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<br /> <br />Gem Lake News Page 5 of 6 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Grant Writing Options Evaluated for the City <br /> <br />A grant writing expert at SEH, the firm that acts as <br />our city engineer, is now looking into grant money <br />that may be available for the city. Heidi Peper, a <br />Principal and a Senior Community Development <br />Specialist at SEH is now evaluating Gem Lake's <br />options for tapping into grant money that would aid <br />with any future contamination clean-up projects in <br />the business district, as well as money that could aid <br />in redevelopment. Both types of grants are available <br />through the Minnesota Department of Employment <br />and Economic Development. <br /> <br />Contamination grants are provided when below <br />ground problems are suspected. Her job will be to <br />evaluate whether any potential contamination could <br />exist anywhere and help the city write a grant to do <br />further investigation or even the clean up itself. First <br />steps involve talking to property owners and doing <br />initial records searches. If potential issues are found, <br />Applications for these types of grants are due on <br />November 1. <br /> <br />Next, Ms. Peper is looking into grant money that may <br />be available for redevelopment activities, such as the <br />extension of drinking water distribution mains and <br />connection to a municipal water system. Applications <br />for these types of grants are due in February of <br />2015. <br /> <br /> <br />Black Sea Restaurant: Gem Lakes Newest Gem! <br /> <br />Stop in at our newest Gem Lake business! The <br />Black Sea Restaurant is now open on County Road <br />E near Enterprise Rental Car. The popular Turkish <br />restaurant named the Black Sea recently open its <br />second branch in our city. . <br /> <br />The restaurant serves authentic Turkish food such <br />as falafel, kebabs, hummus and other Mediterranean <br />fare. The Gem Lake restaurant is located at 1581 E. <br />County Road E, next to Vera Auto Sales. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />New Planning <br />Commission Chair <br />Appointed (continued from page 3) <br /> <br />While enlisted, Ben participated in multiple <br />overseas deployments, serving as a security <br />team leader, supervising operations onboard <br />U.S. warships and Military Sealift Command <br />ships in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. <br /> <br />Following his enlistment, Ben and his wife <br />returned to Minnesota to pursue their careers <br />and raise a family. He earned a law degree <br />from William Mitchell College of Law in May, <br />2011. He is currently clerking with the <br />employment law firm of Nichols Kaster, PLLP. <br />His areas of focus include the EEOC <br />Complaint process, the Family Medical Leave <br />Act, Fair Labor Standards Act and a wide <br />variety of employment law issues and class <br />actions, including gender and age <br />discrimination, hostile work environments, <br />harassment and wrongful termination. W hen <br />not at work, he likes to spend time with his wife <br />and daughter. They also are enthusiastic <br />about golf, fishing, hunting, camping and the <br />Minnesota Twins. <br /> <br />Ben will chair the February Planning <br />Commission Meeting. <br />