2025 07-15 City Council Meeting Minutes

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City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes July 15, 2025 2 All items on the consent agenda were reviewed by the Council. Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to approve all the items listed on the consent agenda, seconded by Councilmember Cacioppo. Motion carried 4-0. Committee Reports Planning Commission Chair Don Cummings shared with the Council that the Commission is currently going through Ordinance No. 131. The Commission also decided to change their meeting nights back to the first Tuesday of each month beginning with the October meeting. Old Business Newsletter Updates / Topics / Suggestions The current copy of the newsletter is about 75% done. The Mayor is waiting on a couple more stories to fill the empty spaces. The newsletter will be ready for August. Code Enforcement Issues Discussion City Building Official Mike Johnson is continuing to clear up existing code enforcement issues with one property. The City Clerk is still looking into the one property that was discovered to be a rental property but not licensed to do so. Councilmember Head Shots for Website Discussion Due to not all City Councilmembers being able to attend the July City Council meeting, the head shots have been rescheduled for the August meeting. Potential Water System Funding / Future Water System Planning Both federal and state funding have been applied for. From the amount the city has been awarded some is going to be used to go towards planning. Gem Lake is responsible for covering 20% of the engineering costs, the other 80% can come from grants. City Engineer Just Gese will be meeting with Vadnais Heights to have a conversation with them regarding the possibility of Vadnais Heights supplying water to parts of Gem Lake. Gem Lake will soon have the opportunity with the new apartment building being put along Labore Road and the installation of water lines. KIA Project Update Underground construction has been completed, and grading will begin soon. The hope for KIA is to be done by summer of 2026. The old building will be up and in use until the new building is completed. New Business August Planning Commission Meeting If no public hearings are requested for the August 12, 2025, Planning Commission meeting there is a request to cancel the August meeting. Mayor Artig-Swomley agreed that it would be ok to cancel the August meeting if nothing comes up. Future Charitable Gambling Donations White Bear Lake Emergency Food Shelf Mayor Artig-Swomley suggested that the Council make a donation in August in the amount of $1,500.00 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. Motion carried 4-0. Community Outreach to Other Cities and Government Bodies Mayor Artig-Swomley shared herself, Acting City Clerk Melissa Lawrence, City Treasurer Tom Kelly, and City Engineer Justin Gese are going to be meeting with Vadnais Heights Public Works Director to discuss the rates at the Villas.