2021 Vol 15, Issue 4 July Gem Lake News

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Gem Lake News Page 4 of 6 Partnering with The White Bear Food Shelf Perry Peterson, Executive Director of the White Bear Lake Emergency Food Shelf, gave a presentation at the May 18 City Council Meeting. He reported on the organization’s efforts to serve the community throughout the pandemic. According to Peterson, there was a 50% increase in visits to the food shelf in 2020. Visits increased from 1200 to 1800 per month, on average. Over 66,000 people were served, of which 36% were children and 14% were seniors. 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. The City Council voted to grant a $1000 donation the food shelf at the May 18 meeting. 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). 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. Pick up Your Dog Poop Dog poop was front and center on the agenda for the June 15 City Council Meeting. The Council decided to add a whole new section into the Animal Control Ordinance having to do with your dog doing its business. Therefore, language was added to section 8 of the ordinance, making an owner responsible for immediately cleaning up any feces your dog decides to gift to the world. Basically, any owner having custody of a dog on public property, such as a trail or City News street, has to pick up and dispose of dog poop and has to carry in their possession means for doing so. The same applies if your dog decides to give your neighbor a special gift. 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. A public works emergency is defined as a threat to public safety or critical infrastructure. (Not a pothole, 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. No Overnight Camping Allowed on City Land The City Council enacted a new ordinance at the June 15 City Council Meeting having to do with overnight camping. The new rules now officially prohibit overnight camping on public land, which in Gem Lake terms consists of our small trail and open space on County Road E. It was determined that overnight camping would interfere with the ability of residents and the public at large to use the area in the healthy and safe manner for which it was intended.