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City of Gem Lake Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 11, 2025 1 City of Gem Lake Planning Commission Meeting – February 11, 2025 Meeting Minutes Planning Commission Chair Don Cummings called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Commission Members Art Pratt and Derek Wippich were present with one vacancy. Not present was Commission Member Stephanie Farrell. Also present: City Planner Evan Monson, City Attorney Kevin Beck and Acting City Clerk Melissa Lawrence February 11, 2025 A motion was introduced by Commissioner Pratt to accept the agenda, seconded by Commissioner Wippich. Motion carried 3-0. Minutes A motion was introduced by Commissioner Pratt, seconded by Commissioner Wippich to approve the January 14, 2025, Planning Commission Meeting minutes. Motion carried 3-0. Public Hearings None Old Business Ordinance No. 131 Discussion Next Steps City Planner Evan Monson summarized some of the suggested updates that he recommends to ensure the ordinance is in line with state regulations and consistent with the comprehensive plan. Discussion on the next steps to take and what to tackle first took place. City Planner Evan Monson is going to begin putting some drafts together to present at the next meeting for review. New Business Planning Commission Applications Review Two applications were received for the vacant Planning Commission position from Debra Suhadolnik of the Villas of Gem Lake and Laurel Amlee former City Councilmember and lives and works in the Gateway District. The Commission reviewed the applications and liked the idea of having someone on the Commission that has ties to the Gateway District. The Commission is passing along a recommendation to the City Council for approval. The Commission would like the new member to start for the March 11 meeting. Commission Member Wippich introduced a motion to recommend approval of inviting Laurel Amlee to join the Planning Commission, seconded by Commission Member Pratt. Motion carried 3-0. Ordinance No. 113 – Right-of-Way City Planner Evan Monson summarized the updates suggested to the Right-of-Way Ordinance. The current ordinance (No. 113) was adopted by the city in January of 2010. This version was consistent with the current (at that time) model ordinance available from the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC). Ordinance No. 113 covers: when permits are needed, permitting processes and procedures, permitting fees, patching and restoration when work is conducted in the ROW, emergency vs. non-emergency situations, mapping of items constructed within a ROW, moving above-ground items underground (or undergrounding), and abandonment of facilities within a ROW. Since 2010, State and Federal law related to management and access to ROW has changed, most notably with regards to telecommunications. One of the bigger changes is “small cell wireless facilities”, which is technology that allows for increased usage of wireless networks by cell phones. It is imperative that the city ensures their ordinances are consistent with current State and Federal law. Staff has reviewed the current version of Ordinance No. 113 and proposes the following changes as summarized below. These changes are consistent with the latest model ordinance provided by LMC.