December 2011 Gem Lake Newsletter

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Gem Lake News Page 4 of 6 BuBu Fee Schedule Approved for 2012 Fees for everything from building permits to re- zoning applications was the subject of a public hearing on November 16. The 2012 Fee Schedule was approved following the hearing and is essentially the same as fees for the previous year. The get a copy of the fee schedule, you can call the city secretary or consult the city web-site. See contact information on page 6. Charitable Gambling Receipts Donated by City in Time for the Holidays The Gem Lake City Council voted at its November meeting to donate its portion of charitable gambling receipts to two organizations. The White Bear Lake Area Emergency Food Shelf will receive $500 and the Union Gospel Mission will receive $250. This depletes funds available at this time from pull tab sales within city limits. Goals for 2012 to Be Discussed by Council As in previous years, the January City Council meeting will include an agenda item for the discussion of goals for the city in the year 2012. The meeting will be held on January 17 at 7:00 p.m. Last year's discussion resulted in a list of goals pertaining to road maintenance, volunteerism and citizen communication. The public is invited to participate in the development of this coming year's list. Gem Lake Fish Study Results Are In Results of a study of the fish community of Gem Lake are now in. The study was conducted by Blue Water Science Co. for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Vadnais Lakes Area Water Management Organization. (VLAWMO) The study began last September when nets were placed in the lake over a two day period in order to catch, count, study and release fish found in Gem Lake. According to the Minnesota DNR, the fish population of any particular lake in the state can be an overall indicator of lake health. The results of this study showed that Gem Lake most likely contains only black crappies, as these were the only fish species caught in the City News Page standard fish nets during the two day test period (September 27 and 28). The sampling showed that the number of crappies caught per net was unusually high, with an average of 37. Data from the DNR shows that the typical average falls into the 2-18 range. The black crappies ranged from less than 3 inches to 9.5 inches in length, with the average about 6 inches. Gem Lake is a relatively shallow lake and it is likely that winter kills have occurred in the past. A few years ago a winter kill probably killed all fish in the lake, according to Blue Water Science. Crappies were then introduced, either intentionally or unintentionally. Because Gem Lake is land locked, immigration of other fish species in unlikely. Blue Water Sciences went on to conclude that if there is another severe winter kill, the existing population of crappies will probably be eliminated and minnows will be the dominant species. A complete copy of the study is available at Heritage Hall. Ideas for the Gateway District to be Discussed at the January Workshop How can Gem Lake attract high quality development to our city when the real estate market finally recovers? This is the central question that will be discussed at an idea session that will be held January 9 as part of the City Council Workshop at Heritage Hall. For instance, would you want developers to be able to increase density when they develop open parcels the Gateway Distract of Gem Lake in return for more green space? The workshop will focus on filling in language within the city's Gateway District Zoning Ordinance that is intended to deal with incentives for builders. Your input at this meeting would be appreciated. Snow Plow Contract Approved The Gem Lake City Council approved an hourly snow plowing and salting contract with T.A. Schifsky's, the same contractor the city used last season. Hourly rates and material costs are essentially even with those paid in the previous year. The company will plow whenever two or more inches of snow fall, or they receive a call from the Mayor.