2021 Vol 15, Issue 3 May Gem Lake News

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Gem Lake News Page 4 of 6 Return to Live Meetings!! It’s been over a year since the Governor of Minnesota declared a state of emergency due to the pandemic. At that point, most cities switched to virtual meetings to conduct general business, such as city council meetings. As vaccination rates rise and COVID 19 infection rates begin to decline, many cities are returning, or have already returned, to conducting live meetings. Gem Lake has made the decision to return to “normal” beginning with the May 18 City Council meeting. This meeting will be live and will happen at Heritage Hall. To celebrate our first live meeting in a while, we are serving coffee and cookies. The meeting will start at 7:00 p.m. Masks and socially distancing will still be required. Chairs in the meeting room are marked for distance, hand sanitizer will be available. You know the drill. We hope to see you then. Please note: you are invited to bring a donation for the White Bear Area Emergency Food Shelf and help fill up our new food shelf drop off bins. Partnering with The White Bear Food Shelf The City of Gem Lake has been an active partner with the White Bear Area Emergency Food Shelf for many years. Often the City Council votes to contribute all or most of our charitable gambling receipts from pull-tab sales to their very important efforts to end hunger in our community. There are now donation bins in Heritage Hall for your non-perishable donations of food, pet supplies and basic toiletries. We can accept monetary donations (no cash please) or you can send your checks directly to the Food Shelf (1884 Whitaker Street, White Bear Lake, MN 55110). Also, Perry Peterson, Executive Director of the White Bear Lake Emergency Food Shelf, will be attending our May 18 meeting in-person and will give an overview of their efforts to help our community, especially during the summer months. Their web-site always indicates current and particular needs if you are in doubt about what to donate. Right now, its things like size 5 and 6 diapers, cooking oils, flour, sugar, etc. Their web-site address is whitebearfoodshelf.org. City News Deer Hunting Ordinance (continued from pg. 1) Some members of the public think the rules are too stringent, while others think this type of hunt should only be conducted by agencies approved by the Minnesota DNR. Currently, Gem Lake hunts must follow all State deer hunting rules, and each hunter must have a license and must have certified training. Please note: this will be a zoom meeting. If we have your email address, we will send an agenda and link to the meeting shortly. If we don’t have your email, please let us know. Your feedback is important. The meeting will start at 7:00 p.m. on May 10 After Hour Emergency Number for Public Works In the event of a public works emergency after our normal business hours, there is a number you should call. Gem Lake’s normal business hours are 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. An public works emergency is defined as a threat to public safety or critical infrastructure. (Not a pot hole, or something that can wait.) Examples of an emergency would be a watermain break, (please don’t call City of Vadnais Heights), a city sewer line back up or the collapse of a manhole. The phone number to call after business hours is 651-755-9828. The City of Gem Lake has a cooperative arrangement with White Bear Township to handle these emergencies. Dog Licenses are Due for Renewal Recently, you probably got a letter in the mail about renewing your dog license. The City of Gem Lake requires that all dogs over 6 months in our city have a license. The cost is $10. You must also produce the certificate showing that your dog has a current rabies vaccine. One big benefit of having a license is your dog’s safety. In the unlikely event your dog is lost, that license number will help get your darling reunited with his or her family. What do you if your dog is lost? Call the non-emergency number at the White Bear Police Department. Often, people bring lost dogs to them. The police department sometimes posts pictures on their web-site or on Facebook. Also, consider Gem Lake Next Door. If you download the app, you can post a photo of your dog. I have personally reunited several dogs with their families this way. Check it out.