2020 Vol 14, Issue 4 September-October Gem Lake News

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Gem Lake News Page 4 of 6 MS-4 Public Hearing Held September 15, 2020 Each year, Gem Lake files its annual MS4 report with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). The report is mandatory and requires that a public hearing be held at a city meeting, so anyone can learn of what Gem Lake did to remain in compliance with MS4 requirements. This hearing was held on September 15 at the City Council meeting. But what is MS4 and what does it mean to be compliant? MS4 stands for “Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System” shortened to the “M” and four “S’s” for a catchy acronym that is all about m anaging runoff from storm events. An MS4 is a government entity such as a city, county, or other governmental entity, that is charged with the responsibility of preventing the spread of pollution. MS4 falls under the direction of another acronym NPDES, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. NPDES traces its origins to the 1992 Clean Water Act that was designed to protect the nation’s water supply. When rain falls, it may come in contact with pollutants such as agricultural chemicals, leaked motor oil in a parking lot, or any number of other pollutants. Since stormwater is collected into stormwater drainage systems, this contaminated water is then directly discharged into our rivers and streams, spreading the pollution. Emily Jennings of SEH (ShortElliotHendrickson) presented the status report for the City’s Stormwater Permit Program for the 2020 Public Hearing. She pointed out a variety of future considerations regarding the new permit requirements expected from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. She also recommended the City of Gem Lake increase public education efforts on stormwater issues and also clean out sedimentation throughout city culverts. Gem Lake is not alone in the mandatory reporting requirement. Across the Twin Cities metro area are dozens of MS4 entities, part of a network of thousands of similar MS4’s across the country. A complete copy of the MS-4 presentation and report is available at Heritage Hall. City News Scholarship Money Finally Awarded! Due to COVID 19, and subsequent bar closures, charitable gambling receipts from pull-tab sales took a powder for months. Cities throughout Minnesota rely on these receipts to make charitable donations to various causes in their area. Many charities, such as our White Bear Lake Area Emergency Food Shelf, rely heavily on these donations and have had a difficult time this Summer. In Gem Lake’s case, charitable gambling funds our annual scholarship program. In April, the council decided to go ahead and process the applications and award the scholarships, even though the cupboards were bare. The awards were given on the basis of making payment to all three winners this fall, when it was hoped that revenues would come roaring back. Well, they did. In July, Gem Lake’s portion of receipts totaled $3,100. (This did also include a donation from Merrick Company, which manages pull tab sales in our area, to make up for the loss of revenues with bar closures.) Even with a donation, this is an impressive amount of pent up demand, considering these receipts come from only one establishment in our city—The Country Lounge. Due to dedicated pull tab users in our area, and Merrick Company, each student can now be awarded $1,000 for their post-secondary education expenses. The winners are Corey Howard Doran, Tyler Nathanel Tangwell and Griffin Stephen Varley. Congratulations to our winners and thanks to those who made it happen. Donation Approved to Food Shelf A donation of $1,000 was approved by the Gem Lake City Council for the White Bear Lake Area Emergency Food Shelf. The action was taken at the September 15 City Council Meeting, as a result of receiving charitable gambling receipts again, after a “COVID gap.” (See above).