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Gem Lake News Page 2 of 6 is necessary and making infrastructure improvements that are spread over multiple years. The City Council has also put into place a common sense maintenance approach to the city's infrastructure to try and stay ahead of major repairs." "The accounting firm of CliftonLarsonAllen audited the financial condition of the city. As a result of the audit, Gem Lake received a satisfactory rating, stating that the city is in a strong financial position with adequate reserves." Charitable Gambling "The city receives a small percentage of pull tab income, which it uses for charitable donations, as well as for the betterment for citizens within the city. This past year the city provided a $500 scholarship to a senior graduate at White Bear Lake High School, a $1500 grant to the Willow Lane Elementary School, a $500 grant to the White Bear Lake Emergency Food Shelf and a $250 grant to the Union Gospel Mission." Sewer Maintenance "Certain parts of the city have city sewers. The city has a maintenance program, which divides Gem Lake into sections for purposes of sewer maintenance. Each year, Gem Lake hires a company to inspect a section to make sure the sewer is working properly and if repairs are needed they let us know. This past year the residential area on Scheuneman Road and the Hillary Farm development were inspected. No issues were uncovered." City Planning and Public Safety "The City of Gem Lake is part of the greater metropolitan area and therefore must comply with the rules of the Metropolitan Council." "One of these rules is to create a city plan every ten years, which is called the Comprehensive Plan. The scope and timing requirements of the plan are controlled by the Met Council and consume significant planning time for municipalities throughout the Twin Cities. The current plan, which was submitted in 2008 was recently approved by the Met Council and was then given official approval by the Gem Lake City Council. In five years, the city will have to Mayor Reflects on 2012 Accomplishments (continued from page 1) turn in the next Comprehensive Plan, which will be approved a number of years later...and so the process continues." "The City Council worked with the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department this past year to improve and increase the patrols within the city. The improvement provides for additional patrols in areas where it was felt patrols were lacking. Times and days of patrols were also alternated frequently to increase effectiveness." All Creatures Great and Small "There are many landowners that own and care for chickens. This past year a citizen applied for a permit to own and care for chickens and was charged a fee of $600. The permit was governed by an old ordinance still on the city books. W hen the council was presented with this issue, it repealed the old ordinance and created a new one that covers all fowl and is accompanied by a more reasonable fee." Development "The city council has been trying to work with landowners who want to develop their land. Meetings have been held with land owners and developers to discuss ideas but so far nothing has materialized. The council will continue to work on this important topic, as land owners request help and information." "Gem Lake's City Council believes the priorities in 2013 will be to work hard to control expenses, provide necessary services, position ourselves for the future and protect the character of our city. "