter was given to the Council for edits. The Acting City Clerk will send the newsletter to the <br />printers by Thursday, May 22, to have ready to send out for June. <br /> <br />Acting City Clerk Performance Review / Pay Discussion Summary (per MN State 13D.03; 13D.05) <br />Mayor Artig-Swomley summarized the evaluation and pay discussion. At the April 15 closed session <br />meeting Councilmember Johnson introduced a motion to approve the evaluation and pay increase, <br />seconded by Councilmember Lindner. Motion was carried 5-0. <br /> <br />Code Enforcement Issues Discussion <br />The initial rental inspection and reinspection both took place for the rental property located on Scheuneman <br />Road. It all comes down to the non-permitted structure built on the back on the property, all other <br />violations were corrected. The city was informed that it was separated into two pieces, after a drive by from <br />the building official he has stated it is still standing and is still in violation. <br /> <br />Potential Water System Funding / Planning <br />The city currently has the 2023/2024 federal funding award of $959,757. The Mayor and the City <br />Engineering firm (SEH) had a meeting and discussed options for using the money, so it does not get <br />revoked. SEH suggested that the city use some of the funds to go towards a bid for a design. This will make <br />future applications look more appealing because it will show that the city has a plan ready. <br /> <br />Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion authorizing City Engineer, SEH, to request a bid for a <br />municipal water system design, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Motion carried 5-0. <br /> <br />Comprehensive Plan / Met Council Interaction <br />Mayor Artig-Swomley met with a person from the Met Council that has City Planner experience to discuss <br />the City of Gem Lake’s Comprehensive Plan and Hoffman’s Corner. Mayor Artig-Swomley was informed <br />that no Comp Plan change would need to take place if a strictly commercial business rather than a <br />commercial/residential mixed development wanted to go into Hoffman’s Corner. <br /> <br />Barnett KIA Developers Agreement Draft <br />A final redlined draft was sent to the city and its contracted departments for review. The final copy will be <br />signed within a couple of days and then work can begin on the new dealership. Councilmember Lindner <br />introduced a motion to authorize the mayor to sign the agreement when it is ready, seconded by <br />Councilmember Cacioppo. Motion carried 5-0. <br /> <br />New Business <br /> <br /> VLAWMO JPA Comment Period <br />VLAWMO is working to update its Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) in conjunction with its work to develop <br />the 2027-2036 Watershed Plan. The current JPA was adopted in 2016 and will expire on December 31, <br />2026. While the current JPA will not expire until next year, VLAWMO determined the concurrent review <br />of the JPA, and the Watershed Plan is the most efficient and will help ensure the documents are properly <br />aligned. VLAWMO staff requests any comments on the draft JPA be provided via email to Phil Belfiori at <br />Phil.belfiori@vlawmo.org by Wednesday May 28, 2025. Any comments will be used to prepare an updated <br />draft of the JPA for review by the VLAWMO Board. <br /> <br />Cannabis Registration Application <br /> <br /> 1599 County Road E East <br />An application for a cannabis microbusiness registration in Gem Lake was received. Gem Lake is <br />allowed a minimum of one (1) retailer per 12,500 residents. Councilmember Lindner introduced a <br />motion to approve the registration, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Motion carried 5-0. <br />